Thanks for the memories

You grew up in the western suburbs if . . .

You remember driving under the Route 9 bridge where someone had spray-painted ``Aerosmith Rocks Natick." (You grew up in the next town over if you yelled ``Tchaikovsky Rocks Wellesley!" each time.)

You ate at the York Steak House in the old Natick Mall.

You know where and what The Lake is, and you have ever called someone a ``mush." (Bonus points if you remember the Totem Pole at Norumbega Park, extra bonus points if you saw Frank Sinatra or Dinah Shore perform there. Honorable mention if you at least know that The Lake is Nonantum, and a gold star if you know ``mush" as an all-purpose word for guy.)

You shopped at Spag's in Shrewsbury, where merchandise had prices written on it in permanent black marker.

You remember the spaceship saucer dome at the old Shoppers World outdoor plaza, and the animal park in the courtyard. (Bonus points if you programmed the jukebox at Papa Gino 's to play Tommy Tutone's ``Jenny 867-5309" on endless repeat, before running next door to General Cinema.)

You got sticky sneakers after catching a movie at the Sack Cinema across the street and remember when the Ground Round used to let kids pay-what-you-weigh for lunch.

You loved to play Centipede and Pac-Man at Fun & Games in Natick, but your parents wouldn't let you go in alone.

Your Brownie troop got a tour of the old Wonder Bread factory, which smelled heavenly. Highlights were a slice of bread fresh off the assembly line, and a free Twinkie at the end.

You thought the sight of the glittering chandelier in the lobby of the Chateau de Ville in Framingham was the best part of a nighttime drive along Route 9 in Framingham. (Bonus points if you remember when Route 9 was considered a quick and easy way to get into Boston.)

You consider Boston Scientific to be the new kid on the block. For years that building was Prime Park, and before that it was the Carling Brewery.

Your favorite restaurant for Chinese food was Chin's Village on the Natick-Wellesley line.

You bought penny candy and fruit slush at Bob's Waban News.

You ate Flutie Flakes.

You remember the big fires at Northborough Town Hall and White City Cinema in Shrewsbury.

You remember when Worcester had two newspapers -- the Worcester Telegram and the Evening Gazette -- and the local suburban paper was the Framingham News (and then the South Middlesex News, and then the Middlesex News).

You got a ``I was a good little girl/boy" balloon for behaving yourself during a family dinner at the Chateau restaurant in Waltham.

You get nostalgic for Lechmere in Framingham whenever you shop for a TV.

You did your Christmas shopping at Child World. Nobody had ever heard of Toys ``R" Us.

You spent a Saturday night at a car race or a pro wrestling match at the old Westboro Speedway (bonus points if you witnessed a fistfight at the beer stand).

Thanks to readers Rose Menard and Rebecca Potts and Globe staffers Emily Shartin and Dave Richwine for contributions. Globe West bureau chief Erica Noonan is a Wellesley native.