Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wistful Wednesday : Late 1950’s

Years ago even if you didn’t go out every Saturday night..you went out on New Years Eve.  It was a unwritten rule. No one stayed home on New Years Eve.  You got all gussied up and went out..usually meeting relatives or friends, for supper..some dancing and more than likely a little bit of drinking.

In our area there were several places to go..Anglers Tavern being a local favorite..there would be music and they had a dance floor.  There was El Rancho over by Two Inlets..and there was a place called Toad Lake..and then over by Detroit Lakes there was a place called the Erie 34 Supper Club where you could have dinner and dance.

Marvin and Evelyn Late 1950s

In the late 1950’s Far Guys parents were all dressed up and ready to go out..someone else took this photo with a different camera. It must have been Uncle Jimmy or Uncle Ronald. We get a rare color look at the couch that I have described previously as beige and those hopelessly wild flowery drapes, the venetian blinds and a pukey looking green corduroy round pillow.  We get a look at Far Guys Dad when he had a little hair remaining on his head.  This was before the big comb-over..you know when the men grew their hair long on one side and combed it over the top of their head to cover it and it made them look like they had a little hair..except if they took off their hat in the wind. Far Guys Mother is beautiful in a brushed satin dress and her earrings and necklace match.

If I could see more of the photo..Far Guys Dads shoes are perfectly polished..and his Mom has on black leather pumps..dancing shoes:)

17 comments:

LindaG said...

Wonderful little piece of history. :-)

Becca's Dirt said...

Nice looking couple. I know the hair. It looks like a squirrel tail. Great photos of the grands. I know you enjoyed them and so did Chance. Happy blogiversary. Happy New Year!

troutbirder said...

Catching up. Fun posts. New Years eve traditions are special in their own way. We've shared them with the same couple for over forty years. Now that Nutcracker business was also a mystery to me as well until my oldest grandson took the part in his elementary school play & explained the whole thing to me. :)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Dang, this is one of those times I can't see the picture. Yep, folks...I do have my eyes open. It was a great read anyway sweetie!

Have a terrific day sweetie!!! :o)

Liz in PA said...

Hi Connie & Gene~ You two are a very special couple! Amazingly I feel like I am your neighbor way up there in MN! The Nutcracker piece was so funny! I've never liked them, I think they look scary! They have "SMOKERS" that look the same.....(I think they burn Incense) - I could be wrong, but they are scary too.

That is a lovely pic Gene's parents! Oh yes, I too remember going out on NY EVE. My really fancy first date w/hubby {we just became ENGAGED at CHRISTMAS} was at a NY EVE PARTY at the National Guard Headquarters in Chagrin Falls OH.............many years ago!!

Love the new pics on your Blog Heading! Burrrr!

Let's think SPRING !!!!!

An early wish for a very Healthy and Happy New Year to you both and your family!

>>>>>BUDDY sends a tiny Milkbone treat to CHANCE!

lisa said...

Nice looking couple! We stay home with the kids and play board games and then have sparkling grape juice to bring in the New Year.

Patsy said...

the Bennie in the picture I posted of him today was 1956. We were a little younger then your in-law but we went out on New Years and cut a rug-- what fun back in the 1950's we had.

CiCi said...

I agree with you, Far Guy's mother looks beautiful. And they look like they are going out for a great night out together.

Anonymous said...

Love the photo and the idea of everyone going out for the evening! John asked me earlier were we going to live it up on New Year's Eve!

West Side of Straight said...

Can't believe that we used to do that too! haha! Now just want to stay home, except go out to eat occasionally!

Lynda said...

I grew up in upstate NY and it was the same traditions. We often went with my parents to the taverns. Some were very family oriented. I loved seeing my parents dress up to go out. People hardly do that anymore. Good memories you shared!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful memories from this single shot.

Lanny said...

Ahh those were the days for sure. I married a non dancer, one of those questions I forgot to ask, or maybe he fibbed. My folks were the go out nearly every weekend type especially by the time I came along. I love the memory of the smells and sounds, and how pretty my mom looked and how handsome my dad.

Lanny said...

Oh and the fun things they would bring home, especially from New Years! I had a little collection of paper umbrellas and swizzle sticks, but my prize possessions were the tiaras and noise makers.

L. D. said...

we have a place that has a dance floor in it from the early forties. The thing is still very popular. I took my late father in law a few years back to watch people dance. They do dances that I assume are traditional but were way before our time.
The Sunday show on CBS was there a few months ago and showed it nationally because one of the women working there was being interviewed. She is 90 now and was there working from the day that it opened.

gayle said...

I remember the days when we use to go out dancing every Saturday night and always on New years Eve. I just couldn't stand to stay at home especially then. Now you would have to drag me out!

Pamela said...

WR's grandparents ... they would sure get gussied up and go out dancing.

My 6th grade teacher had a comb over that fell once out at recess. It kept the shape of his head as it hung down near his shoulder. I think all of us kids playing, could have caught the ball with our open mouths.