Tom Doan died last week. I'm surprised he lasted this long.
I remember there used to be a roller rink in one of the stores on Market street. Being four years younger than Tom I never went there, but I remember when Tom showed up with a cast on his arm, proud as he could be, telling everyone how badly he broke it skating.
Later there was an outdoor roller rink with a circus like tent covering that would come to Mount Carmel for a few weeks in the summer then move on to the next town.
Now there is a roller rink in (I think) the 4H building where they also hold the annual corn festival. Skating is not allowed during the corn festival, which is only fair because corn is not allowed while skating.
Another of his hangouts was the pool hall in the basement of of the building on the corner of Fourth and Market. There were steps going down on the outside of the building. Snooker or Nine ball were popular, but betting on the games was the real reason to go. They also had pinball machines that "paid off." If you won 10 free games on the dime machine you could ask to have them cleared from the machine and they would give you a dollar.
Funny, I haven't missed Tom in 50 years, but I miss him now.
I remember there used to be a roller rink in one of the stores on Market street. Being four years younger than Tom I never went there, but I remember when Tom showed up with a cast on his arm, proud as he could be, telling everyone how badly he broke it skating.
Later there was an outdoor roller rink with a circus like tent covering that would come to Mount Carmel for a few weeks in the summer then move on to the next town.
Now there is a roller rink in (I think) the 4H building where they also hold the annual corn festival. Skating is not allowed during the corn festival, which is only fair because corn is not allowed while skating.
Another of his hangouts was the pool hall in the basement of of the building on the corner of Fourth and Market. There were steps going down on the outside of the building. Snooker or Nine ball were popular, but betting on the games was the real reason to go. They also had pinball machines that "paid off." If you won 10 free games on the dime machine you could ask to have them cleared from the machine and they would give you a dollar.
Funny, I haven't missed Tom in 50 years, but I miss him now.