Bringing Back the Good Old Days

There's something about this magazine that, once you begin reading, you can't put it down. If you're around my age, it takes you to a time when your grandmother and mom explain how they survived the billowing, choking clouds of Black Dusters. Or hearing tell of your great-grandfather driving his Model T through the back of the barn, yelling, "Whoa! WHOA!" Many times I thought, "There oughta be a magazine for stories like this." Now there is!

The best part of this magazine is it allows Grandma, Mom or Dad to write those memories down, mail them in (or email them as well) and share them with the world. This format is unique in that most of the magazine is composed of memories from numerous individuals across the nation. Take the current issue for example. They asked for readers to contribute their memories on a particular topic on telephone/switchboard operators from the 1940s and 50s. Lemme tell you, those switchboards looked so harassing, it probably took a veritable genius to run them.

Every page transports you to "The Good Old Days", whether you lived them or wished you had. Being a longtime subscriber, I've read stories written about surviving the Depression, people seeing their first TV (a 7 1/2 inch Motorola), life on an apple farm in the 1950s, families giving servicemen a holiday home away from home during WWII, and so much more. It gives the reader a sense of the simplistic way of the past and why people revere it so now.

Since my issues disappear at an alarming rate, I'm forced to review the current issue which is now under lock and key while in my possession. Everyone in my family enjoys the book, that's the problem. It circulates between me, my parents and my aunt. Where it ends up no one really knows or refuses to fess up. Wherever the old issues are, though, they're bound to be dog-eared from all the reading.

The following list includes many of the regular articles such as "Name That Car", "I Know... I Was There", "As You Were", "Hattie’s Hatpin Hunt", "Over the Back Fence" and more.

The current issue's "Departments" are:

I Know… I Was There This issue was "How Did We Survive Without a Car?" I still hear stories from my folks about 2/55 air conditioning. 2 windows rolled down and driving 55 mph. Of course if one had the money back then, you could indulge in a swanky window-mounted air conditioner. My Granddad bought one for the family car. According to my mom, he practically froze his ear off when he switched it on.

Reader Slides Show a Colorful Past Send in your slides and they might publish them. It's fun to see the hairstyles, clothes, cars, and decor from the past.

My Favorite Old Time Poem

Motoring Memories Readers share memories of cars they've owned.

Name That Car! Betcha have a fun time trying. After describing the car (with pictures too), it's up to you to name it. Thankfully they don't leave you to wonder - the answer is in the same issue.

I Wish I Still Had It Today! Readers torment themselves with memories about that precious something they gave up long ago and shouldn't have. Aren't we all guilty of it, at least a little?

Time Capsule This time they highlighted 1933. Three pages dedicated to the year's history, as well as names in the news, music, radio, movies and sports. Hey, there really was a time when coffee was 19 cents a pound! And yes, Virginia, they really had curling irons in 1933 - and they cost $1.10!

Short Memories Memories about various and sundry subjects. Some of these gems make you laugh until you cry. Others are plenty heartwarming and poignant.

Pictures From the Past Pictures from readers. Send one in, it might get published in print - or you might find they posted it on their website!

When Sundays Were Funny Comic strips from the past.

As You Were A place for military memories.

Fun Facts The current issue focused on 1920s Flappers.

Ads from the Old Days I love this part. Every issue is like a new world of advertising. This issue contains: The Parker "51" pen in 1952 as well as a 1962 Ford Falcon Squire ad (betcha it's been a while since you’ve heard that one). There's an Evinrude boat ad from 1961 and a 1953 Popsicle ad touting "in bags with Polka Dots that youngsters save for exciting gifts!"

Prices From the Past This issue highlighted a 1932 hospital bill. My jaw is still scraping the floor - $60.50 for delivering a baby and that included the hospital stay! Of course, $60.50 in 1932 was equivalent to the "arm and leg" of today's maternity bills.

I've Kept It All These Years A bunch of readers who are smarter than I am. They kept their sugar bowls, cake pans and other items that have sentimental as well as collectible monetary value. Me? I'm the one who sold off a bunch of LPs that later had some decent worth. I don't, however, regret selling the 8-Track player...

Can You Give Me a Hand? These are reader requests for anything from a poem, to copies of old magazines or an old recipe. Every issue seems to have a few folks wanting to reconnect with old friends or military pals. This time requests for help include locating a manual for a Kirby Dual Sanatronic 50 vacuum cleaner, a manual for a 1928 Whippet Overland car and a rag doll pattern "Alice" from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".

Our Most Memorable Meal A recipe page where readers share their favorite recipes.

Cooking For Two A page of recipes (from readers) for two people to enjoy.

Early Catalog Shopping This issue: 1964. Get your rubber floor tile for only 13 cents a tile or grab that 3 piece patio set for only $18.88!

Hattie's Hatpin Hunt There's an image of a hatpin hidden in every issue. It's up to you to find it. If you do, you mail in what page you found it on, and you may win a prize. This thing can be a stinker to locate but the prizes are well worth it.

Word Puzzle

Over the Back Fence To quote the magazine, "Amusing morsels and bits of wisdom overheard and read here and there."

Remedies We'd Rather Forget Yikes. This one'll give you pause. Evidently gizzards were popular for remedies such as warts and nausea. (For those of you not familiar with what a gizzard is, it's probably best because I can't imagine it curing nausea.) For those of you who know what it is, if you're experiencing heartburn after reading about gizzards, just chew mustard seed mixed with chimney soot. (This was an actual "remedy" listed in this magazine. Personally, I would not recommend doing it.)

When TV Was New Reader stories of their first TVs or their favorite shows.

Postcard Potpourri Postcards from years past. This time highlighted 1910-24.

ReminiSent Readers send in feedback on articles in previous issues.

Whew... All these departments and that's not even counting the feature articles which are just as interesting as the list above! Feature articles in previous issues highlighted cookie jars from the 1930s to the 1950s (my mom's personal favorite). Another described the history of certain foods and included some tasty recipes. This issue, strangely enough, has an article about sandwiches.

Adding to the magazine's charm are sayings called "A Thought To Remember" located in the margins of its pages. One of my favorites is "An optimist laughs to forget; a pessimist forgets to laugh."

Reminisce is published bimonthly but they pack a ton o' stuff inside to keep you busy a while. Each issue focuses on a variety of years so there's no "This year in 1948" issue. They toss in an article about 1937 then the next two pages are dedicated to catalog shopping in 1956.

A new feature for readers who require large print format is the downloadable large, easy to read type and is a free service to subscribers. The website for large print issues is: www.reminisce.com/largeprint

Subscription rates vary I've noticed. For a one year subscription I've seen $12.49 (from a flyer in the magazine) to $14.98 (on the website) to $19.98 (noted on inside front cover).

I encourage you to visit their website at: www.reminisce.com if you need an appetizer for this wonderful magazine.

Thank you for reading my review! It is most appreciated!