Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

Once upon a time in the Endless Mountains there was a hustling, bustling town by the name of Emporium. Webster defines "emporium" as a place of trade, a commercial center, a suitable place of business. Since Wal- Mart set up its tent in St. Marys, the description no longer applies. Some say if you want to see your Emporium neighbor, just go to Wal-Mart.

Just travel along Fourth Street and count the empty storefronts where local businesses were once thriving. There also seem to be more houses for sale than ever, and few of them moving. Landlords are having trouble filling their vacant rentals.

It amazes me how our Olivett's can hold on against the largest retailer in the world. Cappy's here still sells quality men's clothes but, unless a woman can find what she wants at Dollar General, she has to head out of town.

I'm not trying to spread gloom and doom, but while Fox News tells us how good things are, I have to wonder. I think Fox News headquarters must be in one of the bathrooms at the White House.

How long has it been since Emporium had taxi service? I remember when Dorothy Pifer ran her yellow Checker cab when we came to town in 1971. Her nickname was "Slugger," which she supposedly earned one time when one of her fares got smart with her. After the old Checker checked out, Dorothy got a new one, but soon she demolished it in an accident.

Slugger's devotion to her people was so strong that she got their groceries, picked up prescriptions and transported them to doctor's appointments in her own car.

Dorothy finally ended up with an old white pickup truck. Along with her other duties, she hauled kids to school. I remember one time when Slugger came through with a load of kids on the back of her truck. When she turned the corner, a couple fell out. She stopped, brushed the snow from them, helped them back in the truck and motored off. It reminded me of the Keystone Cops.

Since the arrival of the personal computer, the word "icon" gets tossed around a lot. It used to be that an icon was someone who contributed to society. Dorothy Pifer was an Emporium icon. I can remember several others: Ward Zimmer, George Erskine, Bill Meisel Sr., Bob Taylor, Doc Hackett, Ken Gerg and the list goes on.

Culture has slipped in Emporium over the years. Most of the places that had any kind of culture were run by our icons: the Midtown Lounge, Buttonwood Inn and Doug's Cottage ("Dough's Cottage"). Doug Petty had a radio show that featured the local ladies and Jim Spotts was the emcee. We also had some truly professional waitresses in town who could recommend wine to go with your dinner or offer advice to the lovelorn: Dottie Shelly, Nancy Tompkins and Gretchen Petty. Dorothy Lewis always oiled the wheels that made things run smoothly at the VFW.

Emporium has had many legal icons who have moved to the courthouse in the sky: John Gressimer, Tommy Tompkins, Joe Malizia and John Rydesky. Rounding out that law and order list are Judge Greiner, Paul Streich, Art May and Jim Fragale.

Our country was built on the mom and pop businesses, and most of those have bitten the dust. One landmark is Charlie's Friendly Tavern, founded by Charlie Vogt and Pearl. They're still pumping out the homemade vittles, thanks to Barb.

Just like Jimmy Hoffa, even the car dealerships have disappeared. All of the grocery stores but one have vanished and we're down to four gas stations and three public bars.

I wonder what will be next to take a hike?