Bloomington High School South, The Gothic, 2009, Page 138

Description:	44Kids are always excited about their first carsand having a little more freedom, so I know everygeneration will love their first experiences at the drive-in.—senior Mollv KortzPenguin, the mossy brown A-framedhut on Walnut Street was a staple—adefining feature of downtown Bloomington. To anyone other than a Bloom-ingtonian, grasshopper ice cream,moose horns and torch cones soundeda far cry from appetizing. However,the thought of never enjoying homemade mint Oreo ice cream, succulent bananas caked in chocolate, andminiature soft-served cones coatedwith rainbow sprinkles (and eyeballsof course) disheartened many locals.Junior Lauren Black was oneof the many upset to hear that theChocolate Moose may be closing forgood. Visiting the Chocolate Moosehad become a memorable traditionfor Black every spring. I guess I justlove the tradition. Pretty much everyone has been to the Chocolate Mooseonce or twice, said Black. For yearsthe opening of the Chocolate Moosehad been a first sign of sunny skies andwarmer weather, not only for Blackbut for several South students. Fortunately, the Chocolate Moose reopenedon Valentines Day of 2009 and continued to offer itself as a first sign ofspring and a first ray of hope for Southstudents fatigued by winter doldrums.First Summer MemoriesWe all have a love for summer—thehot days, the sultry nights, the singingrobins in the morning and the chirpingcrickets at night. For freshman JaredArthur, summer was epitomized bythe refreshing waters of Lake Monroe. As with his parents before him,the lake proved to be a nostalgic oasisfrom the summer heat. People of allages enjoyed basking on the beach,skiing past the causeway and tubingthrough the boats at Allens Creek(home of the notorious rope swing).The Lake is great place to hangoutwith friends and family because thereare so many things to do, Arthur said.Like many other South students, Arthur enjoyed all the activities the lakehad to offer and would always remember his summers spent under the sun. Allin all, Arthur had come to associate hisfondest and earliest memories of summer with the good times located close tohis home and his heart...Lake Monroe.First Toste of FreedomOn a summer night, after a day spentlounging in the sun, many pulled intoStar-Light drive-in, passing the retrosign displaying the nights features incolors of the past. As the countdownto the movie began, couples bundledin the back of their cars listening tothe old fashioned car speakers popand crack in the background andwatching the flickering of the lightningbugs fade into the glistening of thestars. For decades, the Starlight drive-in had been the quintessential, classicscene for summer romance; a place ofmany firsts. For senior Molly Kortz,the drive-in set the scene for many ofher memorable dates. I had so manydates at the drive-in and got to knowmy boyfriend really well throughgroup dates at Starlight. The wholeatmosphere of the drive-in is special.For many teenagers, Kortz included,a trip to the drive-in meant more thanseeing two great films for the priceof one while enjoying fresh popcornand frozen malts. A trip to the drive-in meant sharing a first kiss, stayingout into the wee hours of the morning with a summer fling and drivinghome late from the outskirts of town;most importantiy the drive-in meant afirst taste of freedom. The drive-in willforever be popular. Kids are alwaysexcited about their first cars and having a little bit of freedom, so I knowevery generation will love their firstexperiences at the drive-in, said KortzFrom spring strolls on Kirkwoodto dips in Lake Monroe and summernights spent under the stars, Bloomingtons unique hangouts provided theperfect backdrop for memorable firstsshared by South students and theirparents alike. Although places hadchanged, the experiences they provided remained the same. Unforgettableplaces made Bloomington a town of unforgettable firsts. Bloomington- thanksfor the memories— LINDSAY BRADLEYTop Right: Inspired to act byworking as a stagehand at the Bus-Chum, sophomore Aubrey Seaderrehearses for her part in TheatreSouths production of ThoroughlyModern Millie.photo by chandlerWAGGONERLeft: For decades the StarlightDrive-in served as a source ofentertainment for the Bloomingtoncommunity, photo by StephanieKESELICHMiddle: Sophomore Miriam Kerlerenjoys a torch cone at the Chocolate Moose. Torch cones were oneof the many inexpensive treatsoffered at the Chocolate Moose.PHOTO BY JVIIRIAM KATZRight: Despite the cold weather, agroup of South students stand inline at the Chocolate Moose at itsreopening on Valentines Day 2009.PHOTO BY MIRIAM KATZ.138 \| COMMUNITY \| places
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomsouth/id/8160
Collection:	Bloomington High School South

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