
Milwaukee PBS Specials
Things That Aren't Here Anymore II
3/3/2023 | 58m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
Memories of Milwaukee natives who fondly recall the years following World War II.
Experience the shared memories of Milwaukee natives who fondly recall the years following World War II and test your trivia knowledge of the city's colorful past. "Things That Aren't Here Anymore II, A Community Remembers" is the second program in a series where the past comes alive through old photographs, archival footage, and personal stories.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
Milwaukee PBS Specials is a local public television program presented by MILWAUKEE PBS
Milwaukee PBS Specials
Things That Aren't Here Anymore II
3/3/2023 | 58m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
Experience the shared memories of Milwaukee natives who fondly recall the years following World War II and test your trivia knowledge of the city's colorful past. "Things That Aren't Here Anymore II, A Community Remembers" is the second program in a series where the past comes alive through old photographs, archival footage, and personal stories.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Milwaukee PBS Specials
Milwaukee PBS Specials is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> IN AUGUST OF 1945 AMERICANS TOOK TO THE STREETS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, TO CELEBRATE THE END OF WORLD WAR II.
AS LOCAL RESIDENTS, FILLED DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE, BOB WEBER CAPTURED THE JOYOUS CELEBRATION ON HIS WHOM MOVIE CAMERA -- HIS HOME MOVIE CAMERA.
>> THE VERY NEXT SUMMER, MILWAUKEEANS GATHERED AGAIN, TO CELEBRATE ANOTHER MILESTONE.
THE CITY'S 100th BIRTHDAY.
TO COMMEMORATE A CENTURY OF GROWTH AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THE CITY THREW A MONTHLONG PARTY.
ANOTHER EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY, HERBERT, USED HIS KEYSTONE 16-MILLIMETER CAMERA TO CHRONICLE THE FESTIVITIES.
>> YOU MAY NOT RECALL VIJAY DAY, BUT HOW ABOUT THESE OTHER PLACES AND EVENTS?
>> DO YOU REMEMBER THE BLIZZARD OF 1947?
>> OLD SMOKY, THE STEAM ENGINE ON DISPLAY IN BAY VIEW?
>> SOCIAL CLUB EVENTS SPONSORED BY MILWAUKEE RECREATION.
>> HOW ABOUT THE KOOKY COOKIE HOUSE AT CAPITAL COURT.
>> ATTENDING A BRAVES GAME AT BORECHARD FIELD OR WATCHING OF THE BREWERS WIN ONE AT COUNTY STADIUM.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER A TIME WHEN A POLICE OFFICER WHO WALKED YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD KNEW YOUR NAME.
>> PLAYGROUNDS WERE STAFFED WITH ATTENDANTS.
>> BOWLING WAS AS POPULAR AS BASEBALL.
>> AND DANDELION PARK WAS THE MOST FUN AMUSEMENT.
>> SITTING IN THE PAJAMAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF YOUR PARENTS' CAR, WATCHING A MOVE SPREE ON A HOT SUMMER NIGHT.
>> HAVING YOUR PICTURED SNAPPED FOR A SMALL FEE ON A PONY PASSING THROUGH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> OR EATING A SNERKLE CANDY BAR MADE RIGHT HERE IN MILWAUKEE.
>> DOES THE KID IN YOU STILL REMEMBER RIDING THE HELICOPTERS OR THE TILT-A-WHIRL AT KIDDY LAND AT CAPITOL COURT?
>> OR GOING TO THE ZOO WHEN IT WAS AT WASHINGTON PARK.
>> OR VISITING THE CIRCUS WHEN IT CAME TO TOWN AT WHAT ARE NOW THE SUMMERFEST GROUNDS.
>> EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT FROM THE MILWAUKEE AREA, THE STORIES WE'RE ABOUT TO SHARE WILL FILL YOU WITH NOSTALGIA, AS WE STEP BACK IN TIME TO THE BOOMING POST-WAR YEARS.
>> WITH MY DADDY LEFT FOR WORK, I WAS NEVER AFRAID HE WASN'T GOING TO COME HOME AGAIN.
>> MY NAME IS MARALYN WELLAUER AND I GREW UP IN MILWAUKEE, I'M A RETIRED MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.
MY FATHER WAS GEORGE WELLAUER AND HE WAS A BEAT COP IN THE EARLY YEARS ANDY WORKED OUT OF NUMBER 1 DOWNTOWN.
AND HE WOULD WALK THIS BEAT, RAIN, SLEET, SNOW.
MY FATHER PROBABLY PUT IN ABOUT FOUR TO SIX MILES A DAY, AND THAT'S ON AN EIGHT-HOUR SHIFT ON HIS BEAT.
HE WOULD HAVE TO CALL IN EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR ON A CALL BOX WITH A LIGHT ON THE TOP, WHICH, IF THAT LIGHT WAS LIT, THAT MEANT THAT HE HAD TO CALL IN, THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON IN HIS AREA, IN HIS BEAT.
THEY GOT A REAL GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF EVERYONE IN EVERY RESIDENCE, THEY KNEW WHERE EVERYONE LIVED, WHETHER THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HOME AT A PARTICULAR TIME, WHEN A DOOR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN OR CLOSED AND I GUESS THAT LED TO A CERTAIN SAFE, SECURE MENTALITY IN MILWAUKEE AS WELL.
IF THERE WAS A BEAT AN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA, LIKE MY DAD HAD DOWN ON MICHIGAN STREET, HE WOULD HAVE TO CHECK THE KNOBS ON THE DOORS TO SEE IF THEY WERE AJAR OR LOOK INSIDE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING AMISS, A WINDOW OPEN OR SOMETHING, AND THEY WOULD LITERALLY CALL THE OWNER OF THAT ESTABLISHMENT AND TELL THEM THERE WAS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD CHECK INTO OR WAS THIS WITH THEIR PERMISSION.
AND I THINK THAT WAS -- WE HAD PRIVATE SECURITY PEOPLE THAT DO THAT TODAY, BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT FUNCTION IN THOSE DAYS.
I COULDN'T IMAGINE WHEN I GREW UP OF ANYONE WANTING TO HURT A POLICEMAN, WHICH I GUESS REFLECTED THE 1950'S.
EVERYTHING WAS SO SAFE AND SO SECURE, AND PEOPLE SEEMED TO BE SANER THAN THEY ARE NOW.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN EXPLAIN WHY I FELT THAT WAY, BECAUSE IT WAS STILL A DANGEROUS JOB.
FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT MY FATHER WAS HIRED, HE WAS GIVEN A PISTOL, HIS COLT 32 CALIBER, AND THAT WAS HIS SERVICE REVOLVER, THEY HAD TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES AND THE BULLETS.
THEY ALSO HAD A KEY TO THE CALL BOX.
THEY HAD A NIGHTSTICK, WHICH WAS MADE OUT OF A VERY HARD AFRICAN ROSE WATER, AND THEY HAD SOMETHING CALLED A COME-ALONG CHAIN, WHICH WAS A COMPAIGN THAT YOU JUST WRAPPED AROUND YOUR OFFENDER'S WRISTS AND IF HE RESISTED, YOU JUST GIVE IT A YANK AND I GUESS THAT WAS ENOUGH TO PUT THEM ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW, AND THEY HAD HANDCUFFS OF COURSE.
AND OF COURSE, THEY HAD THEIR BADGE THAT HAD TO BE CARRIED AT ALL TIMES.
EVERY DAY WE WENT TO WORK, THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH ROLL CALL, WHICH HAPPENED ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THEIR START TIME, THEIR SHIFT START TIME, AND THEY STOOD IN FRONT OF A SUPERIOR OFFICER IN THE STATION AND THEY CHECKED FOR EVERY LITTLE FLUFF OF DUST, SO WHEN HE LEFT, THERE WAS A PLACE IN THE HALL CLOSET WHERE HIS UNIFORM HUNG ALWAYS, AND HIS SHIRTS WERE IRONED BY MY MOTHER OR MYSELF, USUALLY MY MOTHER, BECAUSE I COULDN'T DO IT GOOD ENOUGH FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE THE COLLARS WERE STARCHED AND THE CUFFS WERE STARCHED, AND EVERY DAY HE HAD TO STAND THERE AND TURN AROUND AND SHE LOOKED AT HIM TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO LINT OR DUST ON HIM.
SHE WOULD GET THE OLD FULLER BRUSH OUT OF THE HALL CLOSET AND BRUSH HIS COLLARS OFF AND MAKE SURE HIS SHOES WERE SHINED, WHICH SHE SOMETIMES DID HERSELF, AND WE JUST GAVE HIM ONE FINAL LOOK BEFORE HE LEFT.
MOTHER CAME FROM A VERY SMALL TOWN IN MINNESOTA AND SHE TOOK A JOBS A WAITRESS, IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE DEPRESSION, AND THIS COP USED TO COME IN FOR COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS AND A LITTLE LIGHT LUNCH DURING HIS BEAT, AND THEY USED TO TALK AND LAUGH AND FINALLY THE GIRLS SHE WORKED WITH SAID, I THINK THAT POLICEMAN HAS GOT A CRUSH ON YOU AND SHE SAID WHY DO YOU SAY THAT.
SHE SAID WELL WHENEVER YOU'RE HERE, YOU GET THE BIGGER TIP.
WE DON'T GET SUCH A BIG TIP, SO I GUESS SHE FOUND OUT THAT HE REALLY DID LIKE HER, AND THEY STARTED DATING, AND THREE YEARS LATER, THEY MARRIED.
WHENEVER WE HAD TO BUY SOMETHING, IT HAD TO BE PURCHASED IN MILWAUKEE.
IT WAS SO ENGRAINED IN THEM.
IT WAS ENGRAINED IN THEIR MENTALITY TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PEOPLE.
THEY WERE ALL PEOPLE THAT WERE EITHER LIVING VERY CLOSE TO THEM OR WITHIN HIS BEAT AREA.
>> MARALYN'S FATHER SERVED IN THE MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM NOVEMBER 1934 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1962.
SHE PAID TRIBUTE TO HIM AND HIS CO-WORKERS BY WRITING A BOOK ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT.
HER BOOK RECOUNTS THE WAYS THE POLICE INTERACTED WITH CITIZENS EVERY DAY IN WAYS LARGE AND SMALL.
IF YOU WERE A KID IN THE 1950'S, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE LOCAL BEAT COP, STOPPING BY YOUR SCHOOL OR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND TO INSPECT YOUR BIKE OR PASS ON A SAFETY TIP.
OR MAYBE YOUR FOLKS BOUGHT YOUR BICYCLE AT THE ANNUAL SALE WHEN THE M.P.D.
AUCTIONED OFF ITS INVENTORY OF UNCLAIMED BIKES.
MARALYN REMEMBERS THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTIES FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS' CHILDREN.
A CLOWN PLAYED TO A PACKED HOUSE IN THE THE SAFETY BUILDING GYMNASIUM IN DECEMBER OF 1960.
TODAY, PARKING CHECKERS STILL MARK CARS, BUT THE 1940'S STATE OF THE ART THREE-WHEEL MOTORCYCLES THEY USED ARE LONG GONE.
SO ARE THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON GOLF CARTS THAT WERE MODIFIED FOR POLICE USE TO PATROL THE ZOO AND THE CITY PARKS.
THE CARTS WERE LAST SEEN DISTRIBUTES SOFT DRINKS TO OFFICERS DURING THE ROUTE OF THE GREAT CIRCUS PARADE.
AND THAT DRIVEUP WINDOW THAT WAS OPENED IN 1968 ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SAFETY BUILDING, SO YOU COULD PAY YOUR TRAFFIC TICKET OR PICK UP AN OVERNIGHT PARKING PERMIT, IT'S JUST ONE MORE OF THOSE THINGS THAT AREN'T HERE ANYMORE.
>> I'M VERY PROUD OF THE MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IT'S A WELL-TRAINED, WELL-STAFFED, WELL-EQUIPPED DEPARTMENT, AS IT HAS BEEN IN THE LAST 100 YEARS.
AND THE PEOPLE WHO ENFORCE THE LAP HAVE CERTAINLY -- THE LAW HAVE CERTAINLY A GREAT DEAL TO BE THANKED FOR AND THEIR BRAVERY AND COURAGE IS SOMETHING THAT I AM VERY IN AWE OF AND I'M PROUD MY FATHER WAS A PART OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THOSE YEARS.
>> WE NEVER KNEW THAT WE WERE POOR.
EVERYONE ELSE LIVED THE SAME LIVE STYLE.
-- LIFESTYLE.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN THE 1940'S AND EARLY 1950'S, MY FAMILY LIVED ON THE NEAR SOUTH SIDE OF MILWAUKEE BIN THE ALLEN BRADLEY COMPANY, A BLOCK SOUTH OF FIFTH AND MITCHELL.
WE WERE MEMBERS OF ST. STAN'S CHURCH AND I WENT TO THE PARISH GRADE SCHOOL.
I AM RETIRED NOW AND LIVE IN BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA.
WHEN I GET BACK TO MILWAUKEE, I LIKE TO VISIT THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD.
A LOT OF BIG STORES ARE GONE NOW FROM MITCHELL STREET, GOLDMAN'S, SEARS, SO ARE THE MOVIE HOURS THE MODJESKA, THE PARK, AND THE MITCHELL, WHICH WAS NORTH OF MITCHELL STREET ON 8th STREET.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAD A DRUGSTORE AND A BAKERY.
AND IT WASN'T UNCOMMON TO HAVE A GROCERY STORE AND TWO TAVERNS ON A BLOCK.
I USED TO SELL "THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL" ON THE CORNER OF 6th 6th AND NATIONAL, HAWKING THE DAILY PAPER FOR A NICKEL AND THE SUNDAY EDITION FOR 25 CENTS.
MY PARENTS DIDN'T OWN A CAR, OR HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE.
WHEN WE WENT TO VISIT OUR RELATIVES ON SUNDAYS, WE WOULD TAKE THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
THE STREETCAR WAS AN IRON FORTRESS THAT SEATED ABOUT 50 AND HELD ANOTHER 30 STANDING UP.
THE CONDUCTOR HAD A LOUD BELL THAT HE ACTIVATED BY POUNDING HIS FOOT ON THE STEEL PIPE ON THE FLOOR.
IT COST A NICKEL TO RIDE THE STREETCAR THAT WAS NICKNAMED THE HINKY DINKY.
I REMEMBER THE RADIO STATION WOKY AND ANNOUNCER MADMAN MICHAELS.
HE HAD A RECORD OUT IN THE EARLY 1950'S CALLED "THE CHARNINAHUA KID."
WHICH IS A POLISH SOUP MADE WITH DUCK BLOOD AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> THIS IS MILWAUKEE, THE CITY, MY NAME, KASHUBA MICHAELS.
MY JOB, I'M A COP.
THE CHIEF CALLED ME IN EARLY ONE MORNING WITH A CHOICE OF ASSIGNMENTS.
I HAD A CHOICE OF INSTRUCTING NEW RECRUITS, CHECK THE THE CONMAN WHO WERE SPIKING THE PARKING METERS ON MITCHELL STREET WHERE THE STREETCAR BENDS THE CORNER AROUND OR PLAY DROP THE KESHKA ON LINCOLN AVENUE.
MY CHOICE, LINCOLN AVENUE.
>> ANOTHER MILWAUKEE VERBAL TRADITION WAS THE BUBBLER.
WHEN I WENT IN THE NAVY IN 1961, I ASKED ONE OF THE GUYS ON THE SHIP WHERE THE BUBBLER WAS.
AND BOY, DID HE GIVE ME A STRANGE LOOK.
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, WAS MATT.
BACK IN THE EARLY 1950'S, THERE WERE PUBLIC BATH HOUSES CALLED THE PUBLIC NATORIUM.
YOU EITHER TOOK A SPONGE BATH AT HOME OR WENT TO THE PUBLIC BATH HOUSE TO SHOWER AND SWIM.
ONE DAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAYS, WERE WOMEN'S DAYS, TUESDAYS, THURSDAY, AND SATURDAYS WERE MEN'S DAYS.
IT WAS A TRADITION FOR US BOYS TO GO TO THE NAT ON SATURDAYS.
WE ALL SHARED A HUGE LOCKER ROOM AND WE HUNG OUR CLOTHES ON HOOKS.
WE HAD NO VALUABLES AS KIDS AND OFF WE WENT TO TAKE OUR SHOWERS AND SWIM.
WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW POOR WE WERE.
WE HAD FAMILY, CHURCH, AND LOTS OF FRIENDS TO SHARE OUR DAYS.
SOMETIMES THE SIMPLER THE LIFE, THE LESS PRESSURE YOU FEEL.
LIFE HAS BEEN GOOD AND MEMORIES STAY WITH YOU ALWAYS.
>> I LIVED IN MILWAUKEE MOST OF MY LIFE.
I WENT TO SCHOOL AT 9th 9th STREET, RODE TO BELL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND ALSO NORTH DIVISION HIGH SCHOOL.
THE SOCIAL CENTER PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN OUR LIVES AT THAT TIME.
AND GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THINGS TO DO ON THE OUTSIDE.
THE SOCIAL CENTER ITSELF GAVE US GAMES TO PLAY, THEY GAVE US SUPPORT, BECAUSE WE HAD MANY MENTORS THERE.
MRS. ETHEL GRUNNARD, WHO WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN WHO WAS DIRECTOR THERE.
THERE I LEARNED TO TAKE PART IN THE MODERN DANCE CLASS.
THIS CLASS PERFORMED FOR CHANNEL 4 BACK IN THE 1940'S, WHICH WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, BECAUSE WE AS YOUNG WOMEN DID NOT HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> THERE WAS ALSO SOCIAL DANCING, SOMETIMES WE HAD SOME OF THE PROFESSIONAL BANDS COME IN AND PLAY FOR US AND ALSO SOME OF THE LITTLE SMALL COMMUNITY BANDS TOO THAT WERE GOING AROUND AT THAT TIME.
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN THAT WOULD SIT AT THE PIANO, THERE WAS A COUPLE OF GUYS, THEY WOULD HANG AROUND THERE.
THEY HAD A GOOD THING GOING SOMETIMES.
THEY'D GET TOGETHER AND JAM.
MILWAUKEE LIBRARY WAS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE SOCIAL CENTERS.
YOU WOULD GET A CARD, AND YOU WOULD READ SO MANY BOOKS A WEEK, AND YOU WOULD GET YOUR CARD STAMPED.
WHEN AT THE END OF THE SUMMER YOU WOULD GET THIS SPECIAL LITTLE CERTIFICATE AND THEN THEY WOULD EITHER HAVE A LITTLE PARADE OR EITHER A LITTLE PARTY OR WHATEVER IT WAS, SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT AND A LOT OF FUN FOR MOST OF US TOO.
THE CENTER WAS THE HUB AT THAT TIME FOR US YOUNG PEOPLE.
I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE IF WE HADN'T HAD THAT.
I REALLY CAN'T.
>> MY BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WIN THE AAU DIVING COMPETITION.
ON THE DAY THAT SYLVESTER PERFORMED FOR THE SWIMMING CONTEST, I THINK EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP FOR THAT EVENT.
AND IT WAS JUST WONDERFUL.
IT WAS, OH, I DON'T KNOW, I THINK IT WAS AN HONOR FOR ALL OF US TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO DO SOMETHING THAT GREAT AT THAT AGE.
VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR ALL OF US.
THE WHOLE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP.
IT WAS JUST WONDERFUL.
THAT POOL WAS PACKED.
>> GOING TO THE REGAL THEATER, THIS WAS A SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT THING THAT HAPPENED EVERY FRIDAY.
THAT WE WOULD ALL GO TO THE REGAL FOR THE WONDERFUL BUTTERED POPCORN.
FOR THE TYPE OF MOVIES THAT WE WOULD SEE.
THERE WAS A SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE, I THINK IT WAS, BECAUSE IT WAS OUR ROLE, IT WAS OUR THEATER, THERE WAS ALSO SHOWS THAT WERE REALLY NICE TOO THAT WE REALLY ENJOYED.
IT WAS ALSO A PLACE THAT WE WENT ON SUNDAYS, BUT FRIDAY NIGHT WAS REGAL NIGHT.
>> IT WAS A SLOWER, EASIER, QUIETER TIME.
I MISS THAT.
>> OUR GRANDFATHER WAS A CONFECTIONER.
A VETERAN CANDY MAKER, OUR GRANDPA ADOLPH OPENED A BONBON SHOP IN 1949.
THE STORE WAS LOCATED AT 1922 EAST PARK PLACE.
GRANDPA AND HIS CANDY STORE WERE THE ANCHORS OF OUR LIVES.
WITH OUR PARENTS DIED, GRANDPA TOOK US IN.
WE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WITH HIM AT THAT STORE.
WE WATCHED HIM MAKING BATCHES OF CANDY, LEARNED TO ROLL CENTERS FOR BONBONS AND HELPED WASH DOWN THE SIDES OF THE COPPER KETTLE.
BEFORE OPENING HIS OWN SHOP, GRANDPA WORKED FOR WEBERS, THE FAMILY-RUN STORE ON EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE THAT HAD BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY.
HIS SMALL SHOP ON PARK PLACE BESIDES OFFERING WONDERFUL CANDIES, BECAME A LINK TO THE PAST FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBERED THE STORE DOWNTOWN.
BUT FOR US, THE SHOP WAS ABOUT THE LOVE THAT GRANDPA GAVE US EVERY DAY.
>> THIS POPULAR HANGOUT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR ARNOLD'S DRIVE-IN ON HAPPY DAYS.
CAN YOU NAME IT?
AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S CALLED NOW?
>> WHAT LOCAL DRIVE-IN WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR ARNOLD'S ON HAPPY DAYS?
WAS IT LEON'S, GILLE'S, THE OLD PIG AND WHISTLE.
>> NO, IT WAS OF THE MILKY WAY ON PORT WASHINGTON ROAD IN GLENDALE.
A HANGOUT FOR LOCAL BOY TOM MILLER, ONE OF THE SHOW'S PRODUCERS.
THE OLD MILKY WAY CLOSED IN 1977.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S THERE TODAY?
>> YEP.
KOPP'S FROZEN CUSTARD.
>> AFTER WORLD WAR II, MILWAUKEEANS LIVING IN THE SHERMAN PARK AREA MOST LIKELY BOUGHT THEIR GAS AT THE COPELAND SERVICE STATION.
THE STATION WAS RUN UNDER OTHER NAMES UNTIL 1990, WHEN IT CLOSED FOR GOOD.
ALTHOUGH THE OLD GAS STATION ISN'T HERE ANYMORE, THE BUILDING STILL STANDS, THANKS TO BOB AND PAT OLAN, WHO BOUGHT THE ABANDONED SERVICE STATION IN 2001 AND REOPENED IT AS A COFFEE SHOP.
SHERMAN PERKS, NAMED FOR THE SHERMAN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE IT'S LOCATED, SERVES LOCAL PRODUCTS AND PROVIDES A VENUE FOR EVENING PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ARTISTS.
ON THIS NIGHT, MEDIA AND MILWAUKEE NATIVE DOBIE MAXWELL IS PERFORMING A LIVE SHOW.
>> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU.
WOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT IS SO NICE.
I APPRECIATE IT.
YA HEY THERE EVERYBODY.
>> WELCOME TO THE TV PRODUCTION OF SCHLITZ HAPPENED, AN OLD MILWAUKEE BLATZ FROM THE PABST.
MY NAME IS DOBIE MAXWELL, COMEDIAN, I'VE BEEN TRAVELING 25 YEARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO HONKY TONKS, GIN JOINTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ONLY TO COME BACK TO MILWAUKEE TO TALK TO HOMETOWN MILWAUKEE PEOPLE ABOUT MILWAUKEE STUFF.
ARE YOU READY TO HAVE A GOOD TIME TONIGHT?
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND IT'S MAZING ALL MY TRAVELS IN COMEDY, I SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM MILWAUKEE.
I GREW UP HERE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE AND I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS A PLACE FOR ENTERTAINMENT.
THOSE OF US THAT HAVE GROWN UP HERE AND SPENT ANY TIME HERE, MILWAUKEE IS JUST A LITTLE BIT OFF.
YOU SEE ALL THE -- YOU NEVER RECEIVE MISS WISCONSIN IN THE FINALS OF THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT, DO YOU?
NO.
WAY BACK, THERE WAS THE REST OF THE WEIRD STATES LIKE WEST VIRGINIA AND WYOMING, AND ALL THE OTHER -- THE GIRLS IN THE CONTEST, THEY HAD BIKINIS ON AND THERE'S MS. WISCONSIN WITH SUBAS AND PACKER SWEATSHIRT ON AND A SIGN THAT SAYS EAT MORE CHEESE.
SO EVERY TIME I HAVE GO SOMEPLACE AND I SAY I'M FROM MILWAUKEE, WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS FROM MILWAUKEE, WE END UP SPENDING TIME AFTER THE SHOW TALKING ABOUT MILWAUKEE THINGS.
AND ITS AMAZING TO ME HOW MILWAUKEE THINGS ARE UNLIKE ANYPLACE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE OUR OWN LANGUAGE, WE HAVE OUR OWN MENUS, WE HAVE OUR OWN STYLE, AND DIET AND FASHION SENSE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT AND IF YOU'VE EVER SEEN A LIVE SHOW BEFORE, NORMALLY WHAT PEOPLE WANT YOU TO DO IS TO BE QUIET AND ENJOY IT.
THAT WILL BE NICE, IF YOU DID THAT, BUT ALSO, IF I STRIKE A NERVE AND SOMETHING IN YOUR BRAIN GOES OFF AND SAY I REMEMBER THAT, SHOUT IT OUT.
LET'S GET EVERYBODY IN HERE, LIKE WE'RE IN SOMEBODY'S BASEMENT, BECAUSE IN MILWAUKEE, THAT IS THE ONE ROOM I THINK THAT IS THE MOST ACTIVE IN ANYBODY'S HOUSE IS THE BASEMENTS WHEN YOU GREW UP.
THERE'S A BEER SIGN ON THE WALL, USUALLY HAMM'S OR GETLEMAN AND THERE'S AN OLD FRIDGE WITH A TAP HE WERE COMING OUT WITH THE BEAM.
WE'RE GOING TO BE SITTING AROUND AFTER THE PACKER GAME HAVING A GOOD TIME.
WHAT WE'VE SEEN TONIGHT IS A WORK IF PROGRESS AND THE WORK IN PROGRESS STARTED IN 1846 WHEN MILWAUKEE WAS INCORPORATED AS A CITY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT THE LONGITUDE AND THE LATITUDE AND THE LOCATION THAT WE ARE, BUT WE ARE SHAPED AS A CITY LIKE NO OTHER CITY ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDWEST ON THE GREAT LAKES.
IT'S AMAZING HOW CHICAGO GOT MOST OF THE ITALIANS, A LOT OF THE POLISH, AND THE IRISH SETTLED IN CHICAGO.
MINNEAPOLIS, THEY GOT ALL THE BLONDEIES, THE NORWEGIANS, THE GOOD LOOKING PEOPLE WHEN THEY GO OUT TO HOLLYWOOD, THE HOLLYWOOD PEOPLE LOOK FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS BUS FOR ALL THE HOT BLONDEIES TO COME OUT THERE TO BE MOVIE STARS.
NOBODY IN HOLLYWOOD WAITS FOR THE MILWAUKEE BUS TO COME OUT THERE UNLESS THEY'RE MAKING A DOCUMENTARY ON BOWLING.
MILWAUKEE FOR WHATEVER REASON, IF YOU LOOK AT THE FRENCH, FATHER MARQUETTE, THEY CAME THROUGH HERE AND DIDN'T LIKE IT TOO MUCH AND THEN THE GERMANS CAME BY AND SAID WE CAN BREW SOME BEER HERE.
WE ARE STAYING RIGHT HERE AND I THINK DRUNK DRIVING WAS INVENTED IN MILWAUKEE.
ON HORSEBACK IN ABOUT 1753.
THAT'S THE YEAR AND FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE THE LETTER H AT THE END OF A WORD THAT A NONEXISTENT IN MILWAUKEE.
THERE'S TREE, I WAS BORN IN 196 TREE.
THAT'S THE YEAR I WAS BORN, 1963 AND SOME OF YOU WERE OLDER AND SOME OF YOU ARE YOUNGER AND WE ARE ALL GET ON THE MILWAUKEE TRAIN AT THE TIME THAT WE'RE BORN, THE THINGS THAT WE REMEMBER, THE TIMES.
SOME PEOPLE HERE REMEMBER THE 1950'S HE BETTER OR THE 1960'S OR THE 1980'S.
IF YOU REMEMBER WHAT THE MILWAUKEE BRAVES, YOU'RE ON ONE SIDE RIGHT THERE OF WHAT I'M GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT AND THE OTHER SIDE, THE GREEN SHEET.
IF YOU REMEMBER THE GREEN SHEET, YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW -- RIGHT.
THERE WE GO.
THE FAMILY CIRCLE IS RUNNING IN THE FRONT.
WHAT IS IT?
>> POGO.
>> YES, ALL THE COMIC STRIPS THAT ARE NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE.
I THINK WE ALL LEARNED HOW TO READ BY READING THE GREEN SHEET IN "THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL."
FREDY WAS ONE OF THEM, NANCY, MRS. GRIGGS, WHO WAS ABOUT 103 IN 1965 AND SHE'S PASSING OUT ALL THE INFORMATION AND ADVICE -- >> STILL RIDING THE BUS.
>> STILL RIDING THE BULLS, EXACTLY.
WITH ALEX THEIN.
THERE'S JOURNAL THING AND SENTINEL PEOPLE.
MILWAUKEE IS UNITED ON A LOT OF THINGS.
THE GREEN SHEET IS ONE OF THEM.
BUT WE'RE DIVIDED ON SO MANY OTHER THINGS.
IF YOU HAVE LIKE SUMMERFEST, YOU DON'T LIKE THE STATE FAIR AND VICE VERSA.
YOU'RE USUALLY A SUMMERFEST OR A STATE FAIR PERSON.
ALSO, IN MILWAUKEE, IT'S JOURNAL VERSUS SENTINEL.
VERY FEW PEOPLE GOT BOTH.
YOU WERE A JOURNAL PERSON OR A SENTINEL PERSON AND THE BIG THING IS I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY MORE THAN THE CIVIL WAR, IT'S SOUTH SIDE VERSUS NORTH SIDE IN MILWAUKEE.
YOU'RE A SOUTH SIDER OR YOU'RE A NORTH SIDER.
PRETTY MUCH THE EAST AND WEST SIDE DOESN'T REALLY MEAN ANYTHING IN MILWAUKEE.
THE EAST SIDE WHERE THE RICH PEOPLE AND THE FLAKES LIVE DOWN THERE, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT AND THEN THE WEST SIDE, PRETTY MUCH IT'S TOSA AND WEST ALLIS AND FORGET ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE.
FOR YOU NORTH SIDERS, THE BIG SHOPPING CENTER BACK IN THE DAY, CAPITOL COURT.
WHICH IS NOW GONE.
IT'S AMAZING.
>> IT WAS ALL OPEN AIR.
>> AS WAS BAY SHORE, BUT CAPITOL COURT HAD THE BIG THING AT CHRISTMAS, THE KOOKY COOKIE HOUSE AT CAPITOL COURT.
DID ANYBODY EVER GO TO KOOKY COOKIE HOUSE AT CAPITOL COURT?
IT'S A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT, YOU SEE IT ON TV AND BY THE TIME YOU GET THERE, IT'S LIKE, THIS IS THE KOOKY COOKIE HOUSE.
I THINK IF IT WAS THERE TODAY, IT WOULD BE CALLED THE KOOKY CRACKY HOUSE, BUT IT'S NOW GONE.
ON THE SOUTH SIDE WE ARE -- WE HAD -- >> ARLEN'S.
>> ARLEN'S ON THE NORTH SIDE WAS SPARTAN ATLANTIC.
HOW MUCH CRAPPIER STUFF COULD WE HAVE AT SPARTAN OR ARLEN'S.
SOUTH GATE.
THAT WAS ANOTHER OPEN AIR MALL AND IT WAS THE FIRST PLACE IN AMERICA WHERE THE OLD PEOPLE WOULD WALK AND TAKE LAPS, BECAUSE EVERYBODY GETTING SAUSAGE FROM USINGER'S HAD TO WALK OFF THE FAT.
WE DID HAVE A SUBBUSINESS, AND I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW IT LASTED AS LONG AS IT DID, BOY BLUE.
BOY BLUE WAS NOT FROZEN CUSTARD.
THAT'S LIKE A CHEAP IMITATION.
WE WOULD GO TO BOY BLUE TO LINE OUR STOMACH, LIKE PEOPLE EAT BEFORE THEY HAVE GO DRINKING ON A SATURDAY NIGHT.
WE'LL HAVE A SMALL BOY BLUE CONE BEFORE WE HAVE THE REAL STUFF AT AT LEON'S.
YOU HAVE GIVE DIRECTIONS BY CHOW PLACES.
YOU GO TO THE BLUE CANARY, TURN RIGHT.
HAVE WE BEEN TO THE BLUE CANARY?
I'M GOING BACK A LITTLE BIT?
THAT WAS A BUFFET, IF YOU DON'T REMEMBER IT, MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO LISTEN TO A GUY CALLED FRITZ THE PLUMBER ON THE RADIO AND FRITZ THE PLUMBER PLAYED POLE EXAMINE MUSIC, I HATED IT.
GOD FORBID, I WAS 8 YEARS OLD, IT WAS THE 1970'S WHEN I GREW UP, COULD I HEAR ROCK'N'ROLL.
COULD I HEAR ONE SONG WITH DRUMS IN IT.
NO, I HAVE TO HEAR FRITZ THE PLUMBER ON THE THE RADIO AND I HAVE TO WATCH LAWRENCE WELK ON CHANNEL 18.
WE HAD THE BOWLING GAME, BOWLING WITH THE CHAMPS AND BOWLING FOR DOLLARS.
WE HAD THREE OF THE HIGHEST BOWLING SHOWS IN AMERICA.
GOD FORBID.
THE MOON LANDING, NOBODY IN MILWAUKEE WATCHED THAT.
HEARD BOLD A 280 ON BOWLING WITH THE CHAMPS.
EVERYBODY RECOGNIZES HIM TO THIS DAY WHEN HE WALKS THROUGH SEVEN MILE FAIR.
I SAW YOU ON BOWLING WITH THE CHAMPS IN 1973.
THAT'S THE WAY THAT WORKS.
SEE MILWAUKEE, THAT'S ITS THING, WE'RE THE ONLY CITY IN AMERICA THAT ONE TIME WAS CONSIDERING PUTTING OUR BOWLING AVERAGE RIGHT ON OUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW THAT.
COME PULLED YOU OVER.
HOW FAST WERE YOU GOING -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE GOT A WEST SIDER, A LITTLE LATE IN THERE, THAT'S OKAY.
HE'S OUT THERE IN BROOKFIELD.
OH, I GOT THAT.
YEAH.
IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY WOMEN OF INDUSTRY MADE THEMSELVES KNOWN BACK IN THE DAY IN MILWAUKEE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR HUSBANDS, BUT THEY WERE SINGLE WOMEN.
WE HAD MRS. HOWE, WHO MADE YOUR POTATO CHIPS, NOT MR. HOWE, BUT MRS. .
WHO ELSE?
MRS. GREBE'S, GRANDMA GREBE AND THE FINAL ONE, MRS. CARL'S.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT MR. CARL'S WAS, GEORGE, HE COACHED THE BUCKS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A KID OR A NEPHEW, BUT MRS. CARL WAS THE ONE THAT HAD THE BLUE AND WHITE CROSS STRIPED BREAD BAGS AND THEY HAD FOOTBALL CARDS IN THERE IN THE FALL.
GOD FORBID YOU COULD GET A PACKER IN THERE AND WE ALL HAD TO WEAR MRS. CARL BREAD BAGS ON OUR FEET UNDERNEATH OUR BOOTS IN THE WINTER, DID WE ALL HAVE TO DO THAT?
AND IT HAD TO BE MRS. CARL'S BREAD BAGS ON THE OLD FEET BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR BOOTS ON AND WHAT I NOTICED THEY NEVER TOOK THE LAST CRUMBS OR THE CRUST OUT OF THE BAG.
I'M WALKING TO SCHOOL, I'VE GOT BISCUITS COMING UP OVER THE TOP.
THAT'S MILWAUKEE, MAN.
IT'S LIKE WE SURE DO LIKE TO HEAT.
THE BUFFET SYSTEM IT'S AMAZING HERE ON THE SOUTH SIDE WE HAD THE BLUE CANARY.
ON THE NORTH SIDE, ANY BUFFETS?
>> PONDEROSA.
>> POND PONDEROSA, ALL YOU CAN BACK DOWN YOUR PIPE FOR 6 BUCKS.
WE DON'T WANT TO JUST HAVE A GOOD MEAL IN MILWAUKEE, WE WANT TO PUT THE RESTAURANT OUT OF BUSINESS.
IF YOU DON'T END UP IN THE EMERGENCY WARD, IT'S NOT A GOOD MEAL.
YOU WANT PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE DOORS WITH THE PLYWOOD BECAUSE WE ATE SO MUCH.
$5.99.
MY GRANDPA WOULD TELL ME DON'T EAT SALAD OR BREAD, WE CAN GET THAT AT HOME.
ONLY MEAT.
I WANT YOU TO TAKE A PICNIC HAM AND PUT IT BETWEEN YOUR THIGHS AND WALK OUT TO THE PARKING LOT WITH IT.
SO YOU CAN TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU.
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE TO ME HOW WE LIKE TO HEAT IN MILWAUKEE.
ANY OTHER FAMOUS CHOW JOINTS THAT I MISSED?
>> JAKE'S.
>> JAKE'S DELI.
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE JEWISH OR NOT, THAT'S THE BEST DELI IN THE WORLD.
THE CORN BEEF IS CUT THIS THICK AND IF YOU GET ONE TO GO, BY THE TIME YOU GET THE BAG FROM PAYING FOR YOUR FOOD INTO THE CAR, IT'S COMPLETELY SOAKED THROUGH WITH GREASE.
YOU CAN LICK THE BAG AND YOU'RE BELL MUCH MUCHING AND BURPING FOR THE NEXT MONTH AND THE PICKLES TOO, YOU'RE BELCHING THAT UP FOR ANOTHER MONTH.
THERE WAS A PLACE BACK IN THE 1950'S AND THE 1960'S, WHICH I REMEMBER THE TAILEND OF, WHICH WAS DUTCHLAND DARE RIVERSIDE PARK.
REMEMBER THE THE DUTCHLAND DAIRY?
WHAT'S THE SONG?
MORE THAN A DAIRY, MORE THAN A DAIRY STORE.
I'VE GOT TO BE HONEST.
IT WASN'T MORE THAN A DAIRY STORE, IT JUST WASN'T.
WE HAVE OTHER PLACES WHICH I DON'T REMEMBER GROWING UP ON THE NORTH SIDE, A PLACE CALLED LITTLE ANGUS.
DO YOU REMEMBER THAT PLACE?
ROUND BUILDING, WHICH BECAME JOLLY ROGER AFTER THAT, WHICH THEY COULDN'T STAY IN BUSINESS AFTER THAT.
ZARDER'S.
BARNABY'S PIZZA.
GOLDMAN'S BASEMENT.
ANYBODY EAT AT GOLDMAN'S BASEMENT?
NOTHING LIKE THAT.
MY FRIEND MARK KRUEGER IS HERE, WE WOULD GO DOWN TO GOLDMAN ANN -- GOAL GOLDMAN'S BASEMENTS, THAT WAS A SELF-ESTEEM BUILDER.
IF YOU DON'T WALK AROUND THERE AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF IN 10 SECONDS, YOU'RE NOT LIVING, MAN.
THAT'S ANOTHER GREAT PLACE AS WELL.
THE FOOD PLACE I THINK, NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE, THERE IS DEFINITE MY A DIFFERENCE.
YOU LIKE ONE, YOU DON'T LIKE THE OTHER.
WE ARE A CAR TOWN.
PEOPLE SADIE TROUT WALLS THE CAR TOWN.
MILWAUKEE IS THE CAR TOWN BECAUSE WE HAD TO KEEP CARS RUNNING A LOT LONGER.
SO THE SALT RUSTED THEM ALL OUT.
DETROIT, THEY MADE THE CADILLACS AND THE LINCOLNS AND ALL THE COOL STUFF.
WISCONSIN, WE WEREN'T AS COOL, BUT WE DID MAKE CARS HERE.
AMC.
EXACTLY RIGHT.
ANYBODY EVER OWN AN AMC CAR?
PACER.
THE UPSIDE DOWN FISH BOWL.
AND THE GREMLIN.
DID ANYBODY HAVE A GREMLIN HERE.
JAVELIN.
HORNET.
>> CONCORD.
>> CONCORD.
PACER.
I MEAN, THINK ABOUT IT, YOU USUALLY NAME CARS AFTER SOMETHING THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FIERCE.
A HORNET, A BUG THAT WE TRY TO KILL, WE'RE GOING TO NAME A CAR AFTER THAT.
A GREMLIN, WHAT'S A GREMLIN?
A DEMON.
AND EVERYBODY HERE THAT'S HAD A GREMLIN KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
ITS DOORS WERE ABOUT 14 FEET LONG ON THE GREMLIN AND THEY HAD HINGES BUT THEY MUST HAVE BOUGHT THEM AT GOLDMAN'S BASEMENT FOR 29 CENTS APIECE.
THREE TIMES AFTER YOU HAVE OPENED THE DOOR, KLUNK, SO YOU HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB.
LOTS OF TIME THAT'S THE ONLY ACTION YOU HAD ON A SATURDAY NIGHT IF YOU COULDN'T GET A DATE.
ANY CAR WE HAD THAT WAS MORE THAN FIVE YEARS OLD IF YOU HAD THEM IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S HAD THE THE CONDITION WE CALL SUN FLOORS.
WE HAD SO MUCH SALT ON MILWAUKEE STREETS, IT ROTTED THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD OF YOUR CAR AND IT MADE A HOLE.
YOU LOOK DOWN THERE, IT WAS LIKE THE FLINT STONE MOBIL AND YOU PUT YOUR GEORGE WEBB BAGS THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD.
IT'S COLD IN HERE.
PUT YOUR FEET ON THE MUFFLER.
SHUT UP.
TOUCH THE DEER MEAT I'VE GOT COOKING DOWN THERE EITHER.
FROM THE 1950'S ON, MILWAUKEE WAS A BOOMING METROPOLIS.
WE HAD THE -- SOME OF THE TOP SPORTS TEAMS IN THE WORLD, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
THE MILWAUKEE BRAVES WERE HERE IN THE 1950'S.
THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE LOSING SEASON.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING THEY DIDN'T WIN MORE THAN ONE WORLD SERIES.
IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE BREWERS GOT HERE TO HAVE A COUPLE OF WINNING SEASONS.
ANYBODY REMEMBER THE FAVORITE BRAVES.
WERE YOU HERE FOR THE BRAVES?
YES.
>> EDDIE MATTHEWS.
HANK AARON.
JOHNNY LOGAN.
>> WARREN SPAHN.
>> FELIX.
THE BRAVES WERE SOMETHING ELSE.
WE HAD A LOT OF MEMORABLE PERSONALITIES ON TELEVISION AND RADIO.
IT'S AMAZING TO ME.
BOB BARRY CALLED THE WORLD.
REMEMBER BOB BARRY.
YES, HE DID THE MORNING SHOW ON WOKY, AND HE WOULD MAKE LONG DISTANCE CALLS AND CALL PEOPLE AND NOW, YOU COULD JUST E-MAIL THEM.
IT'S AMAZING, I ALWAYS WONDERED, MY GRANDPA SAID YOU'RE SO GOL DARN RICH, YOU COULD PROBABLY PAY BOB BARRY'S PHONE BEAR IN MIND.
-- PHONE BILL.
AT THE TIME IT WAS PRETTY HIGH.
ANYBODY REMEMBER PERSONALITIES THAT YOU LIKE FROM BACK IN THE DAVE.
>> MELODY WILSON.
>> REST HER SOUL.
>> FROM CHANNEL 4.
>> EDDIE DOUCETTE.
>> THE BEST BASKETBALL ANNOUNCER EVER, WAY AHEAD OF HIS TIME.
>> JOHNNY MCGLOCKLIN.
>> IT'S AMAZING TO ME ALL THE NEWS PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH HERE FOR 30 YEARS, THE ONE PERSON THAT STANDS OUT THE MOST WOULD BE WHO, ANYBODY?
>> ALBERT THE ALLEY CAT.
>> ALBERT THE ALLEY CAT.
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
NOW I'M SURE WARD ALLEN WAS A FINAL JOURNALIST, I'M SURE HE WAS A COLLEGE EDUCATED MAN, BUT IF HE DIDN'T GO HOME AND ABSOLUTELY POUND HIS KIDS AND HIS WIFE SAYING, I GOT TO TAKE SECOND FIDDLE TO A DAMN SOCK PUPPET.
AND EVERYBODY BELIEVED WHAT ALBERT SAID.
OH, ALBERT SAYS IT'S GOING TO SNOW TOMORROW.
TAKE THE BOOTS ALONG WITH YOU.
AND IT WASN'T HUMIDITY, IT WAS -- THE HUMERIDITY.
AND IN THE MORNING, CARTOON KIDS IN YOU GREW UP.
WHAT?
NO, HE WAS ON THE MORNING SHOW, HOMER, BARBARA BECKER.
CARTOON ALLEY.
TOMMY RICHARDS WAS TOPS.
OKAY.
I'M NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH THAT.
PUNKY AND HIS PALS.
WHAT CHANNEL WAS HE ON?
>> CHANNEL 12.
>> BECAUSE CHANNEL 6 ARE THE CARTOONS AND CHANNEL 4, JUDY MARKS, THAT WAS THE BABE THAT ALL THE DADS AND GRANDPAS WANTED TO GO AFTER, JUDY MARKS.
BILL CARLSON, IF YOU REMEMBER BILL CARLSON, YOU'RE JUST PLAIN OLD.
I REMEMBER HIM TOO.
THEN WE HAD JOHN MALAN WITH THE WORLD'S WORST TOUPEE EVER.
HE DOES THE WEATHER, HE MOVES HIS HEAD AND THE TOUPEE STAYS IN THE SAME SPOT.
DICK JOHNSON.
PAUL JOSEPH.
YOU'VE NEVER SEEN HIM IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S THE SAME GUY.
JIM OTT AND PALM JOSEPH ARE THE -- AND PAUL JOSEPH ARE THE SAME GUY AND I THINK WE'VE ALL HAD OUR DREAMS AND FANTASIES OF MILWAUKEE OF SITTING HOME DURING OUR NOON HOUR AND GETTING A CALL FROM DIALING FOR DOLLARS WITH HOWARD AND ROSE MARY.
IT'S AMAZING, THE ACCOUNT AND THE AMOUNT, IT'S 4 DOWN AND $32, BUT MAN, WE WOULD HAVE KILLED OUR NEIGHBOR'S DOG TO GET $12 AND A FREE MOVIE TICKETS AND A BRUCE BENNETT MOVIE REVIEW.
IT'S AMAZING HOW THEY'D SPIN THAT MAGIC WHEEL, MAN, BUT IT WAS AMAZING.
AND IT WAS BOWLING FOR DOLLARS OR DIALING FOR DOLLARS.
I NEVER GOT ANY OF THOSE DOLLARS.
ANYBODY ELSE?
WE'RE BACK IN MILWAUKEE WHERE IT ALL HAMS.
SEE, IT'S GREAT THAT YOU HAVE GUYS CAME OUT HERE AND IT'S AMAZING TO ME HOW I WANTED TO LEAVE MILWAUKEE FOR SO LONG.
I SPENT 25 YEARS TRYING TO SHOW SOMEBODY, GET OUT OF MILWAUKEE, I'LL SHOW YOU, AND I WAS WRONG THE WHOLE TIME.
I WAS CHASING EVERYTHING, WHICH WAS REALLY IN ME THE WHOLE TIME.
YOU CAN TAKE THE MILWAUKEE OUT OF THE BOY, BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE BOY OUT OF MILWAUKEE OR HOWEVER YOU HAVE SAY THAT.
THIS IS OUR HOME.
MILWAUKEE IS WHERE WE LIVE.
WARTS AND ALL.
FAT PEOPLE AND ALL.
COLD WEATHER AND ALL.
CRAPPY SPORTS TEAMS AND ALL.
STATE FAIR.
CREAM PUFFS THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE FOR AND ALL.
BAD SLOW BUS ROUTES AND ALL.
THIS IS OUR HOME.
WE ARE HALL TOGETHER, NO MATTER WHAT COLOR, NO MATTER WHAT ETHNICITY WE ARE, WE ARE MILWAUKEE.
YA HEY THERE.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR COMING.
MILWAUKEE, SCHLITZ DID HAPPEN AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALL HERE.
I HOPE YOU HAVE GUYS HAD AIT SHALL >> IN THE 19 NOTERS AND 1950'S >> IN THE 1940'S AND 1950'S, MANY BAY VIEWERS BANKED AT THE BAY VIEW STATE BANK ON EAST BAY VIEW AVENUE.
TODAY, THE BUILDING HAS BEEN RENOVATED AND THE ONLY THING THAT REMAINS AT THIS OLD BANK IS THE ENORMOUS STATE VAULT WHICH WAS IMMOVEABLE.
CAN YOU NAME THE BUSINESS THERE NOW OR GUESS WHAT CREATIVE USE OF THE BANK VAULT HAS TODAY?
>> THE OLD BAY VIEW STATE BANK ON LINCOLN AVENUE.
>> TODAY IT'S HOME TO THE SUGAR MAPLE, A BAR THAT BOASTS A SELECTION OF 60 MICROBREWS ON TAP AND THE OLD VAULT THAT COULDN'T BE MOVED, IT WAS CONVERTED TO SOME OF THE MOST SECURE BACK PROGRAMS IN -- BACK ROOMS IN TOWN.
>> WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I LIVED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM HIGH MOUNT SCHOOL.
DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THERE WERE ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES THAT WERE PLANNED FOR US FROM ATHLETICS, COMPETITIVE GAMES.
>> THE PLAYGROUND PROGRAM BARBARA STEIN REMEMBERS SO FONDLY IS STILL A BIG PART OF SUMMER FOR TODAY'S KIDS.
MILWAUKEE RECREATION, THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES CONTINUES TO OFFER YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITIES AND LOTS OF SUMMER FUN.
BUT TO KIDS GROWING UP IN THE 1940'S AND 1950'S, IT WAS A WAY OF LIFE.
>> WE'D LEAVE THE HOUSE AT 8:15 A.M., 8:30 A.M.
IN THE MORNING, RIGHT AFTER BREAKFAST, AND BE GONE UNTIL NOON TO COME HOME FOR LUNCH AND GO BACK TO THE PLAYGROUND AGAIN.
>> PLAYGROUNDS WERE A MAGNET FOR YOUNGSTERS.
HERE, PLAY LEADERS LED ACTIVITIES IN CLASS, CHECKED OUT EQUIPMENT AND BOARD GAMES, AND TAUGHT KIDS SKILLS AND RULES.
FUN WAS THE ULTIMATE GOAL AND THERE WERE COUNTLESS GAMES.
DID YOU PLAY ANY OF THESE?
UNDER THE CHERRY TREE.
SPUD.
PINS MATCH.
JUMP THE SHOT.
PIN BASEBALL OR ROLLER BALL.
POISE ON SNAKE.
PEP A NUMBER.
>> PITCH A NUMBER.
AND ONE OUT.
>> PLAYING ON THE PLAYGROUND WAS JUST A ROUTINE ACTIVITY.
YOU PLAYED JACKS, YOU PLAYED MARBLES.
THEY HAD SODA BOXES THAT THEY HAD PARTITIONS IN AND YOU WOULD TAKE BOTTLE CAPS UPSIDE DOWN WITH A POPSICLE STICK AND PLAY HOCKEY IN THESE LITTLE BOXES.
>> THERE WAS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS THAT WERE HELD, AND WOULD ALSO HAVE PUPPET SHOWS, AND THEY HAD WONDERFUL MONKEY BARS THERE, AND THAT'S WHERE I WOULD TRY MY PROWESS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DO IT JUST AS GOOD AS THE GUYS.
>> WE WOULD PLAY BASEBALL IN PARTICULAR AS I GOT OLDER.
>> IN THIS ERA, MILWAUKEE DIDN'T HAVE LITTLE LEAGUE, BUT IT DID HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED STARS OF YESTERDAY AND JUST LIKE TODAY, BOYS PLAYED ON DIAMONDS ALL OVER THE CITY.
SOME WERE EVEN COACHED BY FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS.
THE PLAYGROUND PROGRAM ALSO OFFERED SPORTS DAYS, AND ATHLETIC MEETS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS OF ALL AGES.
KIDS PARTICIPATED IN EVERYTHING FROM SIMPLE FOOT RACES TO TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS.
A PARTICULARLY POPULAR COMPETITION WAS STICK THE PEG, WHERE BALANCE WAS AN IMPORTANT COMPETE TO THE CAME.
-- KEY TO THE GAME.
MANY YOUNGSTERS FIRST LEARNED CHESS AND CHECKERS AT THE PLAYGROUND.
SOME LEARNED AT HAWTHORNE GLEN AND GOING ON TO CITYWIDE COMPETITIONS.
AND EVERY YEAR, WHEN SUMMER CAME TO A CLOSE, A PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL WAS HEALTH WITH THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL SHOWS.
PARENTS WOULD COME, KIDS PERFORMED AND IT WAS GREAT ENTERTAINMENT.
2011 MARKS THE 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MILWAUKEE RECREATION.
A CENTURY OF PLAYGROUND FUN AND MEMORIES.
>> THERE'S JUST SOMETHING GOOD EVERY DAY.
>> YOU GOT TO MEET NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.
>> YOU'D INTERACT WITH PARENTS WHO WOULD COME TO SEE US PERFORM.
>> IT WAS A GREAT PLACE FOR US TO SPEND SOME TIME DURING THE SUMMER.
>> IT WAS REALLY, REALLY, A LOT OF FUN.
>> MY CONNECTION TO BAY VIEW AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER WOULD BE THE LATE 1940'S.
I WAS PROBABLY 5 YEARS OLD, LIVING IN THE BARRACKS.
THE BARRACKS WERE EARLY PUBLIC HOUSING.
ACROSS THE STREET WERE THE THE RAILROAD TRACKS.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS WAS A COMMUNITY CENTER CALLED BEHLUAH BRITAIN.
WE WENT THERE ON FRIDAY NIGHTS TO GO WATCH MOVIES, AND THE SERIES WERE MOSTLY FLASH GORDON SERIALS OR HOP ALONG CASSIDY.
THE MOVIE HOUSE WE WENT TO MOST OFTEN WHEN I WAS WITH MY PARENTS WAS THE PIX AND THE PIX WAS LOCATED RIGHT OFF THE CORNER OF LINCOLN AND HOWELL.
VERY SMALL THEATER AND WE WOULD GO THERE AND SEE NOT SECOND OR FIRST RUN MOVIES BUT THIRD OR FOURTH RUN MOVIES AND THE EARLY THING AT THE PIX WAS WHEN I SAW A 3D MOVIE AND THAT WAS HOUSE OF WAX WITH VINCENT PRICE, JUST SCARED THE DAY LIGHTS OUT OF YOU.
THEN FOR A TREAT, MY PARENTS WOULD POSSIBLY TAKE US TO THE AVALON THEATER ON KK AVENUE FOR DOUBLE FEATURES, WHICH FEATURED THE NEWS AND CARTOONS, PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS.
>> IN THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESIDENT EISENHOWER SIGNS A PROCLAMATION THAT MAKES ALASKA'S ENTRY IN TO THE UNION OFFICIAL.
>> YOU KNEW YOU WERE GETTING OLDER WHEN THE PARENTS ALLOWED YOU TO GO TO THE BALLGAMES WITH YOUR FRIENDS.
AND IT WAS KIND OF AN ADVENTURE, YOU KNOW, TO TAKE THE NUMBER 15 TROLLEY DOWN TO DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE AND THEN TRANSFER TO I THINK IT WAS THE NUMBER 10 STREETCAR RIGHT IN FRONT OF CITY HALL AND TAKE THE STREETCAR TO THE STADIUM.
AND THE STREETCAR AT THAT TIME WENT OVER A TRESSEL TRACK OVER THE VALLEY WHERE THE MILLER BREWERY IS.
IT WAS QUITE EXCITING, BECAUSE THE TRESSEL WAS HIGH ABOVE THE GROUND, ONE OF OUR PRIMARY ACTIVITIES WAS SWIMMING OUT AT BAY VIEW BEACH.
AND WE GOT TO A CERTAIN AGE AND WORKED UP OUR COURAGE, KIND OF A RITE OF PASSAGE WAS SWIMMING TO THE BREAK WALL AND BACK.
AND ANOTHER THING WAS TO GO STAND ON TEXAS ROCK.
TEXAS ROCK IS IN THE HARBOR BETWEEN THE SOUTH SHORE BEACH AND BAY VIEW BEACH.
JUST SLIGHTLY UNDER WATER.
THERE'S A BUOY MARKER THERE.
ANOTHER RITE OF PASSAGE, WHEN I HAVE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST WAS DOING WHAT'S CALLED THE LAGOON RUN, WHICH MEANT RUNNING ALL THE WAY THROUGH HUMBOLDT PARK, BACK TO BAY VIEW HIGH SCHOOL.
THAT WAS A BIG DEAL BACK IN THE BAY VIEW ERA AT THAT TIME.
GROWING UP IN BAY VIEW, I THINK THIS PART OF MILWAUKEE, IT WAS BASICALLY EITHER YOU WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND YOU OFTEN MET AT CHURCH OR ON THE PLAY GROUNDS AND IT WAS JUST A GREAT PLACE TO GROW UP.
>> TO THE PARTY GIRL, BEST WISHES TO A REAL SWEET GIRL, WHO INVITES THE WHOLE CITY TO HER PARTY.
ALWAYS, MARTY FREEMAN.
HI, I'M BARBARA STEIN, I WAS BARBARA GODFREY AND THAT WAS MARTY FREEMAN WRITE TO GO ME IN MY 1957 YEAR BOOK WITH I GRADUATED FROM WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.
THE PLACE I'M SITTING IN NOW WAS A LIBRARY, BUT BEFORE, IT WAS THE BOULEVARD INN, WHERE WE WENT FOR PROM AND OTHER VERY SPECIAL OCCASIONS AND IT WAS A SPECIAL SPOT FOR ALL OF US.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I LIVED VERY NEAR THE WASHINGTON PARK ZOO.
DURING THE DAY, WE'D GO TO THE PARK AND STAND AT MONKEY ISLAND AND WATCH ALL THE SHENANIGANS, BUT EVEN MORE EXCITING THAN THAT WAS VISITING THE SAMPSON THE GORILLA AND HAVING HIM STARE BACK AT US.
HE WAS ONE BIG SON OF A GUN.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS WAS VITO'S, BECAUSE THAT'S THE PLACE WHERE ONE WOULD MEET UP WITH FRIENDS EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER A FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME AND WE'D STAND IN THE WINDOW AND WATCH THE GUY THROW UP THE DOUGH AND HAVE IT COME AROUND AND ALWAYS HOPING HE WOULD MISS, BUT HE DIDN'T AND THEREFORE, WE GOT OUR WONDERFUL PIZZAS AND ATE THEM RIGHT DOWN TO THE LAST CRUST, AND CONTINUED ON TO OUR FRIDAY NIGHT ADVENTURES.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID ON FRIDAY NIGHT, WAS GO TO THE UPTOWN THEATER, OR IF WE WANTED TO VENTURE REALLY FAR, IT WAS THE SHERMAN THEATER, ANOTHER PLACE TO MEET UP WITH THE GUYS AND GALS AND HAVE OURSELF A GOOD TIME.
THERE WAS OF COURSE, THE DRIVE-IN THEATER.
AND THOSE I ACTUALLY COULDN'T TELL MY PARENTS I WAS GOING TO, BECAUSE I WAS USUALLY GOING WITH A YOUNG MAN AND THEY DIDN'T APPROVE OF IT.
AND THEN I LOVED DRIVING UP AND PUTTING THE AUDIO INTO THE WINDOW OF THE CAR AND EATING POPCORN AND WATCHING THE MOVIE AND TALKING BACK TO THE SCREEN, AND POSSIBLY A FEW OTHER THINGS, WHICH I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION.
AS FAR AS SHOPPING GOES, THE BIG EVENT WAS WHEN CAPITOL COURT OPENED UP AND WE COULD GET ON THE BUS AND GO TO 60th STREET, WHICH WAS AS FAR AS THE BUSLINE WENT, AND WE'D WALK INTO THIS ENORMOUS MALL WHICH WAS A NEW CONCEPT AND THERE WERE ALL THESE WONDERFUL STORES, MANY OF THEM WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES, SO WE WOULD PUSH OUR NOSE UP AGAINST THE WINDOWS AND SAY WHAT WE WOULD WEAR.
WELL, I COULDN'T DO VERY MUCH ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE MY MOTHER MADE ALL MY CLOTHES, BUT THERE WAS A SECONDARY PURPOSE FOR GOING TO THE MALL, WHICH HASN'T CHANGED MUCH, AND THAT WAS TO MEET THE GUYS AND CHIT-CHAT A BIT AND LOOK IN THE WINDOWS.
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, MY PARENTS TOOK ME TO BORCHARD FIELD, WHICH AND WE SAT ON OLD WOODEN BOARDS AND THAT'S MY ONLY MEMORY BUT I HAVE A GREAT MEMORY OF 1957, WHEN THE MILWAUKEE BRAVES WENT TO THE WORLD SERIES AND WON.
AND WE WERE EX STATIC.
THE CITY EXPLODED AND I WAS A PART OF THAT WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE, WHERE PEOPLE SHOUTED AND HUGGED COMPLETE STRANGERS, BUT MILWAUKEE WAS IN THE NEWS AND WE HAD WON THE WORLD SERIES.
WELL, I'M HAPPY TO HAVE SHARED MY MEMORIES WITH YOU OF MILWAUKEE IN DAYS GONE BY.
TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT NO LONGER EXIST.
EXCEPT IN MY MEMORY AND THEY'RE PLEASANT MEMORIES AND I HOPE THEY HAVE EVOKED WONDERFUL MEMORIES FOR YOU AS WELL.
>> IN A CITY WITH SUCH A COLORFUL PAST, IT'S NO WONDER SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUCH GREAT MEMORIES.
MANY OF WHICH HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN TIME WITH THE FLICK OF A SHUTTER.
>> HERE ARE SOME OF OUR VIEWERS' PARTING SHOTS.
>> ROBERT GRADY RECALLS THAT THE OLD MILWAUKEE BRAVES WEREN'T PAID AS WELL AS TODAY'S BALL PLAYERS.
DURING THE OFFSEASON, BRAVES THIRD BASE MAN EDDIE MATHEWS TOOK A JOB PUMPING GAS AT A LOCAL STATION.
ROBERT TOOK HIM AND HIS BROTHERS TO SEE THE GREAT HALL-OF-FAMER AND TO GET THEIR TANK FILLED.
>> JULIE'S PARENTS MET WHILE WORKING AT WOOLWORTH'S ON 13th 13th AND VLIET.
HER DAD LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE DOWNTOWN STORE AND JULIE REMEMBERS SITTING IN THE DEEP WINDOW WELLS TO WATCH THE CHRISTMAS AND CIRCUS PARADE.
>> COLLEEN SENT THESE MELODY TOP PLAY BILLS, FROM THE SUMMER NIGHTS SHE AN HER FAMILY SPENT ENJOYING TOM HONORED MUSICALS AT THIS UNIQUE MILWAUKEE THEATRE.
>> IF YOU WERE WALKING DOWN WISCONSIN AVENUE IN THE EARLY 1950'S, YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE YOUR PICTURE SNAPPED AND BE APPROACHED TO BUY THE PHOTOGRAPH.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO BILL WEBER AND HIS MOM AND TO RUTH AND HER MOM EMMA.
>> THE MUSKEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY SENT US THESE PICTURES OF DANDELION PARK.
THE AVE MUSEMENT PARK WAS A FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR MANY OF OUR VIEWERS WHO REMEMBER RIDING THE ORLEANS ORBIT AND THE TAILSPIN ROLLERCOASTER.
>> JEAN ANN CAPTURED HER MEMORIES WITH PAINT AND WAS CHOSEN WISCONSIN MASTER PAINTER OF 2008.
>> HERE WE SEE THE PAGEANTRY OF THE CIRCUS, HELD EACH SUMMER ALONG THE LAKEFRONT ON WHAT IS NOW THE SUMMERFEST GROUNDS.
>> THEY LEARNED HOW TO SPAR AND BOX AT THE YMCA.
>> LIZ BETH DANIELSON AND HER FAMILY MEMBERS BECAME PART OF HISTORY WHEN THEY TOOK IN THE LAST RIDE OF THE NUMBER 10 STREETCAR, MARCH 2, 1958.
>> A.G.
REMEMBERS THE OLD MILWAUKEE ROAD DEPOT AND THE TRAINS THAT TRAVELED THE LONGEST TRACKS.
>> BOB REMEMBERS EARLY MILWAUKEE TELEVISION IN THE 1950'S.
THESE PHOTOS SHOW RADIO BROADCASTERS CARL ZIMMERMANN AND EARL GILLESPIE PRACTICING FOR THE UPCOMING TELEVISION AGE.
>> NAN WEBER HAS FOND MEMORIES OF SAMPSON WHO LIVED HERE MORE THAN THREE DECADES.
>> THE BAY VIEW HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHARED PICTURES OF THE INFAMOUS BLIZZARD OF 1947.
>> "THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL" REPORTED TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL BY TOBOGGAN FOR THE BIRTH OF BABIES AND THERE WERE MANY TALE OF NIGHTS SPENT ON STREET CARS, BOWLING ALLEYS, HOTEL LOBBIES, AND TAVERNS.
>> SPEAKING OF TAVERNS, WHAT'S BREW CITY WITHOUT A VISIT TO A LOCAL WATERING HOLE OR TWO.
JIM AND RUTH SENT IN THESE VINTAGE PICTURES OF MILWAUKEE NEIGHBORHOOD TAVERNS.
MEMORIES CAN BE AS INDIVIDUAL AS FINGERPRINTS, BUT WITH SHARED, THEY HELP CONNECT US TO ONE ANOTHER AND BRING US TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.
>> MILWAUKEE HAS LONG BEEN THE CITY WITH MUCH TO CELEBRATE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS WE REMEMBER GOOD TIMES, BYGONE DAYS AND THINGS THAT AREN'T HERE ANYMORE.
>> GOING TO THE DRIVE-IN AND MEETING FRIENDS AND SPENDING 30 CENTS OR A QUARTER ON A ORDER OF FRIES AND SOME KETCHUP, THAT WAS A GOOD WAY TO SPEND NIGHTS.
>> STREET CARS DIDN'T TURN AROUND.
WHEN THE STREETCAR GOT TO THE END OF THE LINE, THE DRIVER MOVED TO THER END OF THE STREETCAR -- TO THE OTHER END OF THE STREETCAR AND GO IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.
>> THE THING THAT I MISSED SO MUCH IS THE ROLLER RINK.
>> IT WAS 1947, WE HAD THE BIG SNOWSTORM IN MILWAUKEE, WHERE THEY ACTUALLY WOULD PAY PEOPLE IN NEIGHBORHOODS TO GO OUT AND SHOVEL THE RAILROAD TRACKS FOR THE NORTH SHORE.
>> MY FATHER WOULD PUT US IN THE TRUCK THAT WE HAD, WE COULDN'T AFFORD A CAR, AND HE WOULD TAKE US ALONG DOWN TO BRADFORD BEACH.
BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT, SO WE'D GO IN OUR PAJAMAS IN THE CAR AND GO SIT ON BRADFORD BEACH AND FEEL THE BREEZES.
>> I WAS A VENDOR AT COUNTY STADIUM.
I WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I WASN'T OF AGE, I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SELL BEER AND THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN BEING A VENDOR AT COUNTY STADIUM OR ANY STADIUM IN MILWAUKEE WHEN YOU'RE NOT SELLING BEER, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
>> A LITTLE BABY POLAR BEAR WAS BORN.
AND HIS NAME WAS CUMULUS, BUT HE DIED.
AND THEY SOLD THESE LITTLE TINY STUFFED REPRODUCTIONS OF THE PRELIMINARY BABY CUMULUS.
-- PRELIMINARY BABY CUMULUS.
IT WAS A DAY WHEN THE THE KIDS WERE BUYING HONDAS AND THE BOYS WOULD DRIVE UP IN THEIR NEW HONDAS AND TAKE THE GIRLS AROUND THE BLOCK OR FURTHER IF THEY LIKED US BETTER.
>> AND THEN THERE WERE THE SUBMARINE RACES RIGHT AT THE END OF SOUTH SHORE DRIVE THERE'S A PARKING LOT OVERLOOKING LAKE MICHIGAN, AND WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL, YOU WOULD TAKE YOUR GIRLFRIEND THERE AND CHAT.
AND SOMETIMES KISS.
AND WHAT WAS UNIQUE WE HAD OUR OWN SUBMARINE.
IT WAS A WORLD WAR II SUB, AN AMERICAN SUBMARINE.
AND THE GUY WHO DELIVERED THE COAL AND THE DUST AND THE COAL IN THE THE BASEMENT, YOU JUST HAD TO STAY AWAY FROM THE HOUSE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS UNTIL THE COAL SETTLED.
>> IT WAS A GOOD TIME FOR ME.
EASY.
SLOW.
IT WAS A SLOWER LIFE.
AND I ENJOYED IT.
Support for PBS provided by:
Milwaukee PBS Specials is a local public television program presented by MILWAUKEE PBS