I started working in a gas station in N. idaho in 64. Gas was $25.9 during the summer and 21.9 during the winter.
When we got our first TV, no arguing over what to watch, since we only had 1 channel.
My first car was a 46 Ford "fast back" for $40.
Never heard of McDonalds.
Had only been in one other state. Washington, since the border was about 15? miles away.
Most women didn't drive unless they had to. That was a "mans job".
Pack of cigs was $.25 in the machine. Cheaper in the store, but they wouldn't sell to 10 year olds. Just stole them out of my dad's carton before that, since I didn't have any money. Smoked the ones my older brother stole.... before that.
Uncle Frank coming to visit on Sunday afternoon with 3-4 qts. of beer, since Washington was "dry" on that day.
Hydroplane races on the lake. Miss Thriftway, Miss Bardahl, Slo Mo IV & V....and the evil Detroit boats.
Duck tail hair cuts.
Perry Como, Bishop Sheen, Liberace, Alfred Hitchcock, Toast of the Town....

Oh, I remember those duck tail haircuts. I loved them but having curly hair made for a strange looking duck tail

Did you watch the Liberace show? It was one of my favorites. I still enjoy listening to piano music of all types.

Radio! Inner Sanctum; John Steele, Adventurer; X Minus One! Later on, in the 1960s, Jean Shepard and Long John Nebel.

Paul

How about Red Skelton, Jackie Gleason and the June Taylor Dancers, Wild Kingdom, and Lassie?

My first bicycle, a hand me down, had solid tires. We used to smash rolls of caps with a baseball bat and play stoop ball.

I also didn't have 3 hours of homework in elementary school. We had recess every day and could buy peanut butter cookies and 2 cent milk. Lunch was 25 cents and the rest of the hour was spent playing. Music, art, and PE were a given. None of my friends went to day care and Shirley, my friend in the 3rd grade, was the only kid who had divorced parents. No one took Ritalin, but we could all sit in our seats and walk in line. It was great to be a kid.

Go Go boots!

Ghoulardi! Yes! The pizza-eating contest-winning dwarf. Mr. Jing-a-ling at Christmas. Dorothy Fuldheim on channel 5. The Browns were good and the Indians were terrible. Cedar Point during the summer.

Growing up near Cleveland - where all the cool people are from.

Ghoulardi - "turn blue" "stay sick"

When did you move away?

Thanks for asking, ratfink.

After law school at OSU in 1982. My parents are still there (New London, a one stoplight town SW of Cleveland), and when I go to visit we always try to get in an Indians game (Jacobs Field is nothing like Cleveland Municipal - there was no experience like seeing a ball game attended by 6,000 people in an 80,000 seat stadium).

I remember when:

In the Summer of 1944 my Dad & his next oldest brother Ray were "away" in the Army. Mom, Sis & I lived with my Grandparents in Milford, Nebraska. Dad's youngest brother, Bob, came to say goodby. He was just 18 years old. His leave was up & he was returning to San Diego & his ship, a destroyer. I didn't understand the grownups tears then, but now I do. The men were all home safe for Christmas of 1945.

Bev, that's what Brylcreem was for

My parents house, built in '50 had a "milk chute", an amenity for sure!

Using, but never abusing, model airplane glue containing toluene.

Making a few bucks by mowing neighbors lawns with reel-bladed push mowers and later, powered-reel mowers. Thank goodness now for the "lawn services" equipped with their wonderfully ear-piercing wind machines.

btw, "hey you kids, get off my lawn!"

I used to ride out to New London. There was a restaurant there I liked, the owner was a real character, he would talk your leg off...seems like he was into theater or something. That was a century plus ride for me.

Yup, Cleveland Municipal Stadium was a nightmare, I've been there more than a few times. It's on the bottom of Lake Erie now.

We had one of those "milk boxes" that never seemed to be sufficiently insulated, especially against the cold. As to reel mowers- they were/are the best. A nice clean cut, no shredding (and thus no burning in the sun), and QUIET! If I had a lawn today, that's exactly what I'd use. Enough with the noise pollution- kill your leaf blowers and power mowers!

Yo Dorothy and blowin up model cars. Mr. Jingaling and Barnaby and Capn Penney and Miss Barbara. If you are scratching your head you never grew up in Northern Ohio in the mid to late 60's. Oh and Cedar point YESSSSSSSSS

I remember having to wait for any electronic thing to "warm up." Radios, record players, TVs... and even the car radio. I remember tube testers everywhere... corner drug store, local hardware store...

I used to fix neighbors radios by taking out all the tubes and cycling down to the hardware store and testing them... lead to a career in electronics... in the solid state age.

I remember Cleveland's tag line: Best Location in the Nation. I remember the Terminal Tower, which was past it's hayday even when I was a child, but it still was awe inspiring. As a student at CSU, we found a way one night into the subbasement of the Terminal Tower and explored the old tracks, even riding a handcar a few feet.

Then there was the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Public Square. And who can forget the smell of the roasting nuts from that shop on Euclid Avenue? Or visiting the giant Woolworths at 4th and Euclid and eating at that huge lunch counter? Or riding the Rapid Transit?

Wow, lots of ex-Cleveland area folks here. The Woolworths was turned into a "House of Blues" live music venue and sorta upscale restaurant a few years back.

And who can forget the 1974's infamous "ten cent beer night" at Cleveland Stadium...I wasn't there

Rode bikes to go every where, said bye to mom at 7 AM, home for lunch at noon, or about, then gone till just before dad came home from work at 5 - 5:30 PM.

Mowed the nearby pasture for a ball diamond, played ball almost morning to dinner, then little league came after supper.

The outfield was mowed further out as the majority started to hit home runs, and used dry cow pies for bases, added white paint for home. You were on your own for first, second and third

For a treat, after nightly bath, hop in car and ride to Dean's Diary, (Plainwell, MI) for ice cream.

Never found the house door locked, except when we went on vacation, but at least two of the neighbors had keys.

Always thought milk delivered by way of milkman, learned differently when good first apartment in college, (room mate explained I could buy milk at the grocery).

Saturday nights were always hamburger night, in summer from the grill, and for a treat were able to make chocolate milk of even milkshakes. During July and August Saturday afternoon and evenings meant swimming at Pine Lake with picnic dinner till dark or bugs got the best of us.

Church each Sunday morning, and if we spoiled dad's afternoon nap, went with mom to evening services as well, of cource we wanted to join her.

Air conditioning? never had at home, or school, or the car, it would be hot, roll down the window, turn on the fan, or find excuse to use the hose to water the plants, but some how start a fight with younger brother or tease sis.

Thanks, it really was not that bad.... now

Seems we all have fond memories of the good old days, old prices, things we did and our first cars. My first car was a 1964 Dodge Dart slant 6 push button automatic. I was being discharged from a military hospital outside of DC and was going home to complete college. My aunt was purchasing a new car and offered me the Dodge for the minimal transfer fee of $1. The car was 8 years old but the dealer (I would later see why) would not take the car in trade. I bought the car site unseen ... it was ugly, had too many rust spots to count, it was underpowered, had no A/C ... and I loved that car! Three dollars worth of gas and I could go any where I wanted ... it was the first thing I ever really owned ... it was freedom on wheels.
Today ... we have three cars but my freedom comes on two wheels with no gas bill ... well, the bean burritos don't count do they?

Anybody remember this song? I think I was in kindergarten when it came out. I LOVED this song! Along with the original "Breaking up is Hard to Do." Think they came out about the same time.

Not only was there a depression, but a broken down promoter named Dad Joiner had discovered the largest oil field in CONUS a few years earlier....East Texas field.

Anybody mention slot cars? My cool older cousins had them. I still remember the smell of whatever oil they used. And I think there was a place to race them on Clement Street in SF back in the 60's.

I remember when average citizens could buy firearms mail order. The hardware store sold ammo to minors if they had a note from their folks. All the boys and some of the girls carried knives in school. During hunting season, most of the boys cars and trucks in the high school parking lot contained a shotgun. Funny thing, we didn't have any stabbings or shootings.

I remember when any of the neighborhood adults would spank a misbehaving youngster and everyone (except maybe the youngster) was ok and supportive of that. Usually the kid got another whoopin' when the parents found out the neighbor needed to adjust the kid.

I remember when teachers and later the principals would paddle kids. If the kid dared resist the coach would take him outside for an attitude adjustment. School was orderly and students had a good opportunity to learn. If you didn't want to learn, you just better keep quiet and expect to fail the class or grade. If you couldn't do the work you didn't pass.

I remember when, except for machine shop work, I could fix just about anything on a car or light truck.

I remember getting a 16 ounce RC belly washer and a Moon Pie for a nickel each.

Spent many, many hours and dollars from cutting yards on slot cars in the mid to late 60's. Those things bring a heavy price on ebay now.

Bill

Have to check that out, still have mine at mom's house, 1/32 and 1/24 size cars. Had a 40' track in basement on tables (2 lane), and spent many an hour running, disassembling, and trying different setups. Made visits to hobby store tracks and raced there as well.

Got my boys interested in HO, but never caught on against video games and such

Go to the toys section, there is a special section for sslot cars. They divide it into Vintage and modern cars. Mint vintage cars, parts and controllers bring a nice price. I swear if we had a track here I'd get some 1/24 scale cars, especially some Classic or Cox brand models and enjoy the memories.

Bill