Remember

Remembering Back Music 60s and 70s

2009-03-23T15:11:00.001-07:00

Posted By Webmaster

While working on This Day In History I came across the Date
24th March 1973 that Pink Floyd released Dark Side Of The Moon which reminded me about a time in my 20's when the album came out.

What it reminded me of most what not just what a fantastic album it was, but how I played it full blast on an old player for LP's until the album became so scratched It would spend more time skipping tracks than listening .

I wonder how many remember that back in those days you only had to slam a door for the stylus to skip or scratch, or how compared with the sound from a modern CD player even a Walkman so much was lost , but thank you for those great albums from those days

Just a few that were played full blast in my teens and early 20s bring back great memories

The Beatles "Abbey Road"

Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall"

Pink Floyd "Dark Side Of The Moon"

The Who "Tommy"

Bob Dillon " The Freewheeling Bob Dylan"

Creedence Clearwater Revival "Bayou Country"

Jimi Hendrix "Electric Ladyland"

Simon and Garfunkel " Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme"

The Beatles "Abbey Road"

The list could go on forever and I am sure I Have forgotten many great great albums without even touching on 45's what great great times for music

Many I have replaced with CD's but I think I miss something when I think of my old LP's

Steve

Traditional Milkman

2009-03-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Milkmans Son, United States, My father was a traditional milkman

My father was the traditional milkman. Up at 3:00 a.m., got to the dairy by 4:30, on the milk route by 5:00, home be 5:30 p.m. He had (and still has some) of the original wooden milk crates and glass bottles w/caps. He would be given bottles of "booze" in the milk shoots as gifts from his customers. No matter how much snow or ice, he would get the milk/cream/etc delivered to everyone. I treasure those days when I would get up early with him and eat breakfast and watch the sun rise. He taught me a great work ethic and you do not have to make alot of money to have a happy life. He is 80 now, and his granddaughter is interviewing him for her 4th grade project on being a milkman. He still roller skates/dances and can bike up to 20 miles per day. I thank God for him.

Life must have been so cool In The 60s

2009-03-03T04:22:00.000-08:00

Posted By
jackee lynn, United States

well i wasn't alive in the 1960's but i have researched it thoroughly and i have to say life must have been so cool! and lots of cool inventions were made in those years.from playdoh to zip codes....and all the stuff you got away with like no seatbelts and hanging out with who ever you want..i would have loved it.and also back then they had the best music that the words of the song really had an exact feeling and meaning.

50s Book Of Memories

2009-03-03T04:20:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Book of Memories, United States
My passion for my memories of the 50' and 60's grew into a rather large collection of nostalgic items (incluuding a costume actually worn by Bozo The Clown in the 1960's, he is now my close friend).

I also spent several years on an oldies radio staion playing the music I loved and interviewed hundreds of celebrities from the 50's and 60's, some of whom are no longer with us but survive on tape.

From all that came two and a half years of writing that culminated in something called "Nostalgia: The Big List". It is a compilation of EVERYTHING nostalgic. Nearly 8,000 entries from tv and movies, to hairdo's and fads, cars and clothes and everyting else in bewteen.
You can take a serious walk down memory lane with this book. It's cheap too because it is available on compact disc reducing the cost of printing a book. Pop it into the computer and read it there or print it out.

Visit www.waxstuff.com for information on ordering.

I Want To BE Friendly

2009-03-01T04:49:00.001-08:00

Posted By

wrs, United States

I remember going to church play in the summer inthe late 30s. They would have us sing a song I beleive named I Want To BE Friendly. I guess it was a song to stay out of war. Any one remember the words?

Remember Those Great Seventies

2009-02-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Sue, United Kingdom

I remember the fashion of flares, platforms & wedge shoes, liking school, hating school,

Dib Dab Sherbert sweets,

The Partridge Family Show, The Osmonds (Cartoon) Show, Land of the Giants, Lost in Space,

Getting my first record player & playing my compilation album hits such as The Sweet, Alvin Stardust, The Glitter Band....oh my goodness!!

We played outside without a care in the world, playing snails, hopskotch, rounders, piggy in the middle, american skipping. There was loads to keep us kids entertained.

No computers, mobile phones, iPods or PSP's. We made do with paper doll cut outs from comics & made outfits for our dolls out of mums old clothes.

My favourite food was chips (french fries) from the van that used to come round the area, you could smell it before the siren was sounded. That vinegar & chips smell was delicious.

I remember the 70's well, loved it better than the 80's.

An Unamarican Hippy

2009-02-20T04:57:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Sassy, United States

growing up in a small town in kentucky was so exciting in the 60s.
i remember writing a paper in high school on why i thought the vietnam war was wrong.i was expelled for 3 days.
my father was really mad at me.
i remember him calling me an unamerican hippie.
the 60s were my growing up years and i have such wonderful memories of them.i still love the music from that era.

The Dustbowl Years

2009-02-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Elizabeth, United States

I was born in 1923 and grew up during the dust bowl time. Mom, my brother and I lived with my grandparents.
We lived on a farm, which turned out to be the best thing we could have done. As a result, we had beef, pork, chicken, turkeys, mutton and eggs. We were never hungry like lots of folks that lived in small towns nearby. However, we did not have any money. But with cream and egg sales, my folks were able to buy occasional sugar and flour. Our trips to the small town were made about each week, as we could not keep the cream any longer.
When there was a dust storm imminent, the western sky turned a sickly yellow. The sun was blotted out, and a little later we could see a boiling, angry cloud arising on the western horizon. Grandma would call to us all, that there was a dust storm coming. Grandpa would hurry to the barnyard to see that all the livestock was put into barns and sheds.
I remember that I went to try to get the poultry into the henhouse. Mom and my brother were getting in the horses and sheep.
Meanwhile Grandma was hanging any dampened cloth available over the windows, and stuffing the cracks around windows and doors with rags.
When it came mealtime, Grandma would cook, using pots she could keep the lids on to keep out the dust.
The table was set with all the china turned upside down. We turned it upright only when we were served in order not to get too much grit in the food. The dirt was so fine like talcum powder that it filtered into everything. When the storm was over, which sometimes was several days, there were drifts, like snow drifts, but it was all the fine dirt. There was a sifting of dirt over everything in the house. Sweeping the floors took several attempts to get it all out. And all the bedclothes had to be washed.
We kids were kept home from school, and we only went out of the house to water and care for the animals and fowls. We did have two good wells, one for the house, and a windmill for the farmyard. Mom liked to grow flowers, and she hand pumped water every day to keep them alive. After a dust storm, she would go out to the garden and use a broom to try to sweep the dirt away from the plants so they would not be smothered by the dirt. We had only vegetables that we could grow in our garden. During the drouth during and after the dust bowl days, it was hard to get anything to live. One year we had only a few potatoes, and other tough vegetables.
The green beans, however, did bear a good crop. Most of the produce that we could harvest was canned for winter's use. That year we had only meats, some potatoes, and lots of green beans. It took me 10 to 15 years before I could eat green beans again. It was a hard time, especially for anyone living off the farms. And for the farmers, too, because they had no crops (mostly wheat in our area) to sell. We lived along the Kansas, Oklahoma border north of Wakita, Ok. Our farm was north in Kansas along the border road.
A few years after the storms had subsided, the government helped farmers plant "windbreak" trees. Even today in some part of the dust bowl area you will see several rows of trees lining the sides of fields. That and contour farming helped keep the wind from picking up the dust and blowing it away.

Reflecting Back To The 60s and 70s

2009-02-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

Posted By Sun Village --Chester Pa. United States

The things I remember growing up in the 60's & 70's are having to be in when the street lights came on,
In the Summer Playing release / Olie olie ox infree as in playing tag, YOUR IT! or Jail and someone on there teem had to come and release them with out getting caught them self or playing Army with out leaving a city block running through the alley's on the block, riding our bikes as we had gotten a little older as in around 10 years old and gosh at the age of 12 being able to venture out for about a five mile ride was like leaving the country, LOL and in the winter at christmas time walking to the boy's club on the Avenue and seeing Mr. Jones playing Santa giving out candy kanes Boy were did the years go!

Ed Video memory

2009-01-31T18:58:00.000-08:00

This is truly a fantastic memory from a Man who helps us to understand what is was like in the depression years of the 30's and needs to shared

I had Very vivid memories of my childhood some good some bad, when I was little a circus came to town and I wanted to see it , I had no money so I snuck in under the canvas the circus and I got caught. So as a result they made me part of their act and they put me on this horse and I didn't know it put they put pants on me that were big and lifted me up and the pants fell off. I can always remember my mother used to make zachinky and that's a poor food, and I hated it , she didn't have any money to make it was just boiled dough as thick as your finger and that's what we ate and that was horrible stuff. We lived in a poor section of Amsterdam New York and for Christmas my mother gave me a little red wagon, I knew that we were poor so I just made it a point to go into the city and to go into the back yards of furniture stores and so forth to pick up these boxes for heating and I remember one day I was near a police station and the policeman took my hand and I thought he was going to arrest me for taking these boxes and instead he put a bushel of food into my wagon and I thought that was pretty good so we had some food.

I spoke to Edd for a while after this video was made and he truly is a wonderful man who should be an example to us all and help us realise how lucky and privileged we are today. We take for granted so many things like education which he did not have the opportunity of until a few years later

I would like to thank him so so much for sharing his memories for this and future generations.

Label Memories From The 1930's

30s dust bowl

2009-01-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

Memory From:

Debbie , USA The Dust Bowl Years

I didn't live during the 30s, but my Mother did and she experienced the dust bowl.
It may have only impacted Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and Kansas directly, but it was a major event which isn't mentioned on the this sites list of events.
Many farmers lost their farms and they and their families were made homeless and the migration to California began. Dust storms so severe that the sun was blocked out were daily occurences.
It was a big deal, partly caused by irresponsible land developers and farming techniques that weren't appropriate for the time.
Any dust bowl survivors out there? I'd like to see your memories here

TV shows I watched in the 70s

2009-01-31T16:42:00.000-08:00

Posted By:
John, USA, TV shows I miss from the 70's

I was remembering some of the TV I watched as a child and missing them , just a few of my own favourites I can remember below

Chips
2 officers from the California Highway Patrol riding their motorcycles through southern California

M*A*S*H
About Field hospital based in Vietnam during the Vietnam War

Added By Webmaster for The People History
Vietnam should read Korean War as pointed out by our visitors in comments

Sanford & Son
Sitcom based around father and son junk dealers

Happy Days
Teenage life in the mid-1950s. featuring The Fonz who can forget thumbs-up gesture,"aaayyh!", and leather jacket

The Muppetts
The Waltons
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Bob Newhart

If you look at the list not one was based on violence how times have changed

I am sure I missed some others that I can't remember right now so please leave your comments with your own favourites

I Hate Green Beans

2009-01-31T16:19:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Greybeard, USA, I Hate Green Beans
I remember a frozen food product marketed to help Parents of picky eaters eat vegetables...They were called I Hate Green Beans, Corn, Beets and Peas. They were french fry type food I think made from those vegetables.

Does anyone else remember these or am I the only one

Best Years Of My Life

2009-01-31T10:12:00.001-08:00

b. February 26 , 1931 ; lived thru Great Depression era ; on a small [ 160 acre ] country farm ; no electricity , one line party line phone w/ 1 ring ; kerosene lamps & lanterns ; 2 room school house , 42 students total ; 8 grades ; no radios , TV , cell phones , etc ; no sports or swimming pool , gyms , etc ; well water by hand pump ; Saturday nite bath ; etc. every SPRING & FALL I rode with my GRANDFATHER 10 MILES to have the team of horses shod ;fished in the brook with wood pole and worms ; etc.

BEST YEARS of MY LIFE

GEORGE , RETIRED TRIAL LAWYER and Real Estate investor
MASSACHUSETTS - 12-18-2008

http://www.MySpace.com/georgetet

HAPPY SEASONS GREETINGS to ALL

The Thirties

2009-01-18T05:58:00.000-08:00

Posted By

Inscho, United States

My grandmother was born in Kansas in the early 1900's.
Our family had farms and were respected members of the communities they lived in.
My grandmother married and became a teacher.
During the 30's her husband lost his job.
She worked as a teacher, traveling from town to town, sleeping in other people's homes. Eventually, they relocated to Oregon.
Once there the two divorced.
She had other family members that made the move, as well. She like to tell me this story about her cousin and her husband who rented a room and everyday for dinner they would cook a potato on a hot plate. He'd have her cut it into two pieces and she would always give him the larger half.

From Webmaster Thank You So Much Inscho
Some of these memories passed down from family members provide truly great insight into much harder times and one of the reasons I set this site up was to allow the sharing of these special memories so they are not lost for future generations

Steve The People History

The 70s were best decade

2009-01-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Samantha, United States

Playing outside, Races, Bike ramps, hide and go seek,
Saturday morning Cartoons,
The Music was the best, all I wanted to do was dance.
I helped my Grandfather on Saturday mornings and he'd pay me a little money.
I also remember collecting pop bottles to get the refunds on them.
Building go-carts out of Big Wheel tires.
Going from door to door asking if they wanted their yards cut (for a fee of course).

Most of all FRIENDLY PEOPLE!!!

Best Memory

2009-01-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Samantha, United States

One of my best memories growing up was when
I woke up on Christmas morning and found the bike I was waiting for forever!

Our First VCR

2009-01-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Beth, United States

I can remember my family getting our first VCR.
I was so excited at the idea that I could watch any movie any time that I wanted.
Our neighbors had gotten one a few year earlier when VCRs first came out and costed a fortune. My sister and I were invited over the day they set it up.
Everyone just sat around amazed at this great new technology.

Living In The 80s

2008-12-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Stephanie

Well if you lived in the 80s it was a whole new era "For Sure For Sure"
and the boy sitting next to you was
"Totally Awseome Dude"
Like Totally!Only if we could go back to those days and relive them I wouldnt change a thing! I had such a blast making memories with my friends and going to the movies and watching "Fast times At Ridgemont High"
and Spicoli ordering pizza and having it delivered in class!Like Oh My God! If you can remember these days you have lived!
Rock on to the people that made the 80s for what they were! Like Totally

Glad To Be A Kid In The 70s

2008-12-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Posted By
What Happened, USA

Hi All. I'm 37 years old, and I grew up as a child in the mid-to-late 1970s.
We all have are own experiences as kids growing up when we did, but all I can say is...I'm glad I was a kid when I was.
I wouldn't want to be a kid growing up today.
I remember when staying out and running in the field in our backyard, and playing outside was the only things you could really do then.
We didn't have the cell phones, and the video games like they do today. Atari was just starting to come around in the early 80s, but we didn't have it until a bit later.
But we had to actually "do things" to have fun. Our mom had to actually yell for us to come inside the house.
Now it seems you can't get any kids' out of the house and off the sofa. I was watching some old archival footage of the 1950s and 1960s, and wow, I had a great time growing up when I did, I can just image from the footage I've seen and heard about those days, that it must have been soooo great!
I remember the t.v. shows too from the 70s...nothing like they are today. We had little house on the prairie, and sanford and son, and grizzly adams...so I guess all I can say is, what happened? Glad I grew up when I did :)

Kids Back Then

2008-12-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

Posted By
The Kids back then, United States

I was 8 years old in 1979. I remember being able to roam around my block as much as i wanted without my mom having to worry about where I was.
I also remember how much "cooler" the older kids were back then. By older I mean...14-15 years old. I remember one day I was looking at something that was in a small puddle by the side of the street.
It was probably nothing really important, but I remember that bubbles seemed to be coming up from the bottom for some reason. Two older kids, I would say about in the 14-15 year old range came by on their bikes.
They were the "cooloest" bikes to own back then...the bmx ones with the plastic mag. wheels. One kid wore a gold chain around his neck. I remember them stopping by me and asking me what's up. I was a really quiet kid then and pretty shy, but I was able to show them the puddle and what it semmed to be doing. They got off their bikes and watched the bubbles for a short time and then got back on their bikes.

They then just said something like, "take care man," and left. They didn't bother me at all. So kids just seemed to be alot "cooler" then. But, that's just my opinion from back then.

Sixties Memories Growing Up

2008-11-28T03:18:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Nancy, United States

I was in first grade when JFK was killed. The teacher brought in a radio. She looked stricken.
She told us, just said it. I didn't get it.
Why would anyone shoot the president? It wasn't personal enough for me to understand. We stood around the radio and listened.
I don't remember what was said, only that we were all so quiet, all our regular activity stopped.
Later, my father took us to Mass, which was singular in itself because he was a lapsed Catholic and we never went to church, I'd never set foot in a church before that.
I didn't even know my father was Catholic until we attended. I remember the elections after that. "Johnson, Johnson, he's our man. Gold water belongs in the garbage can!" We were kids.
Then Johnson began to dissapoint fast: Vietnam happened. My brother, who was draftable age, managed to stay out of the war by remaining in school.
I remember one day he and his girlfriend - now my sister in law - came to my house from jail.
My mother, me, and they all sat around the kitchen table while they debriefed. They'd been arrested in Berkeley, protesting the war.
They were elated. They felt powerful, and also - I'm pretty sure - relieved and triumphant that they'd survived. They'd been teargased, had not even gone home to clean up yet, and stunk to high heaven.
Several years later, I was at summer camp, and a t.v. had been set up in the courtyard. We all watched the first human set foot on the moon.

Mom's 50s Cadillac

2008-11-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Mamie http://dearbabyboomer.com/, United States

Mom's Cadillac ...
It was big—it was real big.

Shiny black with a white hard top—rounded fins in the back, rounded trunk—1953, a few years before the lines on the Cadillac became sleek and the fins sharp. It was very classy—but it was just too big.

Mom had learned to drive only the year before. Having grown up and lived in New York City until their move to New Jersey after getting married, she never had the need or desire to drive a car.

When the older children were young, milk was delivered to the doorstep, our pediatrician came to the house, even groceries were delivered. But now, with growing children and a home in the country to manage, learning to drive became essential. She learned quickly, and before long was on the road, usually with a carload of kids. "Mr. Sawdust' was now bringing in a substantial income, and he wanted his Jeannie to ride in style.

As I said, the car was just too big for Mom. Maybe it was from where I was sitting in the back but it did appear that Mom looked through that great big steering wheel, rather than over it. She was a good driver, but as you might imagine this required her utmost concentration.
And I do believe the car was as wide as it was long. Children in the back were merely 'assumed', because they couldn't be seen in the rear view mirror. Seat belts had not even entered anyone's mind at the time, and our outings were very "relaxed." A little brother with a bottle hanging from his mouth would ride standing next to Mom, and another would occupy himself with a truck or two on the floor in the back seat. Of course there were not as many cars on the roads and not as many accidents, and we were young and oblivious to such things.

I'm afraid we were not the only ones who were oblivious. I had discovered the joys of an open window at high speeds. I loved leaning my head out and feeling the wind whip my pony tail just like a galloping horse. I'd pull it back in when I started to lose my breath.

Then I discovered something even more exciting than that. I would very carefully stand up on the back seat, sit out the open window, hanging on to the roof for dear life. The view was wonderful from up there. I remember doing it several times and feeling quite safe. Apparently an off-duty policeman traveling behind us one afternoon, didn't have the same "safe" feeling. He was blinking his lights and motioning for my Mom to pull off the road.

It took a while for her to realize he was behind her. When she finally pulled off the road, he ran over to the car and yelled, "Hey lady, do you want to lose that little girl?" Funny how his exact words have stuck in my mind to this day! Maybe it was that "Now I've seen everything" look that accompanied his words. He allowed me to sit up there just long enough for Mom to turn around and take a good look. She was stunned! I slipped down onto the seat and listened to the frantic conversation, but suddenly was hit with the realization that my Dad would be the next one to find out.

This was not a good thought! Only a few months earlier I had received a spanking from him that was still fresh in my mind. My dad rarely spanked me. It had to be a life threatening situation for him to do so. That casual stroll I took one afternoon with my two best friends, gathering flowers along the busy road in front of our house, was in his mind one of those situations.

What would he do when he heard about this? Funny thing, I don't remember ever receiving a spanking for my little joy rides. Certainly I was in much more danger than picking flowers along the roadside. Now I'm wondering if my Mom ever really told my Dad. I know he knew about it years later.
Maybe she decided not to tell him….for a little while. ….I'll have to ask her about that. (for more of Mamie's musings from the 50's and 60's go to: http://dearbabyboomer.com/

An Army Career In The 70's

2008-11-19T06:09:00.000-08:00

Posted By
M. Layport, United States, Choosing a Carreer Or Did It Choose Me

I never did know what I wanted to do for a living the entire time I was going to school. I was "warned" that I needed to start thinking about it, and start planning!

I never was a great student anyway, so made it hard to plan on anything, and the “warnings” just increased my anxiety!

I had gone to Jr. College after high school primarily because that was what you were "suppose to do" ...didn't do great there either.

Took me 3 years to get a 2 year degree!

I only got a degree in mechanical drafting because it was easy for me, but never had any plans to work in the profession.

So late 1972 (just before finishing J.C.) I started thinking of what I can do next with my life.

Dad had been with the 25th Div in the 35 Infantry REGT in the Philippines during WWII, and I always loved his "war stories". So I came to the bright conclusion of enlisting in the military!

Funny I remember telling Dad of my plans and that was the first time I remember him talking about the bad points of being a grunt in the military.

But “I knew what I was doing” and helicopters had caught my eye! ...Although I've never been in a plane in my life at that point! I went into the Army recruiters and discussed the idea, I was informed that that MOS (military occupation specialty) was not in high demand at this point in time,

Viet Nam was winding down and the need for helo pilots was not as high as it once was. I was determined to be a gun ship pilot, so they sent me in for the written test.

It was pretty hard, but was happy I scored the minimum acceptable grade! ...Then I was informed there's qualified and best qualified! ...i.e. I didn't make the cut! I was heart broken!

Went home that night and thought …the Army doesn't even want you! The next day I went over to visit a buddy at his house, he had another one of his friend over, and this guy had just gotten out of the Army’s armor AIT (advanced individual training) class at Ft. Knox ...he talked about armor training and how the M60 tank was an ass kicking machine! …I was interested!

Next day the Army recruiter’s office called, wanting to see if I was interested in anything else ...I told them I'd be interested in armor!

You could almost hear them licking their chops! …"OH SURE …we could probably get you in that!" So I enlisted for armor training in the L.A. recruiting station California, and that evening I was shipped off to Ft Ord in a bus.

It was late Feb. 1973. As we pulled out of the recruiting station I looked around the bus, all kinds of people were there and I remember thinking, "Boy I hope I don't get stuck with this group!" *G* …We became 1st Platoon C-2-3 in the old WWII wooden barracks over looking the reception area. Actually “basic” was not that hard for me.

Yes I was out of shape, and was never the athletic type, but during my school years, because I wasn’t a good student, I developed the ability to disappear in the crowd! …To become so inconspicuous that the teacher didn’t noticed you!

This was probably the only time this ability ever served me, in a beneficial manor. The Drill Sgt. never was able to put my name to a face, until about the last 2 weeks of basic.

Basic in general was a positive event for me, gave me confidents in myself to a degree and got to learn about dealing with other people, both good and bad.

Eight weeks later I graduate for basic training, and the third week in May, 1973 we shipped out to Ft. Knox Kentucky for AIT armor training. Armor AIT was the icing on the cake for me! We were finally earning something we were going to work at.

The barracks were semi new and the food was real good! Each track (tank) had a crew of 4 trainees, with a T.C. (tank commander) that was assigned to the track.

Normal crew was 5 people; this allowed each trainee to rotate positions as we learned how to operate each position …except the T.C.’s spot. I was older then most in training, I was 22 at this time, I’d guess the average age of most of the recruits was 19 to 20 at this point.

Whether this was a contributing factor or not I’m not sure, but I became the leader in all training efforts. If the lesson was driving or any other skill, I was the first to try! AIT was semi easy for me. I didn’t have to “hide” in the crowd anymore; I looked forward in proving my capabilities! Actually this worked out well for me, because I was made PFC/E3 at the end of this AIT training.

I had thought I’d be able to get leave after AIT and visit home again, but the Army had other ideas. I was sent to Ft. Bliss Texas for “Redeye” training.

Redeye is a shoulder fired anti-aircraft missile …the grandfather of the modern day Stinger missile. The other guys in my AIT class went on the train on the M551 Sheridan “tank”, or were sent off to regular armor units. Redeye was a 3 week training course, there were only 12 regular Army people in this class and the other 24 people were N.G.s (national guard), who were there for their annual 2 weeks of training.

Actually this was 2 weeks of party time for most of them! They almost daily went down to Juarez, Mexico, after training too PARTY!

The next day they were a sorry looking lot! Afew had long hair …stuck under short hair wigs, and the D.I. (drill instructor) would yell at them to get their hair fixed right, or he’ll escort them to the barber to get a “proper” hair cut! The N.G.s only lasted the 2 weeks then they were gone, and it was just the 12 R.A.s (Regular Army) guys that were left.

During this training I discovered I had a knack for “aircraft recognition” I was scoring 100% on all my aircraft recognition tests and scoring high on the system test as well. I ended up number one in the class, and this allowed me to fire the one of the 2 missiles that were expended at the end of the class.

Unfortunately this was the only disappointment I came a crossed …my missile was a dud …a $3000 dud! *G* After leave at my parent’s house in California,

I flew to South Carolina and the AFB (Air Force Base) there to catch a flight to FRG (Federal Republic of Germany). We waited most the day there, meeting people and friends I knew there from training.

We finally went to board a plane, but much to my disappointment, it was not a military aircraft at all! It was an old 707 with the company name on the side “Flying Tigers Airline”. This was a very old and very used aircraft.

We were jammed into the aircraft and headed off for a very long flight. We didn’t fly straight to Europe; we stopped in New Foundland to re-fuel, and then on to Frankfurt, Germany and the Rheine Mien airport.

There we unloaded and were bused to the 503th replacement center …an old building that was a British prisoner camp during WWII! We spent the next 3 days there, before being shipping to another distribution center. This is where I learned I was to be shipped to “Alpha” troop 3rd Sqd. 12th CAV in Budingen, FRG. I remember thinking “Boy this sounds like a kick-ass unit!” …But before we got there we had to get an orientation to the Germany culture.

This was a 5 day class in Glenhausen, FRG. We got there late Sunday night and after all day coming and going to get assigned and picking up TA-50 (field gear) I fell into bed about midnight.

Next day we found out there was about 15 of us, and after we got straighten away, we headed to our first class. The class was taught by an officer’s wife who spoke very fluent Germany and spent a lot of time in country.

Over the next few days we were taught basic Germany language, currency exchange, & cultural differences. During this time afew notable things happened to me. First I was assigned to a section headed by a Sgt. that was from Louisiana, he was a Cajun and he had an accent you could cut with a knife!

He would tell me to do something, and it was like someone speaking a foreign language to you! I had to ask 2 to 3 times what he just said! …And sometimes I never did understand him! Luckily this didn’t seem to be a new problem for him, and he wasn’t too upset about my asking what he just said! The other notable event happened about day 4, I was in class and it was about 10:30am when a sergeant came into our class road and wanted to know who PFC Layport was!?? Without thinking I stood up (from basic training), he looks me over and said you are to report to major so-in-so in the Battalion S4 building!

First thing I thought was “what did I do now!??” I headed over there escorted by the sergeant, and sit down in front of this major, he was the S4 OIC (officer in charge). He was looking for a clerk, and was trying to skim some of the replacements for this position.

After I learned what he was after, I told him I wasn’t interested! He was flabbier-gassed! He went on to tell me I’d be E.D. (eliminated from duty) from guard duty, K.P. & won’t have to do field duty! I still wasn’t interested. He didn’t care!

Then when he explains my duties as a “clerk”, I told him I couldn’t type! He didn’t believe me! He had seen in my records where I had graduated from Jr. College and wanted to know how I had gotten thru without typing a paper?

I told him I had my girl friend type it …actually it was my Mom, but I didn’t want to share that info! So after a brief test in typing skills he finally relented and I was allowed to head back to class.

Two days later the class was over and a VW vans pulled up to take the 4 people to the Armstrong Kaserne in Budingen, FRG.

It was Friday evening, early Sept. I arrived in Budingen, FRG about 18:00hrs we were dropped off in from of the troop location. These were barracks were built in 1932 to house a German unit; a rectangle shaped building 5 floors tall. The C.O. and 1st Sgt had already gone, only the C.Q. (Charge of Quarters) was there.

He temporarily put us (me and one other guy – don’t remember his name) up in a room where they had empty beds, and to my surprise we were issued M16s, and were told that we’d have to go to the range the next morning to zero the weapon! I thought “MAN, this is an ass kicking unit!” …

Next day we drew the M16s (brand new! …Unlike basic which were Viet Nam bring backs). I was impressed with my weapon; I shot a group you could cover with a dime! Monday we were marched into the C.O. (commanding officer) office and one of the biggest events of my tour happened! Original I trained as “11E” (M60 armor crewmen), after AIT training, I had the “Redeye” training. After you had, and passed this additional training, an attachment was added to your MOS title. People taking the M551 Sheridan training received an R8 attachment …Redeye was an R6. …SO as I looked at my paperwork when I first got to Germany, with all the other people being assigned to units most had the 11E10R8 MOS …mine was the only 11E10R6 on the sheet. …you could almost guess what was going to happen! …

SO I was “mis-assigned” to a Sheridan tank unit…by an error reading my MOS. As I stood before the company commander he was putting me down in his roster with my MOS title and the conversation goes something like this: CPT: ”Lets see your 11E10R6!?? ..Oooh that’s a mistake …I’ll change that!” ME: “No Sir, that’s not a mistake!” CPT: “What!?? …You’re not R8? …So what’s a R6?” ME: “That’s a Redeye attachment Sir.” CPT: “REDEYE!?? …They are only in Headquarter Company (HHT). Let me put in a call to Capt. Johnson in HHT and see if he has any openings.” …He picks up the phone and leans back in his chair and the charade starts …”Hello Capt. Johnson this is Capt. Watts in Alpha troop, hey I got a trooper here that’s been mis-assigned, he’s Redeye trained!” …a bit of silence then …”Oh full up Huh!?? …

Most of Redeye is just pulling extra duties!?? …Well OK, we’ll see what he wants to do, thanks again.” CPT: “Redeye section is full up, sounds like most the people there are just doing extra duties. …

So would you like to try O.J.T. on the Sheridans and remain here?” ME: “Well Sir since Redeye is full, I’ll try the O.J.T. …I like a challenge!” How naive I was! …

This whole conversation was done for me, and I swallowed it hook, line, and sinker! …So I was assigned to “A” troop, O.J.T. (On the Job Training) on a Sheridan …not for long, as it ended up! …But for now I was put on the Platoon. Sgt. track A15. …

I had NO training on the Sheridan, and as you may or may not know ...NOBODY had a full crew during this time! Normally just the T.C, & the driver, so when I got on board the track there was nobody to help me (platoon. Sgt. seemed to be “busy” else where)!

I had trained on M60s but this M551 was no where like a 60, but after looking over this machine I did notice the air cleaner indicator signal was like the ones on a M60 and this one was in the red.

This meant that the filter was dirty so I pulled the filter, but had no idea what to do to clean it. I guess I looked pretty puzzled because the driver of the next track asked what was wrong.

I told him and he took the time to show me how to hook up an air line to the breach air system and blow the filter out.

We became fast friends, SP/4 Dave "Barney" Bartnez. He showed me alot! I spent the next 6 months learning about the Sheridan and running around with “A” troop on field training, exercises, and border duty.

About this time I was in the mess hall waiting in the chow line and talking with another California buddy, he was talking about being at Ft. Bliss with the 13th CAV. I piped up and said “I was at Ft. Bliss …for Redeye missile training”! The guy next to me in line turned around and asked “YOU… had Redeye training?” I told him “YUP, sure did!

I got number one in class and got to shoot the missile and everything!” …He didn’t say another word. Next morning at formation the Platoon Sgt. called me out and said that I was to go over to HHT (Headquarters Troop) and “temporary” help the Redeye section.

Seems they were going thru a Division Redeye test, and they were short of people! … (NOT like the “A” troop C.O. had indicated!) …So I trained with the Redeye section for about 3 weeks and on Dec. 7th, 1973 we took the Div. test, and as it ended up my team got No.1 in 3rd. Armor Division (Sgt. Robert "MO" Molin & myself), HHT troop & Redeye section never let me go back!

So I was transferred to HHT troop (with a little resistance from "A" troop.) It turned out to be one of the best times of my life! …

But it was one of the saddest too! June 74, I was going home on leave. Barney was still in "A" troop he was E.T.S.ing (End Time of Service) out of the Army and heading back home to Minnesota. I joked "I'd beat him home"! …And he'd joke "Yeah, but you got to come back"!

…A month later I was walking thru the front gate, back from leave. I knew the U.P. (Unit Police) at the gate was a guy I semi knew from A troop and he asking if I just got off leave? I don't know what gave it away? My new suit or a 3 week old beard!?? He turns serious, and asked if I knew about Barney? I said Yeah I knew he E.T.S. out.

He then says …"But Barney drown 3 weeks later"! I didn't want to believe it! Two days later my old Platoon Sgt. from "A" troop. stopped me for a donation for flowers for Barney's family!

The rest of my time in the service was a series of stories, probably only interesting to myself (or so says my wife! *G*).

But to outline them, I got to visit Berlin on an admit leave (very interesting during “cold war” period), numerous field exercises, border duty, N.C.O. academy, E5 board, teaching Aircraft Recognition classes, becoming a Sgt. two years to the day I joined the Army, and becoming the Redeye Section Sgt. for a period.

There are a number of people I had that helped me go from a kid, afraid to grow up, to a man, ready to take on the world! …

And I’d like to list them here: LTC. Michael D. Mahler Cpt. James E. Johnson 1Lt. Glenn Duffy 1Sgt. Bille Evans SSG Ottis Matthews If any of you ever run across this story, I want to offer you my sincere thanks for your help and friendship!

The other aspect I need to mention are my buddies I lived and worked with! I think if you talk to any body that’s been in any armed service we’ll hear about how great their buddies were! IF they were in a real war (Viet Nam my era) that bond is deeper yet! It’s hard to explain to someone that hasn’t experienced that in their life how important it becomes!

I think of them often to this day …thirty-plus years later. For me I couldn’t have picked a better path in life!

I went on to work in the design/drafting profession, working with process piping. I’ve worked from Alaska to California and on projects world wide, for me it was a perfect choice in a profession!

I’ve been married two times(still working on the second one), I have three kids (a son and two daughters …last one I delivered on the bathroom floor!) and, I presently live in California.

Manchester Shopping Center Fresno

2008-11-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Jack, United States

Manchester Shopping Center with Sears as the main store opened in 1958 in Fresno Ca being the first major shopping center and it seemed to be so far out from downtown Fresno.
I told my mother, who in thier right mind would build a shopping center so far out of town. Today 2008 the shopping Center is really considered downtown. How times have changed

Those Were The Days

2008-11-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Ken Long, United States

When I was about 8 or 9, I can remember Sunday evenings. My Mom would be cooking up supper(usually pork steaks) the smell was incredible and something I will never forget.
After supper me and my older sister would argue about what to watch on t.v. , Walt Disney or The Six Million Dollar Man.
Me and my older brother would build tree forts and ride our Shwinn bikes like Evel Kienevel. We did not have A/C so when it got hot in the summer, Mom would wet our sheets down in the tub and we would sleep on them.
We had an Uncle that lived in Kansas and we would all climb into the stationwagon that felt like it was 100 feet long and was in 2 different time zones to visit him. Heaven forbid if Dad had to stop, so if me and my brother had to pee we would go in a pepsi bottle so Dad could make "Good Time"
So many things have changed since I was a kid, I wish I could let me daughter experience what it felt like to have a bottle of pop that came in a glass bottle and was only 8 oz. not a route 44 oz at sonic. Soda pop was a treat.
I can still feel the bubbles tickle my nose as I tip it up for a sip.
Those were the days......

My First Mobile Phone

2008-11-05T04:29:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Tom, UK, My First Mobile Phone

My Mobile Phone The first mobile phone I had was provided by the company I worked for in 1983 it was a Nokia Talkman 450 Mobira Senator, I say mobile phone but it was more like a modern day phone box. It was actually a car phone however one of my colleagues used to carry his around in his back pack. This was the cream of the crop back then, it did exactly what I wanted it to and worked fairly well, it was sad to get rid off it for the latest greatest phone at the time. I went on to have lots of Nokia mobile phones including my personal favourite the Nokia 3310, The technology has changed hugely since I had my first mobile phone. I remember my wife and kids being amazed by my car phone, so was the whole street!! Now though if you don't have a mobile phone your not a normal citizen, I work in London and get really fed up with the millions of different ring tones and everyone talking away watching the world go by. I found a picture of the Nokia Talkman 450 I have included it in the memory so you can see it up against a modern day phone, the phone below is my latest phone its a Nokia N80. My new phone has thousands of features more than i will probably ever need, it can also be used on VoIP to save me money on my phone calls which is quite impressive you can find out more about the phone on the site listed at the end of my memory It makes me wonder what the phones will be like in another ten years maybe it will turn into a chip that plugs into our ear? Who knows.
I now run a site dedicated to the next leap in Mobile Phone Technology you will be suprised at what is next round the corner.

This Poster runs his own blog all about the VOIP Mobile Phone Technology

The Next Generation Of Mobiles Using VOIP

Casey Kasem The Voice of My Teen Years

2008-11-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Casey Fan, USA, Casey Kasem The Voice of My Teen Years

Remember Casey Kasem? He’s considered all but obsolete now as Ryan Seacrest has taken his weekly radio job, but I used to be a huge fan of Casey Kasem. In the early 1990s, I was just coming of age and going through high school. Casey had a weekly show that counted down the top songs of the previous week. Every Saturday, I made it point to listen to his countdown. I especially like the “Request and Dedication” portion of his show.

I think I liked the weekly radio show because most of the songs in the countdown had special meaning to me as a growing teenager. You know how music plays such a big role in a teenager’s life, and I was no exception. Artists like MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice were redefining the Hip Hop genre while C&C Music Factory was one of the most popular dance bands of those few critical years.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day was the greatest week during the year for me. Casey Kasem always did a countdown of the year’s best songs during the last few days of the year. From 1990-1994, I made a big deal out of this and listened to as much as I could. Being the packrat that I am, I also taped the countdowns because I always thought I would want to listen to them later. Of course, this was before the internet made it possible to get any song that you want within a matter of minutes. But I still have those tapes packed away somewhere. They’re a little piece of my history. The songs helped to make me who I was and indirectly who I am today. I wonder how many other people have had their lives affected by Casey Kasem in such a big way.

Label Memories From The 1990's

Beatles performance in City Park Stadium

2008-11-02T15:58:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Vince Caronna, USA, Beatles Concert in the 60's

I was there the night of the Beatles performance in City Park Stadium. I was 13 years old and it was my first concert. My father was a pretty well known promoter and manager of such stars as Frankie Ford and Roland Stone. He had an in with the local radio stations and got our tickets for free. The thing I remember most was that some of the people rushed the stage and the local police on horseback, most of them, cracked some heads with billie clubs, men or women, boys or girls, it did't matter. There was blood everywhere, on the young people, the police got away with cruelty, that would not be allowed today. The Beatles themselves, were hard to hear above all the girls screaming. They did have some other acts before the Beatles, but I can't remember which ones played. I will always remember the experience though, It was unreal. Thanks, Vince Caronna

Label Memories From The Sixties

Growing up in New York in The 30s

2008-10-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Memory From:
B , Sudan, Growing up in New York in The 30s
I remember when i was a young girl growing up in new york, my father worked as a doctor. We would always have people in our apartment, getting fixed up.Around depression time, my dad, Joshuah Grant was shot and killed when he was on a train to caliofornia. My mother and my 5 sisters and 6 borther were left with out a father, and she was left wth out a job. Our family struggled. My eldest sister Herminie got the plauge and die, giveing the deisie to my 2 younger brothers grants and emil,they also died. The thing that i rememberwas on christmas,i woke up,and there was a toy pony. Mygrandma had sent it from England. We were immigrant from there. The toy ended up being stolen,along with my sister shyanne ellen louis.Life was very tough.

Label Memories From The 1930's

Growing up as a kid in the Bronx

2008-10-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Mike T , United States

I would not trade growing up as a kid in the Bronx in the 50's and 60's for anything. I have lived in Texas for the last 40 years, which I truly love also.

But I remember Loew's Paradise, Scottie's Poolroom, Steeles bowling alley, PS 46 schoolyard sports, stickball, shooting craps in the corner, De Witt Clinton H.S., Roosevelt HS summer school, St. Helenas Sunday night dances in Parkchester, Bickfords on Fordham & Webster Ave., Carvels on Webster below Fordham Rd., Orchard Beach, City Island, pizza by the slice, and other memories too numerous to mention.

We grew up fast and worked hard. We were on the streets all day and night without a lot of todays worries. I think we are a lot better off now for having had that Bronx experience.

Richard The Snake

2008-10-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Johnnie J, United States

I read above where a man shot a coffee cup that was sitting in front of a Jap soldier while he was taking a morning dump. I have a story just about the same.

When I was in Nam in May of 1967 my Sergent and I were alone about 3 miles behind our lines. We were looking for a place to advance the next day with the rest of the company to dig out Charly. As we crossed a log my Sergent put his foot right down on a snake that had to be 7 foot long. He shot his m16 about 25 times and never hit the snake!
But when we walked about 15 feet into the thick jungle we found two Viet Cong lieing there dead. I started looking very hard to see if there were any more around.

In another 10 feet there was one more sitting there with his hands up and had been shot in his butt. I speak good Vietnamese and all he said was give up! give up! After a moment I ask him where was their company? He said they all ran when we started shooting.

To make the story short. My Sergent never hit the snake but he killed two men and had shot the other one right in the butt. We just figured if it hadn't been for that dang snake we would have been walking into a death trap within another 15 feet! Everyone called him snake from then on until he was killed. And I would have never been able to tell all of you this story.

My Sergent didn't get to see the U.S.A. again, he was killed fourteen days later about a mile from where he shot at the snake.

Always remember Richard the snake!

Sharing Memories From Growing Up In The 70s

2008-10-13T03:16:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Lil immigrant girl, United States

I was born in 1965 so i don't remember the '60s, only thru my father's music. But i came to United States from Guatemala in 1975, that's when my life began for me. My favorite memories are from '75 to '79. The 1st song i remember liking that was popular in '75 was BRICK HOUSE by the Commodores. I look back on those days now and love them & love and appreciate my dad and his efforts to bring us to this great country. During that time I had my 1st bike, I learned to ride a bike, I learned how to ride a skate board, I learned to how speak English, I learned to play kick ball at school, I learned how to dance the HUSTLE during p.e. I am grateful that i got the chance to live the 'American dream' at least for a little while. In the early '80s several kidnappings took place, we couldn't walk to & from school anymore...everything changed. That's why the late '70s is what i remember fondly. Watching the Carol Burnett show, Donny & Marie, Little house, Laverne & Shirley, and so on and so on. I could write a book, but i won't bore you, i just wanted to share a little...

Dreams Do Come True

2008-10-08T02:37:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Abraham, United States

Dreams do really do come true.
My Name is Abraham, the car behind us is a 1940 Dodge Sedan with suicide doors, and this is a one owner car bought brand new by Bill G. in photo.
As a young boy 8yr Old I dreamed of owning this car and I have been trying to buy this car from him,
I moved from there and before I knew it another 15 years had passed, and I came back home and I bumped into Bill in a local Wal-Mart and we began to do some reminiscing about the good OL days, and he asked me to stop by his house the following morning at 10:00.Am,
So as I pulled up in the yard I saw the car that I only dreamed of for so many years, it was sitting there, and it was in the same place that I had last seen it as a young boy, and as Bill walked me around the car telling me she had an extra ding or two and she would need some paint and a lot of TLC.
Bill then told me there were 5 different people trying to buy the car, and he told me that he told them he would have to check with Abraham as he has asked for this car first; luckily I was able get the car as it is a dream come true.
Bill is now 95 years old, and I am 38 years old and I am hoping this summer to take him for a ride in it as that is the only request from him.
Thank you Have a great day.

The First Times

2008-10-08T02:31:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Gawngal, United States

I was born in September 1961..I don't remember much about the 60's all but going to school..Yet now the 70's was me becoming a Ten...And oh the times I had
Went to Carowinds for the first time.
Drove a car for first time
Stayed up late for the first time
Went to Clemson college to view the planets and see the history of it
Went to historical Charleston
Went to kings mountain battle ground won in story contest about the trip
Smoked a cig for the first time
Had a boyfriend for the first time
Got married for the first time
Those were the days
As the captain of my life its been ..slow and easy....Sailing

How lucky we are today

2008-10-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Monroe, United States

I can remember my father who was born in the depression talking about his father would leave home before daylight and arrive back home after dark walking 10 miles each way to use a hand plow and if he got lucky a horse and plow, working in the fields all day long for only one dollar.

Hearing the family stories of my grandfather/mother raising 8 children in those times was really a sad part of our history, not only in America but the entire world.

Hearing my mother talk about picking strawberries for 3 cents a quart, She says when they finally did make it to the times where they got 5 cent a quart and a dime if they capped them, they were (quote)stepping in high cotten.
You know hearing all the stories or my parents and grandparents picking cotton by hands in the hot fields until their fingers would bleed and crack open, the heat from the hot soil since they didn't have money to buy shoes in the summer time and pulling those cotton sacks down the cotton rolls all day.

It really makes you stop and think just how lucky we are today. Signing off now from the plains of Tennessee.

Old Fashioned Milk Delivery

2008-10-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Memory From:
John, UK, Old Fashioned Milk Delivery
When I was young we had our milk delivered to our door and one of my jobs as a 9 year old was to bring the milk in before it exploded due to pushing the milk bottle cap off the top of the milk bottle , We were also not as well informed regarding our health and my mum used to order gold top milk which meant it was much creamier and we know now also pretty bad for our cholesterol levels, I did enjoy it on my breakfast cereal which I think in those days was cornflakes. How our tastes change just a few years ago I had the opportunity to have my cereal with milk that was extra creamy and I hated it.

The Beatles 1965 New Orleans

2008-09-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

Memory From:
Jake , USA, The Beatles 1965 New Orleans
I was 16 and my first ever concert was 1965 when I saw the Beatles in New Orleans not many people can say that.
There were policemen everywhere and as many protesters as fans as they were known for loud music and the crowds going mad.

The music and the concert was great and I still have and listen to my Beetles CD's to this day

The Beatles were escorted directly from the airport and directly back when the concert ended. They marched onto the stage and just sung every hit back to back to back that had been in the charts. plus a few rock and roll hits from other stars at the time.

Everyone rose to their feet, and on the floor, we had to stand in our chairs to see anything.

They played and sang without a break for about one hour. and did not miss a beat and for 2 hours afterwards I could not hear anything my partner said as I was completly deaf from the music and crowd

Label Remember The 1960's

Earthquake Bay Area 80s

2008-09-29T02:55:00.000-07:00

Posted By
kf6rck, United States

It was a beautiful October morning, and i had left my house in Martinez at 5;30.for some reason I drove my ford p/u instead of riding Honda 750 k3.
By the time I got to the bay bridge the sun had come up and I could see that it was a nice day, giants and A's flags running from Oakland to San Francisco, by 6:45 I was in San Carlos, and work did not start until 7:30 as is me habit.

My coworkers hate me as I come to work in a good mood all the time, time to yourself priceless. at 4:30 it was time to go home but then I was told I had to put in OT, bummer the game was going start some I would listen to on my way home, that why I left the bike at home that day, the kids knew i would take over the TV when i got home. I was working in a glass shop at the time, at 5:00 I punched out.

I went to the back of the shop and sat on a cutting table, lit a smoke and started to unwind, just then the table started to shake, i looked at my boss who was standing off to the side of the table, he was wide eyed. now the metal doors were going bang bang real hard, as i said i was in a glass shop some of the glass was as big as 12' x8', i got out of there as fast as i could, out side the El camino looked like the sea going by, my truck was parked by a wall and some how did not hit it,a guy pulled into the parking lot and jumped out of his car, running around the car saying. i tougth the wheels had come off! in San Mateo my dad had just pulled into his driveway and pulled the shifter out of the floor of his car. back at home my 2yo was between my bike and the house, the bike came off the kick stand and staid on it's wheels,when it fell over it fell on it's kick stand. the shaking had slowed and 1 ran back into the shop to call as i was talking to my wife the phone went dead, my cellphone was dead, i did not get home for three day's.

The Helm's Man Delivery 60s

2008-09-28T02:30:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Cindy, United States, Fresh Baked Goods Delivery in the 60's

I remember the Helm's Man who would deliver fresh baked goods to our neighborhood in the morning. He would park his truck, which looked kind of like a hearse, and open the back doors offering the most delicious smells of donuts and breads imaginable. My mom would buy my brother and me a fresh glazed donut. In those days we could buy treats from the local peddlers as they came through our middle class neighborhood with ice cream or baked goods.

The Aberfan Disaster 1966

2008-09-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Steve, UK, Remember the Aberfan Disaster

It is strange when a TV documentary brings back something so vivid and terrible that happened over 40 years ago.

I can remember the Aberfan Disaster playing out on the TV and it seems so sharp in my mind like it was yesterday.

I was a normal 16 year old who did not pay much attention to the news but I can remember watching the Aberfan disaster unfold on the TV so clearly and even as I am writing this 40 years later I can feel my eyes watering.

To any who do not remember or are to young let me explain.

Aberfan is a small mining village in the valleys in Wales and it was surrounded by mines, most of the villagers worked in the mines. The mining company took all the sludge and waste mostly black because of the soot and built it into giant sludge heaps wherever they could get away with it , and one of these heaps was over 700 ft high towering over the local school. The area had had quite a bit of rain in the previous two weeks which unbeknown to anyone was causing cracks in this sludge heap and instead of disintegrating slowly in small amounts the whole bloody thing just gave way and covered the school completely.

I can remember watching the news on the BBC and just couldn't believe something like that could happen , the rescuers mostly local miners were on their hands and knees digging through the sludge hoping to save some of the children but I am afraid because of the amount and weight very few children were saved , I believe over 100 children died that day and I can remember reports that the headmaster was found with 5 children in his arms trying to save them

Food We Ate in The 60s

2008-09-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Donna, USA, Food My Mum Cooked in the 1960's

Food in the sixties, my mother cooked about every meal we had, we rarely went to a restaurants, except when we were on vacation. This was before there was a mcdonalds on every corner. We had creamed chicken with rice or toast, meatloaf and something mama called porcupine balls made out of ground beef too. Chicken was usually fried and cut up by my father, not sure why. Mama made composed salads out of a pear or peach half on a lettuce leaf and it had some mayo in the cavity with grated cheese on top of it. The only crackers i recall are saltines. we had potato chips and fritoes to go with our sandwiches which were made out of white bread and bologna, never ham or turkey or the healthy things we have today. Or maybe peanut butter or egg salad. No one had ever heard or seen yogurt, it would have been labeled a foreign food. And as far as those go, pizza was not everywhere either, I remember my mom making a pizza from a boxed mix like Chef Boy AR Dee and she put cheddar cheese on it! I do not remember seeing a lot of overweight people like we have today even though we ate a lot of fried food and used real mayonaise in our potato salads. My mom always had cookies around, she baked pretty often, usually oatmeal or peanut butter. I do remember being told to eat my peas, couldn't stand them as a child, but i LOVE them today. I wonder what the kids today are going to remember.

boy going on 12 in 1968

2008-09-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Posted By

kf6rck, United States

I was a boy going on 12 in 1968, I grew up in San Francisco and saw a lot of things that if I grew up in the mid west I would not have seen, like the dead in golden gate park, there was so much pot smoke in the air you would get hi just being there. as a kid I was somewhat of a loner, a book worm in to jazz, underground FM radio and underground movies.

I too marched to stop the war, until one day I saw this hippy girl go after some guy on market street, he was a Private in the army walking with his duffel bag, he was not more then 19 or 20, she called him a baby killer and spit on him. it made so mad I wanted to go up and hit her, I didn't.

looking back on it I should have! he did not start the war, did not want to be there and was on his way to get his butt shot off.

I felt bad for him! today I think the same way we must stop this war, but thank god for people who go to fight it.

I also remember the stock market broke a 1000 points, the news paper strike of 1968, the D N C in Chicago, the loss of Dr. King and bobby Kennedy. the start of gun control, dose it work? I think not, just look at the crime rate in a place like Oakland,ca. sometimes I think this is not the country I grew up in, it is but then it is not. but if we keep up the debate pick sides, read rather then depend on sound bites and vote, vote,vote. our country will last for ever, but it is up to us! there is a movie called 1776 in it John Addams asked dose anybody see what I see, dose anybody care? yes John, we do.

Charlie's Shake Shop Mukwonago

2008-09-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Posted By
TheSnackHound, United States

Does anyone remember Charlie's Shake Shop in Mukwonago, Wisconsin from the 80's?. It was either first a bike shop and then a shake shop, or was a bike shop after it closed. I would love it if folks would stop by, read, and then share their memory on thepeoplehistory! Link to the story: http://thesnackhound.com/2008/09/10/charlies-shake-shop/

Fear During The Cold War

2008-09-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

Posted By
kf6rck, United States

The only thing we have to fear is, fear it self. (F.D.R.) 1933.
I live by those words, they have seen me though some hard times, FDR was right.

The first time I saw fear was in october of 1962, some fool put missiles on cuba and aimed them at the USA I was 5 years old at the time and the grown ups around me were very frightend, they talked of world war 3
I remember my mom spending more time in church, my dad a blue collar democrat was saying we should have bombed the comme's when we bombed the japs. fear walked the streets and now fear took me, fear is like the flu, one gets it, all get it.

The next time i saw fear was 1963, three men escaped from Alcatraz, at 6 I knew it was dumb,they were long gone, but I was the only one. go to google erath and find 381 union st in San Francisco, thats were I was at that time

Why I Loved The 70s

2008-09-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

Posted By

Ashley, United States

I loved the 70's. I was in highschool, twirling flags in the band's flag corps. When I wasn't at a band practice or football game I was at the disco with my friends.

In the summertime Dad and I used to water ski on the Ohio River every day off his vacations and every weekend.
I also remember Cincinnati's Big Red Machine with Pete Rose and Johnny Bench and Dave Conception like someone else mentioned above.
Mom and I watched the Red's in the World Series at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati in 75 and 76 I think.

I was also into bowling, roller skating, reading, and swimming. I didn't need computers or computer games to have fun. I kept busy without them.

I loved music and played my 45s and LPs a lot. I had 8-track tapes later but they got messed up too easily.
The tapes unraveled and broke a lot. Maybe I played them too much. My friends and I used to follow our high school wrestling team to all their matches as well as go to the football games (before I was in the Flag Corps).

We cruised in my friend's 66 Mustang all over town with the music blasting.

My boyfriend in '77 loved Star Wars so much he went to see it something like 17 times at the theater. I worked at King's Island just north of Cincinnati. I got in for free when I wasn't working which was a blast. Except for my parents divorcing in the 70s, that was a wonderful time for me. I know a lot of people make fun of disco and the CB craze but it was FUN!

Growing Up 1970 to 1975 New York

2008-09-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Ledzep, United States

I remember listening to WABC radio 770 in New York sitting in the back of my dad's 1974 Dodge Dart. I thought very little in those days.... just FELT and absorbed everything. Every sound & sight. My God do I miss those days. Everything was so innocent and perfect. Even though my mom and dad argued sometimes, everything was still so wonderful. No innocence was lost at all. Every songs from 1970 - 1975 brings a tidal wave of emotion.

Difference between War Babies And Boomers

2008-09-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Christine M , United States

For some time I've been aware that the War Babies have been lumped in with the Baby Boomers - our younger siblings and cousins born after 1950.

Those of us born in the early forties are very different because the influences that shaped our childhoods are hugely different.
Even the anti-war, folk music, peace movements of the 60's, although popularly thought of as baby boomer, was really a war baby movement. The moving forces, from Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, to the The Beatles - were all war babies.
The great Doo Wop harmonies of the late 50's were danced to by children born in 1944,1943, 1942.
For a very small demographic group, we had a huge influence on the American culture.
We were and are different because we are the last demographic group born into economic and spiritual absolutes and restraints.
I was born in 1943 with a childhood in the Bronx NYC. All the neighborhood families lived in multi family homes. We had no air conditioning, so Summer nights after my mother, sister and I washed and put away the last supper dish,we headed outside.
We'd catch the breezes on the front stoop, or walk up the sidewalk to visit neighbors and share ice tea or lemonaide. Around 11pm, the heat couldn't be avoided and the neighbors would all retire back to try to sleep.
Electric fans were a must, and sundays ushers at church handed out fans with adverts for the local funeral home. Summer Sundays at church meant doors and windows wide open. What I loved about my City childhood from the 40's is being surrounded by neighbors who cared about the neighborhood kids and the ethnic diversity.
My neighborhood was Swedish, Greek, Italian, Jewish, and Armenian, but somehow, all the families had the same moral ethics. Respect for adults and teachers, thrift, hard work, respect for everyone's property are some.
The religions and the cultures were different, but that didn't matter. All the adults demanded that the children respect all other adults - even if they spoke with a different accent.
My neighborhood was a culinary marvel.
The Italian food was out of this world. My landlady would bring up bowls of incredible pasta with homemade sauce and aged grated Romano cheese.
The tradition was that one never returned a dish empty, so mothers would return dishes with homemade borst, Norwegian frut suppe, etc.
I had my first oil cured olive at my Greek girlfriend's grandfather, and my Italian girlfriends grandparents owned a bakery.
Visits to Marilyn's house meant Italian sponge cake drizzled with almoretto and real whipped cream icing. Summers, marilyn's grandparents grilled home made sausage and pappers on the outdoor grill.
All our Italian and Greek neighbors had a grape arbor in their yards to escape from the summer sun and outdoor evening dinners.
I could watch Saints dayparades from my 2nd floor bedroom window; paper money pinned to the saints' gowns and brass band music.
Our neighborhood Methodist church held about a 100 people and not even a picture on the wall - so these parades fascinated me.
It was a very good time to grow up in America - and not just because of the nostalgia that comes from time and age.
Little did I know that in 10 years the Interstate hwy system would turn LI potato farms to suburbs and the families who populated my world would move away to new opportunities. After a lifetime of following those same opportunities, I realize life was better then.

Best to all of you.

Last Elvis Concert

2008-09-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Dana Wood, United States

I saw the last concert Elvis gave in 1976 in Portland Oregon. I remember him wearing his white jumpsuit and throwing out scarves to the ladies in the front row. It was pretty exciting to watch Elvis. Some of the ladies came dress in formal gowns with Elvis jackets.

The Birth Of Skateboarding

2008-09-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

Posted By
photojack53, United States

I did a search for "skateboard" to see what this site had about them and I'm certain I discovered a mistake about the date of introduction for them. As kids, we made our own skateboards by attaching the two parts of steel-wheeled roller skates to the ends of a short 2" by 4" board. These were certainly not "flexies!" This was in the mid '60's when I was in elementary school. I clearly remember saving to buy my first real skateboard which cost $8.65 and was made of strips of oak glued together to make a beautiful surfboard-shaped plank that had steel trucks with hard pink plastic wheels withball bearings. This had to be in the late '60's, as we moved from that house in 1970. We adjusted the truck to be as loose as was possible, so we could turn quickly. The wheels would flop from side to side they were so loose and wore grooves in the underside of the board. It took strong ankle control to ride one adjusted so loose and we used to put a board across two coffee cans to make a jump and we would ride toward it and jump off the skateboard, clear the jump and land back on the skateboard which had passed below the jump. Those old wheels were so hard that a 1/4 " pebble would lock up one wheel and send you flying over the front of the board. I remember changing the wheels as newer ones came along. We didn't wear helmets or knee and elbow protection, we just bore the scrapes and bruises with bravado back then. It was fun and I know of no one who broke any bones while riding those "ancient technology" skateboards. I'm certain commercially manufactured skateboards were available around 1968 or 1969 and I still have mine to this day.

School Educational Cruise 60s

2008-09-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Memory From:
David, UK, 60's School Educational Cruise

I was lucky enough for my mum and dad to pay for an educational cruise for me when I about 13, not sure which year 1965 or 1966 we travelled on the Devonia to Norway and when I wasn't seasick it was fantastic , the cruise was only for school kids and I was a number of my friends from the same school so we had a blast , the grub was pretty crap and always seemed greasy ( maybe that was why I was seasick a lot ) .

We stopped at Bergan and the whole gang of us went off together on a voyage of discovery, and nearly all the Norwegans we met spoke english so each time we got lost somebody would help us find our way back . I don't know how much my parents payed but I would love for my kids to have the same opportunity.

Thanks Mum and Dad

LETTERS TO OUR FIGHTING MEN

2008-09-02T03:47:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Taylor Girl, United States, Letters to the fighting men in the 40's

I first learned to write letters, when, at the age of 9 or 10, I visited my Grandmother. She wrote weekly letters to her seven sons in the service overseas, and when I was there, she set a lined tablet and some envelopes in front of me, so I could write them,too. It was such a thrill when some of them answered me individually, telling what they could about what was happening to them. My grandmother later had a front-page article in the newspaper, with photos of all 7 sons surrounding her at her desk, writing letters. All of these sons returned from combat duty safely, with no injuries.

Australia in the 70's

2008-08-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Anon, Australia

I remember playing in the street with all the neighbourhood kids until dark and our parents didn't seem to worry about where we were.
I remember the milkman would home deliver our milk in glass bottles... actually come to think of it, almost everything was home delivered - groceries, fruit & vegies, bread. Milk was so much creamier.
Fuit & veg had more flavour.
The only restaurants around were Italian & Chinese. KFC was a super special treat.
People would smoke in restaurants and the workplace freely and nobody thought twice even if it bothered them.
ABBA was huge.

Hero Icons

2008-08-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Donnie, United States

no one mentioned our hero icons such as the infamous Batman & Robin, The Green Hornet.with out them we would`nt know how it would sound to take a punch while in the pursuit subduing a criminal. while serving as a MP in the 70s i never could figure out if my applied force was effective, i never did see the tale tale captions. Hey Nancy, I 2nd your emotion, and agree with the only perfect One.Bless you gikl

Cars I drove in the 60s

2008-08-19T03:48:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Ken, USA, My Early 60s Cars
The first car I can remember is my dad taking me with him to buy a brand new
1960 Ford Starliner they had so much more character then with chrome, and flash colors than todays cars where they all look just the same.

The first car I had when I was old enough to drive was an 57 Olds then a Ford Galaxie convertible but the highlight for me was my 1965 Corvette but getting ready for marriage, the 1965 Corvette had to go , that was my biggest regret and I changed for Merc 1966 Cyclone convertible but hated it after having driven the Vette.

Past Is A Roadmap To Today

2008-08-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

Posted By
kf6rck@yahoo.com, United States

The past is a road map to our life and times now, [ if you don't know were you have been, how do you know were you are going] sometimes i think that the people of the USA,where i live. have a d d! i say this because i remember sitting in a line to get gas, i was 17 at the time [1974] to this day i drive a 4 cyl car. my wife and i have 3 boys and never needed an SUV or minivan to get around, but some how people forgot the gas lines of the 1970s.
Had we remembered the gas lines and drove small cars would gas be $5 a gal now. at the time gas was 35 cents a gal, and over night it went to 50 cents, when you could get it.
I was living in the town of San Mateo 30 miles South of San Francisco, my step dad stopped driving to work and took the train to the city and I had to take the bus to school. fights broke out over gas and people trying to cut in front of the line, thing were bad. a big car that sold for $2500 now sold for $500. my point,remember were you have been so you don't end up some place you don't want to be

My 9/11 memory

2008-08-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Posted By
my 9/11 memory, United States

9/11/01 will always be a very significant day for me. I had just turned 18 a few days before on the 7th, and my parents 19th wedding anniversary was on the 11th.

I remember driving to school that day, thinking about how beautiful the sky looked (it was a deep clear, blue), and also trying to think of what to cook my parents for dinner that night.
I had just walked into the band room where my homeroom class was when we heard the news on tv about the twin towers. The whole school became so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop.
Then after everyone realized what had happend, it was awfull. Everyone was crying. I called home to mom and dad and told them to turn on the news. That day, we had a huge assembly outside around the flag pole and a lot of prayers were said.

Still an 80s girl

2008-08-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

Posted By
still an 80's girl, United States

I was born in '83, so I got the tail-end of the 80's experience, but I remember it all fondly.
One of the most vivid memories of mine was of my mother putting my hair up in one of those banana clips, and of wearing a big puff-painted t-shirt with a t-shirt ring on the side. Also had a pair of L.A. Gear sneakers with two different colored shoe laces. My aunt was a teenage during the 80's, and I can remember her taking me to late-night skating parties, and watching MTV.
I loved Pat Benetar and Culture Club. I had a ton of strawberry shortcake, Ninja Turtles, and Pee Wee's playhouse stuff.
To this day, nothing has changed. I still love the music and movies, and wish I could find that little girl with the banana clip and the leg warmers again.

70s Growing Up and Play Parks Safety

2008-08-12T15:00:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Mogues, United Kingdom

I remember perpetual scabs on my knees because the play parks had concrete on the ground (not this spongy stuff) if you fell over, or fell off something it hurt. Everything was metal and not covered in rubber and slides were high, you really shot off the end. We learnt that life hurts if you don't take care of yourself, a necessary and useful lesson and the earlier it's learnt the better. We loved it, it was great to test that gravity really did exist. I sometimes see my own kids playing and wonder if all this 'safe' stuff doesn't take away some of the fun and adventure.

Gasoline the BIG Shortage

2008-08-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

Posted By
John B., United States

Gasoline the BIG Shortage-and Empty Tanks.
California-I think it was 1973. The oil producing countries decided to stop the flow of gasoline , and in California where everyone drives , that was a problem.

Gas stations were closed with signs reading "out of Gas". We could only fill up our tank on "even days" as our license plate started with an even number. Lines were 20, 30 or 40 cars lined up on the appropriate days.

When we drove on the freeways the speed limit was 55, by government mandate as a gas saving tactic, 55 being the most economical speed for the cars of that period.

In some gas stations there were armed guards to keep order. Locking gas caps were in demand and stores where they were sold were sold out! I had my gasoline tank emptied by a thief right in my driveway during the night. Another time I filled the tank and went to a college class in the evening. When class was over-you guessed it the thiefs had siphoned gas from my car again!

After this it was imperative to find a store and purchase a locking cap, and this I did. Because of this shortage people began to drive smaller cars to save gasoline, and the 55 speed limit saved gas and also lives.

Because our country cut back on consumption we basically used about half of what we were using before the crisis. As the country used half as much gasoline it became cheaper and more abundant. Enter the bigger cars and trucks, and good by to the little VW Rabbits and beetles. And now in 2008 a hummer in every garage or a big SUV- gas WAS CHEAP!

Remembering the 50s

2008-08-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Annoymous, United Kingdom

I was born in 1943 to a very young mother who got wed because my father was off to the war in Burma the previous year. When he came back in 1945, I was a 2 year old, who had no idea who he was, also living with my paternal grandparents as my maternal family who lived together were killed by a V2 bomb.

I grew up with a Dad, bittered by his war experiences, but who worked to keep my step mother and I in a better life that he had. I remember the 6pence Saturday Morning pictures, which my step mother would slip to me so I could go.

I remember my Christmas presents of an apple, orange, and 6 puppets, which I played with for years, using the back of the chair as a stage.

So many happy memories of this with my cousins as we created our own plays. A doll crib made by an Uncle, with a really nice doll inside, whose eyes closed when you lay her down.

Moving to our first new house and having to change schools when I was 15. Being only a few in my class who stayed at school until they were 17 as they were going to University.

Everyone else left at 15 to go to work. Wearing my brown Duffle coat to University: Marching in Peace rallys;

Watching the Queens Coronation in 1953 on a small black and white television, with all the neighbours; the street party that followed it;

My father picking me up in a new Pink Zephyr car which was his first car and one he was very proud of; (how we made it home I have no idea) and his AA steel yellow badge (which I still have to this day in 2008);

The long walk to school or when my parents had the money, the 1 penny to catch the bus..The Smog in London, when I was stuck for hours on a bus on Holloway Road, London, until my grandfather who had walked the whole length of it to find me; the Polio outbreak, when I spent 2 years in the German Hospital and then convalesent at the Carshalton Hospital..(not happy memories during those years)

My first poodle skirt, which I dropped a bottle of ink all over while trying to fill my ink pen, and cried for days; the Lime Greem skirt and shocking Pink Sweater which my step mother would cringe at, and would even cross the other side of the street, so she did not have to walk with me; my first boyfriend, a sort of Rocker, with the Tony Curtis haircut -Stanley Rudd, wonder if you are still out there?(my parents hated him-)There were good and bad, but I look back with fondness, despite having to be in at 17 years of age at 7.30pm during the week and 8.30pm on Saturdays.

That wonderful magical time in the 60s

2008-08-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Pat, United States

Growing up in the 60's was a great time! Life was much easier and kids were innocent. What happened to those days?? Sadly, we will never get those days back, but they are alive in the memories of all of us who grew up during that wonderful, magical time

1968 My Personal Struggle

2008-08-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Anon, United States

I graduated in 1968 and recieved a small scholarship for college, but when I informed my father he told me girls did not need college and refused to help with fees.

I was forced to go and find a job paying $1.75 per hour and found my own appartment and bought my first car an old Oldsmobile Super 88 ( the car was already 15 years old when I bought it ) and it kept going for another 10 years. It was hard trying to survive on my own and learning about car insurance and paying bills. But I grew up more in 1 year than I had in all the years before. I still regret not having the opportunity to go to college but not what I learned and saw as a woman fresh out of highschool. I do remember some of the political struggles happening at that time but I think most of my focus was spent on me struggling to make my own way in life.

How times have changed for the youth of today mostly for the better

50s Old Times Great Times

2008-08-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Posted By
oldtimes/greattimes, United States

The 50's. Building go carts, sledding, staying out til the street lights came on, summers playing out all day. No tv during the day, just fun with your friends. We never died drinking after our friends. Don't dare break the law. Our parents punishment was worse than what the police might say or do. The Mr. Softee truck. Now kids are into drugs, smoking, free sex and whatever else they say is fun. How I wish they could experience one summer of the 50's. Maybe things would be different than now.

60s Television

2008-07-29T02:15:00.000-07:00

Posted By
kf6rck, United States

i was born 1956 in San Francisco ca. i want to talk about television, the first one i remember was a big box with doors on it, to big knobs that filled my little hands and tuned with a clunk. 2,4,5,7,that was it.
Dad passed away in 1967 it was just mom and me times were hard for us but in July of 69 my mom spent 75 dollars on a used 25 in b&w to watch the lunar landing, it meant that much to her,
A year later we got cable with 25 channels! to day i have a dish 500 channels and my mom who's 85. when i tell my kids this story they look at me as if i were nuts, but in the same turn i can't imagine sitting around the radio

Travelling Photographers 1960's

2008-07-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Posted By:
Kathy, USA, Travelling Photographers

Me, very happy in the summertime at nine years old. I had been out playing. A photographer with a pony was going around the neighborhood. I can remember him putting the pony's front hooves together for the picture, the sound of the clacking of the hooves. They took my glasses off for the picture!

60s Were My Teen Years

2008-07-22T02:33:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Lee, Australia

The 60's were my teen years,I went to the airport to see the Beatles arrive.Wagged school to do it!So did my friends and many of us were seen on TV by teachers screaming in the crowd.

I discovered sex and looked wonderful naked!
The pill was around and so was abortion and most things were fixed with penicillan.

It was an innocent time. I remember my first kiss, it was awful!

We wore skin tight jeans and mini skirts but very tame. Boys had long hair and we thought it looked great!

Parent were ancient and didn't understand. The world was safer then.They called it the generation gap!

I saw the Rolling Stones perform. Drive in movies still existed. Thats all I can remember!

70 Years Old And A Proud Man

2008-07-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Posted By
james parsons, Fifties

i was once an firefighter, paramedic and in the US navy...im now 70 years old and a proud man...

John&Jeanee Memories From The 80s

2008-07-19T03:11:00.000-07:00

Posted By

John&Jeanee, United States

These are our memories...

I met the Love Of My Life in the 1980's.We were High School Sweethearts...and we were wed,Aug.5th,1985.And,our song-"I Wanna Know What Love Is" by Foreigner,rings in our hearts even today...22 1/2yrs.later...I Love You,John...

I remember,our 1st Nintendo Game System w/ our 1st games,Donky Kong & the Mario Bro's game series...Our first two children grew up with the Nintendo...and the rest is history

Over Time Memories Grow Richer

2008-07-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Rob, United States, 60's Memories Growing Up

Growing up in a suburban setting during the 1960s has provided me with a treasure of memories.

With time, the memories only grow richer. Like others who post their thoughts, it was a time of innocence. I can remember my friend from down the street on a Saturday morning tossing a ball or pebble up at my bedroom window letting me know he was waiting for me outside. It was early enough in the morning that the dew was still on the grass when we took off. We were set for creating another chapter in our childhood by virtually being gone the rest of the day.

Our bike rides often took us to this diner where we would order a plate of French fries. Across the street was where we bought our baseball cards, always reserving one for the spokes on the bike's wheel. And thanks to that stick of bubble gum, the smell that came from those baseball packs was pure heaven.

We had woods behind my house to explore and waiting for turtles on the edge of those woods to make their appearance after a rainstorm.

And what would childhood memories be like without that creepy cemetery. In this thin line of woods not far from my house, there was this forgotten cemetery. All the tombstones had the name Snyder on them and they were from the 1840s and 1850s. Of course when we had our summer campouts, we pitched our tents within feet of this tiny cemetery to prove we were true boys.

As a paperboy, when I finished my route and headed for home, I always walked my bike on this path between the tombstones. On occasion, my bike pedal might hit a tombstone, but I'd always say, "Sorry Mr. Snyder." I discovered that playing a game of baseball by yourself was not hard to do. All I needed was a tennis ball and the cement back steps to create a thrilling nine-inning game.

My parents didn't appreciate the bare spot I created in the grass, but they understood that my love for baseball outweighed the appearance of the backyard.

Catching lightning bugs on a summer's eve, keeping my distance from Daddy Long-leg spiders and watching bats swoop down on tennis balls thrown in the air at dusk are also engrained in my sweet memories of my childhood in the mid to late 1960s.

Bray Road Wolf 1995

2008-07-16T16:20:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Callie, United States

It was the spring of 1995 and we had just moved into our new home on Bowers Road in Elkhorn, Wisconsin with the help of my in laws.

My sister in law, Kathy and three of her young children drove back to the apartment in Lake Geneva to clean up and it was on our way back to the new home via Bowers Road that it happened.
I drove a 1989 Cougar with two doors and bucket seats. As I was flying down the road at dusk as it was about 7pm, something large, black, hairy and with screaming teeth attacked the car.
It hit the passenger side of the car with such a force that it caused me to lose some control of the car and which I quickly gained back as I slowed down a bit.

The girls and Kathy screamed and Kathy scrambled over the center and almost crawled in my lap.

We looked behind us and saw nothing and so continued on our way back to the new home, which was only about 3 miles away.

We laughed at ourselves and how silly we were for being scared. The men at home said we were silly and had probably just hit a deer.

That was until we all saw the claw marks over the passenger door and rear quarter panel of my car.

I eventually blew it off until I started meeting other Mothers in Zoe's school. When I mentioned we lived on Bowers Road, they often asked if I was near Bray Road and I responded "Yes". One day a mother had said to me, "You live near the Bray Road Werewolf." What? The Bray Road Werewolf?

I decided to check this out myself and hit the local library and sure enough there was an entire file packed full of articles of encounters and sightings of the creature with many in the early 1990's.

There were so many at this time that the local Elkhorn Taverns had often hosted Werewolf Parties.

There was even a cheap B movie made about it. Hindsight, they say, is 20/20 and I believe now that this thing that attacked my car with such force may have been this such creature. It was not a bear, it was too powerful and large to be a dog and it certainly was no deer.

The latest sighting of this creature was near the Hartford area here in southeast Wisconsin only just last November.

Scents From The 60s

2008-07-14T13:48:00.001-07:00

Posted By
Daisy, United States

Speaking of scents:
Still remember the smell of hot salted peanuts, fresh caramel corn and popcorn, and the distinct odor of varnish on the polished wooden floor of the Ben Franklin Store in West Frankfort, Illinois.

We would go there on Saturday mornings to buy our treasures. The floor would creak as we walked across it. Mom would give us each 25 cents to buy a grab bag. The store would have a big box full of brown paper sacks marked with a price of 25 cents up to $1.00. We'd close our eyes and fish for just the right one. You never knew what you would come up with, a toy, some jewelry, even a book. (Many of Mom's Mother's Day gifts or Christmas presents were gleaned from those grab bags).

After visiting that store, we would walk along the streets which at that time were full of small shops. We would push a big button on a light pole that would hurry up the light to change so you could cross the street. (Not that the traffic was ever great in the little Southern Illinois town of West Frankfort)!

Everything Was Nice In The Early 60s

2008-07-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Debora, United States

I just remember how nice everything was in the early to mid 60s.

People dressed up more - especially for holidays, had better manners, did not use profanity, and the family did things together.

If you needed something on Sunday, you were out of luck because the stores were closed!

My memories: going to the hotdog stand, fish fry on Friday nights, going downtown (before mall invasion), movie theaters when they were luxurious with red velvet drapes and people applauding at the end of the movie.

4 TV channels that you got up to change, ice cream socials, moms and grandmothers who cooked from scratch, the coolest cars ever, sweater chains, shoe stores with personal service, my sister rolling her hair with empty orange juice cans, transistor radios, singing to the Supremes with a hairbrush as a microphone, West Side Story - "when you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way, from your first cigarette to your last dying day! bah bah bah bah!", gas station attendants who actually pumped gas for you, our first color TV, our first stereo that looked like a coffee table with marble inlay, my mother's many variations on the bouffant hairdo and making me get one too!

Today, it seems like we are a much more distracted society who needs constant entertainment ...back then, a good time was a simple thing. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up then, and am glad that I lived in a town as safe as Mayberry.

50s I Went To See Bill Haley and The Comets

2008-07-13T02:59:00.000-07:00

Posted By
ANNABELLA, United States

IT WAS THE 50'S. I WENT TO SEE "BILL HALEY @THE COMETS SING "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK",I LIVED ON MIAMI BEACH,FLA. I SAW SAMMY DAVIS JR. ,HARRY BELAFONTE ON STAGE. AMERICAN BANDSTAND WAS THE FAVORITE ON T.V. DICK CLARK BROUGHT HIS SHOW TO M.B. FABIAN,SANG AND I SWOONED LIKE ANY OTHER TEENAGE GIRL. TIMES WERE FUN AND SIMPLE. MY DAD GOT ME A BUICK. I LOVED HIM SO. I LIVED NEAR THE FAMOUS SOUTH BEACH,FLA. GREAT MEMORIES . LOVED THE RADIO TUNES. PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER, WAS MY FIRST LOVE SONG -MY 1ST BOYFRIEND. THE PLATTERS, SAW RAY ON STAGE. MOHAMMED ALI SAT BEHIND ME AT A BOXING MATCH. ALOT OF GREAT TIMES.

meeting the girl of my dreams in chatroom

2008-07-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Gabriel , Venezuela, Chatroom Romance

Hey

I just read your story... and it happened the same to me.. well kind of. I decided to start studying English on my own three years ago and I got on one of those chatrooms where you can improve your knowledge in English and you can help English speakers who want to learn how to speak Spanish so I got on this chatroom and I started talking to this girl...she was just different and I added her on my MSN contact list, we talked for a while and wow she was really BEautiful...I fell in love with her, she said I was crazy so she blocked me and two months later my msn Account was highacked so I had to get a new account and I did.. and the ony email I could remember of all the English speakers I had on my contact list... it was HERS.. so I added her and we started talking again (I never told her I was the same guy from before, She knows already though)and well she fell in love with me, it was pretty hard in the beginning because she was not interested in a long distance relationship (I live in venezuela and she lives in the USA) and well a couple months later after trying to convince her that it would work out.. she accepted to be my girlfriend and after TWO years here we are together... she is sitting right next to me and we are getting engaged soon! :) isnt that great?

it was really nice reading your story!

Back In the 70's

2008-07-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Kristen, United States

Back in the 70's, our town was a lot smaller.

Our favorite summer activity was renting Roller Skates at a neat shop downtown and spending the day Skating around town, thru the parks and even in the stores.

Summer jobs picking Strawberries in the hot hot sun, saving our money to buy a Record Ablum.

Spending a quick half hour playing Atari before having to give my Dad the TV for the evening news! (of course, back then a half hour out of a week was about all we had anyway)

Playing with the neighbor kids until sundown when my folks would ring the large dinner bell hanging on the back deck. We could hear it from a large distance away!

My neighbor friends (girls) and I would attempt to out build Forts that the neighborhood boys would do. Spending hours venturing into the deep woods surounding our homes.

I remember helping my Dad out at the GAs Station he owned. I had to use a stool just to stand high enough to clean a part of a customers window, but I felt very proud.

I remember playing on the Car lift in the Stations Garage with my Brother, and a few times, once he got me up high enough, he would run off and leave me there!

I remember summer evenings our family would sit in lawn chairs in the FRONT of the house outside the Garage, just like all the other neighbors.

As I recall, our neighbors were allowed to yell at us too if we did things wrong. And when we got into trouble at home, my Dad made us walk to our friends, crying, to tell them we couldnt play that day.

On Birthdays, we got the "Spanking Machine". All your friends at the party lined up to spank you. I have some great pictures of me red faced in tears during those times! I hated Birthdays!

I remember when my parents would go out to dinner. They always smelled so good, and Dad in his Blue Leisure suit was so handsome.

Times were so much simpler In The 50's

2008-07-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

Posted By

Texas, United States

Morning devotional time in school;
Mother at home when we got home,
respecting authority,
feeling safe and my summer job at the drugstore fountain.
Making Cokes of all flavors: cherry, vanilla, lime, lemon & chocolate! Banana splits, malts, milkshakes, sundaes and ice cream cones.
Imagine a banana split for 35 cents!
That early training gave me a great head start in learning about human nature and the value of a dollar!
Times were so much simpler then. I wish we could bring most of it to today!

Family Of 8 In The 50s

2008-07-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Posted By

Bonnie, United States

I grew up in a family of 8, Mom and Dad and one brother and four sisters.
We did not have much, but we never missed what we never had. We went around bare-footed most of the time, played in the rain, and fought like cats and dogs. We were happy.

Its funny, but I cant remember any of us ever really getting sick or breaking any bones. We used to play ball with a stick and a rolled up ball of paper or cardboard, and it was fun! We also played hopscotch and marbles.

We played pretend grownups and and all of the sisters were named Miss Inon, and our children always had to outdo the others children. Pretend playing, or dreaming was part of growing up for us.

I remember our living room only had so much seating , so when you got up from a seat, you had to verbally call "saved" so no one could get your seat, if you forgot to call "saved" you lost your seat and had to sit on the floor. I remember black and white television. Sky King, Hazel, Mighty Mouse were a big hit in our house.

Visits To Granma In The 50s

2008-07-06T05:03:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Marie, United States

I remember the visits to my Grandmother's. Using the old fashion out house out back, walnut tress, the hand pump for the well water and having to warm the water on the stove, dump it into a round metal tub and taking baths in the tub in the middle of the kitchen floor. Feather beds and cold mornings waiting for the wood stoves to be cranked up. Hot oat meal for breakfast. Hopscotch and marbles, poodle skirts and best of all, no problems!!!!

Early School Memories

2008-07-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Posted By:

Jane, United Kingdom, My Early School Memories

I am getting ready to take my daughter for her first day of real school and it made me think back to all those 30 years ago and remember my early time at school.

Looking back I think I enjoyed every day and all the things we did

Painting great works of art which my mother had to tell me were wonderfull ( and I always wanted my mum to display them )

Pretending to Sleep during rest time with my head resting on my crossed arms ( now I wonder was it to give teachers as much a rest as the children )

Listening to the teacher reading a story

Learning to write my ABC

Opening up my desk where I kept my colouring pencils

All having our own coat racks where we had our name tags on

Running our little shops

Playing with building bricks

Learning to read the first books

Our small bottle of milk we were given each day ( I think the Government Paid for it not parents )

And then the special times like Christmas Plays and Carol Singing, Sports Day, Easter

Many years later I went back to a school with my niece and can remember looking at the little tables and chairs realising just how little we all were They say school years are the best years of your life and looking back I think they were

Unusual Car From The 50s

2008-06-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

Posted By
JG, United States

In the mid 50s my grandfather drove a car that had a very distinct and unique rear seating arrangement. There were two seperate very plush lounging type seats molded solidly into the surrounding cushioned fabric. There was a large armrest section in between the two seats. The two seats were angled in toward the center so that the occupants were somewhat looking toward each other during conservation. The only thing I remember about the exterior is that the rear was rounded from the roof to the bumper. Can anyone tell me what make of car this might have been? Thanks

Growing up in Hull St. Bklyn N.y

2008-06-21T04:27:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Anon, United States

I came to the United States from Puerto Rico around 1955? , The apartment took a little getting used to, since where we lived before had no in-door pluming, and no what i like to call wall to wall people, but as I got accustomed to my new environment, I made lots of friends, and my Aunt and Uncle owned a grocery store right in the corner, I attended P.S 155 and went all the way to the 6 grade, I loved living at 213 Hull St. That's where most of my fond memories are with My Grand parents Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, naturally my Folks, and sisters and Brothers, I love to dream that I'm small again just enjoying a cool summer day out in the stoop, Playing Oh Yes very fond memories indeed

Children Playing In The 50s

2008-06-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Vickie, United Kingdom

First what a brilliant site.I am so pleased i found you.reading the memories jogged mine.
The rag & bone man use to come round & we would beg our mams for rags hoping to get a gold fish all we ever got was a balloon.
We were able to play in the streets,back alleys or go to the Park
At 10 I got a paper round with my pay I bought dad the News of the World & mam a box of chocolates.
To my surprise mam went mad & said I should have give her the money that was mam.
I do not know if it is with getting older but those days we were free money was scarce but we were happy.

Reading the memories has made me realise no matter what country we are from we are all the same.I loved The beatles especially John & George.Still have there LP's Thanks to everyone for there shared memories

Child Discipline In The 70s

2008-06-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Mark, United Kingdom

Its easy to get nostalgic about growing up in the 70s but in reality it was very different to how children are treated nowadays.
Both wife and i had very traditional conservative middle class parents.As was then often the case our parents were extremely strict.
Aged 8 in 1970 my bedtime was 6.30pm at the very latest and any arguments meant the following day i had to get straight into my pyjamas when i got home from school often with relatives or our neighbours with their children in our house.
I remember many times being in bed so very early.
Aged 10 i was was bathed and in my dressing gown and slippers at 6pm and in bed at 7pm usually.
My wife was put to bed at 6pm age 10 in 1974 and then she was sent to a boarding school where discipline was severe.
Anyway corporal punishment was standard in UK schools in the 60 and 70s.Boys in my school aged 5-11 were given the slipper in front of the class on the shorts whilst touching toes, If it was deemed appropriate, and believe me it usually was.
Shorts and underpants were pulled down once again in front of the class and we were slippered.
I remember aged 9, i had made marks on the new flooring in our classroom with my shoes.If it rained we had to take our shoes off when we came in from the playground. That day i didn't take them off and i got the most horrendous thrashing in front of everyone and to make it worse when my mother came to collect me my teacher told her and suggested to her that i needed to be disciplined further when i got home.
Which my mother did in front of the family with my fathers slippers.This was standard punishment for myself and all my friends at home.
My wife as a child at home received many such punishments.The 60 and 70s were different.For most children of conservative middle class parents discipline was harsh and humiliating.

Factory Work In The 50's

2008-05-31T12:50:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Linda, United States

My dad worked in a tractor factory in the 50's. The union kept going on strike. To make more money he went to television and radio school to learn how to repair them. But when he fixed our friends and family's televisions he hated to ask for money so he didn't make any money. We lived in a new housing project with lots of young families. The mom's all stayed home and got together and smoked cigarettes and drank coffee and gave each other Toni permanents while us kids played outside.

My Dads 70s Memories

2008-05-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Chicago, United States

My dad was born in 1954 and graduated Lane Tech Prep High School in Chicago in 1972 when the 70's were booming when the bands were big, gas was cheap and society wasnt a big sissy on rules and regulations.
Where kids played out side scraped there knees and delt with the pain and lawsuits werent a common thing.
People could and do what they say and if you got in a fight at school there were no punishments like today it was old school

Great times in the 50s and 60s

2008-05-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Posted By
December Baby 1947, United States

I was born in 1947. Grew up in the 50's and 60's when life was fun, family's ment so much, and year of all kinds of new rock and roll music. Others that I talk to say the same thing growing up in the 50's and 60's where the best years. Watching TV shows on Saturday night, and having TV Time Popcorn as our treat. Sunday dinners where having aunt's uncles and cousins over and playing games in the yard. Christmas where Christmas really was celebrated and the meaining was the birth of Jesus. Santa came and we appreciated the gifts we received. Love watching I Love Lucy, still do to this day. I would love to go back, when life was fun, safe, and we didn't have to worry about much. Our children, and grandchildren never had the great times as the baby's born during the 40's and 50's.

Good And Bad Times From The 60s

2008-05-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Jim, United States

I remember alot of good and bad times about the 60s, the Vietnam War, low gas prices, stamps at one time only 2 cents, imagine that. The death of my father two days before Christmas in 1968..he was 40 yrs old, and fell over dead in front of me. That was a tough memory and a hard time for my mom and family. But overall, the 60s were fantastic, the era of great rock n roll and my favorite group..The Beatles...plus my growing up wanting to be a disc jockey and becoming one right out of high school. The 60s memories are still locked in my mind.

Cherished Memories From The 70s

2008-05-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Sandi Goins, United States

Growing up in the 70's was a really fun time. As children we played outside all year round. Swimming and making forts in the woods during the Summertime and sled riding and visiting friends in the Winter.
Everyone always had a radio on listening to music, not talk radio. The Lyrics had meaning, and wonderful melodies.
We always had home cooked meals with a glass of milk except on a very special occasion we might get some McDonalds and a coke.
We were skinny kids, probably from the home cooked meals and playing outside all of the time. I dont remember any of us kids getting sick either. Maybe just a touch of the flu here or there.
I loved going to the Drive In Movie, and Once a month Sunday night Disney movies could not come on quick enough!
Holidays the entire family would spend quality time at grandma and grandpa's house with lots of yummy food and played games.
My fondest memory is a little white candy store named "Lil Joe's" it was a tiny-little white candy store. Bomb pops (popsickles) were .25 cents each... we all compared who had the bluest tongue after eating them. It was really sad when Lil Joe's closed... then years later heading into the 80's and 90's times were changing and I dont think I realized then as I do now... not particularly for the better.

We no longer played outside as often, and we started locking our car and house doors. bomb pops were no longer .25 cents.... Mcdonalds became part of the weeks meal planning... and the weight started to show. There was not enough energy to go play outside and run around... we started to watch video's on the couch intead. today we have MTV, microwaves, cell phones, electronic games...

I miss playing outside, running and getting fresh air with my friends and family. the 70's... GREAT Memories I will always cherish.

Growing Up In the 50's in Philly

2008-05-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Eileenie, United States
I was born in Phila., PA, in 1944. We lived in a row house in West Oak Lane from the time I was 3 and Mom and Dad divorced. That house belonged to my maternal grandmother. Not many cars back then and so we kids (about 45 of us just on my block) use to play games in the street. My friend Debbie, directly across the street from me, was the first family to get a T.V. Many of us would go to Debbies to watch "Howdy Doody". As the years went on, we would gather at different houses to watch "Micky Mouse Club", and then some years later, "Bandstand". When living in a row house back then, Halloween was the best! Going Trick or Treating landed us at least a large bag of candy, just going to the many houses on my block. We all knew where to go for apple taffys. Until about the middle 60"s, the neighborhood was very safe. My paternal grandparents lived about 5 blocks away and I spent all weekends there as a baby and pre teen. Memories of being with my grandparents are the best memories. My grandfather sold meat from the factorys to the Mom and Pop stores. As a teenager, going to dances etc. We piled into my grandpops truck (much like the vans of today) and he took us to and from what ever event we went to. We sat amoung the hot dogs and salamis that we shared the truck with. Back then, it was great fun. We skated on roller skates (the key kind) and in winter we ice skated at a play ground near by. We all walked to grade school and went home for lunch and then back again. Although we walked almost everywhere, We used the trollys to go out of our immediate neighborhood. Such as the large movie theater. Many Saturday afternoons you would find us at the Renel movie theater. Phila. ice cream was the very best with many small ice cream stores about. While growing up, I was the only kid who had divorced parents. Trying to explain a half brother and step sister to my friends or kids who asked, was difficult to grasp back then because most never heard of such a thing. I am still friends with some of those kids. Debbie, from across the street, visited with me last summer. I have been away from Philly for 36 years now, but It is still my home.

I really miss the 90s

2008-04-22T03:36:00.000-07:00

Posted By
CJ, United States

I was born in '90 and I gotta say I really miss that decade. I remember playing with pogs, having friends over to play sonic on the sega genesis, oh man I remember when wolfenstien 3D came out, and how "great" the graphics were for a game back then. I also played with legos and I remember collecting the lego magazines and reading the comics with that lego maniac guy in them. Hahahaha when us guys managed to feel straight when wearing short shorts. there were too many good times to remember. How about power rangers and the ninja turtles? I just think the atmosphere and peoples attitudes were much more positive back then. I regret ever growing up...

I was a war baby born shorty before Pearl Harbor

2008-04-21T03:37:00.000-07:00

Posted By
Earleen Snider, United States, Looking back over 65 years

Tomorrow is my 65th birthday, April 21. As the saying goes, where has time gone. I was a war baby born shorty before Pearl Harbor.

My father signed up for the Navy as those were the days when patriotism ran high. I recall when I was around seven years old, my father coming home from work one evening and announcing to the family that he had heard of a radio being invented with pictures.

We were amazed and could hardly believe what we were hearing. Sure enough our neighbors soon had a big box that showed fuzzy black and white images of people moving around.

It was not too long before our family purchased a television and we children would sit and watch the still test pattern until the first show would come on. It was also a thrill to hear the "Star Spangled Banner" played as the few television stations would sign off the air for the night.

One of my favorite television shows as a young girl was "Winky Dink and You". Oh it was marvelous. One would mail in their order for a Winky Dink kit. This included a sheet of clear plastic that stuck to the screen and some crayons that we could use when need be. As the program progressed a story would be shown about Winky Dink and often we would be called upon to draw on the plastic that stuck to our screen to save the day.

Once I recall a bridge needing to be drawn so that Winky Dink could cross over. I believe the show was soon cancelled as there were concerns about children sitting too close to the television set and could be harmed. I never quite understood the reasoning for I loved my favorite television show in which I was called upon to interact. Those were the days.

Now my grandchildren have reality video games which makes me realize that my screen and crayon show was much like early man carving letters into stone. I miss those days, but then time marches on. Nothing stands still and I enjoy the new technology as much as anyone.

Growing Up In The 1940's In Brooklyn

2008-04-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

Posted By
John Bennick, United States, Growing Up In Brooklyn in the 40's

Gerritsen Beach Brooklyn,NY It was 1942 and our family moved from Bay Ridge Brooklyn to a small fishing village called Gerrtisen Beach Brooklyn.

Away from the noise of the 3rd avenue elevated train and brown stone cold water flats to a small two story wood house built in 1928 with an apple tree in the back yard.

The old house needed work as it had been vacant for some time. Streets in the village were unpaved dirt, but we did have sidewalks.

Milk was delivered by a milkman in a white uniform driving an electric truck. Vegetables were sold by a man driving a horse drawn wagon, and the vegetables were grown locally on Brooklyn farms. Coal was delivered by the tons and sent down a "coal shoot" into our basement coal bin. All winter long before and after school I shoveled coal into our furnace to keep our family warm. The big furnace had one big duct over the top to of the furnace to heat the entire house. After school I cleaned the coal ashes from the furnace and dumped them into the dirt street as was the custom in the village.

Each home had a septic tank, called a "cess pool " in those days. Our hot water heater was called a boiler, as it was a big metal gas heated water boiler. The newspaper called the "Brooklyn Eagle " was delivered by a kid on a bicycle after school. A man in a truck drove through the neighborhood and sharpened saws and knives and the Good Humor man sold ice cream bars and charlott-ruses. The local grocery store delivered groceries by a kid riding a special bicycle with a huge delivery basket on the front. The special bicycle was owned by the store. Meats were sold in another store called a butcher shop. Kids went to a candy store for a an "egg cream soda" or a candy bar. Our local shoe store was called "cardboard joes".

When the Brooklyn Dogers played every radio on the Beach was tuned to the game, and from each yard or house the game could be heard. Windows were opened in summer as there was no air conditioning. We played stick ball in the streets and games all summer outdoors. When the street lights came on all kids went home. Saturday mornings we listened to the Green Hornet , The Shadow, and Superman.

Each kid walked the two miles to school. During the winter we played on the frozen canal on the way to school. As I jumped from ice berg to ice berg on a day when the ice was melting I fell in and swam to shore with heavy clothing and big boots and swam about 60 feet to shore. All the kids were great swimmers. All the kids had ice skates and skated on the frozen canal in winter when it was fully frozen.

In summer we swam in the canal. In summer we were afraid of POLIO . Rumor was you got Polio from soda bottles as the soda bottles were kept cold under ice water in the candy store, reaching into the water spread the Polio germs.

Our local movie theater was called the "itch" and they gave out dishes on Saturday nights. There were two churches, Catholic and Protestant and all the kids knew who was who. On my street we had a family from Italy, Ireland, Sweden and Germany. During the war an FBI agent went door to door in the neighborhood with a picture of a wanted German spy. A few times during the war ships were sunk off the coast of Brooklyn. We heard a ship being blown up. It was an ammunition ship. On Sunday afternoon Dad would take the family for a Sunday drive. All the other days of the week he rode the bus to work.

I remember all the excitement when the war was over. service men returned to the "BEACH". One young veteran was blind and walked with a white cane. He even rode the bus. Another service man from the beach had lost his legs and had a special automobile that had all the controls on the steering wheel. The old house of my chidhood is still there and has a new owner. The streets are now paved and they have city sewers, and the "itch" is now an apartment complex. The two churches are still there as are the descendents of many of the families from the 1940,s.

Back In The 1960's

2008-04-05T15:03:00.001-07:00

Posted By
Big Big Mama B, Back In The 60's

Back in the 60s I was right in the center of things,and I am currently working on my book about my adventures. I was with one of the members of the Seekers for nearly two years,but we split unhappily. I was propositioned , in a well known West End, London night club called Dollies, by a very unkempt,rude slightly high,unshaven musician,who had ignored the fact I had a boyfriend but sleezily confronted me on the dance floor, saying in a soft Liverpudlian accent Give meyour telephone number, I want to go to bed with you" I was disgusted at his rudeness, his name... Paul, YES , Sir Paul MacCartney. I gave him short shrift, he retreated hurt, and whispered into John Lennons´ ear, John roared out laughing, Paul left the club in a big sulk, as he was used to getting his own way. Huh ? This is true.

The Cold War Years

2008-03-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

Posted By

John B, United States

Cold War Years- As a member of the Strategic Air Command we were ready to launch aircraft and missiles to destroy an enemy. I was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviets had placed missiles in Cuba. I was stationed in Europe at this time. All of our bombers were lined up with pilots sitting and waiting for the signal to launch our nuclear attack. Grown men were almost in tears because we knew if we launched nuclear against the USSR they in turn would launch against the USA. We would have no home to return to and it would be the end of America. It was a very close call , and we avoided nuclear war, but it could have gone the other way and none of us would be here to read this!

Label Memories From The Sixties

remember my childhood and my dad

2008-02-20T18:25:00.000-08:00

Posted By
Tommy, UK, Memories with My Dad

My dad is one of a kind, i remember when i was younger i used to go out fishing with him we used to go on a charter boat to catch all different sorts of fish, i remember one fishing trip really well, i was really confident about catching fish so i used to stick more hooks on my line, we were fishing for cod and i put more feathers on then i was meant to i ended up hooking to many fish to be able to pull the line in, the skipper was a cockney kind of bloke and went mad at me my dad was laughing but gave up his fishing to help me get the fish in hehehe.
I remember going out on his boat that he used to have called Philomena and we went out one day fishing i hung a line over the boat with just a hook and worm on determined to catch some fish, just as we were packing up i went over and checked the line and found a fish on the end i was so pleased.

I remember going out to fly a kite with him one day and the kite took off and ended up in someones garden, yet again my dad went to the rescue and got it back for us.

I miss those times now, i remember my dads addiction to some sweets called cherry lips and on every Saturday morning me and my sister would get some pocket money and go to the local sweet shop to buy cherry lips, then we used to come home lick the cherry lips to make a big tower of them and sell them on to my dad :) .

Like alot of marriages now days unfortunately my parents split up in the year 2000 i did not really understand it that well but it was hard for the whole family, my dad moved to Bristol and i used to see him most weekends, i did miss him alot though.

He then met a wonderful lady on the Internet, she lived in America and he went back and forth for a while, then one he asked me how i would feel about him moving to America i was unsure at the time and still am to be honest but the thing that made me most happy was seeing my dad happy, he has been out there for a long time now and i miss him every day, i speak to him almost everyday and he is teaching me how to make money from the Internet, investing in me and helping me loads.

i see him every single year and love spending time with him we still go fishing and do stupid men things. Every time i leave i get that big lump in my throat and hold it all back but just look forward to seeing him again.

I am 20 now and cant wait to be a dad if i am anything close to mine i know i will be OK, i am sure my kids will love my dad like i do and i think he will love being a grandad.

The Cold War Years

2008-02-20T18:23:00.000-08:00

Posted By
ABC, USA, The Cold War Years

Is it odd that I get nostalgic when I hear about the Cold War? It's not that I would want that era back in any way shape or form- it's just that it brings to mind the pop culture that surrounded those times. And, of course, in retrospect, nothing bad really happened, there was no actual nuclear war and we are now safe from the threat of Russia. For now. Anyway, I was in junior high and beginning high school in the 80s and my big sister was in high school and college. She went through the major Def Leopard, Billy Idol phase and I went through the major Duran Duran and Depeche Mode phase. I find myself downloading some of those songs to my iPod now and get a smile on my face at their ridiculous, yet sociological value. I mean, how can you not like The Fixx's Red Skies? Or 99 Luft Balloons? Whoever writes for the show Scrubs has to be my age because 80s nostagia reigns supreme on that show. I can remember making out to DM's Stripped and finding it so profound and philosophical. Oh man, it's a bit embarassing now. But, the cool thing I guess about any of us growing up during any decade is the comraderie it brings- it's lovely to say to someone, "Can I ask you a question?" and they respond immediately, "Yes, you're a total fag," and you both have connected through the dialogue in Sixteen Candles. And you can do that with any John Hughes film. And my personal favorite as I got older (well, high school older) is Thirtysomething. When will that thing come out on DVD? I don't know if I have a point- only that even during that time of complete despair, with the Cold War looming around us and the media barking threats at us, we still banded together through pop culture- that warm blanket of common themes, musical genres and movie quotes. Oh yeah, and bad fashion.

Best Memory This Christmas

2008-02-09T04:27:00.000-08:00

Posted By
ldtchr, United States ,

This Christmas I had one of my favorite memories. My daughters are 4 and 6 and for about three weeks before Christmas this year, they would disappear a few times a week into their playroom and come out with what looked like wads of construction paper behind their backs. They would "sneak" over and add a few wads at a time under the Christmas tree. On Christmas morning, they explained what they had been doing. They knew that they would be getting new toys and they wanted to have some of their old toys go to people who would appreciate them, so they found items in their toybox and matched them with a person they loved. There was a dog-eared 1st reader for my 3 year old nephew, a book for his older brother, a whistle and a mini snow globe for my husband and for me, a big sticker book of storybook (Disney) characters (used of course) because my 6 year old knew that I was using "that character stuff" with my students at school. Even though my kids were practicing 'tis better to give than to receive, this year, 'twas better to receive!

Changes in Society

2008-01-31T15:54:00.000-08:00

Over the last 70 years many things have changed in our society including computers, electronics, shopping experinces and how much everything now costs, this section is to tell peoples memories of times gone by

Memory From:
USA, World War II Memories
World War II Memories

Memory From:
Name Withheld , USA, The Depression Years
Memories From The Depression Years

Memory From:
Frank , United States, Baby Boomer Memories From the 50's
Baby Boomer memories

Memory From:
Remember Growing up in the 60's
60's generation Growing Up

Memory From:
Remember the Recession years From The 70's
Remember the 70's

Memory From:
Popular Culture and Music From The 80's
Eighties Popular Culture

Memory From:
Music Concerts from the 90's including Woodstock
Woodstock 94

Memory From:
Laura, United States of America, Buying a Calculator in 1973
Buying a Calculator in 1973

Memory From:
Jim , United States of America, Price of Gas in 1968
Price of Gas in 1968

Memory From:
The Yuppie Era
The Yuppie Nineties

DO YOU HAVE MEMORIES FROM THE CHANGES IN SOCIETY AND EARLIER GENTLER TIMES YOU WANT TO SHARE
PLEASE USE THE COMMENTS FORM TO SHARE YOUR MEMORIES
If You Have Photographs to include with your memories please use the Add Memory Form where it will tell you how to Add Photos

Purple Checker Marathon

2008-01-24T15:09:00.000-08:00

Memory From:
Callie Mae, United States, Purple Checker Marathon

During the 80's, I ended up with a car like no other. It was a 1972 Purple Checker Marathon, not an old cab, but a sedan sold to the general puplic. It was a beast with a good old fashioned 350 chevy motor in it, but because it was a Checker, it had to have a custom exaust, which in this case was always blowing the exaust manifold gaskets on an annual basis and because I was poor and tired of spending money on replacing the exaust, I decided to drive it loud and live with the fumes and backfires. Whats worse is that it then developed an issue with the power steering in that every time I pulled into a parking space the power steering hose would blow and start an engine fire. The first time that happened, I was at a gas station and I remember grabbing sand and gravel off the pavement and throwing that on the engine in a panic to put out the flames until the attendent came out with an extinguisher. After a few times like that I learned to carry my own fire extingusher in
the front seat next to me and it then became "old hat" and I would just put out the fire, start the car back up and be on my merry way. I did love that old car, it was fun to drive, but in winter, even with 3 separate heaters in it, darned cold!

Label Old Car Memories
Label Memories From The Eighties