Relax, Laugh and Remember with Reminisce Magazine. Each issue is a "time capsule" of life from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's filled with reader-written stories, pictures from the past, embarrassing moments, ads from the Old Days and much more!
Every now and then I grow nostalgic for that summer before seventh grade when my family drove up to Little Turtle Lake, Minnesota, in our blue and white Volkswagen Microbus. Big family, big vehicle. No hot rods for us; my parents were practical people. On the other hand, arguments about size, safety or gas prices never could have derailed the readers who, in this issue, share memories of cruising and showing off the pure power of their classic muscle cars. Read their stories in “Road Warriors,” starting on page 42. Years later, when I turned my sights to buying my own car, the thought of a muscle car was tempting but it would remain an unrealistic dream. My fiancé and I were saving money to get married. Ours was an…
DISCO Sequins, mirrored balls, the Bee Gees and Donna Summer shined their light on the 1970s and early ’80s. “Disco Duck,” a parody, also hit the top of the charts. Where did you stand on the music that begged you to get down tonight? Label your story “Disco.” SNOWBIRDS Migrating with the seasons—south in winter, north in summer—creates two sets of neighbors. Are you among the lucky who skipped town during bad weather? Any snowbird tales of past trips? Label your story “Snowbirds.” HOLIDAY TRAVEL Over the river and through the woods: The song lyrics describe a time-honored tradition of celebrating the holidays with family no matter how far you roam. Share your story about where you went and whom you saw. Label your story “Holiday Travel.” SCRABBLE More than…
From a flat plastic disc that democratized music distribution to a crazed Cleveland Indians fan, 1949 kept the country on its toes. Young men who had returned from the war were busy getting on with their lives, raising families, and watching a growing list of TV options that included sports, politics, variety shows and Westerns. On the international scene, the drama following Germany’s surrender turned to fear and mistrust. The Cold War, as it was dubbed, simmered between the United States and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies, for another 40-plus years. JAN. 10 RCA Victor introduces 45 rpm records in the U.S. JAN. 20 Harry S. Truman is the first president whose inaugural parade is televised. JAN. 31 The first daytime soap opera, These Are My Children,…
The year 1949 was significant in the world of sports and in many ways ushered in a new era of organized sport as big-money entertainment. Both the NBA and the LPGA formed that year. And U.S. Open tennis champ Ricardo “Pancho” Gonzalez turned pro, earning $85,000 in his first six months on tour. Do you recall these other ’49 milestones? 1 This Yankees slugger signed the major league’s first $100,000 annual contract. 2 This Original Six NHL team won its third Stanley Cup in a row, a feat it would repeat in ’62, ’63 and ’64. (Hint: The team hasn’t won the Cup since 1967.) 3 This boxer retired after a 12-year reign as world heavyweight champ. 4 This team signed its first African-American players, outfielder Monte Irvin and pitcher…
SONGS 1. “RIDERS IN THE SKY” Vaughn Monroe 2. “THAT LUCKY OLD SUN” Frankie Laine 3. “YOU’RE BREAKING MY HEART” Vic Damone 4. “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING” Perry Como 5. “SLIPPING AROUND” Jimmy Wakely and Margaret Whiting 6. “I CAN DREAM, CAN’T I” The Andrews Sisters and Gordon Jenkins 7. “CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER” Russ Morgan 8. “A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME” Evelyn Knight 9. “MULE TRAIN” Frankie Laine 10. “JEALOUS HEART” Al Morgan BOOKS (Top fiction sellers) 1. THE EGYPTIAN Mika Waltari 2. THE BIG FISHERMAN Lloyd C. Douglas 3. MARY Sholem Asch 4. A RAGE TO LIVE John O’Hara 5. POINT OF NO RETURN John P. Marquand 6. DINNER AT ANTOINE’S Frances Parkinson Keyes 7. HIGH TOWERS Thomas B. Costain 8. CUTLASS EMPIRE Van Wyck Mason 9. PRIDE’S CASTLE…
Singles gave teenagers instant access to rock ’n’ roll. The discs were cheap—less than a dollar—portable, and fun to collect, share and trade with friends. Several 45s could be stuffed into a carrying case. With a portable player, which opened like a suitcase, fans could take their music anywhere. The first records, created in 1901, were heavy but fragile 10-inch shellac discs that spun on a turntable at 78 rpm (revolutions per minute). The 78 remained the industry standard until 1949, when RCA Victor unveiled the 7-inch, lightweight, durable plastic platter that turned at 45 rpm. The instantly popular single featured a much finer groove than the 78, so more information (music) could be packed into a smaller space. Each single was issued with a preferred A side, and a…
