Starting with the Golden Age of Television in the 50’s, television has had a tremendous influence on our lives. I remember watching my favorite can’t-miss TV shows every week. (Because of Davy Crockett, “The King of the Wild Frontier,” I had to have a coon skin cap, and where did I learn how to dance? American Bandstand!) And during the summers, I had to suffer through the reruns and fill-ins while waiting for the new fall line-up.
In the New York Times, John McWhorter recently wrote about the television series he watched as he grew up during what he referred to as “America’s television heritage” from the 1950s through the 1980s.
He just turned 60, and he wanted his tween daughters, who have no interest in anything “1900s,” to appreciate how television contributed to our society. So, he identified ten old television series he believes every kid should watch, not because they were the best television series from back then, but because of their influence on American culture.
As a nostalgic exercise, what television series do you think today’s kids should watch to understand the first 40 years of television and the world we grew up in? And not to cloud your choices, I will include McWhorter’s list next week.
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Since we are looking back, I came across a saved handwritten letter (does anyone handwrite letters anymore?) from Helen Lynch, a friend who was active in The Dalles Community and just passed away last year. In the letter, she listed ways you know you are getting old, which she thought I could use in my column someday. Well, this is the day, and here are nine ways with some reminiscing of my own.
So, from Helen, you know you are getting old when you remember:
1.) You didn’t dare wear white after Labor Day — which I learned from my aunt when, in my teens, I wore my “Pat Boone White Bucks” shoes in September.
2.) Glass bottles of milk were delivered early to your door — and on a freezing cold morning, frozen milk would pop through the foil lid.
3.) You saved string in a large ball for when needed — and for the cat to chase.
4.) Christmas ads started after Thanksgiving — and not after Halloween!
5.) Penny candy, including “Rock Candy” on a string — or Bazooka bubble gum with a Bazooka Joe comic.
6.) Gasoline was 25 cents per gallon — and there was a gas station on every corner.
7.) You had to lick postage stamps — Yech!
8.) How auto tire “flats” meant repairing inner tubes — which were used to go tubing on the lakes or sledding during the winters.
9.) How prohibition prompted bootleg alcohol — which my parents never mentioned, but I imagine they had their stories.
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Although it has its challenges, old age is a blessing we are fortunate to experience. And as it’s been said many times, it certainly beats the alternative.
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Brain Tease: Bill and Ted each ordered a double scotch. Bill bet Ted $1 that he could put a normal bowl over Ted’s scotch and then drink it without touching, directly or indirectly, the bowl, the scotch glass, or the bar. And, Bill added “I will not have anyone or anything assist me in any way.” Is this a good bet for Ted to take and why?
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For the answer, “Captain & Tennille,” I received correct answers from Stephen Woolpert, Jay Waterbury, Donna Mollet, Judy Kiser, Bruce Johnson, Becky Podvent, Shelly Hinatsu, Dave Lutgens, Debbie Medina, Eva Summers, Rebecca Abrams, Keith and Marlene Clymer, Kim Birge, Lana Tepfer, and Doug Nelson who is a winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
The actor who won the best actor award for portraying Randle McMurphy in the 1975 psychological comedy-drama film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was Jack Nicholson. I received correct answers from Doug Nelson, Judy Kiser, Jim Tindall, Donna Mollet, Glenna Mahurin, Tom Schaefer, Marny Weting, Lana Tepfer, Bruce Johnson, Stephen Woolpert, and Julya Hoffman, this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.
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This classic, written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939, tells the story of the Joads and their journey from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the title of this novel? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with a photo of Henry Fonda in the 1940 screen adaptation of the novel in which he played the role of Tom Joad.
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Well, it’s been another week, enjoying the fall — that sweet spot between too cold and too hot. Until we meet again, enjoy the changing colors.
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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town Hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
Answer: No. Bill will pick up the bowl, drink the double scotch (which cost Ted about $10), and pay Ted $1 for losing the bet.
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