Retro Raleigh

What do you miss about the "Raleigh of old" that you would like to see again today? Carolina Conversations blogger Allison Taylor posed that question in a recent email. Here was her message:

"I grew up in Cary, moved to Raleigh, then all around NC, then to England for five years. I love being back home, but it has really changed.

Hey, why don't you have a blog about natives to the area? People BORN here, things that happened way back, events, shows, the underground in Cameron Village, all kinds of things, famous bands, the Fabulous Knobs, the VillaCapri restaurant at Ridgewood, politicians, people at WRAL, Bob Debardelaben (I went to school with his son.), the tremendous growth in the area. And remember off New Bern Avenue, years ago, the person who had that HUGE Christmas scene in the front yard? What happened to that? We natives couldhave our own blog site.

I wonder how many natives are still here or who have returned to the area tosettle down after many years away. I think that might make a good blog."

I think you're right, Allison. Let’s talk about that today.

What do I miss about my young days in Raleigh? Well, several restaurants for sure. I miss Neptune's Galley on Western Boulevard. No offense to the new Red, Hot & Blue on Hillsborough Street at Oberlin Road but I miss the Darryl's Restaurant there at that intersection. I also miss the Big 85 - WKIX Radio where I worked for several years with greats such as Rick Dees, Steve Roddy, Pat Patterson, Jack Kane, Charlie Brown, Tommy Walker, Dale Van Horn, John Tesh, Doug Limerick, Scott White, Steve Shumake and Steve Reid. I miss Joel Chaney’s great sports columns in The Raleigh Times. I miss hearing Bob Farrington ad lib an entire 30 minute newscast complete with soundbites on WPTF Radio.  I miss Uncle Paul on Channel 5. I miss colorful politicians like Thad Eure and Jim Graham. And I also miss Uncle Don’s soda shop on Western Boulevard where the Bojangle’s sits today. That’s where I met my wife Cindy. And I miss seeing David Thompson flying through the air and wreaking havoc on the basketball competition at Reynolds Coliseum