Saturday, October 31, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Halloween

It's getting closer! Pretty soon there will be short, strange-looking people at your door!









Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Where did it go?

Can it truly be? Is it really less than 2 months until Christmas? What happened?!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Interesting History

Old-Line Retailers – Where Did They Go?

Arbor Drugs
Arbor Drugs opened its doors in Troy in 1974, when founder Eugene Applebaum combined several drug stores under the name. At the time, he owned a handful of pharmacies, including one in Ann Arbor. Because the Ann Arbor store was the best of the bunch, he decided to use the second half of the city’s name for his business.

Atlas Beverage Company
For more than 60 years, Atlas Beverage Company produced carbonated beverages with names like Brownie Root Beer, Bulldog Ginger Beer, Cheer-Up, V-Mix, and Golden & Pale Dry Ginger Ale. A Polish immigrant in Hamtramck founded the company in 1929, and it closed in 1996.

Barthwell Drugs
When the pharmacy where Sidney Barthwell was employed failed during the Great Depression, Barthwell borrowed $500 from friends to open Barthwell Drugs in 1933. Barthwell Drugs grew to become the largest chain of black-owned drugstores in the United States, with a total of nine stores and three ice-cream parlors. Although the chain no longer exists, the Barthwell legacy remains in Detroit with the establishment the Sidney Barthwell Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State Universitys College of Pharmacy.

Burroughs
The Burroughs Adding Machine Company moved to Detroit in 1904 and was once the largest adding-machine company in the United States. William Seward Burroughs founded the company when he invented the Burroughs Registering Accountant in the 1880s; it was the first practical adding-listing machine that printed calculations on paper tapes. The company partnered with the Sperry Corporation in the 80s and is now called Unisys. Although the company is now headquartered in Blue Bell, N.Y., it still occupies the old Burroughs factory and office space in Plymouth, Mich.

B. Siegel Company
B. Siegel Company’s fine-clothing store in Detroit was originally Heyns Bazaar, until Benjamin Siegel purchased it in the late 1800s and changed the stores name. The Woodward Avenue shop was reputed to be the finest and most complete suit and cloak store in America, until the company filed for bankruptcy in 1981.

Crowley Milner and Company (Crowleys)
When Detroit department store Partridge and Blackwell was struggling to stay in business, the Crowley brothers stepped in and took over. In the early 1900s, the store flourished by catering to the citys affluent clientele, but by the end of the century, Crowleys had bowed out of the market.

Cunninghams
Andrew Cunningham opened Cunninghams Drugs in 1889 and had 11 stores in downtown Detroit when the company was purchased by Economical Drugs owner Nate Shapero in 1931. Cunninghams was famous for its special promotions and used an elephant symbol to represent their jumbo sodas, sundaes, and photo-print services. The chains slogans included "Don't say drug store, say Cunninghams, and "We're a drug store and a whole lot more."

Farmer Jack
The story of Farmer Jack stores can be traced to 1924, when Russian immigrant Tom Borman opened Tom's Quality Meats in Detroit. Tom and his brother, Al, ran grocery stores that were a metro Detroit staple, becoming Farmer Jack in 1966. The last remaining Farmer Jack stores closed in 2007 (some were converted to A&P’s).

Federals
Steven Wests spans a range of endeavors, from writing five self-help books to committing some major tax evasion. He's perhaps best-known in the Detroit area for (BURNING), taking over Federals department store in the late 70s. In 1980, Federals dissolved.

F&M
Phar-Mor, Drug Emporium, and F&M were once the most powerful bargain drugstore chains in America. The industry was pioneered in Ferndale when Fred and Margaret Cohen opened the first F&M in 1955. The Cohens' business strategy was selling brand-name products at bargain prices, relying on word-of-mouth advertising, and banking on stock-up shopping popular in more affluent areas. When the Cohens sold the business in 1977, their 9,000-square-foot store was grossing $13 million per year.

Fretters
Ollie Fretter opened his first self-titled electronics store in Livonia in the 1950s. He may best be remembered for his commercials, in which he promised, "I'll give you five pounds of coffee if I can't beat your best deal."

Gantos
Lebanese immigrant Theodore Gantos long dreamed of opening his own linen store, and when the devastation of the Great Depression ended, he did just that. With his wife, Haseebie, he opened the first Gantos store in Grand Rapids in 1932. Over the next few decades, the store shifted gears to become a successful women’s-wear boutique before going out of business in 2000.

Grinnells Pianos
Once known as the largest piano factory on the earth, Grinnells Pianos opened its doors in Holly, Mich., in 1913. The company lasted for nearly a century, thanks in part to its quality pianos and to its consistent community involvement hosting annual statewide music festivals.

Harmony House
Carl Thom opened the first Harmony House music store in Hazel Park in 1947. Known for its superb selection of Detroit music, the chain grew to 38 stores before finally closing in 2002.

Highland Superstores
In 1933, Harry Mondry founded the first Highland Appliance Store, named for its location in Highland Park. The company had a dramatic rise and fall in its time, expanding to three states before finally liquidating in 1993.

Himelhochs
The first Himelhochs clothing store opened on Washington Boulevard in downtown Detroit in 1907. Fifty years later, the chain had stretched across the country, and even to Paris. But in 1977, the company filed for bankruptcy and closed. Its original location on Washington has been preserved as a historic landmark.

Hudsons
The J.L. Hudson Company was founded in 1881 by Joseph L. Hudson. The 29-story flagship store, located at 1206 Woodward in downtown Detroit, was the worlds tallest department store throughout most of the 20th century, with 706 fitting rooms, 68 elevators, 51 display windows, five restaurants, a fine-art gallery, and a wine department. After many changes in the retail sector, the chain was eventually folded into Macys.

Hughes & Hatcher
In 1910, Fred Hughes and Leslie Hatcher opened their clothing store in downtown Detroit, and it soon became the top name in gentle men’s fine apparel. Aside from its stupendously stylish suits, Hughes & Hatcher was known for having the largest display windows in town.

Jacobsons
In 1838, the first Jacobsons store opened in Reed City, Mich. The store catered to the fashion needs of upscale Michigan clientele, and eventually expanded to Florida and other states. The store is still profitable in Florida, but the Michigan stores, after more than 150 years, remain closed.

Joshua Doore Furniture
In 1973, Harvey Leach opened the doors to Joshua Doore and, for years, drew in customers with the charming slogan “You've got an uncle in the furniture business.” A few years later, amid the company’s transformation into Uncle Robinson Furniture, Leach was found dead in the trunk of his car, allegedly as a result of financial challenges.

Kerns
Where the Compuware building stands in downtown Detroit today once stood another grand retailer of the citys golden era, Kerns Department Store. Kerns opened in 1900 and competed with J.L. Hudsons until closing in 1959. After much restoration, the famous Kerns clock was rededicated by Compuware in 2003.

Kinsel Drug Store
The next time you need a remedy for a late-night cough, you can thank Edward C. Kinsel, who opened Detroit’s first 24-hour drugstore. Kinsels opened in 1894 and offered patrons everything from cold remedies to cold cuts.

Klines
Eugene B. Kline founded Klines women’s fashion store in 1911. The chic-looking store on Woodward Avenue was called the most modern store in the country in 1940.

Merchant of Vino
Founded in 1974, Merchant of Vino was well known for its fine wine and gourmet foods. Although Eddie Jonna eventually sold his popular chain to Whole Foods Co., his sons Marc and Matthew picked up where their father left off, opening the state-of-the-art Plum Markets now seen around metro Detroit.

New York Carpet World
Marvin Berlin opened New York Carpet World in 1967. Along with his partner, Irving Nusbaum, Berlin grew the chain to an impressive 250 stores in 17 states, including Michigan, making it the top source for household flooring.

Perrys Drug Store
Jack A. Robinson founded the hugely successful Perrys Drug Store chain, which was taken over by Rite-Aid in the mid-90s. The first Perrys store opened in Pontiac in 1957, named for its location on Perry Street.

Pfeiffer Brewing Company
Conrad Pfeiffer began brewing his own beer in 1882. His Art Deco red-brick brewery was built between Beaufait and Bellevue avenues on the east side of Detroit, complete with a stable and hospitality area that offered tours, products for sale, and a beer garden. Pfeiffer Brewing Company began producing its olive-drab cans with black lettering for the government during World War II, soon after it began selling its yellow Johnny Fifer cans to the public.

R.H. Fyfe and Company
Detroit was once home to the largest shoe store in the world. Fyfes opened in 1865 and, by 1919, it had expanded to include 10 floors of shoes and service areas, as well as a miniature-golf course. After closing, the headquarters at Woodward and Adams was converted into residential lofts.

Sams Jams
Opened in 1979, Sams Jams was a hip Ferndale record shop where customers could always find rare and vintage tunes. Sams frequently hosted album signings with popular and alternative bands of the day. But much to the dismay of the local underground music community, Sams closed its doors in 1993.

Sanders
Frederick Sanders opened his first retail shop in downtown Detroit on June 17, 1875. At one time, Sanders had over 57 stores around town selling an assortment of candy, fudge toppings, and baked goods. Sanders sold his first Ice Cream Soda in 1876, when he substituted ice cream for the sweet cream used in his Sweet Cream Soda.

Sebastian S. Kresge/Kmart
With his humble beginnings, historic philanthropist Sebastian S. Kresge likely couldn't have imagined that the city of Detroit would turn his modest five-and-dime store into the gargantuan enterprise it became. S.S. Kresge Co. opened in Detroit in 1899, and later expanded into Kmart Corporation, before merging with Sears, Roebuck & Co.

Sibleys Shoes
Aaron Ross and Norm Rosenfeld opened the first Sibleys shoe store in Detroit in 1920 and soon expanded to various locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. Headquartered in the Fox Building and, for a time, the Renaissance Center, the chain was finally dismantled in 2003.

Strohs
In 1850, Bernhard Stroh established what would become a Detroit institution, then referred to as Lions Head brewery. During Prohibition, the company stayed afloat by producing ice cream and near beer and selling it in grocery stores and ice-cream parlors (Strohs Ice Cream can still be found today). With its headquarters at Grand Park Centre near Grand Circus Park, Strohs was family-owned and -operated for more than 145 years.

Thorn Apple Valley
After miraculously escaping from a Polish concentration camp during World War II , Henry Dorfman immigrated into the United States and opened his own butcher shop in Detroit in 1949. The small company, originally called Frederick Packing Company, expanded nationwide and was renamed Thorn Apple Valley in 1984.

Towne Club
In the mid 1960s, Harold Samhat began selling Towne Club soda at various pop center around Detroit. Towne Club, sold in wooden crates with 24 glass bottles in each, was more affordable than Coke or Pepsi and was famous for its wide variety of flavors.

Twin Pines Dairy Farm
It's been a long time since fresh milk, cream, and cottage cheese were delivered right to your milk chute, but for almost 20 years, Twin Pines was perhaps Detroits finest creamery. Before the emergence of convenience stores, Twin Pines was such a success that it even had its own children’s television show, Milky's Party Time, from 1950 to 1967.

Vernors
Legend has it that Vernors ginger ale was created in 1866 when Detroit pharmacist James Vernor returned home from the Civil War and found that the syrup he'd created and stored for four years had transformed into a deliciously different drink. Combined with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (preferably Strohs), the distinctly Detroit soda created a Midwest delicacy: the Boston cooler, believed to be named after Detroits Boston Boulevard.

Winkelmans
The first Winkelmans store was built in Detroit in 1928. The founders, brothers Isadore and Leon Winkelman, were born and raised in the Upper Peninsula, but fell in love with the city and stayed to open their successful clothing stores.

Woolworths
Perhaps the best-known of the old five-and-dimes was Woolworths, which expanded into a larger discount store chain and thrived for most of the 20th century. After the stores demise in the 80s, the company broke off into several parts, including a sportswear division now known as Foot Locker.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Found!

This is the cutest spot. I know someone who says "squee" all the time.... now I know why! Check it out!

http://dailysquee.com/

Saturday, October 24, 2009

snopes.com: No Plate

snopes.com: No Plate

Posted using ShareThis

You are going to just love this!

Happy Birthday!




Happy 6th Birthday, Scooter (Noah)!
Love, Grandma






Friday, October 23, 2009

Senior Trick or Treating


You know you are too old to Trick or Treat when:


10. You keep knocking on your own front door.

9. You remove your false teeth to change your appearance.

8. You ask for soft high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.

6. People say: 'Great Boris Karloff Mask,' and you're not wearing a mask.

5. When the door opens you yell, 'Trick or...' and can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that doesn't dislodge your hairpiece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.


And the number one reason Seniors should not go Trick Or Treating...


* * * 1. You keep having to go home to pee.


No matter, have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN anyway.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Why We Love Children

1 ) NUDITY I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, 'Mom, that lady isn't wearing a seat belt!'
2) OPINIONS On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a note from his mother. The note read, 'The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents.'
3) KETCHUP A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. 'Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle.'
4) MORE NUDITY A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, 'What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a little boy before?'
5 ) POLICE # 1 While taking a routine vandalism report at an elementary school, I was interrupted by a little girl about 6 years old. Looking up and down at my uniform, she asked, 'Are you a cop? Yes,' I answered and continued writing the report. My mother said if I ever needed help I should ask the police. Is that right?' 'Yes, that's right,' I told her. 'Well, then,' she said as she extended her foot toward me, 'would you please tie my shoe?'
6) POLICE # 2 It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station. As I gathered my equipment, my K -9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me. 'Is that a dog you got back there?' he asked. 'It sure is,' I replied. Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then towards the back of the van. Finally he said, 'What 'd he do?'
7) ELDERLY While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, 'The tooth fairy will never believe this!'
8) DRESS-UP A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, 'Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit.' 'And why not, darling?' 'You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning.'
9) DEATH ; While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt. Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin. Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: 'Glory be unto the Faaather, and unto the Sonnn, and into the hole he goooes.' (I want this line used at my funeral!)
10) SCHOOL A little girl had just finished her first week of school. 'I'm just wasting my time,' she said to her mother. 'I can't read, I can't write, and they won't let me talk!'
11) BIBLE A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 'Mama, look what I found,' the boy called out. 'What have you got there, dear?' With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear!'

NOW IF THIS DIDN'T BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY, GO BACK TO BED AND FORGET IT.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Hearts & Flowers

A cardiologist died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart covered in flowers stood behind the casket during the service.

Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever.

At that point, one of the mourners burst into laughter.

When all eyes stared at him, he said, "I'm sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral...I'm a gynecologist."

That's when the proctologist left.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Friday, October 16, 2009

Autumn Splendor


I don't know where this was taken or who took it, but it is a favorite and I thought I would share. Beautiful, isn't it?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Betty Crocker

I can't remember if I've ever put this link on here, so I'm putting it on again (I'm too lazy to look to see if it's in my labels). *grin*

DinnerMadeEasy@emails.BettyCrocker.com

They have a lot of great stuff when you sign up to receive the newsletter! Yummm!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Sweetness!


Happy Tuesday!

Monday, October 12, 2009

How's That?


A little something to tickle your funny bone!
p.s. Happy Columbus Day!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Award and Meme...


A Meme And An Award!........




My friend Carol, at http://charliandme.blogspot.com/ has posted a meme and an award! This seems like a great way to get to know one another a little bit better and it sounds like it will be fun to do. The rules are, that in order to receive the award, you must do the meme and you can only use ONE WORD answers. I think for most of us this is not as easy as it sounds but I will certainly give it a try. Now I'm supposed to pass the award along to six other blogger's, but being the a little rebel I like Carol, I'm offering it to all of you who read my blog......So here goes......


1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Your hair? Silver

3. Your mother? Heaven

4. Your father? Heaven

5. Your favorite food? Pizza

6. Your dream last night? About my friend KB

7. Your favorite drink? Water

8. Your dream/ goal? Peace

9. What room are you in? Computer

10. Your hobby? Facebook

11. Your fear? War

12. Where do you want to be six years? Here

13. Where were you last night? Here

14. Something that you aren't? Superficial

15. Muffins? Blueberry!

16. Wish list item? Peace

17. Where did you grow up? Michigan

18. Last thing you did? Game

19. What are you wearing? Jammies

20. Your TV? Off

21. Your pets? Cats

22. Friends? Absolutely!

23. Your life? Busy

24. Your mood? Happy

25. Missing someone? Always

26. Vehicle? Corolla

27. Something you're not wearing? Makeup

28. Your favorite store? Walmart!

29. Your favorite color? Blue

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Today

32. Your best friend? God

33. One place you go over and over? Work

34. One person who e-mails you regularly? Sissy

35. Favorite place to eat? CozyCorner


I hope all of you will join me in doing the meme. Don't forget to leave a comment here so I can pop over to read yours. It really was fun! All you have to do is answer all of the questions using one word answers and pick up the sweet little award for yourself.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Oops!

Holy cow! I can't believe I have been so bad! I haven't posted since Sunday. Sorry guys! Here's a little something I had tucked away.

21 things to remember.......

1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.
2. Most people will be about as happy as they decide to be.
3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently.
4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have.
5. Success stops when you do.
6. When your ship comes in.... make sure you are willing to unload it.
7. You will never "have it all together."
8. Life is a journey...not a destination. Enjoy the trip!
9. The biggest lie on the planet: "When I get what I want, I will be happy."
10. The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
11. I've learned that ultimately, 'takers' lose and 'givers' win.
12. Life's precious moments don't have value, unless they are shared.
13. If you don't start, it's certain you won't arrive.
14. We often fear the thing we want the most.
15. He or she who laughs......lasts.
16. Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints.
17. Look for opportunities...not guarantees.
18. Life is what's coming....not what was.
19. Success is getting up one more time.
20. Now is the most interesting time of all.
21. When things go wrong.....don't go with them.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Betty Crocker

I get a newsletter from Betty Crocker, and I thought I would share with anyone who is interested. I am going to try to post the link to the latest newsletter that I received. I sure hope it works! Enjoy!!

http://recp.mkt32.net/servlet/MailView?m=4241995&r=NDc4MTE3Nzg0OQS2&j=MTM4Mzc1ODkxIAS2&mt=1

Saturday, October 3, 2009

I Wish...


Click on the picture to open it up in a new window so that you can read it. I apologize for the small size.