Stop flipping that dial!

On September 20, 2014, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

del_ponte_4_webLife in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

I loved pouring thick, chocolaty Bosco chocolate syrup into an ice-cold glass of milk when I was a kid. Of course, the milk wasn’t in a cardboard or plastic container. It came in a thick glass bottle that the “milkman” delivered. Can’t you still hear the clinking of those empty milk bottles as the milkman picked them up? And what about those cool old milk trucks? You don’t see those anymore unless you are watching a rerun of Leave it To Beaver or some other old TV show.

I drank my Bosco flavored milk while watching Big Brother Bob Emery on our old black and white TV set in the parlor. My sister Christine and I were actually on that show live! We recited the pledge of allegiance while the camera focused in on a portrait of President Eisenhower. Hail to the Chief was heard in the background. Big Brother Bob Emery played the ukulele while singing, “…the grass is always greener in the other fellows yard…” I can remember all that, yet I can’t recall where I put my iPod last week.

“Stop flipping that dial,” my dad would yell from the kitchen! After all, we had three whole channels to choose from so it was difficult trying to decide on a show. Would we watch Kukla Fran and Ollie, or Our Miss Brooks, or perhaps, Ozzie and Harriet? I loved Ozzies’ cardigan sweaters. He was very well dressed for a guy who never worked!

dp_9_17_14_webWe often got thirsty while watching TV. Wasn’t it amazing how a small brightly colored tablet could turn an ordinary glass of water into an effervescent beverage? Well that’s what “Fizzies” did. Or perhaps you preferred the thick syrupy concoction known as Zarex! You could pour that stuff in water and make your drink as sugary and syrupy as you liked. You could actually feel your teeth decaying as you swigged it down. “Zarex” was the favorite beverage to take when filling up those old metal coolers that we lugged to Revere Beach on a hot summer’s day. (You could get Zarex at Zayers!) Remember this one?: “N- E S- T- L- E- S …Nestles makes the very best… CHOCOLATE!” It was sung by Farfel, the dog puppet!

“Romper Stomper bomper boo… tell me tell me tell me true…magic mirror tell me today…did all my friends have fun at play?” This is what Miss Jean asked at the end of every Romper Room show. My well honed “old days memory” remembered that Miss Jean later married Channel 5 reporter Bill Harrington. I also recalled that for a short time Bozo’s cousin Nozo filled in for him. As I was writing this story, I searched up Romper Room, and discovered that it was actually Bill Harrington who took on the role of Nozo while Frank Avruch (Bozo) recovered from a broken leg. I love this stuff!

Romper Room was unique because parents could send in postcards or letters with requests for Miss Jean to address their kid personally, live on the air. She would say things like, “Oh look, I see little Bobbie with his new bike.” or “Congratulations, Sally, on that A+ you got in spelling.” and “Happy birthday Freddie!” She would say these things while looking through the glassless hand held “magic” mirror. It was as if she was talking and looking right at you! Surely it was a thrill for a small child.

I hope you have discovered ME-TV (Memorable Entertainment Television. It’s channel 29 on RCN. I now get to watch Petticoat Junction, The Beverly Hillbillies, F-Troop, Emergency and my all-time favorite, Leave it to Beaver. I like keeping up with the Cleavers because I had a brother growing up. And like Ward, I am raising two sons too. I also enjoy the little moral lessons that they sneak into the shows. I have been known to tear up occasionally during some episodes of Beaver.

Watching the old shows and remembering those vintage products definitely takes me back to a simpler time. Anything that can simplify things in this crazy world of ours is right up my alley.

 

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