JOPLIN, Mo. —
Every once in a while, someone comes up with an idea that really knocks it out of the park. In this case, it’s a bunch of 80-year-olds who want to recapture what it was like to live it up on Route 66 in 1946.
Members of the class of 1946 at Joplin High School will hold a reunion this Thursday with the intent of “Celebrating 66 Years on Route 66.’’ They are linking their reunion to this week’s Third Thursday and have reserved the banquet center in the Ramsay Building at Sixth and Main streets. That part of Main Street was a segment of the original Route 66.
By linking their reunion to Third Thursday, they are trying to relive some of the excitement that existed in downtown when they were 18 years old and living in a post-war America where anything was possible. Back then, the downtown area was the center of Joplin’s universe. It was a vibrant place.
I attended one of their organizational meetings last month and was given a copy of a water-color depiction of downtown Joplin in 1947 by Edward Larson, a folk art artist who graduated from Joplin High School in 1949. The print depicts a view of Main Street looking north from Sixth Street. It shows the Orpheum, Paramount and Fox theaters, yellow and white buses, people walking on the sidewalks and vehicles lining both sides of the street. This is the vibrant downtown that this class remembers.
“We are so proud of our downtown,’’ said Joy Thompson, a member of the class.
This class is not only proud, but appreciative. The theme of its reunion is to “recognize all Joplinites for their strength and resilience in the aftermath of the 2011 tornado.’’ They plan to honor City Manager Mark Rohr and Superintendent of Schools C.J. Huff for “refusing to be overwhelmed by the unimaginable challenges’’ that were thrust upon them.
I had to laugh when I read their invitation letter. It reads: “A spirited, well-rounded group of 1946 graduates has met three times and, with clear acknowledgment of the negatives associated with such an undertaking, decided to ‘think outside the box’ and approach most aspects (of the reunion) differently than in the past.’’
Well, they certainly have done that.
You’ve got to remember that these people are in their 80s. They recognize that perhaps this could be their last time together. So what are they doing? They are reconnecting with the heart of their hometown and thanking those who have seen it through its darkest days. Now that’s a hard act to follow.
PLATO’S CLOSET OPENS
After a buying spree that lasted for weeks, Plato’s Closet had enough inventory to open as a resale retail shop last Thursday.
Doug Dahl, a co-owner of the shop, said, “Joplin has been so supportive. We far exceeded our expectations. It’s been fabulous. We now have an inventory and a complete new set of products ready to restock our shelves.’’
Plato’s Closet, 320 S. Geneva Ave., is in the same building as Chico’s and Comeau Jewelry in North Park Crossing.
Plato’s Closet not only sells brand name clothing and accessories for up to 70 percent off retail prices, it provides cash on the spot for merchandise purchased from consumers.
RANGE LINE PAVING
Work to repave Range Line Road started on Friday. The resurfacing will take place at night and will continue through late October.
Drivers can expect nighttime lane closings where crews are working. In most locations, contractor crews will grind off the top layer of pavement and replace it with a new layer of asphalt.
Range Line is being resurfaced from 10th Street in Webb City to 36th Street in Joplin.
If you have news about something that’s happening on Range Line Road or Main Street, dial 623-3480, Ext. 7250; or send an email to wkennedy@joplinglobe.com; or send a fax to Wally Kennedy at 623-8598.
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