The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Since I grew up in the 1950s, it is fun to reflect on some of the nifty things from that era. Drive-In Theatres Known then as the "passion pit," drive-in theatres bring back many happy memories! Just before dark we would all pile into a car and head for the drive-in. I still remember the intermission jingle "Let's all go to the lobby" with the hot dog, soda and popcorn dancing across the screen. The drive-in was the favourite place to go on a date and after the show we would go for a hamburger and fries. At that time you stayed in your car and your food was brought to you. A tray holder was placed on the driver's side window to hold the food. It was just brought to my attention from my teenage grandchildren that the term "going steady" is no longer used. I asked them what they call it now and they replied, "just going out." Makes no sense to me, but that is how times change. Back in the '50s and '60s when you were "going steady," the girl would be given her boyfriend's ring to wear. Because they were always too big to fit, we would wrap the back with white bandage tape and then cover that with fuzzy angora yarn in different colors Ð way too cool! Rock 'n' Roll The summer of 1955 with Bill Haley's song "Rock Around the Clock" changed the music we listened to forever. I was hooked. Then came Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and the rest is history. Every Saturday I would walk downtown to the record store and listen to the latest hits and always come home with at least one new 45. In my bedroom next to my bed was my radio, which I would listen to every night just to hear the newest songs. My parents did not like rock 'n' roll and would call it noise. They did, however, put up with it and allowed me to play my record player as loud as it would go (which was not very loud when compared to today's stereos). Now we have a stereo in the living room, a portable stereo in the garage complete with a subwoofer, subwoofers on our computers and a subwoofer in the car. My love for music has stayed with me and the music and the equipment to play it with just keeps getting better. Clothes Cuffed bobbie socks worn with suede "buckskin" shoes or saddle shoes that came in all colour combinations and styles from light weight to the original heavier oxford in black and white. The sleeves were always cuffed and rolled on the girls' short sleeve shirts, and finished off with a scarf around the neck. The favourite hair styles were pony tails and shoulder-length hair that was rolled at the ends with bangs and usually a side part. Barrettes were often used as decoration and to hold the hair away from the face. The boys' typical clothes were blue jeans with cuffed legs, a t-shirt with rolled sleeves, or a shirt with the back of the collar turned up. They wore various short hair styles ranging from the butch to slightly longer Elvis style that was combed back and held in place hair dressing into a duck tail. Going to church on Easter Sunday was a sight to behold! All the women and young girls (me included) wore a hat adorned with artificial flowers along with white gloves. Toys and Hobbies I wasn't much into dolls as a child because I preferred to be outside exploring or making something with my hands. The one doll that I did enjoy for a short time was the Ginny Doll that remains tucked away in a closet complete with all the clothes, accessories and furniture. Easy Bake Oven has been around for 50 plus years as I was given one for Christmas when I was eight years old. I made and ate all the cakes the first day. Needless to say, I got very sick later that night! One of my weekly downtown stops was the local hobby shop that sold Paint by Number products. I would sit at a desk in the sunroom and paint for hours. They also sold magic tricks that fascinated me. Two other toys I have fond memories of were the Hula Hoop and the Slinky. Barbara Wangelid along with her husband Tobbe are the owners of www.JackandFriends.com
