When we first came to Lake Havasu City, we stayed at the Holiday Inn on London Bridge Road. It’s now the Hampton Inn. On one occasion, we spent a few days at the Ramada Inn. That first Ramada is no longer there; the building was torn down, except for the front office. The Mohave County Senior Center is now located in the hotel’s former location.
An old Ramada Inn postcard mailed from the Lake Havasu City post office on September 18, 1972, was courtesy of the Ramada. A couple staying there, named Truman and Barb, mailed the card to Mr. & Mrs. M.J. Dodd in Litchfield, Connecticut. A short message says:
“Hi! – At the tail end of Truman’s vacation we decided to take Fri and Sat and see London Bridge. Fantastic place. I am fine now (in case you knew I wasn’t) Love – Truman and Barb”
I found it interesting that Barb referred to it as her husband, Truman’s vacation. This postcard has a picture of the London Bridge on back, along with someone skiing on the lake. Nomenclature describes the hotel amenities and the presence of a championship 18-hole golf course right across the street. I recall seeing golfers years ago playing that course, as many still try to do.
I bet Truman and Barb Terrell wished they’d purchased a few golf course lots in 1972. They could’ve turned an $80,000 investment into a million bucks. Alton Truman Terrell III passed away on April 28, 2020. Divorced from Truman in 1979, seven years after their trip, she preceded her ex-husband in death, passing away in 2016. A son, Truman Terrell IV, still survives.
The postcard recipients were Malcolm Joseph Dodd and his wife, Virginia. Malcolm was a major serving in the US Army during WWII. Virginia died in 2009, with M.J. dying some 15 years earlier in 1994. He was 75. Malcolm was a successful engineer who served as vice president of an aviation oil company.
The Mohave County Senior Center still thrives. This facility in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, serves as a valuable resource for the local senior community, offering various programs and services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older adults. It’s a hub for social activities, educational workshops, and wellness programs designed to promote healthy living and community engagement.
The center typically features recreational activities, fitness classes, and opportunities for socialization, allowing seniors to connect with each other and stay active. Additionally, the facility may offer resources like assistance with meal programs, transportation services, and information on health and wellness, helping seniors navigate their needs in a supportive environment.
Next time I drive by this address, I’ll see things in a different light. It was once the location where my family and I rested our heads for a few nights, with the late Truman and Barb Terrell doing the same.
It’s also the spot where a wayward golf ball came down on top of our car. That perfectly round dent in the roof serves as a reminder that not all Havasu golfers are on the same level as an Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods.
I like to write junk... 