Dfd Member Username: Dfd
Post Number: 959 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 2:28 pm: | |
Ragtop, love those pictures from the catalog! |
Switchmanjim Member Username: Switchmanjim
Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 3:21 pm: | |
Indeed Rich, I remember you burning rubber at Pitt in your 70 Nova (307) four door. In 1971 I went to Holy Redeemer, we beat Catholic Central (Frank Tananna) for the city championship 4-0. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 404 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 6:39 pm: | |
Dfd, I started buying those old Western Auto catalog's when eBay started. I have several and love to look at them this time of the year! I've seen more things in them that we had in our house than from Sears, Penny's, and Hudson's combined. But those toy ad's were the best. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 405 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 6:43 pm: | |
I try to collect the real things whenever I can,
|
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl
Post Number: 512 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 10:34 pm: | |
Hudson's downtown really did an amazing display for the kids, myself included, back in the day. It was the most incredible, artistic, imaginary place, filled with magic and wonder.
|
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 397 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2008 - 7:48 pm: | |
Det313grrl Even from 40+ years beyond, these pics have that certain Magical look to them! Nothing said Christmas like a Hudson display. |
Gibran Member Username: Gibran
Post Number: 4281 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 11, 2008 - 8:16 pm: | |
even eastland had great displays in the 60's... |
Dfd Member Username: Dfd
Post Number: 911 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 11:46 pm: | |
bump |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 787 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 3:51 am: | |
That Hudsons display was cool.Too bad I was born too late to get the full effect. Closest thing was State St Marshall Fields.Saddest still had to be Topinkas burning " Oh NO Santas Dead" |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 788 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 3:55 am: | |
That Hudsons display was cool.Too bad I was born too late to get the full effect. Closest thing was State St Marshall Fields.Saddest still had to be Topinkas burning " Oh NO Santas Dead" |
Faygoredpop Member Username: Faygoredpop
Post Number: 30 Registered: 03-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 4:22 am: | |
My memories of Christmas are having Christmas Eve dinner at our house with my Busia (Grandma). We always got to open all of our presents from our parents and grandparents on Christmas Eve and then we got to open the gifts from Santa on Christmas Day. Well we always had to wait until after dinner to open the gifts. Of course as kids we rushed through our dinner, but my mother would always say; "Wait until Busia has finished her cup of coffee." We would beg and plead with her to take the coffee with her, never worked. We also had the cardboard fireplace and Busia had the aluminum tree. Of course as a child you think you need a fireplace or Santa can't get into your home to deliver any gifts. +++ jpeg +++ 168400 +++ My Busia next to her aluminum tree (1970) +++
|
Faygoredpop Member Username: Faygoredpop
Post Number: 31 Registered: 03-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 4:25 am: | |
My memories of Christmas are having Christmas Eve dinner at our house with my Busia (Grandma). We always got to open all of our presents from our parents and grandparents on Christmas Eve and then we got to open the gifts from Santa on Christmas Day. Well we always had to wait until after dinner to open the gifts. Of course as kids we rushed through our dinner, but my mother would always say; "Wait until Busia has finished her cup of coffee." We would beg and plead with her to take the coffee with her, never worked. We also had the cardboard fireplace and Busia had the aluminum tree. Of course as a child you think you need a fireplace or Santa can't get into your home to deliver any gifts. +++ jpeg +++ 168400 +++ My Busia next to her aluminum tree (1970) +++
|
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 5054 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 6:52 am: | |
Tons of baking, especially my gr-grandmother's sugar cookies which we kids cut out and later decorate as Mom frosts. It's a regular assembly line - lots of different models in many colors - reindeer, Santas, angels, wreaths, stars, bells, trees, snowmen, candy canes... The tree, picking it out usually at Frank's, it stands in water in the garage for a day or two until there's time to put it up (sometimes the water freezes) - once it's up it's allowed to warm up and relax for a day as the branches fall to their proper height - c7 lights, of course, Dad's job to place them - with bubblers, snowballs, and even bells a few years, replacing the regular bulbs in select spots once they're on the tree, and finding the best spots to hang the heat driven spinners. Mom always hangs the little ornaments near the top of the tree and we hang the bigger non-glass ones lower, too afraid to handle the glass ones until we're older. Catalogs! Pouring over the pages. Hudson's downtown and, my favorite, the child sized drinking fountains I can actually reach - yeah, those and riding in the elevator are even better than seeing kinda weird, scary Santa. We don't have a fireplace. Our stockings are hung under the door to the laundry chute, which runs up next to the chimney. (Message edited by lilpup on December 18, 2008) |
Sumas Member Username: Sumas
Post Number: 443 Registered: 01-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 8:47 am: | |
In 1979, I was a area sales manager for Hudsons at Northland. I had a PT xmas staffer going through some very very hard times. I went to my divisional manager to discuss this woman's problems. It turned out that my DM and her friends always devoted money at Christmas to charitable causes. That year, they gave this one woman (she had seven children) $1000 dollars in cash. My boss asked me to give her a Christmas card, I did not know what was in it. This was on Christmas eve. My DM, told me to tell her go shopping. Gave her the day off with pay to provide for her family. I still cry when I remember this story. The joy they brought to this woman was beyond words to describe. It was a true Christmas moment. I don't remember the name of the woman who received this gift but I will never forget the name of the donor. |
Dtctygrl Member Username: Dtctygrl
Post Number: 66 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 10:44 am: | |
Faygoredpop - love the pic! Especially all the toys. I was trying to figure out what type of doll was standing on top of the fireplace - do you know? |
Wkl Member Username: Wkl
Post Number: 83 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:06 am: | |
Christmas Eve 1968 always comes back to me at this time of year. The family tradition was to have dinner out and then do the tour of Grosse Pointe to see the lights. What makes it standout was while doing the tour, the Apllo 8 crew was on the radio doing their Christmas greeting to earth reading from Genesis. I'm trying to remember the name a place we always ate at. It was on the south side of Mack a block or two west ot St. Clairs church in GP. Anyone remember it? I believe it was painted white. |
Catch22 Member Username: Catch22
Post Number: 13 Registered: 01-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 1:41 pm: | |
It must have been regulation to have one of those cardboard fireplaces. Here's my family's, in 1964 with my sister, just turned 5.
|
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 401 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 4:06 pm: | |
The little cardboard Fireplace lived in the hearts of many of us! Many different designs too! The Mrs. also had one in her childhood,
Might need to change the song to reflect our childhood memories? Silver & Gold,,, Cardboard painted Bold! |
Jcole Member Username: Jcole
Post Number: 5160 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 4:14 pm: | |
How about 'Chestnuts roasting on a cardboard fire"? |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 402 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 4:35 pm: | |
How about Decor, What have you used over the years?
I had this Flagpole tree blinking, Looked like the Penobscot of the neighborhood.
Kids and I made the snowmen years ago, Nothing like snowmen keeping warm by the fire to put you in the Spirit?
Little Ice storm few years back, Got to love a White Christmas! |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 403 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 7:24 pm: | |
Guess what you can still get? http://www.theboxcompany.com/t oystorage-fireplace.html?gclid =CPXJo9Kzy5cCFQukHgodhzSnSg and http://www.shindigz.com/catalo g.cfm?pgp=8W077C&StumpsTrackID =GFSZ121608 No mention of the bulb/spinner flame action. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 404 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 8:12 pm: | |
1960, Rag was 1yr old, The TV was B&W, and the entertainment would of been- Hardrock, Coco & Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml4CqQ-cUGM Suzy Snowflake http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaUBpsn4QjQ and, Frosty the Snowman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLkIdXU--o 2008, Rag is 49, and even in B&W, these clips are still the best entertainment! |
Maof2 Member Username: Maof2
Post Number: 1243 Registered: 06-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 8:30 pm: | |
love the "snowmen by the fire" picture. |
Shovelhead Member Username: Shovelhead
Post Number: 16 Registered: 04-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 8:39 pm: | |
'67, bittersweet memories. First Christmas after my dad passed, almost four months to the day. Anyway, went to a friend's house on Christmas Eve. Went by myself, no big deal except on my motorcycle, 305 Honda. Back then there was a license restriction limiting fifteen year olds to 5 h.p. bikes, this was the one I had. The Honda was about 24 h.p. Oops 1! Went to a friend's house, oops 2, he had no license, but also had a bike. Oops 3, cop sees TWO motorcycles on Christmas Eve, must have been a slow night, turns on red light. (Statute of Limitations is up, right?) Well, lets just say we didn't get stopped. Called home and told my mother that I was staying at the friend's house for the night, and would be home in the morning. Spent Christmas Eve in a old, drafty turn of the century Victorian sleeping in a leather chair next to the blazing fireplace which I stoked all night long. Found a LOT of back roads to ride home on the next day.............. |
Faygoredpop Member Username: Faygoredpop
Post Number: 32 Registered: 03-2008
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:09 pm: | |
No, Dtctygrl. I don't recall the doll. I was almost 2 yrs old in that picture. I wish I could remember. (Actually I wish at times I still had some of the old gifts.) Here's a picture of my Busia (grandma) by her aluminum tree on New Year's Eve of 1970.
|
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl
Post Number: 260 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:18 pm: | |
|
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl
Post Number: 261 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:31 pm: | |
|
Tkierpiec Member Username: Tkierpiec
Post Number: 160 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 11:41 pm: | |
OMG, that aluminum Christmas tree! Now that brings back some really fond memories of the Holidays when my grandparents were still alive. Some of those vintage aluminum trees are highly coveted. They sell on ebay for $400-$500. |
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289
Post Number: 795 Registered: 08-2007
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 3:59 am: | |
Shovelhead,Your memories bring back a few of mine.It wasn,t a motorcycle but a bike that I rode to a few Christmas parties, something about riding any thing in the cold gets my blood flowing, eventhough I hate winter,the snow in the spokes is like a badge of honor. |
Faygoredpop Member Username: Faygoredpop
Post Number: 33 Registered: 03-2008
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 6:48 am: | |
Oh, who can forget "Breakfast with Santa" at Crowley's. I still have my mug. Also going shopping at the "Children's Only" area in Hudson's. No matter how much we had, we always walked out of there with a gift for everyone on our list. Ahhhhhhhhhh. The good ole days. Why can't we have back like that again. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 405 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 12:10 pm: | |
Faygoredpop, I present my Mom and Santa!
Mom and Dad met while both were working at Hudsons, By the time I was born she worked at Crowley's. Going Christmas Shopping with her to either store was like going home! Good times! Oh yes, the mug
|
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 406 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 12:17 pm: | |
When I was looking for that card, I came across some information of just how long that "Fireplace" was in use, I had no idea it was still around in 1980,,until now lol
|
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 407 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 12:25 pm: | |
Det313grrl Little Boy's and Trains? I do not remember this set, based on my age, I'd guess it only lasted an hour or two?
|
Lowell Moderator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 5118 Registered: 09-2003
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 2:12 pm: | |
This is a great thread -- Hall of Fame bound. Flanders story from the MCS days tops the list of many fine and touching stories. |
Dfd Member Username: Dfd
Post Number: 917 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 6:06 pm: | |
Sumas, do you mind if I copy your post on the "I worked at Hudsons" thread? |
Gibran Member Username: Gibran
Post Number: 4311 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 11:47 pm: | |
bump |
Faygoredpop Member Username: Faygoredpop
Post Number: 34 Registered: 03-2008
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 2:07 am: | |
Ragtoplover, I still use my Crowley's mug for hot chocolate. I love that mug. I don't have any small kids, but I would still love to have Breakfast with Santa, especially at the Zoo. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 408 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 12:52 pm: | |
Seeing Santa at Hudsons would also net you some cool books, Working there would get you the Hudsonian.
ps, Kathi, still hoping to see your family/christmas pics |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 411 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 9:26 pm: | |
Christmas 1967
|
Dtctygrl Member Username: Dtctygrl
Post Number: 67 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 9:47 pm: | |
Ragtop: That wasn't a Charlie Brown tree! Ahh, so many memories. |
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 1750 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 11:27 pm: | |
Tip-It! Our game is still at mom's house. Ragtop, that's cool that you remembered and it's been a whole year. I still haven't figured out the picture to computer thing. Oh, your mom looks like she is a fun girl. What a great picture with Santa. Thanks for the Suzy Snowflake cartoon. I love it! Faygo, your Busia dressed very smartly, huh? Quite the cool Busia with those silver shoes. Oh, and by the way, I WANT that aluminum Christmas tree. |
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl
Post Number: 276 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 11:35 pm: | |
Ragtoplover, somebody must have been really good that year. A microscope, a telephone, a sewing machine and an easy-bake oven. Quite the hall. Is that a talking doll, maybe. |
Gibran Member Username: Gibran
Post Number: 4312 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 11:53 pm: | |
wow 67 was the year for tip it...I still reference that game when it comes to life... Those memories ...my Christmas mornings were magical..finding a castle in the morning was my favorite gift... rag that is so funny my sister got a microscope too one Christmas and the invisible women model...she is now a Doctor..funny how these things work out...I got a lot of play sets and I am still a dreamer... and a strong lover of the magic of Christmas..I still have my MArx Castle and Fort Apache...as well as my farm set, dinosaurs etc... but is was the family all together that made those days so grand..the dinner and my mom and dad finally relaxing if not for the day...no matter how times were, they made Christmas a little special ..and the prep that went into it I still try to give my kids today... what is remarkable about the pictures is that it seems they could have been in any of our houses...except for the trees...my dad always had to get one that was too big for the room... I think he liked it that way. |
Ggores Member Username: Ggores
Post Number: 509 Registered: 10-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 12:36 am: | |
whoa! What a thread! I got so many kisses under the misteltoe, I nearly blush. ************** Merry Christmas ya'll. Enjoy. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 412 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 9:45 am: | |
Det313grrl-"somebody must have been really good that year." lol, must of been my sister, looking at that pic, all I see of mine is the Microscope and the Globe. I'm sure the Tip-it was common property. But that was ok with me, I had a great year the year before! 1966
|
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 413 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 10:03 am: | |
Gibran, I'm sure you know that those Marx sets go for good $$ I had a couple Matchbox/BP gas stations that I wish I had held on to, I now see them on eBay at prices I can't touch. Thinking back to the Microscope above, It didn't stay, Wouldn't focus for anything so it went back to the north pole. I ended up with a Gilbert that I had for many years. Kathi, I know you can do it! You did one for the Cat thread didn't you? It would be a wonderful Christmas present to us all, if you'll give it a shot |
Det313grrl Member Username: Det313grrl
Post Number: 280 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 10:51 am: | |
Ragtoplover, lol, 66' was a good year! 1956.
|
Dtctygrl Member Username: Dtctygrl
Post Number: 68 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 8:31 pm: | |
Det313 - Regarding Ragtop's 67 pic - the doll didn't talk, but she did walk (if you held her hand and shoved her along) I loved her! I still have the Santa pictured in the 66 pic that Ragtop posted. I think Mom got it at Crowley's. |
Django Member Username: Django
Post Number: 2099 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 10:27 pm: | |
1977, Louisville KY at my Pops and Granna's house. Me and my Lil Sis are put to bed on christmas eve to toss and turn wondering what we would get in the morning. I was trying to force myself to sleep when about 11pm just as we were drifting off, the entire family, Aunts, Uncles, Mom, Dad, Pops and Granna come running down the stairs. There all excited and claim Santa's come early and that he must of started his route in Louisville. My sisters eyes are electric, everyone's whispering. Im trying to explain to Granna in hushed words my sister wont hear that Santa isn't real, I just wanted her to know I was in on the secret now, I was older now. Pops decides enough time had passed so he goes to take a peek upstairs. Coming back down the stairs hes got a huge grin and hes looking straight at sister Laura. "Oh Santa's been here alright" he says. Everyone jumps off the beds and rushes the stairs up. Walking into the familyroom, gifts were piled four feet high and covered a third of the floor, the Christmas tree was behind it all somewhere. We tore into it. Granna had to work Christmas morning for Eastern Airlines at 6AM, she just wanted to see us kids unravel so she had Santa come early. 7AM, parents are making some drink called a bloody mary, gross. Best Christmass setup EVER, 1977 Louisville KY. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 415 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 5:30 pm: | |
Django, I've got to wonder, after you told Granna you were in on the secret, and that you were older now, Did she offer you any Bloody Mary? or were you too busy with all those presents to partake? lol Feliz Navidad Django! Ha llegado la hora de salir y algunas pala de arena |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 418 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 8:12 pm: | |
Anybody ever play with this kind of "Pop Gun". It was a giveaway from Sinclair gas stations. Flick the gun in the air and insides come out with a POP! Just a paper gun, but I like the Christmas graphic.
|
Django Member Username: Django
Post Number: 2110 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 11:24 pm: | |
Funny you ask that Ragtop. Granna never had a problem with me taking a drink of whatever she was drinking. Theres actually a story about me swillin Grannas drink then dancing like a little wildman by the fireplace when I was about 4 yrs old. How times have changed. You used to be able to get your kid drunk for cheap entertainment. LOL |
Django Member Username: Django
Post Number: 2111 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 11:26 pm: | |
Oh yeah. Happy Festivus |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 420 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 12:04 pm: | |
Tonight's the big night, I hope the real version of these are keeping very busy, all loose ends must be tied today! Mom always had a assortment of these pre-Kmart elves around, no doubt to keep an eye on us kids.
Mom and Dad are long gone, But the memory of her cooking the turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, still makes my mouth water
A warm and Heartfelt Merry Christmas to everyone (posting or not) reading this thread! Rag |
Jcole Member Username: Jcole
Post Number: 5243 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 12:20 pm: | |
And to you too, Ragtop. Thanks for all the memories your pictures have stirred up. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 423 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 10:17 pm: | |
|
Kathinozarks Member Username: Kathinozarks
Post Number: 1756 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 11:11 pm: | |
Your mom and dad are long gone? I am so sad for you right now. Your pictures mean so much more to me now. Merry Christmas Ragtop and sis. I hope you still will want to see pix of Christmas next year as I can't get any this year. Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you are all cozy and thankful for any and all blessings in your lives. |
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59
Post Number: 426 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2008 - 11:44 am: | |
Thanks Kathi, But no need to feel sad, this is the way life is supposed to work, Nothing is forever! Enjoy each and every moment with all your loved ones. Especially today! The sun is bright and the weather is cool, such a wonderful Christmas morning! and, our stove here looks just like the picture above right now as for those pics of yours? maybe you need to do a Christmas in July set for us? a year seems like a long time to wait? lol,,, then again, the older we get, it seems like Christmas is only about 7 months apart? I'd like to add, Gibran, Thanks for starting this thread! Jimaz, Det313grrl, Faygoredpop, and Catch22 for posting Pics. and to everyone else for joining in on the dialogue, Enjoy the rest of the Holiday! Rag Until next time, Ho Ho Ho |
Dtctygrl Member Username: Dtctygrl
Post Number: 69 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2008 - 1:07 pm: | |
Merry Christmas to everyone! |