Page 50 - 2020junejuly

YOU KNOW YOU'RE OLD WHEN...

Y ou know you're old when you have stories about the I arrived at the cafeteria and there
by Rose-Mary Rumbley
Highland Park Cafeteria.
In 1925 Carolyn Goodman opened a little restaurant on
her friends. She wasn't conscious of
Knox Street, Dallas, Texas. She served homecooked meals and, was my mother talking with one of
of course, her eatery became a very, very popular place. She was the added time that had passed.
fondly known as Mama Goodie or Miss Carolyn, and because of "Oh, here you are. This lady and I were having the nicest
the many people coming regularly to her restaurant, she moved conversation." You can see why I always called the Highland
into larger quarters on the corner of Knox and Cole where she Park Cafeteria my mother's sorority house!
served thousands at that spot. She named it the Highland Park
Cafeteria, and for years it was one of the most popular eating She disliked eating anywhere else. One day, we were eating at
places in Dallas. another cafeteria, which will remain nameless. There was a sign
at each table. "This cafeteria is 50 years old!" Mother looked
I grew up eating there often, and later I termed it my mother's at the sign and said, "Yes, that's about right. I remember eating
"sorority house." here. The food was bad then and it's still bad! We need to be at
My children grew up eating there, and much later my son the Highland Park Cafeteria!"
escorted his grandmother to her beloved cafeteria and told this We'll surely miss this cherished and beloved icon of Dallas!
story. "I took Granny to lunch at the Highland Park Cafeteria
where she always selected a chicken leg, Jello, hot tea, (Don't
forget the lemon!) and chocolate pie. We were seated, we ate,
and then Granny asked, 'Is this my chocolate pie?' I told her it
was. And it was then she exclaimed loudly, 'Hello, chocolate
pie!' I held my laughter!"
My mother lived near Knox Street, so every day she would walk
up to the cafeteria, order her usual, talk to the other old ladies
that she knew, and walk home. That's why she lived a healthy
life until she was 90 years old. When the weather was bad, she
would call me and I would take her to the cafeteria and promise
to pick her up in two hours. She had time to eat and socialize.
I was on the staff at First Baptist Church, downtown, so I could
easily do this chauffeuring. One day I took mother to the
cafeteria, let her out with this promise, "I'll be back in two hours."
Well, when I got back to the church, I got the call, "Emergency
meeting for the staff." I went to the meeting, which lasted
forever. I lost track of the time and didn't think of my mother. I
looked at my watch. It had been over three hours! I rose to my
feet and shouted, "I forgot my mother!" Dr. Criswell, our pastor,
a real sweetheart, said, "Go, child. Get your mother."

A MOTHER'S DAY TREAT: ROSE-MARY RUMBELY ON ZOOM

Everybody's FAVORITE speaker, Rose-Mary Rumbley joined
OVER 300 Celebration Magazine ZOOMERS on Friday,
May 8th to CELEBRATE Mother's Day on Zoom.
From her daughter's home, Rose-Mary delighted fans with
anecdotes and facts about famous mothers from around the
world.
In true Rose-Mary style she spoke about these mothers gifting us
with her impressions and quick wit and knowledge!
What a joy it was to hear her speak and treat us all to an afternoon
of wisdom that only Rose-Mary can deliver.
Thank you Rose-Mary Rumbley and her beautiful daughter, Jill
Beam we appreciate you both so very much!

page 48 | celebrating life after 60!