Bowling for Dollars 2013

More than 100 people gathered at Allen Park's Thunderbowl Lanes,
the original home of Bowling for Dollars to watch the taping
for a special that aired June 16 on WADL-TV in Detroit.

A ratings monster in the '70s, Bowling for Dollars episodes
sometimes pulled in half of Detroit's TV sets,
according to original host Bob Allison.

This kick-off show contains a lot of clips from the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hyOtdq02yU

READ MORE in USA Today

Dream Cruise Saturday in Tempe AZ

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2013
11 am to 2 pm
Sunshine's Motor City Cafe
7425 S. Harl Ave., Suite 2, Tempe AZ

http://www.facebook.com/SunshinesMotorCityCafe

In honor of the Woodward Dream Cruise being held in Detroit on that day, Sunshine's Motor City Cafe is opening the restaurant for us! They'll be serving Coney dogs, Better Made, Faygo, Vernors, Sanders and other items from their terrific menu.

Drivers of restored vintage cars (1979 or older) will receive a Coney Meal (two coney dogs, bag of Better Made and a Faygo (or other fountain drink).

Stop by and join us!

UPDATE: PHOTOS from the Event. Hot outside but we had a great time!

NEW from www.DetroitKidShow.com

JUNIOR JAMBOREE

AND THE DAWN OF CHILDREN'S TV IN DETROIT

http://detroitkidshow.com/Junior_Jamboree.htm

and

FUNEWS

Cartoons for the kids, weather and news for Mom & Dad

http://detroitkidshow.com/Funews.htm

VIDEO: 1976 TV2 Jimmy Hoffa Report

CLICK HERE

to watch the TV news video about his disappearance
on July 30, 1975.

VIDEO: Dearborn Now & Then: The Ford Rotunda

A terrific video about the history of our beloved Ford Rotunda.

http://vimeo.com/18567946

Thanks to Bud Lusk, Ken Ellegood and Larry Holland
for sending this link to me.

Great news about the Ste. Claire!

Photo from CardCow.com

By Kevin Mayer 
Facebook / Captain Boblo

The Ste. Claire is on her way to a grand comeback. Tremendous work has been done on the ship changing the question from “If she comes back” to “When she comes back!”

The plan for the Ste. Claire is to bring her out to Wyandotte in either September or October of 2014 as a permanently moored dockside attraction for a couple of years. All money generated from the attraction will be put back into the ship until she is ready to sail once again. 

Although there are many ideas being kicked around on how to power the old girl, the pistons will be made to work as we all remember. 

Some of the attractions offered include:

1. A two deck haunted house (adult haunt at night and a children’s haunt and other family activities during the day).
2. Guided tours of the ship.
3. Souvenir and concession sales.
4. Large movie screen on 4th deck for free movies in the park
5. Special events for seniors and families
6. Booking for private parties
7. Possible year-round use

____________
EILEEN'S NOTE: Dr. Ron Katoo, the owner of the Ste. Claire, has now brought in professional crews to expedite the restoration. I have asked Kevin to email me when they need volunteers, knowing that lot of folks who read this Newsletter would be willing to help out.

CHECK IT OUT!
FILM: Boblo Boats have a role in the new Transformers movie!

VIDEO: The "tunnel" under Jefferson Ave. to Belle Isle in 1968

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fWtVXkZ7gU

Thanks to Lee Dixon for sending this link.

Safety Patrol Boys 1950s and 60s

From Leon "Lee" Dixon

A bizarre Detroit thing happened recently while I was at a Packard Meet. 

In the days of yore, young boys (myself included) in Detroit were trained to supervise kids crossing the street at each corner on the way to school. We wore a special white belt made of webbing similar to a seat belt in today's cars. This belt went around the waist and at a diagonal up and over one shoulder and across the chest and back. It was a real thing of pride to wear back in the 1950s and early 60s. (The belts were later changed to dayglo orange.)

At the Meet, I got talking with a fellow by the name of John Ambrogio. We discovered we'd both attended Hilger Elementary School on the east side— although he was there a few years before me—and that we were both on the Safety Patrol. When I mentioned that I was a lieutenant, so was he! We talked about the special white belt we wore and the fact that officers on the Patrol had special badges attached to the belt. At Hilger, there was a captain and two lieutenants. When I mentioned that I'd save my badges, he said... "Wait a minute, I think I saved a couple, too." Sure enough, he reached into his case and pulled out a captain's and a lieutenant's badge! 

I scanned the badges here along with my last original ID card. (I think I re-used the ID card after I left and penned older ages over what originally was "9-10" years old). I also believe that Hilger is misspelled on the card...think it had only one "L". The Safety Patrol was sponsored by AAA Automobile Club of Michigan, hence the "AAA" on the badges.

You could show your Safety Patrol ID and get into various things for free or greatly reduced price. The cards were honored at Tiger games at Briggs Stadium (before it became Tiger Stadium) and the donut shop would give you one free donut. Once a year AAA hosted a special day in the spring where all Detroit Safety Patrol Boys were taken to Briggs Stadium for a free baseball game that included hot dogs from a Detroit area company and Vernor's Ginger Ale. DSR busses would line up at key schools and pick up the boys for a full day of baseball bacchanalia.

BOOK: The Motor City and Me: Our Story

The Motor City and Me: Our Story

by Mary Anne McMahon

I recently published a book called The Motor City and Me: Our Story. It highlights the rich history of Detroit and how the Motor City has left a lasting impact on me. Paralleling the rise and fall of Detroit with the ups and downs of my own life, I demonstrate how Detroit values strengthened and reassured me throughout difficult times. I was born and raised in Detroit. I experienced a happy 1950s Detroit childhood, attending east side Catholic schools and enjoying the once flourishing city. I graduated from  the University of Detroit. I have 28 years of teaching experience, including time during the Detroit's period of racial unrest in the 1960s. I believe my book would interest those Detroiters who follow your website since I discuss the Detroit time period 1950s - 1970s.

The Motor City and Me is available on Amazon.

Summertime in Michigan and Five Old-Fashioned Drive-in Restaurants

CLICK HERE

to read the article in the
Detroit Free Press

New Retro Detroiter website

Check it out!

www.RETRODETROITER.com

"Dawgs" Michigan Coney Island Hot Dogs, Fairfield CA

Coneys, Better Made, Faygo and more!

http://www.miconeyislanddawgs.com/blog/

(800) 592-9890

(707) 207-4172

Email: MiConeyDawg@yahoo.com

Detroit's Population ~ 1840 to 2012

PBS series 'Genealogy Roadshow' filmed in Detroit

The taping of a new PBS series titled Genealogy Roadshow took place a few weeks ago in Indian Village. The show will premiere nationally this fall.

Described as part detective story, part emotional journey, Genealogy Roadshow combines history and science to uncover Americans' family stories. The show's first season is to feature participants from Detroit; Nashville, Tenn.; Austin, Texas; and San Francisco.

One of the genealogists featured in the show is from Detroit. Kenyatta Berry graduated from Cass Tech, Michigan State University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is president of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

From the Genealogy Roadshow website:

DETROIT

While Detroit is known mainly for two things — cars and Motown — there is much more to the city, which boasts one of the most diverse populations in the country. After its settlement by French-Canadians, Detroit attracted a large number of Europeans and immigrants of Middle Eastern descent, making it now home to the largest Arab-American community in the country. As well, hundreds of thousands of African-Americans moved to Detroit from the rural southern U.S. as part of The Great Migration of the 20th century. Detroit was the first place in the country to have a stretch of concrete highway and a four-way, three-color traffic light. It supplied 75 percent of the liquor during the Prohibition era and was the birthplace of the ice cream soda.

For more info, go to:

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/07/pbs_series_genealogy_roadshow.html

http://www.dptv.org/grshow/

What happened to Detroit Memories on Facebook?

DETROIT MEMORIES

On Tuesday, July 2nd, the Detroit Memories Facebook page was transitioned from being a 3,400 member site to having only one member, me.

What were the reasons behind this change? Well, there were several:
 
In 2011, when the Detroit Memories Facebook page was created, it was the first of its kind to offer "memories of metro Detroit from the 50s, 60s and 70s." I was excited about having a venue where Detroiters could participate and share. For a very long time, it was everything I'd envisioned, and the group's membership grew steadily. 

However, in the last few months, the numbers suddenly began a dramatic increase. Till then, I'd never considered how large this group could become, and it was already requiring a higher level of diligence by the volunteer admins: Gary, Lee, Pat, and Bobbie, and me.

We prided ourselves on keeping the site organized and on topic. Guidelines were published from the onset that clearly expressed our theme (mentioned above) and our expectations. Because Detroit Memories is my business (as well as my pleasure), I considered the Facebook page an extension of my efforts, so it was important to me that the page was well managed and maintained. 

Along with the escalating membership, we found ourselves dealing with more and more criticism from those who felt that adhering to Guidelines had no place on Facebook. Rather than simply 'unsubscribe' and go elsewhere, they resorted to arguing, insults, name-calling and bashing our page in other Facebook groups, even going so far as to call us "copycats." I was then I knew we had lost our uniqueness...and I was losing what little was left of my civility.

I've dealt with many complainers in my 11 years as owner of Detroit Memories, but when the negatives begin to outweigh the positives, it's time to move away and move on. So that's what I'm doing.

Eventually Detroit Memories may reappear on Facebook, but if/when it does, it will be as a resource for Detroit-related news, photos, announcements and such. Don't look for this to happen any time soon. I need to research the alternatives available to accommodate the format I envision. Plus, I need a break from Facebook for awhile. When/if a new page is up and running, the announcement will be made in this Newsletter. 

Meanwhile, it's business as usual for the Arizona-Detroiters, Florida Detroiters, Texas-Detroiters, California-Detroiters and Nevada-Detroiters Facebook groups, the Detroit Memories website, and this monthly Newsletter.

My sincere appreciation to my Admins and to those of you who contributed, supported and enjoyed the Detroit Memories Facebook page for the past two years. 

Eileen Trombley Glick
Web: www.DetroitMemories.com
Email: detroitmemories@yahoo.com 

PS: Your comments or questions are welcome, either below or via email.

Cinderella's Glass Slipper 1960

Eileen,

My mother, Annette Urban Sobczak, was a Detroit native. In 1960, not only did the glass slipper fit, she was chosen as Cinderella! Could we expand on the tradition in some way? We have some photos and I would love a chance to preserve a piece of her memory. 

Sarah Sobszak Spoljarick
Taylor MI

 

The Detroit Times, August 17, 1960

AS THE STORY GOES -- Prince charming finds his Cinderella by means of a glass slipper. Here it's Mark Nardini, 10, Annette Urban, 9.

Blond, blue-eyed Annette won out over 6,347 other little Detroit girls in the Central Business District's annual Cinderella search and yesterday was crowned a princess.

The pretty 9-year-old was picked for the princess crown from among 87 finalists who each tried on Cinderella's glass slipper at the Bank of the Commonwealth.

Annette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Urban, of 6897 Edward, was crowned by Prince Charming, Mark Nardini, of 456 Bayside.

The princess will receive a back-to-school wardrobe and will be guest of honor at a luncheon Monday at the Sheraton-Cadillac Hotel.

Afterward she and Prince Charming will share a carriage ride to the old city hall where Annette will reign over a fashion show opening Back-To-School Week."

CLICK HERE for more 16 more photos!

Detroit Ticket Stubs

Hi Eileen, 

I was going through a few boxes and I found one envelope of old ticket stubs, all from the 1960s in Detroit. 

Leon "Lee" Dixon
St. Catherine's HS, 1966

DETROIT DRAGWAY

This was a championship even in the early 1960s
with Jack Chrisman setting a record in a 1964 Mercury Comet.

OLYMPIA STADIUM

I believe this was for Sly & The Family Stone.

BOB-LO ISLAND PARK

These were unused ride tickets from the Island...50 cents worth... which was a LOT to me at that time!

DSR BUS TRANSFERS

I used to ride the 2nd Blvd. bus every day to school.
It went along 6 Mile Road, down 2nd... and then I would transfer to Forest Avenue Crosstown line to take me to St. Catherine)

________________________________________________________

Have something you'd like to share? 

Send it to me at detroitmemories@yahoo.com

HeartSoul Detroit Opening Night Celebration!

 Detroit Historical Society

5401 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI 48202

(313) 833-1805

www.detroithistorical.org

St. Gregory's Alumni say goodbye

Ted Mac, St. Gregory class of 1954 and his wife Louise Mac, St. Gregory class of 1955, Livonia residents, walk the halls of their old school.

Photo by James Fassinger/Special to Detroit Free Press

The day was bittersweet for hundreds of people with decades of memories from St. Gregory the Great parish in Detroit. Many alumni, who grew up attending both the church and the now-shuttered grade school and high school, returned Sunday to reconnect with former classmates and say good-bye to the church that they believe will close in coming weeks. “There’s a lot of tears,” said Ward Case, president of the St. Gregory Alumni Association. “Some people upset that they won’t be coming back — they know it.”

Read more: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013306090153
By Elisha Anderson, Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Sanders Vanilla Buttercream Bumpy Cake

Sanders Vanilla Buttercream Bumpy Cake flavor is now available at all Safeway, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Dominick’s, Food City, Genuardi's and Carrs grocery stores across the country. Also available at all Sanders locations in Michigan & select MI Kroger locations. 

Enjoy this yellow cake with Sanders signature buttercream icing over traditional bumps. Decorate it with blueberries or strawberries.

Johnny Ginger to appear at Variety Show

Catch Johnny Ginger on  

Wednesday, June 12th 

at the  

Riverhouse Banquet Center 

5 Amvet Drive

Mt. Clemens MI 48043

$35 tickets include dinner, show and open bar.

Doors open at 6 pm, dinner at 7 pm, show at 8 pm

For tickets, call 586-463-0670 or 586-291-1864

Check out RetroKimmer's blog page dedicated to Johnny Ginger

Detroit Photos

 Historic Detroit Photo Galleries

Dime Building Lobby

To view the collection:

 Galleries — Historic Detroit

Detroit Memories Email Inbox

Eileen,

I don't have much opportunity to check the latest Detroit Memories but every time time I do I can't tear myself away.

In the 60's I worked at various stations when I was a student at WSU. Spent time at WEXL, WOMC, WABX, WQTE, and WHFI. While at WABX, Jim Rockwell ("This is Rockwell, These are records.") came on after me. 

Since he was such a large part of Detroit radio, I thought folks might want to know he's still around and currently living in Michigan's U.P.

Best regards,

Lou Lobsinger (aka Lou Singer)
Otisville MI

Detroit Trivia Night at the Hard Rock Cafe Detroit!

Wednesday, June 5! 

Registration starts at 6 p.m. 

Trivia at 6:30 p.m. 

The Detroit Historical Society continues its pop culture trivia  nights at the Hard Rock Cafe Detroit with the final night of the spring session on Wednesday, June 5.

Participants in Detroit Trivia may choose to register as a team of three to five people, or register solo and be matched with a team of players. The games will feature three rounds of trivia with a total of 50 questions. The team that takes first place in the competition will receive Hard Rock Cafe gift cards and additional prizes from the Detroit Historical Society. Second and third place team members will also take home prizes. All Detroit Trivia players will enjoy drink and appetizer specials at Hard Rock Cafe Detroit.

Participants can register online or at the door for a suggested $10 donation per person. Proceeds benefit the Detroit Historical Society's Past>Forward fundraising campaign. 

Contact Nova Zorok at 313.833.1262 or novaz@detroithistorical.org to register in advance.

The 70's: A Detroit Band called "Death"

"Death Was Punk Before Punk Was Punk"

READ THE ARTICLE: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/arts/music/15rubi.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2
By MIKE RUBIN
New York Times

WATCH THE VIDEO: 

See the Hackney Bros at UHF Records in Royal Oak!
June 8, 2013
More info:
http://www.retrokimmer.com/2013/06/see-death-bandhackney-brothers-at-uhf.html

Kicking out the Jams: Fans Recall Local Bands Always Ready to Rock

 

Mitch Ryder & The Detroit WheelsPhoto courtesy of Retrokimmer

'RETROKIMMER' INTERVIEWED
IN OAKLAND PRESS

Detroit can boast countless home grown bands. Since the late ’60s, local rock bands such as Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Motor City 5 (MC5), Iggy Pop and the Stooges, Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band and Ted Nugent have risen to the top to put Detroit on the map.  

Read more about Kim Maki and her blog: http://www.retrokimmer.com/2013/05/retrokimmer-interviewed-in-oakland-press.html

Detroit Historical Society ~ Behind the Scenes Tours

Go Behind the Scenes at some of metro Detroit's most unique locations!

Listen as our expert guides show you these places in ways you've never experienced before!  These weekly tours normally take place on Saturdays, but occasionally special tours take place on weekdays.  On average, tours last from 90 minutes to two hours.

Because reservations are required and many tours sell out quickly, we recommend that you make your plans for these tours well in advance.

Behind the Scenes Tours are sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation.

 ________________________________________

Purchase the Book

Mt. Olivet Cemetery Walking Tour

Saturday, June 8

2 - 4 p.m.

$20 - Society members

$30 - Guests

Since 1888, Mt. Olivet Cemetery has been a comforting and stable presence on Detroit's east side. Today, Mt. Olivet is the largest cemetery in Detroit, consisting of more than 300 acres of carefully tended lawns and gardens that create a peaceful oasis in the city.

Dozens of private family mausoleums can be seen throughout the grounds, interspersed with towering oaks and maples. Many of them honor multiple generations of Detroit area families. Visitors to Mt. Olivet will also see an impressive assortment of individual memorials erected from the 19th century through the present day.

________________________________________

  

Historic Detroit Tour

Saturday, June 15

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

$70 - Society members

$80 - Guests

All day tour includes lunch and resource materials!

The "Historic Detroit" tour is led by Society volunteers Jim and Annette McConnell. Ride in the comfort of a Bianco motor coach as you hear stories from Detroit's past and view key historic sites in our community. Travel to downtown Detroit to walk the grounds where Cadillac founded the city in 1701, learn about the Great Fire of 1805, and see how the Woodward Plan shaped the modern city. Other tour highlights include seeing some key locations from the early years of Ford Motor Company and driving through Detroit's entertainment and sports areas. We will also visit the New Center area, historic Corktown, Midtown and the vibrant Cultural Center. Areas of special interest include the birthplaces of Motown and the Model T. Guests will enjoy lunch at Sindbad's on the Detroit River.

Advance registration is required.  

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets or call (313) 833-1801.

  

Paul Adams debuts a new Detroit poster

Hello Eileen,

It's also been awhile since we've seen the terrific water color paintings of Detroit by my friend and native Detroiter, Paul Adams. As you know, he has a series of familiar 1950s scenes of Detroit, Woodward, and sports on his web site that will surely spark many fond Detroit memories:



 
http://www.paulhadams.com

More of his work (and mine) can be seen locally at:

State of Mind Gallery
120 E. Main St.
Northville, MI 48167

Great Lakes Market Place
107 S Saginaw St
Holly, Michigan 48442

Best regards,

Jim Richie

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jcritchie

L.A.-DETROITERS / MICHIGANDERS PICNIC

SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2013

11:00am-7:00pm

Cheviot Hills Recreation Center

Los Angeles CA

Picnic Area 1 

Music provided by Detroiter Kevin Williams (who now lives in Phoenix AZ).

Respond to detroitersla@yahoo.com if you are planning to attend or call 818-270-1025.

Include your name, the metro Detroit High School you attended, and the names of others in your group. 

Check out our website http://www.michiganla.com to get on our mailing list.

Other activities (roller skating, dancing, etc.) will be finalized soon. 

Gloria Taylor

Picnic Organizer
Los Angeles, CA

PS: We're looking for volunteers to help out.