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This WAS the 60’s in so many ways. After discussing the old man smoking in the clothing store, my gut kept nudging me to write about the cigarette culture/ethos. So let’s begin and we’ll see how it goes. The sixties were a time when cigarettes were changing. In the second war, they were handed out… Continue reading Cigarettes–The 60’s Currency (Men Only, if you please)

If that brings a smile to your face, then you’re over 60 (and still cool). After school was still spent looking for scary movies. I’d pop in to see Jim O’Brien (later, Wee Willy Weber) on Dialing For Dollars (‘count and the amount’), just ’cause he was on WFIL……..now I could see his face! Brady… Continue reading Life beyond Bullwinkle (II)

Overture, please: Time to Graduate to more important things other than “Hokey-smoke, Bullwinkle!” As I grew and cartoons faded, I staked out my own programs for night time viewing. Instead of hitting the hay when Perry Mason started (I remember that music so well!), I could watch the big TV in the cellar while the… Continue reading 60’s TV: Post Bullwinkle

How wonderful life can be! You may not believe this, but the nearest movie theater to my house was a drive-in! Two towns over, around 15 minutes away, this gigantic screen erupted in an area covered with grazing cows and wind-tossed crops. Kinda hard to miss. You put that little noise box on the driver’s… Continue reading The Drive-In

Good afternoon. I am the Irony inspector. I examine all blog posts to flag statements that bear the hallmarks of sweaty-earlobe irony. I apologize for interrupting this broadcast of ‘The Young and the Extremely Restless.” The blogger stated in his last post that ‘there is no accordion in rock and roll.’ This statement was rendered… Continue reading We Interrupt this program for an important message

There she is, a grin pasted on and God knows what’s behind it. She gazes lovingly at girls not us; I wonder why. “Young ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we’ll start with some introductions, some lessons, and the housekeeping. First of all, these wonderful gentlemen behind me are Bill Scovill and his Merry Men.” She claps,… Continue reading The Welcome Speech

Boys sit on the left, girls on the right. A 1930’s parquet dance floor separates us–demilitarized zone of the battle of the sexes (junior varsity division). We helplessly stare, slumped in existential crises. Around 25 of each sex, 60% are from Rich Town. We eye up the girls. Many faces seem familiar, but the long… Continue reading ‘Welcome to the Pleasure Dome’, er, I mean ‘The Cotillion’

Save That Last Dance! The C twins were transplants into Rich Town–arriving here from a planet out west around 4th grade. They came out of the sun, like a marshall to clean up Dodge. Here’s their theme: The C’s were a fascinating study in group dynamics. Two gorgeous identical twins, with the cutest nose and… Continue reading The other CEO’s: The C Twins

Chimney sweep with guise! Dave had spotted J, a vision in white. J was our silver-white blonde. VERY tall, more than even Betty. She was a Rich Town product, and with hair like that, instantly carried a place in the hierarchy. Boys were fascinated, girls wanted to know her. But she colored outside the lines;… Continue reading J, The Cotillion CEO

Thought you were chasing a destiny calling Impossible as it seems now, in the 60’s the Who were not exactly doing well in the US. They were what you’d call ‘an acquired taste’. Tommy was not out yet, and Who’s Next was years away. Steve tells me this band has what it takes, but they… Continue reading Music Memories #3