The Good Old Days: Step Back Into 1961 Paula Green

Step Back Into...

Cuban Missile Crisis The Soviets build a wall dividing East and West Berlin By Paula Green

John F. Kennedy was sworn in by Chief Justice Earl Warren as the 35th President of the United States on January 20, 1961. Kennedy, the youngest person to be elected president at the time, was also the first Catholic president. On April 17, U.S. Cuban Exiles and CIA mount an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in an operation known as the Bay of Pigs.

Average

The average income was $5,315.00. Cost of a new home $12,500.00. The average cost of a new car is $2,850. Gasoline was 27 cents per gallon. A pound of bacon was 67 cents. A gallon of milk was 49 cents. A loaf of bread sold for 21 cents. A dozen of eggs cost 30 cents. The price of a first-class stamp was 4 cents. McDonald’s hamburger cost 15 cents.

Firsts

Pampers introduced the first disposable diaper. The first rechargeable and cordless toothbrush hit the market. Fritos “corn chips” make their first appearance. The first Six Flags theme park opens in at Arlington Texas called “Six Flags Over Texas.” Wham-O launches the Slip N’ Slide.

U.S. events

President Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps. Commander Alan Shephard Jr. becomes the first American in space in a suborbital flight aboard Mercury 3. The 23rd Amendment to the US Constitution grants the right to vote to citizens in the District of Columbia. Barbie gets a boyfriend when the Ken doll is introduced.

World News

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space during a single-orbit flight. Soviet space probe Venera 1 becomes the first man-made vehicle to reach another planet when it arrives at Venus. Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann is tried in Israel and found guilty. OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) is formally constituted.

Entertainment

Popular films – West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffany, The Hustler, The Guns of Navarone, The Parent Trap, The Absent-Minded Professor, Blue Hawaii, 101 Dalmatians, The Misfits, El Cid, Splendor in the Grass, and Judgment at Nuremburg. Disney releases their first live action musical film, Babes In Toyland.

Television

Debuts Dick Van Dyke, Hazel, and Car 54 Where Are You? Two medical dramas premiered Dr. Kildare on NBC and Ben Casey on ABC. Popular shows: Bullwinkle, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, and Top Cat. Shows that ended: This Is Your Life, You Bet Your Life and Bat Masterson.

Songs

Billboard Hits – Tossin and Turnin, Runaway, Blue Moon, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Take Good Care of My Baby, Runaround Sue, Quarter to Three, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Mother-In-Law, Please Mr. Postman, Let’s Twist Again, and Hit the Road Jack.

Publishing

Pulitzer Prize for Fiction: Harper Lee wins for To Kill A Mockingbird, Henry Miller’s 1934 novel Tropic of Cancer is published legally in the U.S. for the first time. Popular books – The Agony and the Ecstasy, Catch-22, The Carpetbeggars, The Winter of

Our Discontent, and Stranger in a Strange Land.

Sports

NFL Champs: Green Bay Packers, AFL Champs: Houston Oilers, World Series Champions: The New York Yankees, Stanley Cup Champs: Chicago Blackhawks, NBA Champions: Boston Celtics.

Politics

President: John F. Kennedy, Vice President: Lyndon B. Johnson. President Kennedy asks Congress for $531 million to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.

Quotes:

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy, inauguration speech “Sorry Charlie. Starkist wants tuna that taste good, not tuna with good taste.” – Starkist Tuna ad “Today, all day I had the feeling a miracle would happen, I know now I was right.”

– Tony (Richard Beymer) from West Side Story

Sources: https://www.babyboomers. com/1961, https://www.infoplease.com/ year/1961, http://www.thepeoplehistory. com/1961.html, https://www.pinterest. com/1bookreader/the-year-i-was-born-1961/, https://pop-culture.us/Annual/1961.html

Strike Up the Memories as We Reminisce on Bowling Alleys in the ‘Burgh

By Paula Green

“Bowling is a sport for people who have talent to spare.” – unknown

Although it is not featured in the Olympics, the sport of bowling has been around for ages. The heyday of bowling in the U.S. was in the 50s and 60s after the invention of the automatic pinsetter. Over the years, this recreational sport has had its ups and downs in our region. We will take a look at a few popular Pittsburgh bowling alleys that have closed and highlight some that are still rolling along.

Ninety-four years is a long time to be in business, which is how long Forward Lanes was in operation. The 17-lane alley Squirrel Hill bowling alley was established in 1924. Sadly, it permanently shuttered its doors on March 24, 2018. The lanes were part of the Squirrel Hill community seemingly forever.

North Hills residents have fond memories of McKnight Lanes. The 48-lane alley was in operation from 1961-1997; it even offered bumpers for the inexperienced bowlers. In addition to bowling, the facilities also housed a few pool tables and a cocktail lounge. Despite the protest from local residents, McKnight Lanes closed in 1997, and Bed, Bath & Beyond now occupies its former space on McKnight Road.

Enix Lanes in Homestead opened in August 2018, and it was a hybrid brewery and bowling facility. The unique concept faded out, and it closed at the beginning of 2020, before the pandemic. Other local alleys that have shuttered their doors include – Brannan’s Bowling in McKees Rocks, Freeway Lanes in Zelienople, Games N’ At on Josephine Street in Pittsburgh, Hollywood Lanes in Dormont, Mystic Lanes in Valencia, and Rosedale Lanes in Verona. Carrick Lanes is also closed, it was slated to make a comeback in 2020, but the pandemic altered those plans. The new date for the unveiling is 2022 – so stay tuned for news on this facility.

There are plenty of alleys that are still in operation in our region. AMF Bowling has locations in Belle Vernon, Mt. Lebanon, Oakwood and West Mifflin. Lawrenceville has Arsenal Lanes, or if you’re feeling tropical, then head on over to Paradise Island Bowl & Beach in Neville Island.

In the northern regions – you can strike up excitement at Family Bowlaway Fun Center in Butler, Mars Lanes, Baden Bowl, Millvale Lanes, Pines Plaza Lanes in Ross Township, or Perry Park Lanes in McCandless Township. In the south, plan a visit to Legacy Lanes in Baldwin or Princess Lanes in Whitehall, Sports Haven Bowl in Bridgeville, or West Pike Bowl in Canonsburg.

Over in the west – strike up the fun at Crafton Ingram Lanes or Kennedy Lanes. If you venture east there is Lokay Lanes or Miracle Lanes both in Monroeville. North Versailles offers New Great Valley Lanes or North Versailles Bowling Center; Penn Hills has Sophie’s Lanes, Plum Borough has Nesbit Lanes and Swissvale has Bowl-ARama. Take a ride to Harmarville and bowl a few at Zone 28. Jeannette has Bowl-A-Rama or in Greensburg stop by Hillview Lanes or Main Bowling Center.

No matter which place you knock down a few pins in your spare time - have fun, and strike up those enjoyable memories! n

Sources: bowlinguide.com, https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/as-final-pin-fallsmemories-echo-at-forward-lanes/https:// www.facebook.com/search/bowlingPittsburgh, https://www.yelp.com/searchbowli ngfind=Pittsburgh+PA, https://patch.com/