Some of our classmates haven't been back in Western New York since High School Graduation Day. Others moved after college.

So, when they come back for a reunion or other occasion, they ask embarrassing questions that follow along the lines of "When did the Wehrle Drive-In become a Media Play?", which are inevitably followed by snickers from the locals and answers that start,  "Why, that hasn't been here since Nineteen-hundred and..."

To spare you that trauma, here's a list of 50 things that were part of Western New York around the time we were in high school (give or take a few years), but are now gone:

1. The Wehrle Drive-In
2. "It's Academic"
3. Super Duper markets, and Joey's ads for them
4. The Buffalo Braves
5. The Buffalo Sabres, at least until they settle this labor foolishness
6. Mohawk, Allegany and Eastern Airlines
7. The Charter House
8. Mike Melody and Jerry Jack of WNIA-AM
9. Thruway Mall and Como Mall
10. The post office on Main Street in the Clarence Hollow
11. The library on Main Street next to the High School
12. War Memorial Stadium
13. Santora's Pizza
14. Neisner's Dairy
15. Bishop Neumann High School
16. Western Savings Bank, and Marine Midland Bank
17. The Courier-Express
18. The Turkey Roost
19. The Holiday Theaters in Cheektowaga
20. Dog 'N' Suds, and the miniature golf course next to it
21. Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps
22. Melanie's
23. Guy's subs and root beer shakes (Main, Sheridan and Thompson)
24. The Coachman's Inn & Arigato Steak House
25. Hengerer's and AM&A's
26. Berger's and Jenss
27. Irv, Rick and Tom
28. Hens and Kelly, and their S&H Green Stamps
29. The Fotomat by Kmart at Transit and Maple
30. Come to think of it, the Kmart at Transit and Maple
31. Your Host and Open House restaurants
32. The Putt-Putt on Union Road in Cheektowaga
33. Rosary Hill College (it was renamed)
34. Crystal Beach amusement park
35. The Pour House and Main & Transit Market
36. Maple-Forest and Evans Theaters
37. Hickey's Flea Market
38. Hard Rock Quarry
39. Parker Elementary School
40. Northeastern Lanes
41. Sammy's Villa Sorrento in Harris Hill Plaza
42. Ulbrecht's (office supplies and books)
43. Charlie Brown's restaurant
44. Cavages
45. Lamplighter's Restaurant in Clarence Center
46. The Bradford Room restaurant at Grant's
47. Roy Rogers ("Howdy, Partner!) and Arthur Treacher's restaurants
48. The Executive Motor Inn by the airport (later the Playboy Club & Club 747)
49. Sweeney Chevrolet
50. And a lot of open fields in Clarence that are now housing developments

(Thanks to Glenn Locke, Kevin Chase, Don Smith and Jody Bailey for the help)