FIVE AND DIMES

THE SODA FOUNTAIN (PART 5)

There are some men that pay for glorious war

Use power and greed to just grab for more

There are some men who pay for ultimate peace

Important lives that they gave: gave us new lease.

We’d honored the country, we’d honored the pride

We honor the men who lived and then died

It all got so complicated! Where did it go?

From a simple soda fountain that we’d have to forgo

From the 1800’s and pharmacists brew

Phosphate concoctions for my health and for you

Every Drug Store had one and Woolworth’s too.

Five and Dimes or just Fountains, held us like glue. 

We’d walk a few blocks to come into the Fountain

Order a soda and talk, relieve cares, we weren’t countin’

After the Great War, the Fountain stayed golden

But change in the air; cans and cars did embolden.

Though the Fountain once served the Town Square for talking

Cars for many required no walking.

Convenience gave and convenience took

Now cars could pull up to a Drive In cook.

While the Soda Fountain stayed pure well into the 50’s

You just couldn’t beat a chrome stool.  It was nifty.

And our beautiful couple who said their “Goodbyes,”

Lucky soldier was he, for four years, he survived.

So happy and grateful, they’d sit at their booth.

The lockets they wore still told of love’s truth

They’d honor each other with a thick chocolate malt

And over their left shoulder, they’d toss them some salt.

They’d ward off bad luck and bring in the new.

No more rations of sugar, no time to be blue.

Frankie powered the song,”The House I live in,”

Identity strong, it was all “In Like Flynn.”

Our dreams had been stashed, now we could bring them to light.

Remember how long, how hard was the fight,

Remember our unity, remember our past

When will we learn to make it all last?

By Flo Lawrence

We have something very special at Pamela Stolling’s Unurban Coffee House. 

It is a modern day Soda Fountain. 

We have our own special musical offerings served up with wonderful dishes.

Sunday Songbirds

Every Sunday except the second Sunday of the month.

Featuring Brad Kay on piano from noon to 1:30 along with guitarist, Mark Fletcher.

Songbirds on Sundays from 1:30-4:30.

3301 Pico Blvd, 

Santa Monica, Calif.