Category Archives: Suburbia
Vintage Fall Follies
Burning Leaves- Hokey Smokey! The smell of burning leaves is forever seared in my mind. As memorable as the blazing orange and red colors of the fall leaves of my childhood were , it was the vibrant warmth of the
Vintage Fall Follies
Burning Leaves- Hokey Smokey! The smell of burning leaves is forever seared in my mind. As memorable as the blazing orange and red colors of the fall leaves of my childhood were , it was the vibrant warmth of the
Redskins in Heap Big Trouble
Many are on the warpath over the use of the offensive name Redskins. The debate over the Washington football team Redskins name made national television this past week. Not only did South Park dedicate its season premier to skewering the
Redskins in Heap Big Trouble
Many are on the warpath over the use of the offensive name Redskins. The debate over the Washington football team Redskins name made national television this past week. Not only did South Park dedicate its season premier to skewering the
Plugged into the American Dream
In 1956 happy homemaker Helen Watson didn’t give a hoot about leaving carbon footprints; in fact if one were pointed out to her she’d most likely plug-in her powerful Electrolux vacuum and sweep it all away. Was she concerned
Plugged into the American Dream
In 1956 happy homemaker Helen Watson didn’t give a hoot about leaving carbon footprints; in fact if one were pointed out to her she’d most likely plug-in her powerful Electrolux vacuum and sweep it all away. Was she concerned
Back to School Shoes
It was the day before Labor Day 1957 and the countdown had begun for the end of summer and the new school term. From Long Island to Little Rock, crisp black and white marbled composition notebooks were hastily purchased, and
Back to School Shoes
It was the day before Labor Day 1957 and the countdown had begun for the end of summer and the new school term. From Long Island to Little Rock, crisp black and white marbled composition notebooks were hastily purchased, and
Saying So Long to Summer
Bidding the Beach Club Goodbye Labor Day signaled the last call at my Grandmothers Long Island beach club. Just as white shoes would make their final appearance of the season, so it was time to bid the sandy white beach
Saying So Long to Summer
Bidding the Beach Club Goodbye Labor Day signaled the last call at my Grandmothers Long Island beach club. Just as white shoes would make their final appearance of the season, so it was time to bid the sandy white beach
The Beat of the Suburbs
The suburbs of postwar Long Island silently simmered in a preordained sameness, no more so than in the summer. Summer days were metered out in predictable beats. Smoky backyard barbecues were a ho-hum summer staple of mid-century suburban life, but
The Beat of the Suburbs
The suburbs of postwar Long Island silently simmered in a preordained sameness, no more so than in the summer. Summer days were metered out in predictable beats. Smoky backyard barbecues were a ho-hum summer staple of mid-century suburban life, but
The Missiles and Sandcastles of Summer
As eyebrows are raised as Russia tests a new ground launched cruise missile, my thoughts drifted to those pre-test treaty times when the sight of a truck toting a missile was just part of Cold war summer fun. Summer beach
The Missiles and Sandcastles of Summer
As eyebrows are raised as Russia tests a new ground launched cruise missile, my thoughts drifted to those pre-test treaty times when the sight of a truck toting a missile was just part of Cold war summer fun. Summer beach
When Good Humor Ruled the Suburbs
Growing up in mid-century Long Island, no sound was more welcome than the suburban siren call of summer – the seductive jingling bells of the Good Humor truck. Normally at the first ring of that irresistible ding-a-ling-ling, slippery tots would
When Good Humor Ruled the Suburbs
Growing up in mid-century Long Island, no sound was more welcome than the suburban siren call of summer – the seductive jingling bells of the Good Humor truck. Normally at the first ring of that irresistible ding-a-ling-ling, slippery tots would
An Atomic Fairy Tale
1950 was Cinderella’s year. My mother Betty knew it was an omen. After 6 long years of waiting, Disney’s much anticipated movie, Cinderella was finally opening and now Betty Joseph’s days of waiting were over too- she was getting
An Atomic Fairy Tale
1950 was Cinderella’s year. My mother Betty knew it was an omen. After 6 long years of waiting, Disney’s much anticipated movie, Cinderella was finally opening and now Betty Joseph’s days of waiting were over too- she was getting
A Wash & Wear Summer
Summertime and the living was easy especially in the post war world of wash n’ wear clothing. Summer and synthetics was a match made in chemical lab heaven. The easy care revolution in textiles was always in full display at
A Wash & Wear Summer
Summertime and the living was easy especially in the post war world of wash n’ wear clothing. Summer and synthetics was a match made in chemical lab heaven. The easy care revolution in textiles was always in full display at




