Friday, November 20, 2020

Flashback Friday

 What was there to do for fun in Jackson thirty years ago?









23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't have done any of that because we were dirt poor. Clothes came from Goodwill or Gateway mission. I would've done the LeadCo Shuffle and watched a free movie on TV.

Anonymous said...

Nothing. Unknowingly, I had the foresight to realize the path it was taking, so I left the town in which I was reared in order to start a life elsewhere. (You asked.)

Anonymous said...

9:59 - 1-800-530-7665 haaaww!!!!

Anonymous said...

When Jackson was still alive and mostly well. Was worth saving back then. Just sad.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish you did it again! I remember when live music in Jackson was incredible! Remember when Jackson had movie theaters? Rocky Horror Picture Show at Metro Center Cinema was an experience! Diamond Jim’s at Metrocenter! Anyone remember McDowell Road cruising and Appleridge Bowling Ally? It was fun grow up in Jackson 30-35 years ago.

A Look Back At Progress said...

Thirty years ago this week, people of much vision and foresight were meeting to discuss the future of the state and the democrat party here. Meetings were carefully planned, well attended and lasted into the night. Lavish feasts were prepared with all bringing something to spread upon the tables. Whiskey, although discouraged, was in abundance. Mufflers sounded on rural roads. Dust flew. Chickens jumped out of the way and lamp-lights lit the nights.

Speakers were lined up, a pathway was decided and specific action plans and assignments were laid out. Everybody knew his role and his assignment going forward. Picnic tables were located and many others were being built. Gathering points were designated, roadways were cleared and law enforcement was notified. Peanut oil and cabbage flew off the shelves. Catfish ponds were busy and the best hushpuppie recipes competed.

The leadership loaded the wagons and the postal service was well equipped to gladly distribute the fliers, pamphlets and sealed contribution requests. Voices boomed and hopes sky-rocketed. Money flowed, some got pocketed. Speeches were held and hands got shook. Babies got kissed and people got took. The people assembled, frolicked and converged, thirty years ago when Bennie emerged.

Anonymous said...

The poor people at the Clarion Ledger. How the mighty have fallen from being a respected paper to a clone of the USA Today with 10 pages

Anonymous said...

Such good memories of Times Change. Our first date and always for anniversaries. Hubby always wrote a neat poem on the inside of a matchbook. Of course I have kept them all.

Anonymous said...


Subway lounge with juju watching your car
Ms Helen at the door
Jimmy in the stage to open
Lavonne pulls up in his tractor rig with a huge belt buckle
Takes the stage at midnight
London on Sax says y’all ready for the blues?
Dudley on drums
Tom Ravinsky on lead guitar
Mr Jameson down front with his crown
And me behind the bar handing out ice buckets and watching the world meld together in one small spot....if only for a minute

Fun times for $5.00

Anonymous said...

And yet...if you could magically take this blog back in time to 1990 the comments would be exactly the same. "Jackson is gone" would be the theme of 90% of the posts.

By sheer coincidence...Kenneth Stokes was on the Jackson City Council then as well!

Anonymous said...

Where was Jackson Cinema West?

Anonymous said...

10:35

Your foresight notwithstanding, you follow a blog dedicated to the place you hate. Hmmmm....

Anonymous said...

Jackson Cinema West was in the building behind Sam's that was on Ellis. Visible from the Interstate. I think there is a Gov't office there now? Used to have a Po Folks and IHOP over there too. At one time that was where the first Walmart in Jackson was located.

Inez's Place! Lot's of mind-bending times there.

Anonymous said...

I'm really sorry I wasn't around to enjoy that "International Lunch Buffet" in Jackson. I'm sure the line of Gulfstreams at Hawkins and JAN was endless with the Saudi oil princes and the Davos set all trying to get there by 1 pm!

Yes, 30 years ago, Bennie emerged, and the Dem party has apparently been constipated ever since. Good job, Blue Wavers!!!

Anonymous said...

Cinema West I and II were on Lynch Street across from the Cotton Bowl. Ellis Isle Cinema was in that center where Woolco and later Walmart were on Ellis Avenue. The "Warehouse" grocery store was next to Woolco. Was The first bulk grocery store in Mississippi. Was part of the Jitney-Jungle Company. Who remembers Miller department store on Ellis Avenue.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh the putt putt near metro center and water slides on highway 80 (was it in Clinton or in Jackson?). Also the slide on south frontage road built into the hill....and going to surplus city USA was cool too. And ug, having to go shopping with mom at Jackson Mall and Westland Plaza

Anonymous said...

I think Cinema West was the two-screen on Lynch down from the Cotton Bowl. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the one by Sack & Save and Wal-Matt was the Ellis Isle Cinema.

Anonymous said...

I’m with 1:45, if the person left, why is he even concerned about this place. Jackson was a very cool place and someone mentioned McDowell Road and Appleridge. I relish those memories. In 1986 I met a girl, we dated and we got married and we are still married. McDowell road was our form of social networking where you actually had to pick up a landline, place a call, ask a girl out and enjoy yourselves! Great restaurants were in Jackson. I told some younger guys the other day how life was so good in the 70’s and 80’s. None of the Horsesheet going on today was then. It was a great time in my life. ThNk you KF for the memories.

Mbrookes said...

Husband and I moved here 28 years ago. We thought we had died and gone to Heaven. We love Dixieland, so went to Joker's every Sunday afternoon. Where we lived fefore, we were 14 miles in the country. Imagine our delight with cable TV and being able to order a pizza! I have hated the erosion of Jackson, but I refuse to give up on her.

Anonymous said...

Circus Mind was at the original W C Dons ! Great band at a dive bar

Anonymous said...

Lamar theater anyone? Had a balcony too if I recall

Anonymous said...

Who knew Bennie's first campaign speech was a clarion call, signaling the end? We never know these things in advance, but in hindsight, all become crystal clear. Yet the memories of some are restricted to bars, theaters and buffets.

Anonymous said...

My bad. Ellis Cinema. Right! Also, that water slide on the hill on the frontage road was made of concrete. It was horrible! LOL!



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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