MILLIANS: Rocket on roller skates

Published 10:51 am Friday, April 25, 2025

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions roller skating?

For me, it’s the old TV show “Happy Days.” Arnold’s Drive-In, the hangout for Fonzie, Richie, Potsie and Ralph, featured roller skating. The most famous carhop was named Marsha, who was known for her skating.

In one episode, “Fonzie’s Hero,” Fonzie and Potsie go roller skating.

That’s just one of the reasons Fonzie (“Ayyyy!”) was so cool.

I’m afraid I wasn’t all that cool. I wasn’t much of a skater in my youth — indoors on wood or outdoors on ice. If fact, I’ve been known to fall and not get up. I had to crawl to the edge of the rink.

But I understand the allure of roller skating — the social aspect, the cardio, and especially its link to the past when kids were not sitting around all day playing video games on their phones.

Milledgeville had its own iconic skating rink — Rocket Roller Rink, owned by Poin Galloway.

Poin, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 93, moved to Milledgeville in the 1960s and operated Rocket Roller Rink until 2015. Poin had served in the Korean War as a frogman in the Navy SEALs.

Poin also was equally known for his petting zoo of exotic animals — exotic, at least, in these parts. Look on Facebook and you’ll see a photo on Poin standing next to a buffalo (or, maybe it’s a bison).

I was talking to Poin’s son, Dexter, the other day.

Dexter Galloway has been very successful with his own business “Boat Doctor.” He’s a doctor who makes house calls to repair your boat. Just call him and he or one of crew will come to you. Ads tout Boat Doctor for its “mobile marine service repair for Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee.”

Dexter knows all about the roller-skating business. He grew up in family quarters adjacent to the Rocket Roller Rink, which was located for many years on North Columbia Street about where Aldi’s is today.

On the right side of Rocket Roller Rink was a Hardee’s restaurant (where Walgreen’s is today). On the other side was Bacon Chevrolet.

Everybody told Poin that the location was too far out of town. People tried to tell Nat Bacon the same thing.

It’s a good thing Galloway and Bacon didn’t listen.

First-year Baldwin County commissioner Scott Little says he “loves to drive down North Columbia with my wife and wax nostalgic about what used to be here or there.”

Among his fondest memories: Rocket Roller Rink and Mr. Galloway’s petting zoo.

The late Debra Brantley Nelson, in a Facebook post more than a decade ago, also puts Rocket Roller Rink among her favorite childhood memories.

“. . . Mr. James Roberson’s store on the corner of Allen Memorial Drive and the big pinwheel cookies and those wooden floors. Marchman’s store and the banana popsicles. Mr. Galloway’s Rocket Roller Rink. Kirkpatrick’s Bakery. Bonner Park.”

And, what an amazing tribute Bobby Reynolds wrote in the comments for Poin’s obituary:

“Poin introduced me to the business side of roller skating, and I learned a lot from this great man. He taught me the importance of the rules and setting standards in the business. He taught me how to run a safe and fun place for kids to go.

“I now own and operate my own rink (in Madison). Those who knew him had to have respect for him and his love for the children, his family and his animals was unconditional and unfailing. Poin’s skates were put away on the shelf, but he’s someone I’ll never forget. Roll on, my friend.”

I read the other day that roller skating is making a comeback. Factors attributed to its increased popularity include social media trends, and a desire for retro-inspired activities.

Also, there’s a new roller-skating competition TV show called “Roller Jam,” which features Jordin Sparks and Johnny Weir.

Milledgeville’s roller-skating facility is now called RollCall and is located at 3021 Heritage Place

The Visit Milledgeville website says RollCall “is the best spot to eat, skate and play in Milledgeville, featuring skating, inflatables, and arcades! They have all-new skates and roller blades. . . . The games are rated for 2-year-old through adults.”

But there will never be another Poin Galloway and his Rocket Roller Rink.

They just don’t make them like they used to.

Rick Millians, a 1970 Baldwin High graduate, is retired after working at newspapers in Georgia, Ohio and Sout Carolina for more than 40 years. Reach him at rdmillians@aol.com