I've really enjoyed your memories. They
brought back a time of a great life for me. I lived on the "other
side" of the tracks.....on Brill St., by Ballantine. My dad worked
there for 25 years.
Oh, what memories that brewery gave us. I remember the men driving
the purple grain truck that had metal wheels and was driven by a
chain. We knew that when that truck was around, that "smell" wasn't
too far behind.
I also remember going to see Santa at the brewery and getting my
picture taken and my dad coming home with a turkey. I remember when
Ballantine was thinking of going into the soda business and they
came to the school and let us do a taste test of sodas. I also remember
the FIZZIES that they gave out. You know, the purple discs that
fizzed when you dropped them in water. I never put them in water
though, I just sucked on them!
I remember that our street was always plowed thanks to the men
at Ballys. We always had heat in our school, St Aloysius, because
of the brewery. They always took care of the neighborhood. Most
of all I'll NEVER forget the day my father came home with the worst
news ever---Ballentines was closing forever---- and he had lost
his job!!!!! He was able to go to Pabst, but it was never the same.
He was thankful for the job but it wasn't a family at Pabst.
Our neighborhood was never the same again. Our streets weren't
plowed. No more pictures with Santa. The school and church and convent
and rectory now had to pay for their heat! Soon small businesses
left, the school closed and the monster that was a vital part of
our lives was just an empty shell and an everyday reminder of an
era gone by. Thanks again for bringing back all the memories. I'm
sure I'll be back.
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