80's Quiz: How "East Wilmette" are you?

This effort was inspired by my friend, Michael Fields (aka fieldsDOTCOM!), who came across a quiz about his hometown of Floyds Knobs, IN.

80's Quiz: How "East Wilmette" are you?

One correct answer = 1 point

1. Chuck Wagon is also known as
a) Sarkis
b) Sam's Place
c) Hot Dog Island
d) Nicky's Place

2. The "Spit Pit" was
a) a synonym for the fountain in front of Village Hall
b) the deep fryer at Chuck Wagon
c) a basement stairwell at Central Elementary School
d) the diving pool at Centennial Park

3. The sledding hill on the lakefront near Lake Avenue was nicknamed
a) Mount Trashmore
b) Suicide Hill
c) PJ's Passage
d) Gillson Gorge

4. C.J. Arthur's was formerly known as

a) Marie's Restaurant
b) Jilly's Cafe
c) The Old Ouilmette Depot
d) Bob's Restaurant

5. The following barber(s) left Jerry's Clippers to open his/her own barbershop:
a) Leo
b) Penny
c) John
d) Sonny
e) b. and c.
f) b. and d.

6. East Wilmette's only "roundabout" is located on
a) Crescent Place
b) Woodbine Avenue
c) Broadway Avenue
d) Greenwood Avenue

7. "The Pulley" was located at
a) Mr. Nielsen's
b) Mr. Jacoby's
c) Mr. Klein's
d) Mr. Cleland's

8. Playboy magazine could be purchased at

a) Meat'n Shoppe
b) Perkowitz
c) Leo's
d) Sandwichman's Deli

9. LP3's was a
a) shoe repair
b) pharmacy/candy Store
c) record store
d) video store

10. Video Advantage was located on
a) Central Avenue, across from the Wilmette Theater
b) Central Street in Evanston, across from Independence Park
c) Linden Avenue, across from Demas' Foods
d) Green Bay Road, next to Wilmette Pet Supply

11. Central School Principal Nielsen's catch phrase was "Everyone go home and _______."
a) be good
b) be safe
c) be nice
d) behave

12. If you're on the southern border of "The Cage," you're on
a) Greenleaf Avenue
b) Elmwood Avenue
c) Ashland Avenue
d) Lake Avenue

13. The "Niki Special" at Chuck Wagon is
a) a double cheeseburger with gyro sauce
b) two hot dogs, fries, and a fountain drink
c) a cheeseburger with gyro meat
d) a hamburger, fries, and cocaine

14. The Royal Chessman and The Nutmeg House were both:
a) pizza parlors
b) shut down for health code violations
c) on 4th Street
d) in Plaza Del Lago

15. You could once ice skate at
a) Peter N. Jans Golf Course
b) Gillson Park
c) Central School playground
d) Maple Park

16. A stripmall at the corner of Greenleaf Avenue, Poplar Drive, and Wilmette Avenue replaced what restaurant?
a) The Butt'ry
b) The International House of Pancakes (IHOP)
c) Kentucky Fried Chicken

d) Bob's Restaurant

17. Langdon Park would best be described as a
a) legendary little league baseball diamond
b) "must see," along with Walker Bros. and the Baha'i Temple
c) perfect place to eat ice cream
d) nice alternative to Gillson

18. Hello Kitty products could be found at
a) Lyman Sargeant's
b) C.J. Arthur's
c) LP3's
d) Allen's Stationers

19. Rooftop parking was available at
a) Jewel
b) Dominick's
c) Demas
d) Meat'n Shoppe

20. The intersection of Eleventh Street, Lake Avenue, and Wilmette Avenue was known for its
a. churches
b. restaurants
c. vintage homes
d. bad sight lines

Answers: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-D, 5-F, 6-D, 7-D, 8-C, 9-B, 10-A, 11-C, 12-B, 13-C, 14-C, 15-D, 16-B, 17-D, 18-D, 19-A, 20-A

18-20: True Timberwolf ("TT"). You are "East Wilmette" down to the core. Chuck Wagon, Gillson Park, and Lyman Sargeant's are practically in your DNA. To this day, taking your significant other to Walker Bros. is a symbol of commitment only slightly less meaningful than a wedding ring.

15-17: Native Dweller. Your East Wilmette knowledge is impressive and you likely fall into one of two categories: 1) faith-based school (St. Francis, St. A's, Schecter) alumni, who may have scored 100% if not for the questions skewed toward Central School graduates, or B) early departures who moved away in junior high or earlier after spending your most formative years in East Wilmette.

10-14: Brat from Harper. If you did live in East Wilmette, it was only for a short time. More likely, you're an alumnus of McKenzie or Harper who ventured east of the tracks only for very special occasions. For you, park names like "Vattmann" and "Thornwood" evoke stronger memories than "Maple" or "Gillson." Your streets are paved; the TTs' are brick. You like Homer's; TTs prefer Baskin Robbins. You may think you're similar to the TT because you're from the same hometown--but know this: you are very, very different.

0-9: See you at Centennial. You're likely a Romona grad. Other than sharing a zip code (and having a mounted wooden fish from woodworking class at WJHS), you have almost nothing in common with the True Timberwolf. Venturing east on Wilmette Avenue from your cul-de-sacs, crab grass, and split-level housing, you cross the tracks and find yourself gaping at the TTs' brick streets and vintage homes. For the TTs, summertime meant scrounging up change around the house and walking to Chuck Wagon or the beach. For you, it meant sweltering hot bike rides on Frontage Road, or waiting for your parents to take you to Irving's on the Edens Expressway.