Obscure Racine Memories

Obscure Retro Racine memories

this page is for those who delight in the most hard-to-remember, scratch-your-head, vague, foggy.....well, let's just call it a hidden treasure trove of Retro Racine memories. Here's one:

The Konditori Continental Tea Room at the Loom of Denmark The Loom of Denmark was a wonderful store on Washington Ave. near the west Racine shopping district. It specialized in Danish furniture and home furnishings known as "Danish Modern". They sold beautiful woven placemats and napkins, and featured a wonderful array of gifts, most of which were imported from Denmark. As a teenager in the late '60's, I loved to go there at Christmas, as the decorations were lovely, and had a real European flair. During Christmas vacation of 1969, my brother, Grandpa and I went out for lunch - which was a rare and special occasion. We ended up at the Konditori Room, which served a delectable light lunch of smoked ham on flatbread in the most charming and quaint atmosphere. I had something called "Junket" for dessert. When I returned home from college for Christmas break, I always tried to visit the Loom.

Some '60's Cultural Notes...

The Racine Chorale presented their 1969 Christmas concert (see ticket above) at Plymouth Congregational Church. The choir's two other concerts of the 69/70 season were held at the New Park High Theatre, and the newly opened Golden Rondelle Theater. The Chorale made its debut at the 1961 Wingspread Christmas Concert.
The Racine Theatre Guild presented the play, Anastasia in 1968, and Man for All Seasons in 1969 at the Theatre Guild Playhouse.
In the 1960's, the Racine Symphony was conducted by Dudley Powers. World famous musical groups, such as the Vienna Boys' Choir were heard in Racine, through Community Concerts subscriptions.
Music recitals were held at Racine Women's Club, Lake Avenue at 8th Street. The building's recital hall was just the right size for small concerts, with a stage, grand piano, and chandelier - a classy place.

Christmas Memories

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

more Christmas memories

Retro Racine Christmas Decor we still like to see

1. Pink or white flocked trees with all-one-color ornaments.

2. Wreaths made of red cellophane.

3. Aluminum trees with color wheels.

4. Bubble lights.

5. Angel chimes.

6. Triple balsams gracefully draped in tinsel.

7. Candoliers in front room windows.

8. Flocked bottle brush trees (pre-Retro)

9. Bowls of unshelled nuts - and a nutcracker within reach.

10. Styrofoam balls with sequins and stars.

11. White or green ceramic trees.

12. Scotch pines decked with popcorn and cranberries.

13. Christmas corsages on a lady's coat.

14. Homemade candles topped with glitter.

15. Mistletoe

18. Date and nut bread baked in tin cans.

19. Blinking tree lights.

20. Christmas cookies decorated with silver dragees.

21. Bells anywhere, but especially over city streets.