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I stopped by Mountain's Pool Room on West Water Street Monday to congratulate Fred T. Mullinax on 50 years in business.  For most of you, that may be the first time you knew his name was Fred.  Mountain and I talked about those days fifty years ago when he opened the pool room. 

Back in 1965, the stigma of years gone by had just begun to wear off the games of pocket billiards.  In those days, only sailors and convicts wore tattoos, pierced earrings were not all that common yet, and certainly men weren't wearing them, let alone other bodily attached jewelry.  Women still said to each other, "your slip is showing" and "you've got a run in your pantyhose."  It was only bad boys who spent time riding motorcycles or shooting pool. 

I didn't pick up a cue stick; I didn't want to be embarrassed.  I was pretty good with one back in my collegiate days (also the mid 60s) but that was long ago--50 years to be exact. 

After some time reminiscing, I asked Mountain to pick up a stick so I could get a posed photo.  He proceeded to sink one ball and then after the cue ball hit three cushions, watched as it returned to his end of the table and sank another.  My camera didn't catch the trick shot--just the prelude. 

If you happen down West Water and see him sitting outside with a friend, doing what we did and reminiscing, wave or honk your horn to say "Congratulations!"  Mountain has been there for 50 years now.




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