|
A Retro Racine Christmas
Christmas in Retro Racine was
a most wonderful time.
Shaking the snow-globe of our memories, we recall getting
ready for Christmas; at school, we made "snowflakes" by artfully
folding and cutting paper. At home, around the kitchen table, we created ornaments for the
tree with styrofoam balls adorned with sequins and stars. Most of our homes had a picture window,
and we stenciled bells, candy canes,and holly leaves in each pane. We would also painstakingly cut strips of
red and green paper and paste them into rings, creating colorful chains to deck our tree.
Our parents also made important preparations. Our church gave
Christmas bags to the children, and my folks belonged to a church group that assembled the gift bags; each paper bag contained
an assortment of unshelled nuts, a huge apple and orange, a marshmallow Santa, a few chocolate coins and a candy cane. In
another instance, I remember my mother putting on her going-to-town hat and taking the Christmas Club
passbook from the dresser drawer. I didn't fully understand the importance of that colorful little book, but apparently it had something to do with the trip we made to the sumptuously decorated North Side
Bank. Flat Iron Square was a hub of activity on the north side, anchored by the bank across
the street. In the early '50's, it was a great little shopping area, and shoppers bustled in and out of the National Tea grocery
store and around the nearby dime store and drug store on the corner. On the other side of National Tea,
was Kristof's shoe store - a great place to buy a new pair of Buster Brown's to wear at Christmas. We often
stopped at the bookmobile parked on Wednesdays in the parking lot next to the grocery store. Ladies wearing gaily
decorated Christmas corsages on their coats, would drop in to Lamberton's to buy a few pair of hose, neatly wrapped
in a flat little box. On a night that is a nearly perfect Christmas memory, my brownie troop sang carols at
Flat Iron Square. It was like a scene from It's a Wonderful Life; red bells which
decked the city streets swayed in the wind and snow fell gently. Young and old joined in singing as the community
gathered near the manger scene and tall, brightly lit tree.
Another wonderful memory is taking the bus downtown with an
older brother for last minute Christmas shopping; in those days the gray buses with the chiffy air brakes were designated
by color - we took the Yellow Line. What a fun - filled excursion! Crossing the street in front of Eitels,
we ended up at the Lerner Shops.
We went downstairs to buy a bathrobe
for Mom and found a richly colored, glamorous one - a robe like Loretta Young might wear, one that Mom
deserved. She thought it was far too fancy.
When Christmas Eve afternoon arrived, it was time for a special
movie; every Christmas Eve they aired Shirley Temple in Heidi on Theater at Four, on channel 4, hosted
by Judy Marx. Theater at Four had a certain leisurely late afternoon, mellow atmosphere - classic ball clock on
the wall, and theme song, that retro classic, The Syncopated Clock. Judy
was always smartly dressed in a knit suit and brooch, and her pleasant personality made the show a local
favorite; watching Shirley Temple's Heidi would put anyone in the Christmas spirit.
After the show it was time to don a nylon Christmas
dress and get ready for church as the long-awaited night had finally arrived. Getting
in the Nash, we drove through a night made glorious with the color of Christmas lights reflected in snow.
As I fondly look back, I see that life didn't get much better than this. It was in Retro Racine that I first
experienced the miracle that is Christmas Eve - an ordinary night transformed and filled with silent wonder as it was then
and still is, each and every year.
Welcome to Retro Racine
Though we grew up and many of us moved away, Racine, Wisconsin of
the '50's and '60's still exists in our memories. Why did Retro Racine make such an indelible impression on us? Perhaps because
to live in Racine during that era was to experience American life - with a Southeastern Wisconsin flavor - to the full. This
site probably does view life in Retro Racine through rose colored glasses. It certainly was not all rosy, but as we look back
through the soft focus lens of time, we see that Racine was a pretty good place to grow up.
Despite many years, and a distance of many miles, Racine is
still home. I often take a "tour of the heart" to Retro Racine of the '50's and '60's and discover places and memories I'd
forgotten. Maybe you do the same. Whether you still live in Racine, or have been away for years, let's share our memories.
Thanks for visiting, enjoy your stay, and return to Retro Racine
soon!
Nancy
Contact us
Join the Retro Racine group now on Facebook!
 
| Christy's West Racine |
|
| Ephemeral but lasting |
A West Racine Shopping Trip
One of my favorite pieces of Retro Racine ephemera is a small 9"x 6" paper
bag from Christy's in West Racine. This small, innocuous token of every day life in my home town brings back happy
memories of special shopping trips to West Racine - I say "special" because as a dyed-in-the-wool Racine Northsider, a shopping
trip to West Racine was something out of the ordinary.
Once in a while, my mother would decide she needed something
from one of the West Racine stores that were appreciated by women - two come to mind, Racine Dry Goods and Christy's. Racine
Dry Goods Co. apparently was located at 435 Main St in the 1950's. An ad for this company in an old
Daughters of Isabella cookbook (Racine Circle No. 50) says, "shop the easy credit way with credit coupons - $2.50 down
for $25.00 worth of merchandise." I don't recall the Main St. location, but remember that Racine Dry Goods was near
or next to Christy's in West Racine. There is no doubt that Racine Dry Goods was a local business of considerable historical
interest, worthy of an article on its own - and the store sold just what my mother needed. Through a child's eyes, it
was not terribly interesting, as true to its name, the store sold dry goods - sheets, towels, fabric, zippers and thread and
some ready-made clothes; even in the era of Retro Racine it did not seem too far removed from horse and buggy days.
On more than one hot summer afternoon in 1960's Racine, I remember
getting out of our Rambler, parked across the street from Christy's and Racine Dry Goods, blinking profusely due to the glare
produced by the sweltering heat. My aunt. a West Racine resident, always bought birthday presents at Christy's,
which was a high quality clothing store for women and children - I doubt they sold men's clothing. Christy's had "smart",
well-made styles for ladies - blouses, skirts, belts and accessories and princess -like styles for young girls and
teen debutantes. Girls like myself might look around and dream about a pretty dress we'd seen there; we'd also notice
with excitement the name brands and styles we'd heard on TV like Ship n' Shore blouses worn by
the models on The Price is Right.
Retro Racine Christmas Shopping and wish list
For Mom - Box of lace hankies, Christmas corsage, Evening in
Paris perfume, cloth wall calendar, Lady Remington shaver, Desert Flower dusting powder, Sunday gloves, Sarah Coventry jewelry,
arborite table, Tennessee Ernie Ford album, Melmac dinnerware, fondue set, two-tone washer and dryer, Rambler Metropolitan
(dream on!)
For Dad - Box of plaid handkerchiefs, shaving brush and mug,
Norelco shaver (after watching the cute Santa commercials),'Lectric Shave, fishing tackle box, Milwaukee Braves cap, suspenders,
Christmas with Albert the Alley Cat record, tiparellos, Sen-sen, bar ice bucket, Meister Brau, power lawn mower
For Sis - Box of hankies with initial, autograph dog, Dick
Clark doll, wave set, hula hoop, transistor radio, Ben Casey blouse, Jon Gnagy Learn to Draw Kit, Freddie
and the Dreamers record, Prell shampoo, Hayley Mills paper dolls, Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden books, go-go boots, Siamese
cat, Princess phone (dream on!)
For Junior - plastic army men, chemistry set, ant
farm, Mousetrap game, Mad magazine, Brylcream, Aurora model, Slinky, Duncan yo-yo, long johns, Superman comics, Silly
Putty, Paul Hornung jersey, Sinclair dinosaur, Reddy Kilowatt doll, J.I. Case play tractor, pedal car, Three Stooge puppets
Putting Down Roots in
Retro Racine
The year - 1958. The place - Retro Racine, Wisconsin. You've
just landed a job in The Belle City, and you're fortunate enough to have a few dollars in your pocket. This definitely
calls for a celebration, so the first call you make is to beautiful Hotel Racine at 3-3551 to reserve one of their best tables overlooking Lake Michigan. In this "pleasant and restful atmosphere",
as stated in their ad, you will be able to relax and plan your next move. You found the perfect home, but now there's
so much to be done - where do you start? Junction Furniture Co. in
Uptown has both provincial and contemporary designs, both the "ultimate in design and construction" or else
on Main St. there's L. Fish Furniture,
which was established way back in 1858. This company is well known to have "liberal credit terms with many months
to pay", which might be helpful while putting down roots in Racine.
Floor coverings? Of course Ala Rug
Co. at 718 Grand Ave is a popular choice; they often advertise
on WRJN. For "the prettiest windows in Racine", the choice is Christensen's Draperies at 619 Main St - "at the bus stop".
With their convenient "shop at home" service, they will bring the latest styles of curtains
and draperies to you.
If you are in the market for home appliances, you'll find a
treat in store - have a look at Mohr-Jones at 313-21
Sixth Street. This retailer has been serving Racine customers since 1877, featuring
the latest in appliances available in an array of pastel colors. Novak Appliances at the corner of Douglas and Charles Street, might be
the place to find push-button washers, dryers and electric stoves. Premium Sales at the corner of Sixth and College is "your corner on
savings" on small appliances - electric mixers, toasters, roasters, and irons. If there's a kitchen remodelling project
on the horizon, Buffhams'-"Racine's Oldest Store" is the place to find
paint, shades, linoleum, carpeting and wallpaper and Veenstra Lumber Company at 21st Street at Phillips Avenue might "cook up" the perfect dream
kitchen for you. To dress up a newly remodeled living room or newly panelled rec room, La
Porte Gallery at 1410 Washington Avenue in Uptown
"specializes in hand-painted portraits in beautiful color, painted from a photograph or by personal
sittings". As the definitive statement of "gracious living", Trauger Jewelry Store offers "gleaming, glamorous silver serving accessories."
Whew! That's a lot of planning - let's "make it a family affair"
and dine out at Lee Dolf's - 1814 Sixteenth Street, ME 2-7322.
Photos of
Click here to see vintage Zahn's photos
Fashionable Retro Racine
Do you remember the way we dressed in 1950's and '60's Racine, Wisconsin?
Looking back to the fashion trends of those years can provide valuable insight into our history, since the clothes people
wear within a culture reflects a great deal about the culture itself.
Is is correct to refer to Retro Racine as fashionable? That depends.
It certainly was fashionable in the sense that clothing trends of the era were heartily embraced by our families, our friends
and relatives. Dressing well became part of the American dream along with owning a home, meticulously maintaining one's property,
and driving a new car.
The 1950's was an era of propriety; some of us still miss the sense
of order and decorum that was a feature of a more gracious time, and everyday life had a high degree of civility. People in
most occupations wore uniforms - some examples were bus drivers, meter maids, milkmen, gas or "filling" station
men, and department store elevator ladies. Even the grocery carry out man that took the plastic number off your cart
and carefully placed the paper bags full of groceries in the car's back seat wore a white shirt and tie!
In the sphere of family life, there were numerous occasions to
dress up. The first and foremost was wearing Sunday best for church and for Sunday dinner at grandma's afterward. It was unthinkable
that a man would show up in attire other than a suit - as my dad would say, "you dassn't do that." Women
dressing up in their Sunday best followed the dictum that "more is more". A fashionable lady might wear a fitted button up
jacket with a graceful full skirt, a string of pearls, pearl drop earrings, a hat with a little veil, and white gloves. An
exquisite finish to this ensemble was every woman's dream - according to Queen for a Day - a mink
stole. Of course, not all women dressed that elaborately, even on Sunday, but hats were always worn to church, and gloves
were highly recommended.
It is important to emphasize to our younger readers, that in general,
women and girls wore dresses or skirts to all social occasions, which included church, school, club meetings, shopping,
visiting, parties, dates, dining out, and sporting events. Many women probably recall wearing skirts and sweaters
to football and basketball games; actually, it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Wool skirts and V neck sweaters were
warm and collegiate looking and stores like Zahn's had a great selection.
Shorts or peddle pushers were sometimes worn
by women while doing house or yard work, but most housewives in the 1950's wore "house dresses" during the day - comfortable
cotton dresses in solid colors, floral prints or plaids. They were actually quite pretty, fresh looking, and feminine. A
good example would be the kind of dress worn by Lucy Ricardo's neighbor, Ethel Mertz, when she came up the back stairs to
visit Lucy during the day on I Love Lucy. If it was necessary for a housewife to go out to do errands,
she would likely change into a slightly better dress, the type Lucy and Ethel wore when the two couples got together
in the evening, as house dresses were not considered good enough to wear in public. Sometimes one can find an old
style department store or women's clothing store off the beaten path and still see an assortment of women's house dresses
and aprons - a comforting, nostalgic sight, which illustrates the point that a perky dress never really goes out of style.
Since Racine was literally a blue collar town in the '50's and
'60's, many of us remember our dads dressed in blue or grey work shirts and blue jeans or overalls as they went
to their factory or tradesmen jobs. Blue jeans were almost exclusively worn by men and boys at work and play. Some of
us can easily flash back to a group of boys exploring a field wearing t-shirts (some with horizontal stripes) and
belted jeans rolled up at the ankle.
Boys and girls of the 1950's went off to school in clothing similar
to those worn by Dick, Jane and Sally in first grade readers. Plaid cotton school dresses were popular for girls, and boys
wore corduroy trousers with flannel shirts or long sleeved t-shirts. Teen age girls and young women wore some of the most
beautiful clothing of the era - full skirts with yards of fabric, flared out through the use of crinolines
and hoops. Those of us girls who were too young for these fashions couldn't wait to wear them; but by the time we were
teens, the styles - and our world had changed dramatically.
In 1960, a dynamic young senator from Massachusetts was elected president,
and we were instantly enchanted by our elegant new first lady whom the nation knew as "Jackie". With her
impeccable fashion sense, Jacqueline Kennedy immediately became an important trendsetter, and helped create a
new look for American women. The full skirted silhouette became passe and busy hats with floral accents were
discarded in favor of Mrs. Kennedy's famous pillbox. Women and girls started wearing straight, sleeveless dresses known as
"shifts" and flat shoes, even for dressy occasions, became permissable.
Girls who shopped at Lad's and
Lassie's, one of the "better" children's clothing stores in downtown Retro Racine, had to choose between
traditional puffy-sleeved Christmas dresses, or tailored woolen jumpers that may have been influenced by the new
fashion simplicity. That simplicity, however, was not always evident in the fashions worn by our teachers in school,
though the days of the full skirt were definitely over. In the early '60's, many of us remember young Miss Smith wearing
a white ruffled blouse with ruffles around the neck and on the sleeves, a straight skirt with a wide belt, and either high-
heeled pumps or flat shoes with pointy toes. High, bouffant hair styles became the trend, reflecting futuristic
optimism and confidence, and many of us remember a popular style known as the "beehive". Girls and women were seen furtively
"ratting" their hair to create the desirable illusion of height, though this was something most girls were forbidden
to do, especially at school. Blouses and skirts were favored by school age girls - the familiar roll-up-sleeve
blouse was a staple, as well as blouses with Peter Pan collars and the ruffled style described earlier. Doctor shows
were popular on television, and many of us who were enamored with the handsome TV doctor, Ben Casey, (Vince Edwards) wore
"Ben Casey blouses" that buttoned up the side.
There were important trends in men's fashion as well. Suits became
more streamlined and less baggy, trouser legs became tapered and ended just past the ankle - think of Dick
Van Dyke as Rob Petrie. White shirts were always worn with suits, and this rule didn't change until later in
the decade. Fedora hats were popular, and so were glasses with thick black frames. Whether or not to wear white socks
with black or brown oxfords or loafers was a dilemma shared by boys during the 1960's. In the early to mid -'60's,
it was considered cool to wear white socks, but later in the decade, it was the exact opposite - what was a guy to do? That
wasn't the only way we picked on the guys - remember pulling "fruit loops" off the backs of boys' shirts?
The British invasion of the mid '60's was a cataclysmic event of seismic
proportions. No, Junior, I'm not referring to an actual military invasion of North America by the Brits; all of us who
lived through those years know well the enormous impact the Beatles and other British bands had on our culture.
Was it a positive influence? That's a matter of opinion. Suddenly the suavely sophisticated cocktail culture of
the '60's seemed as flat as an bottle of champagne left open from the night before, compared to Paul's
whimsical effervescence. All things British fascinated us, not the least the fashion trends of British youth, and phrases like
"the London look" or "Carnaby Street" became familiar. The era of the white shirt worn under men's suit jackets
was challenged by young men wearing turtleneck sweaters under their suit coats. This mild bit of rebellion was left
unchallenged by the older generation - at least the boys were dressing well! We loved to see guys who wore Beatle
boots and who tried to mimic a British accent - we all know it didn't take, but we loved it just the same. Of course, men's
hair styles changed dramatically; the era of the slicked back look and the wavy pompadour worn by some
of the '50's heart throbs went the way of the Edsel. Greasy kid stuff was definitely out and needless to say, we loved guys
that sported a squeaky clean, shakeable mop. Girls tried to look like London "birds", wearing
fish net stockings and opaque tights. We asked our mothers to iron our hair to make it as long and straight as possible.
Usually all we got from our efforts was a bad case of split ends, but this was all in the service of looking more
Liverpudlian. We went to Neisner's, bought white lipstick, and asked for a pair of white go-go boots for Christmas.
We borrowed our dad's ties, and wore them with white blouses, as that was what George's girlfriend wore. Of course,
we girls also put on English accents, though we fooled no one - Southeastern Wisconsin vowels refused
to be clipped. Oblivious to any smirks or stares, we rode the crests and crashes of a cultural wave that even
a Lake Michigan undertow couldn't touch.
As the decade of the 1960's
pressed on towards 1970, a growing sense of disillusionment emerged, especially among the young. We had waited expectantly
for the "better living" that 1960 had promised to bring, but instead had experienced a decade of violence
at home and abroad. Though we baby boomers were given everything our little hearts desired, we also knew what it
was like to live in fear of an uncertain future. So a cry of a decade's worth of angst collectively rose from
our generation, demanding that the insanity of war and injustice cease. Important cultural themes of youth in the
late '60's included protest and rebellion against established authority - called "the establishment", a
desire to return to childlike innocence, and a search for transcendence. Again,
clothing and fashion reflected the prevailing cultural attitudes. Reflecting the attitude of rebellion, young men
and young women wore blue jeans after school hours in an act of solidarity - jeans began to be recognized as the
unofficial uniform of youth, and the dictum that girls should always wear skirts started to fade. School dress
codes remained in effect except for the occasional "dress down day" when jeans were allowed. Long hair, especially
among young men, was a symbol of rebellion which left many worried parents aghast and wondering how they could persuade
once clean cut sons to get a haircut. Songs about frolicking in the park, picking daisies and wearing flowers in one's
hair reflect a desire to return to a state of innocence which probably never existed. We heard whispers that many songs
we liked were actually about mind altering drugs; colors and fabric designs from these years - hot pink, lime green,
and paisley prints were intended to mimic hallucinagenic experiences which hopefully none of us had.
The word was "psychedelic" and we loved the colors, patterns, posters, dance and style of the music, but that was where
it ended. Those of us still in high school in the late 1960's were were still too young to make any definitive statement of
rebellion.
The Nitty Gritty, a teen dance club on Main Street,
not far from State Street, was a place where we safely made some tentative explorations into psychedelic
culture. Forty years later, the pounding of the bass drum from the live band still reverberates in the pit of my
stomach. I can still feel the give of the wood floor under foot as the band launched into one of our favorites,
"Mr. Unreliable". For a night at the Gritty, girls dressed surprsingly conservatively - penny loafers, bermuda length
shorts, bobbed hair, and classic white oxford style shirts. White levi's worn with penny loafers (no socks) were popular
with boys, who also wore maroon or navy blue whaler jackets on chilly nights. White was a color of choice,
as the incredible lighting effects, which was part of the psychedelic experience, picked up the whites of our shirts
and of our smiles as we cavorted and played amidst the strobes. Little did we realize that these intense moments of music
and light and dance, which in some way expressed our tender-aged search for transcendence, would resonate in
our memories years later.
During that same era, there was an interesting little downtown boutique
located off the beaten path, named Kammerman Gallery. One friend called it "the hippie store", featuring an interesting array
of psychedelic paraphanalia - posters, outsize ketchup bottles, pop art items, and some clothes. In a mildly rebellious
gesture, I decided to get my homecoming frock from this boutique - a "psychedelic dress" in a dark pink paisely. If only
I had kept that dress....if only! (If only I could still fit into it.) An attractive dress style from the late '60's
was the high- waisted A line dress with an "empire waist", which came in a two toned design. Generally dresses fell into
two categories - romantic empire waist styles with full long sleeves in luxurious fabrics like velvet or crepe, or more tailored
modern looks with blocks of square or rectangular color. Our new First Lady, Patricia Nixon, and her daughters, often wore these
lady-like styles. Skirt lengths were short, above the knee, and as 1970 approached, some of us wore mini-skirts
- when we could get away with it. The clothing of young men and dads came into the era of living color,
just like the family TV. Men began to wear dress shirts in all colors, a fashion trend which became even more
popular in the early '70's. Guys started to grow sideburns, moustaches or even beards - this was quite a change since
clean shaven men had always been the norm throughout the '50's and '60's. The appearance of facial hair, along with longer
hair styles was part of the "getting back to nature" trend that was seen from about 1969-74. Long "granny" dresses for women and
granny glasses were other "back to nature" expressions of that era.
There was at least one other significant fashion trend in
the late 1960's, for better or worse. Our mothers made an important discovery, even as man was getting ready to set foot on
the moon - the polyester pantsuit. Ladies raved about how they didn't wrinkle and didn't need ironing, and before
long most of our mothers (and some of us) were sold on them; to be fair, some ensembles were quite smart looking. It
seemed unthinkable that women would wear pants for dress-up occasions, but we had come a long way since the 1950's. Or had we?
Retro Racine Cuisine
Those of us who lived in Retro Racine cannot help but remember
the delicious food that was a part of our lives. Yes, of course, Racine is known for kringle, but our memories of Retro Racine cuisine encompass much more. Recently I gave some thought to the way we ate
in 1950's and '60's Racine, Wisconsin, and discovered quite a few differences between then and now. First
of all, eating out in restaurants was relatively rare. I'm not referring to grabbing a quick hamburger at Kewpee's, or ordering
in Friday fish fry from Park In or a pizza from DeRango's, but rather a night out at a restaurant. In my neighborhood this
might take place once or twice a year, if ever. Usually the occasion was a couple celebrating a special anniversary
or dad getting a raise and deciding to give mom the night off. This also was rare. Very few
women worked outside of the home and one of the primary duties of the homemaker was to plan and prepare nourishing and
tasty meals for the family. It is amazing to think how our mothers accomplished this task day in and day out without the many
conveniences we enjoy. Stay-at-home married women, known as housewives, typically spent their morning hours shopping, cleaning, doing laundry and baking. Mid morning
might be a time for a coffee klatsch with neighbors or a chat on the phone to catch up on family business. Women's club
meetings were held in the afternoon; though these were enjoyable and worthwhile outings, it was necessary to keep
an eye on the clock, and hurry home by 3 or 3:30 pm to peel potatoes for supper which was served promptly at 5. Mom had a trick up her sleeve - a handy assortment of Food Club canned soups in the pantry. Brown a few
pork chops, toss in some noodles, a can of vegetables, cover it with canned soup and put it in the oven. In one hour there
would be a nutritious "hot dish" for the family that tasted good with little fuss. Cook books from this era abound in
recipes such as the one above - sometimes called "baked dish" or casserole. Husbands didn't particularly like the term "casserole"
as they felt there was something wimpy about it - the '50's version of eating quiche. Countless recipes utilized the
ever ready can of soup in clever ways and in imaginative combinations. In addition to the classic Tuna Casserole
(tuna, noodles, mushroom soup, topped with potato chips) a favorite of my mother's was 5 Hour Stew which featured
a combination of mushroom and tomato soup, stewing beef, potatoes, and a little red wine. It was placed in the
oven at 250 degrees for several hours, and the aroma was mouth watering. This recipe allowed the cook hours of freedom
to attend to other matters. Canned soup - the versatile convenience food of the '50's and '60's - even turned
up in a cake recipe; you may have heard of Tomato Soup Spice Cake. But I'll have to finish this later;
it's time to put the "hot dish" in the oven.
In the mid-1950's, the TV dinner appeared on the scene, creating an
immediate sensation. Now it was possible to serve a turkey dinner with mashed potatoes without hours of toil and
preparation. We all loved the idea of TV dinners, as our lives increasingly revolved more and more around the TV
set in the living room. When we finally tasted this modern marvel, most of us were disappointed. The miniscule servings were far too small for robust Retro Racine appetites, and for a large, hungry family,
frozen dinners were not cost effective. A home cooked meal was better after all, so we compromised and had supper
on TV trays in the living room when a favorite show aired. A tasteful set of TV trays became an important part
of retro decor; we all had them and their designs are etched in our memories.
Dinner was a social occasion in the 1950's and '60's, and
when relatives and friends got together, there was always plenty of good food. Potluck suppers shared with relatives,
friends and church groups are among some of our most cherished memories. Every cook had her best potluck supper dish - maybe
you remember grandma's potato salad, or mom's baked beans or auntie's apple pie! A perennial favorite, which often graced
the table at retro potluck suppers was the molded gelatin salad, something one doesn't see too often these days. I
don't know if this was a Retro Racine quirk, but these neon-colored, quivering delights were considered "salads" rather
than dessert. Most gelatin molds contained fruit cocktail; it's a stretch, but maybe that could be considered
a fruit salad. Actually, some of the more sophisticated gelatin molds featured sauerkraut, olives, pimento,
carrots and other vegetables. Once, at a swanky reception in college, I encountered a red molded salad that
was actually a tomato aspic - quite a shock to my homey Retro Racine tastebuds. Some of the gelatin
molds were quite elaborate; they were virtually towers of quivering delight. Why were these molded salads so popular
in the retro era? The '50's obsession with color and novelty extended even to food. Iridescent lime gelatin, made
"two-tone" by adding a layer blended with cream cheese, fit right into 1950's decor, and became an edible work of art.
The ultimate dining experience in Retro Racine was a smorgasbord
and many of us knew this mouthful of a word (of Scandinavian origin) from an early age. A smorgasbord
far surpassed your average potluck supper, and for that reason it was held, to use a Retro Racine phrase, only "every
so often". Usually an organization sponsored a smorgasbord and sold tickets. In the late 1950's, the Lutheran High Ladies
Guild presented a Harvest Fair, held in late November, which coincided with the annual teacher's convention. The highlight
of the fair was a sportsman's smorgasbord of wild game including delicacies such as roast pheasant and
venison. Though we were probably eating endangered species, it was a convivial time and a source of unforgettable
memories.
June ice cream socials were also popular in Racine during the
'50's and '60's, and one had the sense that this tradition dated from an earlier era. It was a custom in Retro Racine
that strawberries were pulverized and crushed into a sundae topping. At church ice cream socials, the pastor was always served a heaping
portion - not that the rest of us would go hungry. Twenty-five cents would buy a chocolate or strawberry Progressive
Dairy ice cream sundae, homemade pie or cake, and coffee or orange drink. A little pricey? Well, keep in mind
it was a fundraiser.
As 1960 neared, we started to see the kookier influence of the cocktail
culture reflected in food trends. For the adventurous sort with cocktail in hand, freshly ground raw beef was served on
bread and called a "cannibal sandwich". Sometimes food from Retro Racine was downright dangerous. I personally know
that there were people who ate these things and survived. Otherwise, we merely followed trends
that were popular nationwide. There was an increased interest in foreign foods, and before long fondue
appeared on the scene. Everyone was running out to buy fondue sets, and most of us tried eating fondue at least once,
but most frequently, our first experience with fondue was also our last. The general opinion was that there was no way a person
could get filled up eating cheese covered tidbits. Mom packed the fondue set away in
the basement, and that is why you will likely find this item at your neighborhood thrift store today.
Click here for some great Retro Recipes!
Living the Leisurely Life - in Retro Racine
In the 1950's and early '60's, families in Retro Racine and
across the country held a common belief that the good life was attainable. There were plenty of small, affordable homes available,
which made home ownership a reality for countless young couples - the parents of the baby boom. Television,
through it's advertising vehicle, the commercial, advised the populace what was needed to achieve the good life and
what was required to make the home a beacon of "better living". The response in Retro Racine and across America
was a resounding affirmative - yes, the latest, gizmo, gadget and gimmick was necessary. Consumers were delighted to
buy two-tone refrigerators, push button washers, and countless handy inventions, including extension
phones in turquoise and pink. Acquiring these essentials, they were told, would
not only bring happiness, but would admit the owner to exciting possibilities as 1960 approached - a new life of
leisure.
In 1960 on the north side of Racine, things were changing.
The coziness of the '50's gave way to an urgent eagerness to embrace ways that were new. I remember when the
first backyard patio was installed in our modest boomer neighborhood. The word "patio" in itself was new and different
in itself, but I liked the sound of it. Having a screened-in patio brought with it a number of interesting innovations.
In this easy going atmosphere, housewives started to wear peddle-pushers or capris a la Laura Petrie
instead of familiar daytime house dresses. Since supper was often served on the patio, dinnerware which suited a casual
format was needed. Plastic melamine plates, cups and saucers in popular colors of salmon, orange or avocado appeared, and
cold meats and cheeses were arranged on a lazy susan for "help yourself" dining. Prior to the emergence of the patio
lifestyle, most people owned simple charcoal grills for outdoor wiener roasts, but now husbands and fathers wearing bermuda
shorts presided over new chicken rotisseries for Saturday night supper.
Another popular home improvement project during this period
was "finishing" the basement and creating a rumpus room or a rec room where kids were allowed to roughhouse and play freely,
allowing front rooms or living rooms to remain undisturbed until the arrival of "company." Though the
retro rec room was equipped with toys and games for children, it was also used by grown ups for relaxing or entertaining. Ping
pong tables, pool tables, and hi-fi's were found in these wood-panelled rec rooms as well as a very
popular item in Retro Racine - the home bar. My family occasionally visited
friends and relatives who had the luxury of a bar in their downstairs rec room, and I thought it was the neatest thing. Climbing
up on a bar stool and sipping a soda pop on the rocks was to pretend-participate in a leisure activity that was
widespread in the '50's and '60's - social drinking. In fact, societal pre-occupation with alcohol was so prevelant that the '50's and early '60's could be called "the cocktail culture."
Retro Racine and the Cocktail Culture
Retro Racine was served up a double
shot of cocktail culture first by being under the influence of nationwide trends and also through close proximity
to nearby Brewtown. In the numerous neighborhood bars and taverns of Retro Racine, neon signs advertising
Cocktails beckoned thirsty patrons to happy hour, shielded
from public view by sleepy venetian blinds. Cocktail dresses and suits were important attire for women
as well as the cocktail hat and clutch bag used for attending evening card parties, wedding receptions, and of course,
cocktail parties. Kiddie cocktails - brightly
colored kool-aid concoctions, garnished with a cherry and swizzle stick - were offered to us kids
while our parents ordered drinks before dinner at the better restaurants in town, places like The Spinning Wheel
and The Corner House.
We thought tipsy characters on TV were hilarious and one show
that epitomized the cocktail culture was the 1962 hour long show starring Jackie Gleason. From the lush, boozily-evocative harmonies of
the famous theme song written by the multi-talented Gleason, to his cast of characters including Joe the Bartender, Rum
Dum and Crazy Guggenheim, this show was a salute to cocktail culture from start to finish. Even the intricate kaleidescopic dance
numbers performed by the June Taylor Dancers were reminiscent of a case of impaired vision after imbibing a
few too many. Lawrence Welk, whose show was loved by families during the Retro era, featured a Champagne
Lady and his bubbly style of music was called Champagne Music. However, in Southeastern Wisconsin, beer and brats won the
day and the dance most associated with that combo was the polka. So, some visitors to Retro Racine
may remember the Meister Brau Brewery polka hour. I remember watching this show's commercials where beer in pretty bottles
rotated round and round on a revolving platform - it was fascinating. After some research, I discovered that Meister
Brau was brewed in Chicago, so this show likely was aired on one of the Chicago stations.
I will close with a curious observation about the leisurely
life in a cozy north side neighborhood. In
the early '60's, the dads on the block seemed to acquire a new comraderie. After supper, four or five would congregate in
one of the yards and shoot the breeze. During confidential front porch conversations, their wives smiled knowingly
and rolled their eyes. Certainly a few brew were hoisted by the gents, but this was not a matter of course; they
were all solid citizens who never missed a day of work. Occasionally a chorus of loud guffaws would rise from their proximity.
These blue collar men were developing a certain brashness, a new confidence that they "had the world on a string."
What was this about? Try Frank, Sammy, Dean and Joey. Were these family men from Retro Racine consciously imitating these
famous pals? You never know.
While you're in the neighborhood, click here to visit Kewpee's - the Hamburger Haven from Heaven - a proud Racine tradition.
Click here for another great Racine site including vintage postcards, photos, and links to more great Racine sites!
Remember the old saying,"it's raining cats
and dogs?" Unfortunately, it's true. Here are some lovable meowsers and bowsers from Southeastern Wisconsin in need of good
homes. Visitors from across North America are also invited to visit Petfinder.com to
locate adoptable pets close to home.
|
