Ok, I must have fallen asleep at the wheel on this one.....I knew about the new skate park that was being built at Menard Park, but I was unaware of the new McGuire-Dent Rec Center that's going up there. I read up on it and they're saying it'll have 1-2 indoor basketball courts, 2 racquetball courts, a fitness center and some extra amenities.

I'm excited about this because I've been wanting some place to play racquetball and basketball near the house. I could see adult leagues being organized there, can't wait till it opens next year.

Read that in the paper today. Good to hear. I spent many a day/night at Menard Park playing tennis. Whatever happened to the statue of the boxer that was at the park along the seawall? Can't remember his name.

never remember seeing a statue of a boxer, but it had to be Jack Johnson

that's cool about the rec center, hopefully it will give the kids something to do

I thought it was either Joe or Jack Johnson. Couldn't remember the name. There was a large statue in front of the park next to Seawall Blvd. Just wondered what happened to it. Perhaps McInnis knows.

I'm not sure about where the statue is, I do live right off of Jack Johnson Blvd though!

It was Jack Johnson fellas, only the first black man to become the heavy weight champion of the world.

Playing tennis at Menard eh? Agasuarus, I wonder if we ever crossed paths. I grew up at Menard during the summers getting lessons from coach Brooks. I used to own the ping pong tables. Johnny, the stocky mexican, and George Quiroga were the old timers that thought they ran the joint. I beat them as a kid and continued to beat them messing around before my high school tennis matches.

Also, my very first job was at Menard Park. I worked with the Parks Dept cleaning all the city parks, including Menard. I'll see what I can find out about the statue. My sis in-law might be able to figure it out. She is highly connected at City Hall.

Fairway,

We might have crossed paths. I went to Kirwin (O'Connell) and played with Coach Stig and classmates. Wasn't good enough for the tennis team though.

that's why I don't remember the statue, y'all are old

Wow, you played with Coach Stig. Kirwin played some good tennis in those days. I'm still bummed about Stig. I was a Stig's pig and was one of the lucky students he allowed into his photography class. What did he win as the tennis coach, something like 14 consecutive state titles? Albeit TCIL, that is still impressive.

Coach Stig was one of the good guys. We played some tennis and a LOT of sandlot ball on Sundays at Lindale Park. Good times. He printed a copy of my gumbo recipe in his fishing column shortly before he passed.

nm

[This message has been edited by Agasaurus Tex (edited 12/11/2007 7:32p).]

Glad to get some good Galveston discussion going!

McInnis.

Us old farts are counting on you finding that damn statue. Now get busy. LOL

Now I'm really going to show my age. There used to be a huge wooden roller coaster at around 23rd and Seawall when I was a young kid. Will be interesting to see if anyone else remembers it.

[This message has been edited by Agasaurus Tex (edited 12/11/2007 8:19p).]

I remember my parents talking about that roller coaster. That was definitely before my time. Didn't a Godfather's(?) pizza eventually open near there?

Oh and how 'bout sharing that gumbo recipe?? I love to cook. I'd be happy to share a creation I came up this past weekend if you are interested. I spent last weekend at a friend's house in New Orleans. He sells a locally made rum called Old New Orleans. I concocted a shrimp dish and used the cajun rum in my sauce. He took a sample to his boss and they are going to put my recipe on their website.

http://www.neworleansrum.com/index.php