As Crutch Crupnik and I were returning from the auction that I wrote about this past Sunday, we decided to stop for something to eat.
But we were in a hurry to catch a football game on TV, so we opted to order food from a drive-through.
“What are you hungry for?” Crutch asked.
“Let’s get a ...,” I said, hesitating.
Our return trip took us through a neighborhood where fast-food restaurants are plentiful and we had a choice of anything from hamburgers or roast beef sandwiches to fish or Mexican food.
I couldn’t make up my mind, so I let Crutch choose, since he was driving.
“I want a super-sized burger, onion rings and a chocolate milkshake,” Crutch said.
“Needless to say, we aren’t going through the drive-through at the health-food store,” I said.
That got me thinking. Our society has become obsessed with drive-up windows.
After a little research, I discovered that there is controversy over when the first drive-through restaurant opened.
One source claimed it was created in 1947 by Sheldon “Red” Chaney, operator of Red’s Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Mo., adjacent to the legendary Route 66.
Another authority stated it happened in 1948 when an In-N-Out Burger joint in California built the first drive-through.
Since that time, the drive-through model has undergone epic changes.
I started making a list in my head since I didn’t have a pen or paper. I came up with a number of items that I have purchased through a window.
Doughnuts were always a favorite. While actually walking into a shop gives a person a good idea of what variety of doughnuts are available, my choice usually is between glazed or jelly-filled, so ordering through a window is no challenge.
Another place where we have lost a lot of personal touch is drive-through banking.
I’m a little skeptical about doing business with someone behind a window while I speak into a microphone. I have been in the bank as a teller handles a drive-through customer and I’m fearful my business will be voiced over an intercom.
I don’t want everyone to know that I have $87 in my savings account.
My bank actually had a branch that was a drive-through only.
The “bank” was located in the middle of a shopping plaza parking lot. A teller was on duty for part of the day, however, the bulk of the transactions were handled by an ATM.
The only drawback with this service occurred when I had forgotten my personal identification number (PIN) and the machine swallowed my card after three failed attempts to log in.
I felt like a PINhead when I had to call the main office to arrange for the return of my card and change the number to one I might be able to remember.
I’ve had better luck at the drive-through pharmacy.
But let me give you some advice on this purchase.
Don’t ask the window person to go into the store to add toiletries, cosmetics or snacks to your order.
You will need pain medicine if you do.
Drive-through is all about convenience.
What about driving through a beer distributor? With an automatic trunk release, a person doesn’t have to leave the vehicle to get some suds.
Drive-throughs also can be a little bizarre.
Like the Florida funeral home that offered “an optional drive-through viewing window.”
The drive-through service with cameras and a sound system was used to let on-the-go visitors pay their respects, sign the funeral register and view the remains of the loved one without ever leaving the car.
When hearing of the option, Crutch, who seldom is seen without his soiled work clothes, said, “That’s a great idea. Too bad you can’t get fries with that viewing.”
Bizarre.
Features
Drive-throughs all about convenience | TOM LAVIS
- Features
-
-
Community theater | Cresson Lake Playhouse was one woman's vision
Every successful venture starts with a good idea. And Eleanor Lantzy, a native of Spangler, had a doozy.
-
Nonprofit counts on donations | Sources of funding are difficult to find
Elaine Mastalski, executive director of Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto, was hired for her background in business. She has been with the playhouse for 12 years and is a voting member of the board of directors.
-
Quality, sustainability board's main focuses
Board members of Cresson Lake Playhouse love theater and want to preserve the amateur theatrical experience for future generations.
-
'It's a nostalgic part of summer to come to Cresson Lake'
Tracey Ingold of Cresson has been onstage at Cresson Lake Playhouse as well as volunteering.
Now, she works as house manager. A playhouse volunteer for 10 years, Ingold started volunteering and acting because of her close proximity to the theater. -
Kick up your heels | Three-day Friendly City PolkaFest will offer different styles
The area’s ancestral music and ethnic food will be key components as the Friendly City PolkaFest returns to Johnstown’s Cambria City neighborhood.
-
Religion in brief | First Lutheran pastor will speak from Acts
Pentecost will be celebrated at 5:30 tonight and 10:45 a.m. Sunday at First Lutheran Church, 415 Vine St., Johnstown. The Rev. Eleanor Abarno, pastor, will focus on Acts 2. Communion will be served at both services.
-
Events | What's on tap locally
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” opens the season at Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.
-
Hats take center stage at Art Works
Hat Ladies of Johnstown are about to strut their stuff again. The 15th annual Hat Show will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Art Works, 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
Tribute group will have audience on 'Cloud Nine'
Members of the audience will be tempted to think it’s just their imagination that a top Motown act is onstage. The Legacy of The Temptations will bring the sounds of Motown to the area at 8 p.m. June 2 at Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber.
-
Memorial Day services planned throughout area
Soldiers and sailors who served America will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies.
- More Features Headlines
-
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
