Sandy's

In 1970-71, my mom was taking me to see medical professionals for regular monthly visits in Hays. The trip to Hays took an hour. One-way. So, naturally, I got hungry before heading back home.

That’s where I got hooked on Sandy’s. Sandy’s was a fast-food chain with a Scottish-based theme. The workers wore Scottish-plaid berets and the food was really cheap. 

The menu at the Sandy's restaurant included a 15¢ hamburger, a 20¢ milkshake, and a 10¢ bag of French fries. My favorite, the Mariner (fish sandwich), was 15¢.

Once, I was able to splurge for a Big Scott – two single patties with cheese and the special Sandy’s sauce.  As one could guess, Sandy’s was started by three guys who were unhappy franchisees of McDonalds. The Scottish-based theme and the Big Scott were all directed toward their former partners.

Sandy’s was located at 2700 Vine Street in Hays. That’s where the Hays Chamber of Commerce is now across from Walgreens.

Hardees bought out Sandy’s in late 1971 and then they were gone. A few Sandy’s stayed around with different names. One of those few was Bucky’s in Lawrence. I was fortunate to be a student at KU when Bucky’s was still open for business.

I loved the Scottish motif and the food. Back then, news like the Hardees buyout wasn’t in our life cycle. One day, Sandy’s was there, and another day, it was gone, and we didn’t know why.  The beauty of the Web is that now I can find out what happened to businesses like Sandy’s. Boy, I sure do miss it and those prices.

My favorite Sandy’s television commercial – Big Scott.


 

Repressed Memories from the 70s

I loved the music of the 80s. The music scenes of the 80s were one-of-a-kind. D.C., Lawrence, Little Rock, Cincinnati, and many more cities.

But I have been repressing my 70s self, it seems.

Memories from the 70s were blocked from my mind. Maybe it is that nauseating feeling I get when I hear “Ring my Bell” or other disco-maniacal songs.  Or maybe it was that nauseating feeling I got after eating lunch at my middle school. I could blame Nixon, Ford, and Carter, but then Reagan came in afterwards so bleh.  Maybe, Mork and Mindy is the root of all 70s malaise. Or the oil embargo.

But the 70s should have been the best of times.

High school was blast; even back when I was in high school. My Dad changed careers completely and everyone in my family benefited.  I was a high school letterman. I was driving an old pickup truck followed by driving, in my senior year, a cool-looking car.  There was “We will Rock You” Queen and the Who with Pinball Wizard.  Frisbee golf. Ping pong tournaments. Youth leadership in 4-H and in church conference. Good family times.  Attending a church where the many of the best looking girls in high school also attended.  Yeah, the last four years of the 70s should have overcome the drudgery from middle school and downward.  But it did not.

For the first time, this week, I voluntarily sat down and listened to England Dan and John Ford Coley.  Not a pretty sight but I recalled a lot memories. Sometimes, we all need voluntary “England Dan moments” just to recall our life, our journey.