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| Celebrating Retro Racine |
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| The Elks on parade, 1956 |
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
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?
Remember the soda fountains of Retro
Racine? First, a definition of "soda fountain" for purposes
of this article: a snack bar with swivel chairs or stools inside a dime store or pharmacy. This would eliminate
lunch counters, diners, hamburger stands, or restaurants for the moment, though each of these might be an interesting memory
excursion on its own. Before we discuss the soda fountains of Retro Racine, permit me to briefly
digress; I would like to share a vague impression of the old White Castle hamburger palace on Main St. Unlike other well
known hamburger establishments in Racine, which were frequented by loyal patrons, there was something mysteriously fly-by-night
about White Castle that captured my imagination. It seemed like the type of place where Wimpy might
ask to pay you back on Tuesday for a hamburger today.
One soda fountain of the downtown area that comes
to mind was in Neisners dime store. When you walked into the store, the soda bar was on your right. The counter seemed
to run the full length of the store, and there were giant mirrors on the wall. It was a handy place to order a malted
or a piece of pie and catch up on local news. My family often went downtown on Friday nights, and after perusing
Neisners' basement for lamp shades (and toys) I begged my dad for hot chocolate at the soda fountain. It must have
been all the excitement, but when we arrived home, I promptly got sick, which effectively put an end to
further soda fountain visits.
There was a corner pharmacy in west Racine that had a soda
fountain - it may have been the Rexall drug store. What a heady experience it was at age 12 or so, to sit at the counter
and order a soda pop. For a few moments, I would feel like a teenage girl whose name was Tammy or Gidget or
Annette. Maybe there would soon be an Jeff, Troy, or Frankie in the picture.
There were a number of fascinating aspects to the soda fountain
experience. Ice cream was tantalizingly hidden away behind heavy chrome freezer doors that closed shut with a characteristic
thud. Chrome ice cream scoops soaked in a container of water, ready for action. When an order was taken, the server
wielded that ice cream scoop with the skill of an artisan, fashioning ice cream from Progressive or Harmony Dairy into a cherry-topped
masterpiece. We watched this work- in -progress with anticipation and couldn't wait to dig in. An array of fountain
- mixed beverages was the norm of the classic soda fountain menu. Some of the most popular were ice cream sodas ( ice
cream, soda water, and flavoring syrup), floats (soda pop with scoops of vanilla ice cream) and milk shakes. The whirring
of the light green milk shake blender was a common background noise. The waitress would pour the shake into a tall fancy
glass; chances are the glass would be too small, so the patron would be given the chrome mixing tumbler as well!
A favorite soda fountain on the north side was located in the
Red Cross drug store on Goold Street near North Main. It was a rectangular, light colored building with a flat roof;
trees in that area were not mature at that time, so the location always seemed hot during sunny summer days, despite
its proximity to the Lake. During the heat of the afternoon, large shades were pulled down over the store
windows, which gave the place its lazy nonchalance. I don't recall the soda fountain ever being very busy; it was the
type of place you might see an older gent wearing a white seersucker shirt and straw hat sitting there
with a newspaper and toothpick. It might appear that he was idly passing the time of day, but his natty appearance
suggested that he had places to go and things to do. Every patron of the soda fountain was a character in
a unique story - as an erstwhile pre-teen enjoying the freedom and mobility of a new Schwinn bicycle,
I discovered that the Red Cross drug served a pretty decent cherry coke. Funny how certain associations persist
- to this day, the Red Cross drug store = cherry coke.
There were other soda fountains in Retro Racine that are
gone, but not forgotten. Unfortunately, for those of us who enjoyed their ambience, it was rare to find a soda fountain
after 1968. The newly emerging fast food restaurants were able to serve soda fountain favorites more efficiently
- food that was mass produced, heavily processed and standardized was the "space age" way of doing things and
the cultural love affair with speed had put an end to many aspects of a slower paced life. There was no
longer a need to sit at a local soda bar and strike up a conversation while food was served with a
hometown touch. The soda fountain, an American institution dating from the 19th century, had run its course; but for
those of us who grew up during it's era, it was a treat while it lasted.
Transfer, please! It was in Retro Racine that I first learned this phrase of bus etiquette. My music lessons were at the Racine College
of Music in uptown, and to get there meant changing buses downtown. As I prepared for this new routine at age 12 or so, it
was important to learn all aspects of responsible bus ridership.
My first recollections of taking the bus in Retro Racine are somewhat
vague and yet vivid. In Retro Racine, buses were color coded - each route was designated by a color. We were
waiting on Charles St. for the Yellow Line. Women clad in cloth coats and best everyday hats boarded the bus, efficiently
ushering in their children. It had been a cold wait curbside, and the biting wind off the Lake was so cold it stung.
Boys wore wool hats with ear flaps, and I wore one that had white fur pom-poms. For most of my childhood,
bus fare was a nickel. Fares were dropped into a coin box the same as nowdays. Kids enjoyed watching the
bus driver rotate a circular gizmo on the fare box that went round and round and sent the coins into a stowed-away
unseen bank. The bus driver was, without a doubt, an authority figure who always wore a uniform and a hat.
There was nothing particularly glamorous about Retro Racine buses. They
were large and grey-beige and smelled slightly of exhaust. If you remember what it was like in the retro era to
be stuck behind a bus in traffic, then you know what I mean. However, the interiors were roomy, there was lots of space,
and the buses were usually plenty warm. The black upolstered seats were framed in chrome.
I've tried to re-trace the route of the Yellow Line. From the farthest
outskirts of Charles Street, which were empty fields in those days, the bus lumbered down Charles St. and there
was a stop on the corner of Charles and Kingston Ave. I may be wrong, but I think the bus turned right on Melvin Ave.
from Charles and then turned left on Douglas Avenue, which was its major thoroughfare.
There was often a stop of more than a few minutes
near the corner of Douglas and Goold Street, just past Douglas Park, where the bus garage was located. The driver
might settle back and catch up on the latest Shoreline Leader or sometimes
a new driver would take over. The Yellow Line then continued to amble down Douglas Avenue, traversing the entire Douglas business
district, until finally turning left on State St. The bus turned right on Main Street, and noting
familiar landmarks like the White Castle restaurant and Wisconsin Electric Company, passengers headed towards the
exit; the Yellow Line had arrived at its downtown destination and stopped in front of Lerner's. It joined a line
up of several other buses which would proceed on the next phase of their routes - south and west. Where the Yellow Line went
after this, I have no idea. I only know that it appeared on the other side of the street in front of Penney's in a northbound
series of buses when it was time to go home.
When I changed buses to go to my uptown lesson location, I transferred
to the Red Line or White Line, both of which travelled down Sixth Street to Washington Avenue and through uptown. The
White Line was known to go to West Racine, and the Red Line also ventured into this part of town. I have a few other
hazy recollections of other Retro Racine bus routes:
Orange Line - Geneva St.
White Line (northbound) - North Main St. and Shorecrest shopping
center.
Green Line or Blue Line - considered the more exotic routes by northsiders
because we hardly ever used them. I may be dreaming, but the Green Line might have gone to Elmwood Plaza via Lathrop
Avenue. The Blue Line might have been the bus to take to the ultra modern Turnstyle store when it opened in the '60's.
By the late 1960's, the buses we were accustomed to were retired, and
a fleet of mini-buses took over the city transit service. No longer were bus routes identified by color - they were given
new route names and numbers though the routes basically stayed the same; it seemed like buses ran less frequently,
making bus transit a less attractive option. Yes, here was always another bus coming, but it might be 45 minutes later. Monument
Square became the new downtown transfer point instead of the busiest shopping area on Main St. What
was the rationale behind these changes? It is likely that the old buses were in need of retirement and possibly ridership
was declining by the mid 1960's. More cars were on the road, and by 1960 many families owned two cars. The emergence
and popularity of superstores selling inexpensive goods such as Turnstyle, Terry's and Zayres lured customers away from downtown,
uptown and west Racine and the ample free parking at these giant retail outlets made them easily accessible to an
increasingly car dependent society. On the other hand, shopping by bus was more city-friendly, favoring
retailers and offices that lined the bus routes; of course this was great for local business. I wonder if downsizing
to mini-buses subtly underlined the notion that strolling, shopping, and doing business in the city was no
longer a high priority.
If this was the case, it was a crying shame. When
the Red Line, White Line and Orange Line went "to garage" for the last time, so did some of the charm and vibrancy of
city life in Retro Racine.
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.
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