Let's all wish GDB friend Bu a very Happy Birthday! To help celebrate, Sue B. provided the following vintage photo of a party that almost seems like a combination children's party and grownup cocktail party. Hey, why not? Give the birthday boy his first cigarette, he'll never forget it. The ladies sure seem to be focusing their attention on the kids, I like the expression on the one sitting at the table. The high chair has Meyercord decals applied to the back, it's astonishing how often you see those on vintage children's furniture.
Sue sent a late addition, from "America On Parade", which featured floats that were tributes to things ranging from the Liberty Bell to television to surfing to... popcorn. Just those four things, strangely. Luckily, Bu's favorite food is popcorn (Sue swears this is true), I think he should treat himself to some Jiffy Pop today.
Next, Sue was nice enough to scan some photos taken by her dad (Lou Perry), from sometime in the 1980s. That was the Bu era, so now is the perfect time to share them with him, and with you! First up, folks wander past East Center Street, and as you can see, the Flower Market had moved from West Center Street. It's nice to still see the golden crown of the Hallmark shop. The Market House (to the right) was sponsored by Del Monte and Sun Giant at this time.
These photos are undated, but I get the impression that they could have been from the summer of whatever year they were taken, the crowds are respectable. Many people are milling about in Town Square, and in front of City Hall.
Up the street, there just happens to be a fairy tale castle! The Dent is easily seen, which is always fun. The Stain is there, I guess, though they must have cleaned it with Comet cleanser.
And finally, here's a colorful and energetic look at the Castle from the Plaza. There is a balloon vendor in a yellow jumpsuit, Sue and I can't help wondering if that vendor (with only three balloons left?!) could be Bu himself! Take a look HERE to see Bu in a publicity photo
Happy Birthday, Bu, and thank you to Sue for the photos!
Bu-
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. Man, what a party-! I see it was all being recorded for posterity with a Kodak Brownie Starmite Camera. I approve of 'Mom' and her 'grown-up' daughter, wearing matching party hats - Sis still wearing braces, and Mom sporting gold pumps. Love the spice rack-? just thrown up on the wall as randomly as the strange wall decoration with pine cones and wooden tongs-?
Major-
What a great shot of the popcorn parade float, not to mention the SBC displaying its best colors.
Thanks to Lou and Sue and The Major.
Bu who? Ohhhh, THAT Bu! (There are so many.) Happy Bu-rthday, Bu. I (we) always enjoy your Disney CM tales and pictures, gardening adventures, and stories from the Old Country (Norway). Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIn the birthday photo, what does the B-Boy have in its nasty little handses ["gollum"]? I hope it's something exciting! But maybe it's just a bag of undershorts. And why is there a spice rack on the dining room wall? Maybe it's potpourri? Or witches' brew ingredients? I guess that's the remains of the cake and candles and such on the tray in the foreground? And look, they forgot to put legs on the highchair!
I'm guessing this photo is around 1961. Thanks to Sue for planning Bu's birthday celebration.
I like the cleverness of the popcorn box shooting out the kernels of popped corn. Although, by the time the popcorn is in the box, it shouldn't be popping anymore, should it? Is that a hotdog peeking out from behind the popcorn box?
"Fine Preserves and Jellies". Makes me wonder what the "Not-So-Fine Preserves and Jellies" were like. They probably have leaves and twigs mixed in. Is that the little ice cream shop at the back, behind the flowers?
In the City Hall pic, whatever year this is, the people are still wearing decently stylish clothing, compared to later years. I can't tell what those things are, printed on that guy's shirt (closest to us). Star Wars TIE fighters? Dags? Cats? Bunnies? Bats?
Yep. Da Dent is der. And yes, the Stain is there too. Like you said, it's not as pronounced in this photo. Darker, instead of rust colored. And it turned the Moat water dark as well. The colors of the castle look wonderful here.
Bu, is that you? [Bugs Bunny: "Hmmmm, could beeee."] And there are FOUR balloons, not three! (Must be precise about these things!.. Like trashcans.) The guy to the left of "Bu" has two yellow and red bags of something in his hands. Do they match his cap? And Br'er Fox is over there on the right, getting his picture taken.
I now see that Nanook has also mentioned the "spice rack" and the "best colors" of the Castle. I really should check for comments before I compose my own..... Nahhhhh.
Thanks to Lou Perry and Sue and Bu and Major too.
Happy Birthday to GDB's very own personal Tour Guide! Thank you, Bu, for all you do to make GDB extra-fun....I wish you a birthday filled with lots of celebrating and laughter and popcorn! (Disneyland popcorn, NOT Knott's popcorn.)
ReplyDeleteFYI: Those last four pictures are from 9/12/83.
Thanks, Major. I'll be back later....
In the B-day party pic, the kid at the end of the table is sitting on a step stool. That top seat flips back so you can use the two steps below it. I have one just like it, which used to belong to my great-grandmother. I think she would stand on it whenever she cooked her famous fried chicken.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Bu! And thank you for sharing all of the vintage pics, Lou, Sue and Major, too!
Happy Birthday, Bu!
ReplyDeleteAnything "America on Parade" does it for me. Still my favorite daytime parade. Thanks, Major.
HaPpY BiRtHdaY to Bu!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Bu! Many happy returns of the day! Thank you for your interesting comments too. The insider perspective is always fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday pic has lots of familiar things, the camera, the step-stool, gold-rimmed highball glasses, braided rug, Uncle Burt having a smoke… …and the spice rack. Mom had one vaguely like this and it was strictly a trophy, never used any of the spices. Her cooking spices were McCormick and came in little white tins that were kept out of sight in the cupboard. The wall mounted one was a gift and like many such things, was too good to use. (!?)
We can see the old Global Van Lines building behind the rolling popcorn box. The sign is too big for the wall.
I don’t think I ever saw the Flower Mart here, my last trip was in April 1979 because I just found the ticket in an old book.
I’ve always been fascinated by how Main Street ended up being built right by a fairytale castle. What a coincidence. Another oddity, I don’t think I’ve ever been inside city hall?
The Dent and the Stain in one photo! What are the odds? Only the redoubtable Lou Perry could capture both in a single view! Notice how two guests are sitting on the parapet, yet not falling in or drowning?
And that HAS to be Bu in the last photo.
Thanks Major, Lou, Sue, and Bu!
JG
Ah, Jiffy Pop, my old foe. We meet again! It took several trips to the store and at least one visit from the fire department for me to ferret out its dark secret — you can’t just put the container on a hot stovetop and forget about it. It requires constant attention and a lot of shaking — sort of like me at that age. And speaking of which, did you know that you used to be able to melt a bar of soap in a saucepan? Stovetop science at its finest!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Bu. Thank you for the behind the scenes look into the life of a DL employee.
ReplyDeleteThanks Major, Lou and Sue
Zach
Happy birthday Bu! Thanks for all the great behind the scenes stories!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh...Birthdays...my advice to anyone younger then let's say....40 on here: REALLY enjoy all your years, and TAKE NOTES! The past decade has flown by with incredible velocity...and inside, I feel no different than when I was a wee teen working at The Happiest Place on Earth. Photos: In no particular order: that isn't me as the balloon vendor, but I do remember who it was...and FYI: I was so meticulous about the "break" in my trousers: and his are way too long. I remember this guy for this reason. In '83 I had also moved on to other things beyond my vending years. Sue is correct: Popcorn IS my favorite food. And even stale types like Knotts day olde...there isn't a popcorn I wouldn't like. The ones with Oreos on top and other sugary things...I don't really care for...but all the savories: YES! I only saw America on Parade from afar...as I was on rides and such...but I do very much appreciate the parade now. Especially the big head people. That guest standing on the seat in front of the castle is EXACTLY why they don't exist anymore. Seats are for sitting! It does look like a busy day in front of City Hall....we were know to call it something else at times, and when GDB After Dark returns, I may reveal what that was. i could have very well been in that building on this day, but I was most probably on a tour. I had the "10 and 2" for a few years before becoming more office bound. Two tours in a day was not impossible, but will say on a busy day it was a bit brutal. The 2pm on a busy Summer day was close to 4 hrs long...so start at 10...go right on a tour...about 3 hours...come back...30 minute lunch...phones for a few minutes...then onto the 2pm...just enough time to get dressed and go home. I love the flower market, and these pictures show those square umbrellas...which now I need to look for! Seeing the Hallmark crown takes me back...I would say that an any given time of day that store was filled with employees! There is a Main St. vehicle guy with unbuttoned vest...I don't remember that guy, but they cast pretty much the "same guy" for those roles. The birthday photo could very well be my upbringing....drinks, cigs and children as afterthoughts...those creepy large scale baby photos on the wall truly creep me out....I think I mentioned this on an earlier post...Are the apothecary jars a Franklin Mint "Drugs of the World"? It's odd...but there were probably may odd things in this house....like only one real dining chair...and POSSIBLY this could have been the "Children's Dining Table"....which we all had back then. No kids at the adult table! Ever! I actually don't think I sat at the Adult table until I was ACTUALLY an adult. Times have changed, and now parents want to be their kids best friends...which due to my DNA, I just don't get. Thanks Sue for the VERY curated set of photos!!!!! And thanks to Major for all that you do for our small community...and perhaps it's much larger than we know. Onto the next birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Bu! I hope your day is merry and bright!
ReplyDeleteIs it just me, or does it look like the kid’s portrait on the wall is pointing a flashlight at us? And what’s wrong with spice racks on the dining room wall?!(Asking for a friend.)
The Dent and Stain, together at last in real life rather than on some silly faux pub sign I may or may not have made.
Thanks, Major!
Hi everybody, I've been gone all day and just got home. POOPED. Sorry I missed out on much of the fun! Thank you for the comments and the nice birthday wishes for Bu.
ReplyDeleteI got busy, missed wonderful photos the chance to wish Bu a BeaUtiful day. Hope it was grand.
ReplyDeleteMS
...and Dent-a-polooza! What a day to let life get in the way. No matter, leftovers still delicious.
ReplyDeleteMS