Benches offer glimpse of city life

Some thoughts and observations from summer evenings in the city.
‰ Ice cream has come a long way from childhood days when choices were vanilla, maple walnut, chocolate and sometimes that combination of chocolate, vanilla and something pink that might have been strawberry, without the seeds.
Ice cream, in its new age, has developed into flavours that would never have been considered years ago. My favourite so far this summer is ginger, followed by black cherry (with lots of cherry pieces), and a combination of vanilla, chocolate and caramel whose name escapes me. I love pumpkin pie but can't transfer that love to pumpkin ice cream.
‰ Sitting on the conveniently-placed benches along Main Street, while enjoying a summer treat, offers a clear view of the continuous movement of motor vehicles and pedestrians.
We knew it was so, but sitting out there for any length of time confirms that Main Street is indeed a thoroughfare of activity. The traffic is not Calgary-heavy, but is indeed Moose Jaw-heavy, and in a hurry. And this traffic is noisy - regular engine noise, souped-up engine noise, high-pitched motorcycle noise, squealing brakes, and radios and stereo systems cranked up and blasting music for everyone to share.
And don't forget that voice that tells pedestrians when to cross the street - a voice that stuns visitors, and annoys anyone who sits on the benches and has to hear it at every change of light. Of course, it is understood why the voice is there, and good for the city to have the voice provide that guidance for anyone who needs it.
‰ Speaking of motorcycles - there are dozens of them on Main Street this year, in packs and as singles. A voice of knowledge from coffee row explains that the bikes are being driven by middle-aged men and women, many of them now retired, who always wanted the freedom offered by a bike. They now have the time and the money and they've embraced this mode of transportation, finally making a dream come true. Good for them.
‰ And is it my imagination or are there more classic and antique cars and trucks being driven in Moose Jaw this summer? These vehicles certainly get their share of attention, whether motoring, or parked on the street.
‰ Sitting on public benches also puts residents in close contact with tourists, allowing us to provide a helping hand when possible and maintaining Moose Jaw's reputation as the Friendly City.
It just seems natural to pay attention to their conversations and to interrupt if there's information they need to make their stay more pleasant.
The trio looking up and down the street obviously needed some help, especially when they kept pointing at a former restaurant that is now closed. They didn't know for sure what kind of food they wanted so housemate ran through the various offerings up and down and off Main Street. It turns out it was Wayne and Laverne's steak house the visitors wanted, but couldn't remember its exact location.
They were disappointed to learn that it is no longer in business but wandered up the street to find a spot for a meal in Moose Jaw, coming as the decals on their cars indicated, from Regina and Estevan.
‰ Sally's Pie Shop is still missed in Moose Jaw. The pastry shop came up in conversation recently as two couples waited for their ice cream treats. Sally's was located in the fire-ravaged Chow Building that was located on River Street West and in its short time in business was a popular spot for lunch or just for a variety of homemade pies. The opinion was that some enterprising business person should look into opening such a shop. Of course, the pastry would have to be tasty and flaky, just as the pastry was in Sally's Pie Shop.
‰ As we finished our ice cream, it was noted that no one passing by had asked us to sing a song or offered us money. That was unexpected, but not surprising.

Joyce Walter can be reached at 691-1259.