Margie Prues of Norwood had a similar experience at almost the same time. September 26th, 1948, Margie, who was 18, married Don, who was 21.

"And here we were at the Alms Hotel, registering as Mr. and Mrs., feeling ill at ease, experiencing in 24 hours all these firsts: Getting married, being the bride, the center of attention ... leaving my home, mom and dad who were so good to me, two younger brothers and a baby sister, all of whom I loved, first time in a hotel and, tomorrow, first train ride.... And so this union lasted 39 adventurous years until Don's passing in 1988. We
were blessed with 11 children, 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with two due this year."

The Alms must have been Wedding Central. Read on. "I think I am the oldest relic in the tri-state at age 95," writes Alma Meyers, whose birthday is tomorrow. "My sister Mary and I were both engaged and, it being the Depression, we thought we could save my Mom and Dad some money and have a double wedding. We were married at St. Francis De Sales Church on May 28th, 1938.... Where did we have our wedding dinner? At the Alms Hotel! At the time it was a ritzy place. I will never forget the happiest day of my life."

This from Dorothy Siegel. "I attended many weddings, Bar and Bas Mitzvah, dinner parties, sorority and fraternity dances there.... I don't think it was used by many business travelers or visitors, but had many permanent residents."

Carlotta "Lottie" Crane has some wonderful memories, too. She met the man who would become her husband, Frank, in 1947. "Our first date was at the Alms bar. It was the hangout for the young crowd of 'professional party-goers.' They were something else; a shock to a girl trained by the Sacred Heart nuns! On our first date we sat on stools at the bar. I met  Angelo the bartender. Everyone called him Angie - Italian with an accent. I was such a
nervous innocent ... that I ordered a 'scotch and bourbon.' Frank almost fell off his stool!... At the time the corps de ballet rehearsed (at the Alms) when Schuster-Martin wasn't available. This is where I trained and was in the ballet from age 14 until Frank and I were married in 1951."

Marilyn Shaver added a few tidbits. "In re-reading 'Remember With Me' by Ruth Lyons, I learned that the Columbia Broadcasting System had decided to build new studios and offices in the Alms Hotel. During the period of hard rain preceding the 1937 flood, Ruth and the other radio staff were given rooms at the Alms should they be needed.... Also (in another book) I learned that America's first female serial killer to die in the electric chair - Anna Marie Hahn - became a chambermaid at the 500-room Alms Hotel in 1929."

Mildred Didlake remembered many UC fraternity dances were held at the Alms, then added this footnote. "In the depths of the cellar was the home of the Cincinnati Revolver Club. It was lit with very few bulbs, one for the shooters and a few for the targets. My brother ... practiced there many nights a week. It was an honor to be allowed to go down there with him - I was seven or eight - but creepy as all get-out."

Many of you remembered fondly the Harris Rosedale Sunday morning Amateur Hour at the Alms, broadcast on WKRC.

On to other hotels. Three of you wrote to tell me that the famous Netherland Plaza, still going strong, began life as the "St. Nicholas Plaza," but after a few months, another company threatened to sue because they claimed to own that name, so it was changed.

At least 10 of you made reference to the "Coal Hole" nightspot at the Sinton where the great Shirley Jester held sway at the piano. Ernie Stevens, whom many will remember as Captain at the elegant Maisonette restaurant for 30 years, recalled "A restaurant downstairs at the Fountain Square Hotel. One would have dinner and, thereafter, the tablecloths would be removed, the glass tabletops would be illuminated from below, and the
entertainment would begin."

This has been great fun. Thanks for your memories.

Nick Clooney writes for The Post every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mails sent to Nick at nickclooney@cincypost.com will be forwarded to him via regular mail.