Christmas at Peg's Diner (1956) by Toni Star
Christmas at Peg’s Diner (1956) by Toni Star
Christmas at Peg’s Diner during the mid-1950s was nothing more than spiritual, magical, and wondrous, seen through the eyes of me—a young girl of 10. I remember coming into Peg’s on a cold December night after helping my grandma with her beauty business. She was what they called then, a beauty operator. She washed, set, permed, and colored hair. In our small Ohio town, she was one of the best hairdressers, and her salon was always busy.
After a busy day of helping Grandma wash, set, dry, and perm hair, we trekked down to Peg’s Diner. It was only a block away, and as we walked inside, there would be a row of truckers sitting at the front table, talking, laughing, and enjoying the delicious but fattening food the waitresses put before them.
As we walked into the diner, we enjoyed the aroma of her hamburgers, fries, and pies. Peg made all kinds of pies; apple, cherry, and of course, pumpkin for Christmas. We chose a booth, where a small jukebox playing many songs from the 50s, songs like “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley or songs from Johnny Mathis and Brenda Lee. As we enjoyed our hamburgers, fries, milkshakes, and pie, we also felt and heard the rustle and noise of trains.
Peg’s diner was about 20 feet from the railroad tracks and as the trains moved through, we not only heard the whistle of trains, but also felt the slight shaking of the building. It didn’t frighten us; instead, it added to the happy atmosphere. Later, after the meal, grandma and I would go back to the kitchen area and talk to Peg. Peg stood about five feet four inches, was always jovial, and always happy to see us.
Peg and grandma are gone now but not the memories. Those memories of trains, truckers, laughter, and waitresses hurrying around; those are memories that play in mind now and then. Like songs from the past, the scenes of the diner, grandma, truckers, trains and jukebox; they are there waiting for me anytime I wish to return to yesteryear.
So, when you hear a song from the 50s, enjoy a hamburger and fries or hear the whistle of a train, you’ll know that somewhere out there, memories of Peg’s diner and the diners of long ago, are there; spirits of a time long gone but not forgotten.
Copyright Toni Star 2019
Christmas at Peg’s Diner during the mid-1950s was nothing more than spiritual, magical, and wondrous, seen through the eyes of me—a young girl of 10. I remember coming into Peg’s on a cold December night after helping my grandma with her beauty business. She was what they called then, a beauty operator. She washed, set, permed, and colored hair. In our small Ohio town, she was one of the best hairdressers, and her salon was always busy.
After a busy day of helping Grandma wash, set, dry, and perm hair, we trekked down to Peg’s Diner. It was only a block away, and as we walked inside, there would be a row of truckers sitting at the front table, talking, laughing, and enjoying the delicious but fattening food the waitresses put before them.
As we walked into the diner, we enjoyed the aroma of her hamburgers, fries, and pies. Peg made all kinds of pies; apple, cherry, and of course, pumpkin for Christmas. We chose a booth, where a small jukebox playing many songs from the 50s, songs like “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley or songs from Johnny Mathis and Brenda Lee. As we enjoyed our hamburgers, fries, milkshakes, and pie, we also felt and heard the rustle and noise of trains.
Peg’s diner was about 20 feet from the railroad tracks and as the trains moved through, we not only heard the whistle of trains, but also felt the slight shaking of the building. It didn’t frighten us; instead, it added to the happy atmosphere. Later, after the meal, grandma and I would go back to the kitchen area and talk to Peg. Peg stood about five feet four inches, was always jovial, and always happy to see us.
Peg and grandma are gone now but not the memories. Those memories of trains, truckers, laughter, and waitresses hurrying around; those are memories that play in mind now and then. Like songs from the past, the scenes of the diner, grandma, truckers, trains and jukebox; they are there waiting for me anytime I wish to return to yesteryear.
So, when you hear a song from the 50s, enjoy a hamburger and fries or hear the whistle of a train, you’ll know that somewhere out there, memories of Peg’s diner and the diners of long ago, are there; spirits of a time long gone but not forgotten.
Copyright Toni Star 2019
Wonderful article. Brought back many memories of my childhood. Yes, those were the days; hanging out with Grandma and all the aromas of the season. Looking forward to reading more of "Peg's Diner."
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