Reminisce Extra November 2019

Several months ago, I came across a submission by Linda Jenista Smith that immediately captured my imagination. She told a remarkable tale about how an article her father, Eugene, wrote for Reminisce about his World War II service unlocked the mystery of another man’s military experience—and brought a son, Charles Micheals, closer to the father he missed and longed to know more about. Linda and Charles are so grateful for their newfound connection that we wanted to offer the same chance to others. Their story inspired us to bring back a beloved Reminisce feature that has been dormant for a few years: military Roll Call. You’ll find Linda’s article, along with the hopeful pleas of others who’d like to find service members, in “Roll Call Reunions,” beginning on page 30.…

ANIMALS ON SCREEN Pets are often the stars of the family—and animals have been big stars on TV and in movies. From Lassie to Flipper to Harry Potter’s Hedwig, animals bring soul and dimension to stories. Who was your favorite and why? Label your story and pictures “Screen Animals.” HALL OF STORIES Do you remember getting your own library card? For many kids, it was a pass to independence and discovery at the biggest building in town. We’d love to hear about your favorite library when you were growing up and your adventures there. Label your story and pictures “Libraries.” THE GREAT OUTDOORS What are your memories of cool-weather hobbies? Did you hunt every fall, hike along trails crispy with fallen leaves, or ski? Tell us how much these activities…

With a landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court rules segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. Children receive the first polio vaccinations in schools. And Lassie , Father Knows Best and The Tonight Show debut on the small screen—just in time for Americans to get their first taste of a Swanson TV dinner. JAN. 14 Marilyn Monroe marries Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco City Hall. JAN. 14 Nash-Kelvinator Corp. and Hudson Motor Car Co. form American Motors Corp. JAN. 21 USS Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine, is launched in Connecticut. FEB. 2 George Balanchine stages The Nutcracker in New York. FEB. 23 A patent is granted for the original Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, top right. MARCH 1 The U.S. detonates a thermonuclear bomb at Bikini Atoll in…

GOTTA DANCE! Each year of the 1950s offered movie musicals filled with catchy songs and spectacular dancing—with 1954 being especially tuneful. Tap your memory of the melodic delights that graced screens that year. 1 Vincente Minnelli directed this story of two Americans who find a mystical Scottish town. 2 This star revolutionized the movie musical in the 1950s with innovative choreography and complex dance sequences. 3 Judy Garland starred in this remake of a 1937 drama about an actress who becomes more famous than her mentor. 4 Michael Kidd put dancers through their paces in this musical set in the wilds of Oregon. 5 This seasonal favorite has Bing Crosby singing the top-selling holiday song of all time. 6 Can you name the redheaded comedian who was Bing’s co-star in…

My friend Randy Story and I were at a restaurant in West Plains, Missouri, when he nudged me. “There’s Preacher,” he said, referring to pitcher Preacher Roe, who played with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1938 to 1954. Randy was a teacher at West Plains schools and Roe’s son was on the school board. Randy had met Roe before and knew of my affinity for baseball history. We debated about interrupting Roe’s dinner. I knew I might anger him, but it was a lifetime chance to talk baseball with one of the greats. So we barged in on the former player’s meal. Roe was gracious and seemed appreciative that someone remembered his career. I asked him about his Brooklyn days playing with Jackie…

Born: Elwin Charles Roe, Feb. 16, 1916, Ash Flat, AR. Died: Nov. 9, 2008, West Plains, MO. Nickname: One story was that his family called him that because he looked up to a local preacher. Teammates said he liked to talk. The Dodgers were the first team to integrate in 1947 and Roe, along with Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and the rest, were known as the Boys of Summer for the next buoyant decade. Roe played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1938), Pittsburgh Pirates (1944-47) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1948-54). A five-time All-Star, his best season was 1951, when he went 22-3 with a 3.04 ERA. In the off season, he taught math and coached boys and girls basketball at Hardy High School in Arkansas. “Live every day like it’s your…