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Three couples who all met at The Hut in West Palm Beach in the 50s are still married.
Maybe the fountain drinks at The Hut were spiked with Love Potion #9, or maybe it was just coincidence, but something about that gathering spot must have worked its magic to keep the knot securely tied for couples who met there.
So it was a fun reunion the other day when three couples who first laid eyes on each other back in the ’50s at The Hut gathered to reminisce about the iconic West Palm Beach drive-in and the role it played in their romances.
Joining them: the Hut’s biggest fan, Jimmy Williams, a graduate of the former Palm Beach High School, whose hand-painted mural of the old-time Hut covers one entire wall of an upstairs bedroom.
Lou and Pearl Eassa, who were celebrating their 47th anniversary that very day, told about the evening Lou pulled his car in beside hers, then ended up talking to Pearl’s girlfriend so much that his future sweetie became a bit jealous.
“I had my nose out of joint,” Pearl said, but when Lou called the next day, she eventually agreed to accompany him on a picnic. Pearl was 19, Lou was 21, and since she worked at the hospital and found out he’d been treated there, she pulled his file to check up on him.
The Hut, an iconic West Palm Beach diner, as it appeared in a Saturday Evening Post photo from June 1946
He must have made the grade; when Lou proposed six months after they met, Pearl said yes.
Gale Anderson met her husband, Charlie, at The Hut in the summer of 1958, when she was working at the five-and-dime after her freshman year of college. When she and a friend walked up, Charlie remembers warning his friends, “Guys, I’ve got dibs on the one in red shorts.”
He lied and told her he was a football player, but while walking her home, he realized he wanted to tell only the truth to this special girl. He asked for a date the next night, and “spent the whole time unraveling everything I’d said before.”
On the third date, he proposed.
“We dated for two years by Greyhound and letter,” Charlie said. “We wrote every day — but I bet I haven’t written 15 letters since.”
The couple retired to Tennessee a few years back, so their visit served as an excuse to reunite the friends.
Jimmy arranged it all, since he’s stayed connected to everyone.
“Jimmy is the hub of a wheel,” Gale said. “He stays in touch and is like our conduit.”
Judie Affron and Chuck Stoddard, longtime Haverhill residents and the third couple, met in October of 1960.
“I had pulled up in my white DeSoto and he had a baby blue Lincoln,” remembered Judie, a ’59 graduate of Palm Beach High.
“She thought I was crazy because I ordered a beer and a glass of milk,” said Chuck, who had an ulcer at 23.
Judie said he asked if she’d like to go to the country or the city.
“I said I liked the country and we ended up at the drive-in!”
Don’t ask her what movie was playing; she doesn’t remember — and neither does Chuck.
“Who watched the movie?” she giggled.
The frisky couple has now been together 48 years.
And if that’s not proof that Love Potion #9 was being distributed at The Hut, what is?
Hey Jimmy,
Never met you at the hut but I know you well! we were kids together.
The Hut was THE PLACE: the best subs and root beer in the world!
would love to hear from others!
June
June Zent will not remember me, but she may recall my sister Barbara and her years in Junior High. I can not help but smile when I hear a certain song from Carousel. Needless to say, it’s all about June!
Best Wishes, George Fergusson
I hope this message gets to intended target . . . Jimmy Williams. Always knew who he was (my sister Gail graduated in 1958) and we introduced ourselves at one of the Lake Worth Casino dances . . . summer of 1959. I remember it well. Jimmy will still tell people that he remembers exactly what I was wearing . . . all white with the usual nice summer tan. That is, if he still has some memory left at our age. I don’t have a clue what he was wearing and didn’t care. Never got past his face and those twinkling dark brown eyes; adorable grin with beautiful white teeth; and his smile and voice which would make any female melt.
If you’re really lucky, a few special people will cross your path in a lifetime and he was one of them. He tried to teach me some new dance steps and, literally, swept me off my feet.
Jimmy, I wish I was still living down the street from you on Alemeda Dr. in Palm Springs. However, I’m now stuck in Altamonte Springs, Fl. 32701, N.E. of Orlando. Wish I could attend the breakfasts I’ve heard so much about . . . Forest Hill Blvd. on Thurs. mornings, I believe.
I’ve pretty much dropped off the planet and no one really knows where I am. Maybe a little info. from prev. PBHS Class of ’61 reunions. Only attended two – one in 1976 and last one in 1986. Not certain if my email add. shows up w/this response/comment, but sure would love to hear from Jimmy – The one who got away (darn it!)
Fondly, Peggy –
I don’t do My Space nor Face Book as I’m trying to stay anonymous and am a recluse for the most part. Never thought in a million years that I would be divorced at the age of 32 (14 year marriage/beautiful daughter and son/adults/grandmother of three-year-old girl) – son/his wife live in Apopka. My daughter, Shannon, (Jimmy’s daughter is, also, a Shannon) has lived in Manhattan for well over fifteen years. I haven’t dated anyone in over ten years. Literally gave up on the opposite sex as I just can’t go through the motions anymore. “Smart women. Foolish choices” pretty much sums it up for me. I’ve been living alone since the 80′s – with my cat(s). Obviously, I’m outliving them, so go through the usual mourning period and adopt another one.
Me, again. Good Grief! No wonder I shouldn’t use the computer to even do emails. This is the first (and probably last response) I’ll ever do. Lordy. Lordy. The darn comment was meant for Jimmy Williams (and only Jimmy Williams) is now on this site for all to see. Cannot believe how stupid I am. Probably should have just picked up the phone and called Jimmy. Last time he and I talked on the phone was in July, some ten years ago or so. I was dog/house/plant sitting at my brother, Jim’s, house in Glen Ridge for the month. Jimmy and I must have talked for hours, but that’s how it always was. So many great, great memories. Now, I feel so guilty, I’ll just have to go and bury myself back under my rock.
Igo back to1940 and all the years going to the Hut . It is a shame they destroyed such a land mark Igradedin 1947 and have wonderful memeries of those years ,the root beer the hamburgers, and the wonderful car hops. Thanks for those times especally after football games Dick Brooker
This is hard to believe that this article about the HUT appeared in todays paper. I graduated from St. Ann’s High School in 1954. Peter Shahin and a group of alumni meet the first Tuesday of each month at the Duffy’s on Jog and Okeechobee Blvd. at noon. Just 8-4-09 we met for lunch and were talking about football games and the 1950′s when Will Ghito began talking about Jimmy Williams and described the 1950′s decor at his home. Will said he even has a mural of the HUT on the wall in his home. Marilyn Monroe and Burt Reynolds are there also. But the amazing surprise came when Will went to his car and brought the 4 ft X 3 ft enlarged PB Post laminated photo of the FABULOUS UNDEFEATED & UNSCORED UPON CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM FROM CONNISTON JR HI into the restaurant. We all recognized many coachs and players but Peter took the prize and could name every person in the photo for memory. What a marvelous luncheon we shared with laughs, conversations and wonderful memories. Come join the St. Ann’s Lunch Bunch the first Tuesday of each month at Duffy’s for fun, laughter, and happy memories. Thanks Palm Beach Post for the memories.
Aw, that is a definitely high quality article. In theory I’d want to create like this as well – taking time and authentic effort to create a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to acquire anything accomplished
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP THE PHOTO OF THE HUT !!!! I stumbled upon The Hut in 1969, At the age of 16 I was out of control. My family sent me down to WPB to work for my cousin at PBCC. I found The Hut and Peoples Park Wow ! I had a great time I went back looking for the site;.but,wasn;t shure where it was. Does anybody know exactly where it was?
The Hut definitely brings back some wonderful memories. I lived right across the street from Palm Beach High School on Georgia Ave., attended First Methodist…just around the corner, ate at Russo’s…and the Hut…Thanks for the pic of the place too!
The Hut! Wow! My mother started going there as a girl, back in the ’30s, when she worked downtown in the Comeau Bldg. We went there once in a while through my childhood. Later, when I had access to a car, then my own car, it became one of the places you HAD to go to see friends. From ’63 to ’71 it was a favorite hangout. When I visit WPB and drive by its former location, I still miss it. Loved those cheeseburgers! My WPB schools were St. Ann’s, PBHS and FHHS. The St. Ann’s Breakfast Club sounds like a hoot. I started there in ’53 in 1st grade at the age of five. Memories…