"The Wheel" is my favorite part of the show....
By Kevin Williams
Ah, it is Throwback Thursday, so here are five things I am nostalgic for...and, yes, I know, some of this stuff is probably still around, but I still miss them because they aren't a part of my routine anymore....
THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Yes, I know,the show is still on....I actually watched a little bit yesterday in the dentist's chair. Who knew you could hear Plinko over the whirrr of a drill? Well, it wasn't a drill, but it was something loud. When I was a kid and would stay home from school sick, I'd always watch the Price is Right. I think "new" host (I think he has been hosting since 2008!) Drew Carey does a decent job, but Bob Barker was the show, although I was still glad to see not much had changed from spinning the wheel to the showcase showdown. Why doesn't anyone ever bid $3 or $5...why $1?
TV DINNERS: But you have to have the tray,eating it at the table just wouldn't be the same. When I was a kid it seems like everyone I knew had these...well, I think they were even called "TV Trays"....you'd sit on your sofa, unfold the TV tray, and put the meal on it. Now, we did have a "family dinner" in my house most nights around a common table, but occasionally, out would come the TV trays and...ahhh, what nostalgia...maybe a bit of Little House on the Prairie to go with it?
BILL KNAPP'S: Okay, I've talked about this place before, but some memories are just too indelible, too much a part of one's past. This was a Midwestern USA restaurant chain and I have so many memories of going there for meals with my grandparents. There was a rack of comic books by the door for kids and the children's menu featured an Elephant ( I think that was a grilled cheese), a "Giraffe" (which I think was chicken)....here is an article about Bill Knapps which has been closed now for almost 15 years....
STATION WAGONS: We had one for a while. And back in those days kids could just climb into the back...I think we called it the "nest." Now, I am not in any way denigrating modern day safety regulations. As most of you know, I have two daughters and they are always in their car seats, it is the safest way to travel (and it's the law). But back "in the day", well, there just weren't so many rules.....
ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE: Do they even still sell this stuff? I remember countless times Mom buying the frozen orange juice, scooping it into a pitcher, filling it with water and then stirring vigorously until it was dissolved. I never buy it anymore, can't recall seeing it at the store recently (it may be there, I guess if it is just never pass through that part of frozen foods) When we want orange juice, I buy orange juice. SIGH,but I miss filling up those empty concentrate cans with water and making the juice...
CANADA
JOURNEY'S END: They were a no-frills budget motel found only in Canada, but handy when I was traveling and a beacon of welcoming warmth at seemingly every exit. But the chain was bought and largely shuttered probably 10 - 15 years ago...
Nana
Yes Kevin-stores still have orange juice concentrate and grape and lemonade as well. Look in the freezer section.
Nan
Fyi..a local Community Market in Bellefontaine Oh carries the Bill Knapp boxes donuts and cake occasionally! So good! Good excuse to visit Amish owned Country Variety Store and go snow tubing at Mad River Mountain!
And. OJ concentrate still. Exists..I keep in freezer for sharing or breakfast emergencies!
Kevin
I am quite familiar with those Bill Knapp's boxed cakes, I've been to the plant that makes them...I'll post about it sometime!
Ms. Catherine Melba Alston Hardy
I like
Amy Roark
When Bob Barker left the show I just could not watch. The show just isn't the same without him. I remember sick days at home watching too. We had a Bill Knapps not far from our house growing up. I remember grilled cheese and chocolate cake. You can buy Bill Knapps chocolate cake in a box at Kroger near the frozen birthday cakes. I also remember Woolworths at the mall and eating at the counter with my Grandma. We had a station wagon with the 3rd row facing backwards so after riding on a long trip you felt nauseous after getting out. They still have orange juice concentrate... I used it in some sherbet punch not long ago. I also remember my mom using Tang and kool aid packets. It seemed like she was always stirring something up in our pitcher. Such fun memories. Love your throwback posts!
Kevin
Ah, Amy, I remember those back facing seats! Forgot about those! I hate to always sound so wistful for the "old days" but I am sure Aster will look back at these days someday and lament how much things have changed....
Kathleen
Remember all of these things and more. I remember when McDonalds first opened and walked up to the window ordered paid and walked away with the food, car hops at Frischs. Neighborhood chili parlors no big name other then Empress. The list goes on and on. I am 73 and memory still quite good.
Kevin
LOL, Kathleen, did you see my post yesterday about my Treasure Aisles adventure?
Jill Stratman
I remember every one as I think many others probably do as well.
The Price Is Right was great day time tv when my kids were little. It made folding laundry much more fun.
TV dinners and yes, TV trays were a big part of our lives. When I was about 10, my mom went to work nights. Dad was home of course but we had TV dinners probably 3 nights a week.
Bill Knapp's was a restaurant around the corner from where I lived when the kids were little. I only got to go a handful of times. Not much $$ with 3 little ones but I do remember it being good.
Station wagons... ah yes. We had one for a while and yes, back then you just piled in! So glad that car safety has come a long way!!
Concentrated orange juice is still available. I just bought some a few months ago to boost the orange flavor of something I was making. I've also used it when making orange icing for cookies or cupcakes. You can get more orange flavor without watering it down.
We had a Mr. Donut in NE Indiana that my dad took me to every Saturday morning. Was that a thing in OH as well? My favorite was the chocolate cream filled 🙂
Kevin
Always good to hear from you, Jill...Yea, I think I must just not go by the frozen OJ section or if I do I just pass it by without paying a bit of attention...I'll have to pay attention next time, everything in the grocery store has changed, there are probably a gazillion concentrate types now.....And, Mr. Donut? Never heard of it, but I already like it!:)