PHOTOS: Where We Ate

Burger Chef

 

Greenfields

Howard Johnson's

Huck's Lakeshore

Machus Red Fox

Stockholm's

 Stouffer's

  Susie Q.

Ted's

DOCUMENTARY ~ MC5: A True Testimonial

The absolutely terrific documentary MC5: A True Testimonial was made in 2002 but never had a theatrical run and has never been released on DVD. Other than screenings at film festivals, the movie has mostly gone unseen despite receiving stellar reviews. The reasons were legal entanglements that often cripple or doom rockumentaries to obscurity, the details of which I’m not going to get into because they involve friends I don’t want to piss off.

Here’s a rare chance to see MC5: A True Testimonial. It may not last long on YouTube so I suggest watching it now. A finer film on the Motor City 5 will doubtlessly never be made.

Marc Campbell, www.DangerousMind.net

Johnny Ginger still gettin' out there!

Robin Seymour and Johnny Ginger in 2006

Detroit television star entertains fans in Livonia

Detroit television icon Johnny Ginger was in his element earlier this week as he sang and joked his way through a free public performance at Marycrest Heights, a senior independent living center in Livonia.

He easily drew laughs, applause and eventually a standing ovation as he entertained with songs, a running gag, and jokes, bringing back memories of his wacky kids’ shows, Curtain Time Theater, which ran from 1958-60, and The Johnny Ginger Show, from 1960-68, both on WXYZ-TV Channel 7.

READ MORE in the Observer & Eccentric

Sanders Newest Bumpy Cake

CHECK IT OUT:

http://www.sanderscandy.com/Caramel-Bumpy-Cake-p/27822.htm

A LIFE REMEMBERED

ANNA GORDY GAYE

The funeral for music entrepreneur and Motown executive Anna Gordy Gaye was on Feb. 12 at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles. Gaye died Friday in L.A., age 92, of natural causes.

The former Detroiter is defined in headlines by her relationship to powerful men — her brother was Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., and her husband Marvin Gaye. But just like all of Gordy’s sisters, Anna was a memorable, entrepreneurial woman in her own right, integral in the founding of her brother’s Detroit company, and in the revolutionary “Motown sound.”

READ MORE from The Detroit News: 

A LIFE REMEMBERED

GARY GRIMSHAW

Poster artist and Minister of Art for the White Panther Party 

has died after a long illness at the age of 67.

 

READ MORE:
http://www.retrokimmer.com/2014/01/sad-newslegendary-poster-artist-gary.html

A NIGHT OF GRANDE LOVE 
A benefit was held to celebrate the life of iconic poster artist Gary Grimshaw

A LIFE REMEMBERED

WILLIAM A. MOSS

Detroit Artist

Bill Moss was born on Detroit, Michigan’s east side November 20, 1943 the youngest child of the late Joseph Allen Moss and Helen Dyer Moss. His daily commute to Detroit’s Cass Technical High School heightened his interest in the history and architecture of his home town. He graduated from Cass Technical in 1962 and continued his education at Wayne State University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1966.

READ MORE: http://captainofthefleet.com/

KEVIN MAYER'S VERY OWN BOBLO

Kevin Mayer loves everything Boblo. So much so that he created his own miniature Boblo Island Amusement Park in his home. The detail is astonishing. You're sure to recognize many of the rides.

GoDaddy drops the ball...and not on New Year's Eve

My apologies to all of the Yahoo!, Comcast, Cox or other email service subscribers who didn't receive the December 2013 Detroit Memories Newsletter. 

The software I use for the broadcast email notice is supported by GoDaddy. Until recently, after 10 years of being their customer, I haven't experienced any problems. But lately, it's been one thing after another.

Over 400 emails bounced last month. I submitted an Inquiry about the problem and was told that it was being sent to a higher level resolution team. That's pretty much where it stands. No word on whether the problem has been fixed. I can only cross my fingers that this month's issue reaches everyone...or most everyone.

Also, several subscribers have reported receiving the notice for the Newsletter in ASCII instead of HTML. If that's happening to you, I'll need a copy of the source file or an .EML file. Please send it to me at: info@detroitmemories.com

In the future, if you don't receive the notice about the Newsletter by the 7th of the month, you can always come directly to this blog by using this URL:
detroitmemories.blogspot.com

My sincere wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2014! And thank you all for your terrific support of Detroit Memories!

Eileen

UPDATE 1/6/2014: It appears the problem with the email accounts has been fixed.

Cinderella Photos and Story

A big thank you to Sarah Sobczak for sharing the Cinderella's Glass Slipper 1960 photos and story (July 2013). I remember those events; after reading the article I see I was one of the 6,000+ little girls who waited in line to try on the glass slipper. 

I had thought the event was held at J.L. Hudson, as I remember standing in a line which wrapped around several blocks and buildings downtown maybe Hudson's was one of those mammoth buildings.  I remember walking into a large auditorium and sitting down to be "fitted with the shoe." I was only 4 or 5 years old at the time, so my memory wasn't detailed. I do remember the consolation gift was a 9" beautiful doll encased in a plastic bell shaped enclosure. Those are still keepsakes, five years worth that I do cherish.

I would love to hear or read an even more detailed account of this event in Detroit's history. 

Thank you to Eileen for continuing to compile these fond Detroit memories, they truly are treasures to maintain.

Dianne Zak

St. Ladislaus HS, 1974

CLICK HERE to view the photos of the Cinderella's Glass Slipper.

NOTE: A consolation prize of an 8" doll 'dressed to the nines' enclosed in a plastic bell-shaped container was given to those whose foot did not fit the shoe. 

A LIFE REMEMBERED

Yusef, performing at the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2007

YUSEF LATEEF

Legendary tenor saxophonist, oboist, flutist and composer Yusef Lateef, whose 75-year odyssey in music took him from the jazz clubs of Detroit to the fields of Africa, the world of classical music and the halls of academia, died Monday at his home in Shutesbury, Mass, near Amherst. He was 93.

READ MORE

January 2014 Newsletter Sponsor

This month's 

Detroit Memories Newsletter

is sponsored by:

Bill Haffner

Divine Child HS, 1969

________________________

Sponsor this monthly
Detroit Memories Newsletter
reaching more than 3,000 subscribers in the
U.S., Japan, U.K., Israel, Canada and more

for as little as $20!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Kevin Mayer's Boblo

Kevin Mayer is an avowed Boblo Island fanatic and an ex-employee of the now defunct amusement park. He has assembled a miniature version of the parks rides in detail. You can view a Facebook video of his working model when you CLICK HERE.

He also has The Bug ride in his backyard!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Christmas Carol (Maureen Bailey)
puts the finishing touches on a model car.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Celebrate the Holidays with memories of
Detroit during the Holiday Season.

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!

REMEMBERING WHEN...

DETROIT'S HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

by William Moss

The 36th Annual J. L. Hudson Company Thanksgiving Day Santa Parade started at 9:25 a.m. on November 22, 1962.  At 10:53 a.m. Santa arrived at the Ice Castle and was greeted by Christmas Carol and Channel 4 weatherman Sonny Elliott.  Mayor Jerome Cavanagh presented Santa the nicest key of all – the key to the hearts of good boys and girls. Notice the yellow fork lift that brought Santa from his Reindeer Float to the Ice Castle.

Reprinted with permission. 

See more works by William Moss

http://captainofthefleet.com.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

William Moss has captured Detroit's past in his limited edition lithographs, along with a DVD which brings to life the memories of the city that he knew. 

Bill has a passion for Detroit and shows it in his work - you can almost feel the vibrations from the passing street cars on the brick streets, taste a Boston Cooler at Vernors, or hear the roar of the crowd at the corner of Michigan & Trumbull.  Remember standing on the deck of the Bob-Lo boat in a balmy breeze, or feeling the blustery winds while watching Santa arrive to receive the Key to the City of the Straits?

Bill was born on Detroit's East side in 1943. His daily commute to Cass Technical High School heightened his interest in the history and architecture of his home town. He graduated from Cass Tech in 1962 and continued his education at Wayne State University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1966. His highly detailed style of painting is a result of combining extensive historical research with a career as an architectural delineator.

OUR HOLIDAY PHOTOS

Karen Vander Putten (nee Kloss), age 5, 
at J.L. Hudson's in 1955. 

Pershing 1968 graduate.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SEE ALL HOLIDAY PHOTOS

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Like to have your photo added to the Holiday Photo gallery?

Email it to me at
info@detroitmemories.com

LUNCH with ROBIN SEYMOUR

Saturday, Dec 7, 2013

Sunshine's Motor City Cafe
Tempe AZ

What a fun time we had with Robin!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS
__________________

READ MORE ABOUT ROBIN

A LIFE REMEMBERED

DWAYNE X. RILEY

Longtime Detroit broadcaster Dwayne X. Riley, a 35-year veteran of Channel 4 (WWJ-TV, then WDIV) died Wednesday after heart surgery at St. Johns Hospital in Detroit. He was 84.

Riley was one of the dwindling number of TV anchors who came to the medium from radio and print and were more prized for their writing ability and unflappable delivery than for on-camera pizzazz.

READ MORE From The Detroit News, Susan Whitall

December 2013 Newsletter Sponsor

This month's 

Detroit Memories Newsletter

is sponsored by:

Ron & Nancy Gosselin

________________________

Thank you, Ron & Nancy!

Sponsor this monthly
Detroit Memories Newsletter
reaching 3,000 subscribers in the
U.S., Japan, U.K., Israel, Canada and more

for as little as $20!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Upcoming Class Reunions

From http://www.candgnews.com/Reunions.asp

Saturday, March 24, 2014

Warren Fitzgerald High School is having a 40-year reunion for members of the graduating class of 1974. The reunion will begin at 6 p.m. at Club Monte Carlo, located at 50265 Van Dyke Ave. in Shelby Township. Tickets are $45 per person. For more information, call (586) 291-7998 or (248) 496-8916.

Hudson's Thanksgiving Day Parade 1962

Detroit Remember When: The History of Detroit Television

Detroit Public TV Fundraiser
Monday, December 2, 2013
8 PM

Celebrate Detroit’s legacy with The History of Detroit Television, a Public TV documentary detailing our contribution to media in the 20^th century and beyond.  

The History of Detroit Television is more than just a film. It’s a living museum, a monument to a time that could easily be forgotten. This program is a salute to a time when TV was as local as Vernors, Sanders Hot Fudge and Hudsons. The stars of the day were Soupy Sales, Van Patrick, Lou Gordon, George Pierrot, Bill Kennedy, Milky The Clown and host of other colorful characters. Their influence was enormous and they contributed to Detroit’s sense of community. We remember a time when a cub scout troop could visit Sagebrush Shorty while future stars such as Stevie Wonder and Bob Seger made their first television appearances on Robin Seymour’s Swingin’ Time. 

Using rare footage and clips as well as conversations with many of Detroit’s television pioneers, The History of Detroit Television goes back to the day Detroiters saw their first television programs in 1947 and shows how local television became an important part of the fabric of Detroit’s unique identity. This exciting nostalgic program will make its debut as part of Detroit Public TV’s fundraising efforts and will be replayed multiple times over the course of the year. 

Join us as we introduce a chapter of Detroit history to new generations and provide a nostalgic look back for those who enjoyed these personalities and programs when they first appeared.

BENEFIT for Detroit native Dennis Rowland, Phoenix jazz singer

October Newsletter Sponsor

This Newsletter is Sponsored by

TOM RYAN
St. Gregory HS, 1960

on behalf of 

Sgt. Sacto, Count Scary and Hudson's Thanksgiving Parade Santa

________________________

Thank you, Tom!

Sponsor this monthly
Detroit Memories Newsletter
reaching 3,000 subscribers in the U.S.,
Japan, U.K., Israel, Canada and more

for as little as $20!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

A LIFE REMEMBERED: Gates Brown

Tigers great Gates Brown,
master of the lost art of pinch-hitting

Gates Brown, an outfielder who played his entire 13-year major league career with the Detroit Tigers, has died. He was 74.

Brown played on Detroit's 1968 team that won the World Series, and was part of another title with the Tigers in 1984 as a batting coach.

READ MORE by John Lowe, Detroit Free Presss Sports Writer

Milky the Clown

What’s the magic word?

If your answer is “Twin Pines” you’ve probably spent countless

Saturday afternoons in front of the family TV enjoying the
mystifying magic of Milky the Clown. Milky is one of the legends
of Detroit TV. Clare Cummings was the man behind the legend.

CLICK HERE

to read more about Clare Cummings

by Ed Golick, www.DetroitKidShow.com

__________________________

This Twin Pines milk bottle from the estate of Clare Cummings

recently sold on eBay for $154!

Detroit's Mayors

ALBERT E. COBO 1950-1957

LOUIS C. MIRIANI 1957-1962

JEROME P. CAVANAGH 1962-1970

ROMAN S. GRIBBS 1970-1974

COLEMAN A. YOUNG 1974-1994

READ MORE: 

http://www.freep.com/article/20130915/NEWS01/309150060/

VIDEO: WXYZ Reunion History by Megan Saunders and Erik Smith

Read the article
about the WXYZ Reunion held Sept 28, 2013.

VIDEO: The Long Career of TV Anchor Erik Smith in 3.5 Minutes

Detroit Telephone Exchanges

Check out the discussion and view photos of the various
Michigan Bell buildings in the Detroit area.
http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/6790/63149.html

Thank you to Mike Meredith for the above photos.

Genealogy Roadshow: Detroit

Watch as Detroiters discover their genealogy!

http://www.pbs.org/program/genealogy-roadshow/

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Interested in discovering more about your genealogy?

Detroit Society for Genealogical Research

A non-profit organization for the preservation and perpetuation
of the records of ancestors and families of the commonwealth,

and to be of assistance to the Burton Historical Collection, 

Detroit Public Library.

"Quizdown" Featured Local Grade School Students

Attached is a picture that appeared the Detroit Free Press of my appearance (far right, top) on a local quiz show called Quizdown. My whole family came to the broadcast at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Pretty head stuff for an 8th grader!

I recall two questions of the four asked, and I did answer all of them correctly: Where is Corsica? What mammal has a cow for a mother, a bull for a father, and a pup for baby?

Quizdown was pretty popular. The winning team attended a performance of Babes in Toyland.

Cheers, 
Bob Walczak

____________

ABOUT QUIZDOWN

by Ed Golick,
webmaster of www.DetroitKidShow.com

Quizdown aired every Saturday morning on WXYZ radio. The program was sponsored by The Detroit Free Press and featured teams from two local public or private schools competing against each other by answering general knowledge questions as provided by other Detroit area students. Tom Waber was the emcee. Casey Kasem got his first job in radio as an usher on Quizdown. For a brief time the program was simulcast over both WXYZ radio and TV.

Prizes were given to the winning team, including the coveted Quizdown "Highest Honors" medal (at left).

Architecture, restoration showcased in Palmer Park tour

• TONY BRISCOE 
• THE DETROIT NEWS

• 
  

\

Detroit — From Art Moderne to Venetian, tour guides lead droves of people through the city’s historic Palmer Park neighborhood to showcase the range of architectural styles as well as recent restoration of a several of its apartment buildings.

From The Detroit News: READ MORE

Is There a Detroit-Food Themed Restaurant in Your Town?

            ARIZONA            

Detroit Coney

930 W Broadway
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 219-7430

https://www.facebook.com/DetroitConeyGrill

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Sunshine's Motor City Cafe

7425 S Harl Ave
Tempe, AZ 85283

(480) 730-1114

https://www.facebook.com/SunshinesMotorCityCafe

_____________________________________________________________

            CALIFORNIA            

"Dawgs" Michigan Coney Island Hot Dogs

628 Parker Rd 2C
Fairfield CA 94533

(707) 437-1309

https://www.facebook.com/miconeyislanddawgs

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Bobby's Detroit Coney Island
79630 Highway 111
La Quinta CA 92253
(760) 347-2200
http://www.bobbysdetroitconeyisland.com/index.html

_____________________________________________________________

           NEVADA           

American Coney Island
301 Fremont St
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 388-2120
http://www.americanconeyisland.com

_____________________________________________________________

           NORTH CAROLINA           

Cloo's Coney Island Hot Dogs

2233 Avent Ferry Rd

Raleigh NC 27606

 http://www.yelp.com/biz/cloos-coney-island-hot-dogs-raleigh

_____________________________________________________________

           TEXAS          

VIA 313
@ The Violet Crown Social Club
1111 East 6th
Austin TX 78702
(512) 939-1927

@ Craft Pride
61 Rainey St
Austin TX 78701

(512) 609-9405
http://www.via313.com

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Motor City Coney Island

1300 Main Street
Dallas TX 75202
(214) 760-0000
https://www.facebook.com/MotorCityConeyIsland
http://www.yelp.com/biz/motor-city-coney-island-dallas


_______________________________________________________________

Know of a 'Detroit-themed restaurant 
(not located in or around Detroit) that serves 50s-70s food?

Let's get it added to this list!

Send me an email with the info:

detroitmemories@yahoo.com