Michigan Memories

What you should know if you live in Michigan

I got a chuckle out of this.... I remember too much that is here!! Fun to read (even if you don't live here)

From 1910 to 1920, Hamtramck, Michigan grew from 3,589 to 45,615 residents, leading the nation in growth for that period.

During the lumber boom era, the row of saloons that lined Water Street in Bay City was known as 'Hell's Half Mile'.

In 1936, Escanaba, Michigan harvested and processed 100,000 sq. ft. of birds eye maple to be used in the English Luxury Liner, the Queen Mary.

When the territory of Michigan was created on Jan. 11, 1805, Detroit was chosen as its capital.

Bagley's Corner was the original name of Bloomfield Hills.

The world's only marble lighthouse is located on Belle Isle. ( Livingston Lighthouse)

Hog's Hollow was the original name of Utica, Mich.

There are over 11,500 lakes in Michigan.

The home offices of Life Savers Candy, Beech-Nut Gum, and Squirt soft drinks are in Holland, Michigan.

In 1870, Detroit became the nation's first telephone customers to have phone numbers assigned to them.

Charles A Lindbergh was born in Detroit on Feb. 4, 1902.

The Stars and Stripes first flew over Michigan soil on July 11, 1796.

In Sept. 1908, William C Durant organized several independent automobile plants into what was to become General Motors.

Michigan began charging an annual license fee of 50 cents in 1915.

Michigan 's first police woman began walking the beat in Detroit in 1893.

In 1942, the Davison Freeway in Detroit was completed and became the world's first urban freeway. Then gas was 5 cents a gal. and some stations gave you a free 6 pack of glasses with a fill up!!!

The first soft drink,(Vernor's Ginger Ale) was introduced by a Detroit Pharmacist, James A. Vernor, in 1866. Note: There were several 'elixirs' on the market at that time, including what would later be called Coca Cola. These contained alcohol, whereas Vernor's didn't. Thus the name 'soft' drink.

The intersection of Woodward Avenue and Grand Avenue in Detroit proudly displayed the world's first traffic light in 1915; leaders of 19 countries and 26 States came to check it out in the first six months.

In 1688, Father Jacques Marquette founded the first permanent settlement in what would later become Michigan.

The world's first shopping mall (Northland Mall), opened in the Detroit suburb of Southfield in 1954. Newspapers from overseas as well as this country wrote that it would never catch on ...... Duh?

The world's first painted highway center lines were featured in Trenton, Michigan in 1911. They were used in other towns and was how Centerline, Michigan got its name.

Michigan ranks Number 1 nationally in the production of dog sleds!!!

The nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex is Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

Opened in 1904, the nation's oldest freshwater aquarium is the Belle Isle Aquarium (sadly, now closed).

The onion is Michigan 's largest fresh-market vegetable crop.

YOU'RE AN OLD DETROITER (OR JUST OLD) if ........

You took a 'moonlight cruise' to Bob-Lo with Captain Bob-Lo or went to Edgewater Amusement Park. And you could stamp your girlfriends name on the coin from the vending machine.

You shopped at Hughes and Hatcher, B Siegel, Peck and Peck, Himelhochs, Robert Hall, Crowley's, Shoppers Fair, EJ Korvettes or Federals.

You rode the elevator at J. L. Hudson's, which was 'run' by an elevator operator, who sat on a stool.

You remember a Winkleman's and Sanders store in your neighborhood. Ahhh, that hot fudge sundae!!!

You remember the 'Big Snow', Buffalo Bob, Howdy Doody, Clarabelle, Phineas T. Bluster, Princess Summer-Fall-Winter-Spring.

You remember Twin Pines Dairy delivered milk and juice to the chute on the side of your house and Milky the Clown performed magic with the magic words 'Twin Pines. Plus Browns Dairy with the horse drawn milk wagon.

You remember the Good Humor man in a white uniform, ringing the bells as he rode down your street, on his trike.

You remember Olympia Stadium. Home of the red wings.

You remember when Vernors was made on Woodward Ave, with the wood floor and wooden benches to sit on while your watching the bottles being filled. A great place to take your date after a movie! And a bearded gnome was on the bottle.

You also remember that Coca Cola bottles had the town it was bottled in embossed on the bottom of the bottle. The person with the farthest away bottle wins the bet!!

Your Mom got groceries at Great Scott, Food Fair, Wrigley's or Chatham.

Your Mom saved Holden Red Stamps, S&H Green stamps, or Gold Bell Gift stamps, and you licked them into those little books.

Kresgee's and Woolworth's were 'Dime Stores.'

Cunningham’s Drug store.

"I will meet you under Kerns Clock!!

Michigan, United Artists, Uptown, Broadway Theaters, and don't forget the National Burlesque "Theater"!!!

You had an uncle in the furniture business, (Joshua Door).

You know who Bill Kennedy is.

You saw the Detroit Lions play football in Tiger Stadium.

You remember The Faygo Kid & Black Bart and the Faygo song. Or how about 'Which way did he go? He went for Faygo, old fashioned root beer.'

You watched Rita Bell's prize movies in the morning.

You remember Jack LeGoff and Van Patrick. What about Betty Bahr and the weather?

You remember Milky the Clown, Soupy Sales, Johnny Ginger, Poopdeck Paul, Captain Jolly, Sagebrush Shorty and maybe even Sergeant Satko Salute.

You visited the Wonder Bread Bakery and got to take home a mini loaf of bread.

Your address had a two-digit 'zone' before there were zip codes. Detroit 19, Michigan.

And you had a Townsand or Twinbrook Ecophene exchange. Did you have a two or four party line? Ohhh a private line!! Rich people eh!!

You remember 'Get on the right track at 9 mile and Mack, to get the best deal in town. Roy O'Brien, it's the best deal in town.'

You remember a laundry chute and a milk chute and a coal chute.

How about the icebox and iceman??

A fridge with the coils on top?

How about a gas Fridge?

You remember going to Detroit Edison with your Mom to exchange burned out light bulbs for new ones, for free!!

Oh, the memories!

Things Remembered

This is for all who have ever been to the old Tiger Stadium. This beautiful stadium is no more. Torn down because no one loved it quite enough. Sigh.

BobLo - Moonlight Cruise

This is one of my favorite things from childhood and young adulthood. If you were a kid, there was nothing like BobLo Island -- rides and SO much fun. If you were young and in love, there was absolutely NOTHING like a moonlight cruise on the BobLo boat. Sigh.

Juggler

GOTTA LOVE US MICHIGANDERS:

A Michigan State trooper pulled a car over on US 23 about 2 miles North of the Michigan/Indiana State line.

When the trooper asked the driver why he was speeding, the driver said he was a Magician and Juggler and was on his way to Ft. Wayne, IN to do a show at the Shrine Circus. He didn't want to be late. The trooper told the driver he was fascinated by juggling and asked if the driver would do a little juggling for him then he wouldn't give him a ticket.

He told the trooper he had sent his equipment ahead and didn't have anything to show. The trooper said he had some flares in the trunk and asked if he could juggle them. The juggler said he could, so the trooper got 5 flares, lit them and handed them to him.

While the man was juggling, a car pulled in behind the patrol car. A drunken good old boy from Michigan got out, watched the performance, then went over to the patrol car, opened the rear door and got in. The trooper observed him and went over to the patrol car, opened the door asking the drunk what he thought he was doing. The drunk replied, 'You might as well take me to jail, ain't no way I can pass that test.'

(Thanks, Brenda!)

The Rules of Rural Michigan are as Follows:

(#19 is my favorite!)

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.
2. Turn your cap right, your head isn't crooked.
3. Let's get this straight; it's called a 'dirt road.' No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Get out of the way!
4. To us they are cattle. Think of them as live steaks. They smell funny to you, but they smell like money to us. Get over it.
5. We're not impressed that you have a $60,000 car. We have $150,000 corn pickers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.
6. Every person in rural Michigan waves at you. We think of it as being friendly. Try to understand the concept.
7. If that cell phone rings while an 8-point buck and 3 does are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.
8. Yeah, we eat taters & gravy, beans & cornbread. We fry our fish after catchin' 'em. You really want sushi & caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.
9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the 15th of November.
10. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.
11. No, there 's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.
12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats (includes fish), vegetables, and breads. We use four spices: salt, pepper, hot sauce and ketchup. Oh, yeah.... We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat... IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!
13. You bring 'coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.
14. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.
15. College & High School Football is as important here as the Bears or the Bulls, & a dang site more fun to watch.
16. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks the fish.
17. Colleges? We have them all over. We have State Universities, Community Colleges, and Vo-techs. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come home for the holidays.
18. We have a whole ton of folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Plus we have the Michigan Militia! So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.
19. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers. Refer back to #1.
20. Four inches of snow isn't a blizzard - it's a flurry. Drive like you got some sense in it, and DON'T take all our bread, milk, and toilet paper from the grocery stores. This ain't Alaska! Worst case, you may have to live a whole day without croissants. The pickups with snow blades will have you out the next day.
21. I-94 goes east and west, I-75 goes north and south. Pick one.

A true Michigander will send this on!!!

OK. I Give Up! Spring Ain't Coming!

Winter Storm Warning:
Issued at: 4:56 AM EDT 3/21/08, expires at: 1:00 PM EDT 3/21/08
Winter storm warning in effect from 6 pm this evening to 8 am edt Saturday, The NWS in detroit/pontiac has issued a winter storm warning, which is in effect from 6 pm this evening to 8 am edt Saturday. Snow will develop by early this evening and quickly become heavy at times. The snow will gradually taper off overnight and end toward sunrise Saturday. Total snowfall accumulations of 2 to 6 inches are expected, with the highest totals occurring over the southwest part of the county. A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

Sunshine

It is such a beautiful day today. Even if it is only 18º, the sun is shining, the birds are all a-twitter, and the squirrels are sunning themselves in what is left of the big box elder tree in the backyard.

Black History Month

Piecing US Together

Unlike any place before it, the United States of America is made up of people who come from every corner of the world. The unique contributions of African Americans are highlighted during Black History Month. Here's what's coming up in Southeast Michigan.

The Henry Ford hosts Quilting Genius 2: The Improvisational Quilts of Susana Allen Hunter. Opening Friday, Feb. 15, the new exhibit will showcase 30 colorful and intriguing quilts created by Susana Allen Hunter from her experiences in the segregated South. The public is also invited to a the Quilting Genius Forum March 15, where a panel of experts will discuss the artistic expression of African-American quilters and the history their works preserve.

At The Henry Ford, take time to explore With Liberty & Justice for All, a groundbreaking exhibit that explores the proud and often painful evolution of America freedom from the Revolutionary War through the struggle for civil rights.

Making Prints, Telling Stories - The Artistry of Margaret Burroughs This exhibition features a selection of evocative prints by renowned artist Margaret Burroughs. Often characterized as examples of "social realism," the works affectionately capture the essence of Africa and the African Diaspora. While at the museum, you'll want to visit "And Still We Rise," the spectacular $12 million permanent exhibit that details in life-size displays the African American experience. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is open Wednesdays through Sundays in February.

Black History Month at the DIA Celebrate Black History Month with great art, live music, poetry, storytelling and more at the New DIA. You'll find special programs, including a drop-in workshop, information for educators and big-screen films. Explore African American themed events, gallery tours, performances and activities Wednesdays through Sundays in February at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The E. Azalia Hackley Concert The 64th Annual Hackley Concert presents the artistry of lyric baritone Robert Sims. Known for his moving interpretations of African American spirituals, Mr. Sims has appeared in operas and recitals throughout the United States. He performs Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library.

Classical Roots Celebration IV This concert series celebrates African contributions to classical music. With resident conductor Thomas Wilkins and mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, the program features Exegisis, a work by African-American composer Augustus Hill, Berlioz's Cleopatra and Detroit's own Brazeal Dennard Chorale. Performance is Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Max M. Fisher Music Center.

Grandma's Pharmacy This documentary highlights the life of Elizabeth Wize, the first African American woman to own a chain of pharmacies in Michigan. Today, she is 91 years young and still runs the business from Detroit's Medical district. The film was created by Elizabeth Greene, a Wayne State University graduate. Screens Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Annual African American Film Festival This inaugural film festival concentrates on classics of the big screen, featuring historical African American moving pictures from the 1930s and 40s. The films include "Emperor Jones" (starring Paul Robeson, photo), "Dirty Gertie from Harlem" and "The Green Pastures." Screenings Saturdays, Feb. 9 through Feb. 23, at the Pontiac Creative Arts Center.

Let My People Go! A Spiritual Journey Along the Underground Railroad The story of escaped slaves risking their lives for freedom comes to life through music, dance and storytelling. Presented by Rackham Symphony Choir with the Marygrove College Chorale and the Hartford Memorial Bach Choir, Donald McCullough's masterwork explores the coded language hidden within the spirituals that helped slaves escape. Performances Friday, Feb. 29 and Saturday, March 1, at Marygrove College.

For more Black History Month events, click here. We will update the GreatStuff special section as we receive more information in the coming month.

From GreatStuff
Michigan holds a special place in the African American experience. Automotive pioneer Henry Ford was the first American industrialist to offer blacks work and pay comparable to whites, a fundamental part of economic and social equality. Get the details in "Working Side by Side," an article from Michigan History magazine by University of Michigan professor David L. Lewis. The image at left of the Ford Rouge Plant is by American photographer Charles Sheeler. Click here or on the title above to read the article.

The nation's Black History Month is not just for discovering the story of African Americans. It is the story of Michigan and the story of America. It is our story.