As you can probably see, I'm a big fan of the Little Rascals. We loved the old gang. The halcyon days were with Jackie Cooper, Wheezer, Farina, Mary, Chubby and Joe. Spanky was the coolest toddler and Buckwheat was so neat as a little guy. We weren't too impressed with the 2nd generation; Spanky and Alfalfa and "Our Gang". The episodes were too preachy. To this day, when one of my kids are sick, I tell everybody, "I have to grease Wheezer". The guy who kept the gang alve for us Philly kids was Pete Boyle. Pete's Gang was a staple on weekends around our house. Pete also showed a 26 part serial called, I believe, "Journey to the Beginning of Time". It was about some kids on an amusement park boat ride, and when they came out the other side of a tunnel, they were in prehistoric days and kept going back until they reached a great white light that was "The Beginnng". I'm unsuccessfully trying to find some info on this, but all I have, so far, are my faded memories.

Well..I researched the above serial and it was a Czech import that was on tv in 5 minute chapters and then released to the theaters as a movie. Anyway, thanx again to Pete Boyle for bringing it to us.

Bill Webber and Elmo Wiffleweather"

A Couple Penny Candies We Used to get from Quigley's (later, Collins) Market

Quigley's (later, Collin's) market was penny candy and dime soda heaven. Spend 10cent's on a gruber or Frank's soda, 15 cents on some candy, and flatten any pennies left over on the train tracks. Then, go across Bustleton Ave. and bug the hell out of old Ned Shope, the curmudgeon pharmacist. This guy was either nuts or incredibly ornery, or both. He wouldnt sell water pistols because there were too many Italians in the Somerton area. What, you ask, does this have to do with water pistols? Well, ol' crazy Ned said that the Mafia was squirting acid in people's faces, using water pistols, and the Italian kids would imitate them. Do you wonder why we were trying to drive this man to perdition?

A Typical House on a Typical Somerton Street

St Andrews in the Field Episcopal Church

Seems that some precious jewels like and including the above 2 properties are slated for demolition to make way for that ill-conceived, neighborhood busting Woodhaven Extension. They ruined my little oasis and they're hungry fore more. Stop Them!!!

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E-Mail: cornnubbin@webtv.net