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OCTOBER ISSUE SPECIAL
For one year, Time Inc. journalists will cover all aspects of the Motor City.
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Recent articles include:
by Dan Okrent, Cass Tech '65
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UPCOMING CLASS REUNIONS
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FOR A COMPLETE LIST, GO TO
"I've added a few minutes to that
hour glass figure I had in high school."
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Something nostalgic for yourself or someone you know
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WHERE YOU'LL FIND
DETROIT MEMORIES T-SHIRTS * DETROITER AT HEART APPAREL
BOOKS * DVDs * POSTERS * MUSIC * FAYGO * BETTER MADE
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SUBSCRIBER ONLY SPECIAL!
DETROIT MEMORIES T-SHIRTS
Just in time for Holiday gift-giving!
SIZE XL 2XL-3XL
$ 15 $ 17
Orig $20 Orig $22
plus $5 s&h per shirt
WHITE
or
ATHLETIC GREY
While supplies last.
Available only in
XL, 2XL and 3XL.
When they're gone,
they're gone!
PayPal sales only.
CLICK SHIRTS
FOR LARGER VIEW
Limited to stock on hand:
WHITE
XL = 13
2XL = 4
3XL = 5
GREY
XL = 9
2XL = 2
3XL = 3
HURRY . . . ORDER NOW . . . THESE WILL GO FAST!
Quantities will be updated to reflect current stock on hand.
Where your purchases support the Detroit Memories Website & Newsletter
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EMAIL INBOX
Occasionally I receive emails I feel would be of interest
to our Detroit Memories Newsletter subscribers.
With permission from the authors, I'll publish them.
~~~~~~~~
"Happy Birthday email campaign.
Detroit Memories
~~~~~~~~
1966
Originating from Livonia, Michigan , The Shades Of Blue were:
Nivk Marinelli (lead vocals), Ernie Dernai (first tenor),
Linda Allen (second tenor) and Bob Kerr (baritone).
Hi Eileen,
I ordered three copies of the Swingin' Time DVD that included two songs by the
We recently got together at a barbeque with one of the group's original members, Ernie Dernai . We set up our TV with the DVD so we could play it for everyone, but we told them it was a recent performance of our son. When we skipped right to the The Shades of Blue performance on Swingin' Time , the surprised reaction of
Ernie and his wife were priceless! I wish we would have videoed them as they watched. They had no idea that any videos existed of their performance 43 years ago.
I kept one copy, gave one to my brother (who's Ernie's friend) and, of course, gave one to Ernie who couldn't thank me enough. His wife got tears in her eyes when she told us that Ernie's two daughters had only heard the songs, but never seen their dad perform them.
Thank you for making available these happy memories. Sometimes you never know how much they can mean to someone.
Sincerely,
Sharon Muczinski
East China Township, Michigan
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EILEEN'S NOTE: CLICK HERE if you're interested in information about the Swingin' Time DVDs.
~~~~~~~~
1968
Randy McMillan, Dennis Girard, Robin Seymour, John Menadrysa and Vic Grasso
Hi Eileen --
I discovered your website and references to Robin Seymour and his Swingin' Time Show . Attached is a photo of my group, The Ruins , the day we appeared on his show.
For our group and manager, Ann Marston , the appearances on Swingin' Time
were one of the high points of our musical career. I remember like yesterday meeting Robin and then being shown to Mary Morgan 's dressing room...the room we were given to get ready.
I wonder if Robin knows how he made instant celebrities of local bands? After appearing on his show, I felt like a rock star at school the next day!
Garagehangover.com has information on our group and Ann Marston . There are plenty of photos and even our music can be heard.
Dennis Girard
Michigan
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Eileen --
My great-grandfather, Ernst Kern , founded Kern's . Most of the family in my grandfather's and father's generation were involved in its operation. My grandfather sold the store in 1957, the year I graduated from high school, so I was never involved in the business as an adult.
Following are three photos which may be of some historical interest:
CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
Kern's Delivery Wagon, c. 1880s . My great-grandfather, Ernst Kern , established the original dry goods store in 1883.
Kern's Store, c. 1950 . People waiting for the streetcar in front of the main entrance of Kern's during the Christmas shopping season.
Night Scene, c. early 2000s . Compuware's national headquarters now located where Kern's store stood from 1899 to 1966.
I've been away from Detroit for 40 years, but I still have family and friends there.
I'll look forward to getting your Newsletter.
Regards,
Ernst "Fritz" Kern
Irvine CA
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Eileen,
It was very nice to meet you when you were here in Vegas.
I printed the September 2009 Newsletter so people who come
into the store could look at it.
Thank you so very much for the nice things you said about us.
I hope it brings us some new business! Already several customers
have said they'd read about us in the Newsletter.
Hope you had a great time while you were here and look forward
to seeing you the next time you come to town.
Patty Batwins
Motor City Coney Island
Henderson, NV
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A TRIBUTE TO ERNIE HARWELL
The Voice of the Detroit Tigers
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE
Ernie Harwell (Born: William Earnest Harwell)
Born: January 25, 1918
Birthplace: Washington, GA
Military service: USMC (four years)
Father: Davis Gray Harwell
Wife: Lulu Tankersley (m. 30-Aug-1941
University: Emory University
Radio Hall of Fame 1998
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By now, I'm certain most of you have heard that Ernie , 91, has inoperable,
incurable bile duct cancer. He has chosen to forego treatment; however,
with an indomidable spirit, he is making occasional appearances when he can.
He recently appeared at a Detroit Tigers game and spoke to the media.
Here's the touching video from that visit:
"Michiganders have taken him everywhere, to the beach and the backyard,
the picnic in the park and that spot beneath the pillow
where he can only be heard by a kid who's supposed to be asleep."
JCosyn wrote:
"I'm a grown man, in my mid-fifties. But when Ernie came out last night
to talk to us for the last time, I cried. It's too much like losing a family member.
On the phone, my older brother said the same thing. When we were kids,
it was Ernie Harwell who gave us baseball, the game we both loved.
Very few games were televised back then; baseball was experienced
on the radio, and it was Ernie who made it live for us.
The sound of his voice, "It's a beautiful night for baseball here in Detroit,"
started the blissful summer evenings when we would sit by the radio
and take in the game, and really feel every play, every pitch, every hit,
because of the beautiful, simple way he described the game.
His was the voice that made baseball live for us. He is so deeply woven
into our love of the game that losing him will be like losing a part of baseball itself.
We were so lucky to have him all these years, and we'll never forget him.
Rich in Atlanta wrote:
One of the things I always loved was when a fan caught a foul ball,
Ernie would ‘identify’ the home town of the fan. “A gentleman from Hamtramck
caught that ball.” Of course he was just making it up,
but it all made perfect sense. In the world of a baseball game,
why wouldn’t the announcer know where every fan was from?
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Cards/letters can be sent to:
Ernie Harwell, c/o S. Gary Spicer Sr., Attorney at Law
16845 Kercheval. Ave., Suite 5, Grosse Pointe 48230
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LISTEN:
A DEFINITION OF BASEBALL
BY
ERNIE HARWELL
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Be sure to visit
Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Consists of books, team annuals, media guides, programs, scorecards,
baseball cards, clippings, photographs, video and audio tapes.
Baseball is the principal sport represented.
Over the years, Harwell has continued to contribute material to the collection,
making a major donation in 2003. As a public collection,
it is second only to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
An exhibit area called "The Lulu and Ernie Harwell Room"
houses a portion of the collection, in addition to seats from
Tiger Stadium at Michigan and Trumbull and a mock broadcast booth.
Access to the collection is by appointment.
To schedule an appointment, call the
Burton Historical Collection at 313-833-1480
WHO AM I ?
My original dream was to be a professional baseball player,
but my life changed forever in 1948 when I joined the radio club
at Detroit’s Northwestern High School .
I recently retired from my last radio gig,
a job that I held for an incredible 39 years.
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for submitting this photo and question for our contest this month.
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Deadline for entry is October 15, 2009 .
Entries submitted after the deadline will be disqualified.
One entry -- with one answer -- per subscriber.
Winners* will be announced in the next Newsletter.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*Your prize? Why, the fame and notoriety you'll enjoy
once your name appears on the Winners List!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GOT A DETROIT-RELATED PHOTO
from the 50s/60s/70s that you think would stump Detroit Memories Subscribers?
Send it to me! info@detroitmemories.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
LAST MONTH'S CONTEST
FROM WHAT STORE IS THIS AD?
For the answer and the winners,
Detroit Memories NEWSLETTER
HOME OF 'YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM DETROIT IF...'
THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY: TERRY LIVINGSTON, Mesa AZ
PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO OTHER INTERESTED 'DETROITERS'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOW TO SUPPORT DETROIT MEMORIES
WEBSITE & NEWSLETTER
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SHOP
and purchase something to wear, read or view!
The revenues generated from the store (including Amazon.com purchases)
help offset the website and newsletter expenses.
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As of this date, this issue will reach
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Your name will appear in the main banner, like this:
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Interested?
*Detroit Memories reserves the right to accept only appropriate Sponsors.
Once approved, prepayment requested via PayPal or by check.
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GET YOUR OWN FREE SUBSCRIPTION!
PRIVACY POLICY:
Your email address will never be sold or distributed to anyone, ever!
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DETROIT MEMORIES NEWSLETTERS
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CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS
Are you receiving this Newsletter as text instead of HTML?
Do we have your city and state information?
Have you joined a 'Detroiters' group?
Do we have the name of the Detroit area high school you attended?
Update or change your information by clicking on the preferences link
at the bottom of the Newsletter email sent to you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GOT COMMENTS,
COMPLIMENTS, QUESTIONS or SUGGESTIONS?
Find an error in the Newsletter?
I want to hear from you!
Email: eileen@detroitmemories.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
for the
"You Know You're From Detroit If..." list
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DETROIT MEMORIES NEWSLETTER
I S A PUBLICATION OF DETROIT MEMORIES LLC
EDITOR
REGINA H.S. '66
Home of
"You Know You're From Detroit If..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
(c) 2009 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
DETROIT MEMORIES LLC
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For a complete list of all of the
Tours, Exhibits and Special Programs,
go to:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
NEW EXHIBITS
DETROIT SNACK FOOD SUPERSTARS
Fabulous 5 will showcase the Better Made Snack Food Company,
Germack Pistachio Company, Sanders Confectionery,
Stroh’s Products and Vernor’s Ginger Ale.
AUTOMOTIVE SHOWPLACE
will feature the Cougar II , a one-of-a-kind prototype fastback
two-door red coupe built in 1963 by Ford Motor Company as a possible
competitor for the Chevrolet Corvette. The car was never put into production.
PERMANENT EXHIBITS
include the famous Streets of Old Detroit,
Frontiers to Factories, The Motor City, and The Glancy Trains.
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DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM
5401 Woodward Ave. (NW corner of Kirby)
Detroit Cultural Center
(313) 833-1805
Group tours (313) 833-7979. Adult admission is $6.
Seniors (60+), college students with valid college ID,
and youth ages 5-18 pay $4.
Children ages four and under are free.
Parking in Museum’s lot is $4.
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Sign up now to receive information on all of the exciting exhibits and events
offered by the Detroit Historical Society, your complete history resource!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
DAYS OF DETROIT
2010 WALL CALENDAR
$9.00
Celebrate Detroit history everyday! Each month in this wall calendar features
an historic and seldom seen photo from the region's past.
And each day highlights an interesting fact that occured on that day.
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Does your Detroit-area High School or Grade School
HAVE AN ALUMNI WEBSITE?
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DETROIT'S HYROPLANE RACERS
P H O T O S G A L O R E !
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We have several photos from the 50s/60s/70s on the website.
The best way to get what you're looking for is via our photo database at:
Just select a year from the form and click GO.
Or...you can put an option in the web address, like these:
We also have many members and friends with great photo collections.
One that comes to mind is Sandy Ross , who has some outstanding Detroit photos.
Here's a website I found for Sandy:
On a personal note...
My Aunt Mabel (great name) had a vast collection of glass mounted color slides...
many of them from the late 40's, 50's and many from Detroit.
I scanned them in, cleaned them up a bit, and put them on the web.
The Detroit photos are here:
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Other websites with photos:
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Chuck Thompson
dies in 1966 hydroplane race on
Sunday, July 3, 1966 while driving Smirnoff .
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The next Detroit APBA Gold Cup race is set for July 9-11, 2010.
For more info, go to
or on Facebook at
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UPDATE:
SS Columbia
Former Boblo boat headed for the Hudson River
By Jim Kasuba
The News-Herald (The Voice of Downriver)
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JOIN US!
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Another group you might be interested in:
If you lived in NE Detroit prior to 1985, this group is for you.
Boundaries are between 6 Mile Road (South) and 8 Mile Road (North),
Lake St. Clair (East) and Van Dyke (West).
A big smile should cross your face when you hear Wish Egan / Heilmann,
Montgomery Wards, State Fair Avenue, Alinosi's, The Ramona and more...
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Know of a Facebook group that relates to Detroit in the 50s/60s/70s?
Email me: info@detroitmemories.com
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DETROIT PHOTO GALLERY
WOODWARD: THEN AND NOW
Photos taken near Sears, Midland & Barlett Sts.
Submitted by Don Weston
1956 photo photographer unknown
Both pictures were taken from the now abandoned railroad bridge
that crossed Woodward . In the distance, the Medical Arts building
with a billboard showing an advertisement for Seagram's 7.
In the 2009 photo, only a few blocks from Bill Snethkamp Chrysler
in Highland Park, very little of old Highland Park remains except
the Ford building (left). The Ford smoke stacks and much of the plant
were torn down shortly after the 1956 picture was taken.
The street car tracks are gone and street light wiring is now underground.
A modern shopping center now occupies the site of the former Sears store.
2009 photo taken by Don Weston
REDFORD HS ~ CLASS OF '59
REGINA HS ~ CLASS OF '66
ST. AMBROSE HS '69
ST. JOAN OF ARC GS
WATERFORD TWP HS '57
CENTRAL HS ~ CLASS OF '59
LAKEVIEW HS ~ CLASS OF '59
NOTRE DAME HS
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL GS
REDFORD UNION HS (BY CLASS)
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YOU'RE INVITED
Twilight for the Grande
A CLASS PHOTO
Hosted by: M Friends of the Grande Ballroom
Date/Time: M Wednesday, October 7, 2009 ~ 6-7 PM
Location: The Grande Ballroom
8952 Grand River, Detroit, MI
I am compiling 5 years of research, photos and interviews into a comprehensive book entitled
"Ghosts of the Grande - A Complete History of Detroit's Grande Ballroom"
I have been honored to speak and correspond with countless folks who were part of the Grande experience.
I would like to invite each and every one of my Grande friends to stand in reverence and silent protest of the Grande's condition as we image a "Grande Class Photo" which will appear in the book.
I hope you all can join me one more time at the corner of Grand River and Beverly.
Leo Early
Webmaster
Email: webmaster@thegrandeballroom.com
Grande Ballroom posters
1967-1969
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DETROIT RADIO FLASHBACKS LOGO
Flashbacks of the Day
If you missed Jim Hampton's 12-hour "Radio Recall" broadcast
that aired on WPON this past Memorial Day weekend,
you'll can now find them here to download!
You'll also find a ton of other JPG, MOV, MP3 and MP4 files
that include our favorite on-air personalities, such as
Lee Alan, Bob Green, Paul Cannon, Joey Ryan, Gary Stevens, Scott Regen,
Tom Shannon, Marc Avery, Dick Purtan, Dave Shafer, Joey Reynolds,
Dave Prince, Joey Reynolds, J. Michael Wilson, Ernie Durham, Fred Wolf,
Conrad Patrick, Robin Seymour, Tom Clay and many, many more!
