Strolling down memory lane

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Here goes the old girl down memory lane again. Do I do this because the old days were somehow better? Or is it because our world is (in my opinion) steadily spiraling out of control?

Oh well. Here are some more of my memories. They are not in any groups, just whatever I can remember in my mind.

I think I mentioned spoolies before, but I loved those colorful little rollers. Some of my friends rolled toilet tissue around their hair to keep in place while they slept. We also wore a small bow in our hair. How about pop beads?

Instead of putting jeans in the dryer, we put them on pants stretchers so they had a seam down the front and back. When we ironed we had a sprinkling bottle because there were no steam irons. We also hung our clothes outside. What a wonderful smell when we took them inside—especially sheets.

Most cooks wore an apron. We mashed our potatoes with a potato masher and opened cans manually. And not a microwave in sight! At home we had a toaster that you had to open and then the bread would fall over and then we would close it to toast on the other side. My Grandpa drank Ovaltine and cooled it in the saucer. We heated our house with a coal stove which I had to fill from the coal bucket when I came home from school.

We had 2 channels and a test pattern on our television. If it happened to be an election year and the conventions were on, oh my there was nothing to watch.

Remember when you got service at service stations? Windows were washed and tires were checked. And usually with a smile. They also had free air. And who thought of charging for air?

We had Top Value stamps and S&H Green stamps that you could exchange for merchandise.

What happened to SOHIO gas stations, Burger Chef (and Jeff), Bonanza Steak Houses, and bean bag ashtrays?

I think cat eye glasses are in fad again.

I made pot holders on a metal loom. They were good potholders, and lasted forever.

Remember wax bottles with some type of liquid in them? We would bite off the top and drink whatever was in there! How about red wax lips?

I used to play with paper dolls. Betsy McCall was one I remember.

If we tuned our radios just right, we could get Wolfman Jack on late at night on the weekends.

Speaking of going down memory lane, we had our 20th anniversary celebration here at the Senior Center, Sept. 9. All three former directors were able to attend. It was good to see them.

We have come quite a ways since 1997. Our classes and events have increased. We are now open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., through the week, and 8 a.m. until noon, Saturday.

It is good to relive the past, but it is also important to look toward the future.

Stop by the Senior Center of Sidney-Shelby County and see what the future holds for you! It could be exercise, cards, billiards, line dancing, Move n Groove or one of our other programs.

Let us amaze you with all we offer.

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By Eileen Wiseman

The writer is the executive director of the Senior Center of Sidney and Shelby County.

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