Hopper's

I'm glad you have a memory of hot fudge sundaes at Hoppers, but it seems you don't remember that the sundaes were mine and your treat was an ice cream cone with one scoop. Miss Arlene and I would take all of you and all of hers when we had a little spare cash, but the cash never extended to hot fudge sundaes for the children, only the weary moms.

There was one time, though, when DADDY (always the one with money) was the driver and we stopped at Hoppers. We sat in a booth inside and it was such a nice treat. Everyone was dressed up. Well, of course you would be because when we left the house in those days, everyone was shined and polished.

When we were served, Janine (aged 6 or so) got up on her knees so she could get to the top of her tall sundae, and then was overtaken by a tremendous sneeze! The whipped cream and the cherry flew across the table and landed all over Daddy's face. The whole place laughed with us; it was hugely funny to everyone -- well, Daddy smiled when he realized he was on stage, but he wasn't crazy about the mess all over his face and clothes.

I don't remember ever having a hot fudge sundae in the car. I remember those from the times I used to ride my bike up to the one on Airline Hwy. Could ride all back roads to get there although I couldn't tell you the street names now.

I don't remember Miss Arlene ever going to Hoppers with us.

Look at all the things you don't remember. Thank goodness you have me!

I remember Hopper's and I was very little. We stopped going when I was still little. I remember going to Hopper's with Miss Arlene and Billy during the day when everybody was at school--that year Mama didn't work. I also remember only getting a "single" scoop of ice cream, never anything else.

They went under and their locations went to Burger King in the late 60s or early 70s, Elizabeth. That's why we stopped going. I really don't think they could make it today. Sonic is doing great with an updated version of the old drive-ins but I don't think there's room for two of those kind in any market today.

Mama, I remember going to Hopper's with Miss Arlene and I also remember Janine sneezing and blowing the whipped cream in Daddy's face. I remember going to Hoppers in that old Buick and you and Miss Arlene eating your sundaes in the front seat while we had our single scoop cones in the backseat. You were very generous, though, giving us each a bite of your sundae. That's more than I do for my children and I have fewer people to share with! They will tell you how I clutch my Coke and hold it close if they even come near it for a sip. My "Mother's Love" does not usually extend to sharing my treats - so, thank you, Mama.

I am a witness to that! Some of the family members, David in particular, gets conked on the head or Mama's pernts stuck in the arm, if anybody goes near the precious Coca-Cola. Maybe that is why David's brain cells are disappearing slowly...

Brianne -- I loved "Mama's pernts!" Do you know the story? It was Stephen who told her he didn't like it when she put her points in his arm. She would do this as a silent way of getting her message across -- don't do that; stop what you're doing; come this way; behave yourself -- or whatever needed to be addressed. I always thought it was such a hilarious thing for a little boy to say, with great indignation I might add.