My Story: The 1960's

I was born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in 1960. If you look at your right palm, and point to the center, that's where Mt. Pleasant is located within the state of Michigan. Mt Pleasant was an odd name, because our town was flat as a pancake. But it was a great little town to grow up in. I often describe it as "Mayberry, with a college" back in those days. From our house we could walk to the Central Michigan College campus or to the downtown Five and Dime. I lived on the corner of Main and Cherry Streets throughout the 1960's.

I was kind of a porker when I was a toddler. Maybe because I was always being pushed around in this contraption which resembled a shopping cart (below). I'm clutching Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls my grandma Newton sewed for me. Aren't they adorable?

Holding on for dear life, with our yellow station wagon in the background:

My grandma also sewed this little dress with the smocked top. I still remember the colors exactly. She was so talented, always creating something with her hands. She's responsible for sparking my interest in sewing and crafting.

My only sibling Mike is seven years older than me. He took on a brother/teacher role that really helped develop my curiosity about the world. Mike's room was full of fascinating collections of stamps, coins, rocks, shells,bugs, and antique mechanical banks. He encouraged me start my my own little collections too. Mike had an antique nickel slot machine that I frequently played with. I thought it was better than any toy I owned, with all of its complex gears and the spinning reels of fruit images inside.

My kindergarten photo:

Mike's bedroom was down the hall from mine, and he would play his fantastic collection of Beatles, Yardbirds, The Who, and Rolling Stones albums while I was drifting off to sleep. One summer I discovered Mike's cache of MAD magazines, and read every one from cover to cover. What fun!

Every summer my cousins would gather at my grandparents' house in Mt. Pleasant. We'd get out Grandma's photo albums that she had carefully compiled and pore over the pictures. Grandpa grew raspberries, grapes and peaches in his yard and I loved picking my own bowl full. Every Labor Day weekend we would pick pears from their tree. My grandma would always have delicious meals prepared, and after dinner, she'd be happy to make you a root beer float while you watched Lawrence Welk with them. Just good old-fashioned Americana, the way life was supposed to be!

In the picture below, my brother Mike is on the left. I'm in the center, with my mom, grandparents, aunt, and cousins:

We were allowed unlimited TV at our house, although the options were somewhat limited back then. My clever parents set up a crafting table for me in our family room, and I don't think I ever watched TV without simultaneously working on some project. That's still my modus operandi. For a while I wanted to be a dress designer, and filled a dozen Russel Stover candy boxes with paper doll clothes I created.

I started drawing elaborate dresses when I was in kindergarten (age 5):

I was an inquisitive child, and I pondered great mysteries of the 60's, such as: What did they use on Gilligan's Island for toilet paper? Why did cartoon characters always wear the same outfits? Where did the women on Bonanza and other westerns get all the makeup, especially the mascara? And lastly, why did Uncle Bill on Family Affair need a full time manservant, and why did he have to wear that uncomfortable butler's uniform?

My athletic prowess was evident from an early age, especially on the slopes:

I wore a fuzzy hat one winter that I remember loving for some reason. It made me resemble a dandelion gone to seed. We had a stylish dark blue T-Bird for our family car, seen in this photo of me with my dad at a ski hill:

Our neighborhood was full of girls my age, and I always had lots of playmates. But when Carrie and her family moved into the neighborhood, things really got hoppin' and poppin'! Carrie was creative like me, and when we put our heads together we came up with some pretty interesting things. She's been my lifelong best friend.

I was so proud of my first (and last) scrapbook, with the beautiful prints by artist Gwen Frostic:

Carrie and I were always working on some project, some more memorable than others. Once we wanted to sew our own nightgowns, but without a pattern. We selected red and white striped flannel, and added blue satin ruffles on the sleeves and yoke. Kind of like lingerie for Bozo. We were crestfallen when our creations didn't fit!

Remember the little pet turtles everyone had? Carrie and I created a racetrack from yardsticks duck taped to the sidewalk, and organized the now infamous Turtle Races, with neighborhood kids cracking open their piggy banks to wager money on their turtles. Luckily, we didn't get busted for illegal gambling!

If you've been reading my blog, you know my parents ran an antique shop in our converted two-car garage. I accompanied my parents on many trips around rural Michigan to find wares to sell, and we would often be visited by pickers, inevitably during dinner time, with a truckload of goods for my parents to buy. I didn't appreciate the finer points of antiques back then, but a lot of knowledge soaked in just from being in that environment.

For a while my friends and I published "Neighborhood News". I was a bit of a bossypants, and most of it was written by me. Could this be considered a precursor to my blog?

Girl Scout Camp was the highlight of every summer. I still have recurring dreams that I've enrolled for camp and get notified that this will be the last year I can go, because of my age (I guess they discourage campers over 50)! One summer my tent mates were three girls from Saginaw that I was placed with because I was such a happy camper and got along with everyone. We became fast friends, and I learned a little about "big city" life, how to dance (at least a little), and how to braid cornrows.

So that's about it for the 1960's. I'll have more of "My Story" to share in the future when I cover the 1970's, so I hope you'll stick with me through the macrame owls, orange decor, and Watergate (I had nothing to do with it)!

Mitzi

15 Comments

Ahhhh ... the sixties! I'm a few years older than you, so my sixties were a little different - boys and parties! But you brought back a real sweet memory - Gwen Frostic. I used to have several of her books and was a big fan. They must have disappeared during one of my book purges - wish I still had them! Thanks for the memories.

Posted by: Felicia Kramer | 08/15/2011 at 09:15 AM

Hi Felicia!

Im glad you enjoyed my 60s memories. My parents sold a lot of Gwen Frostic cards and stationery in their gift shop.

Have a great week.....isnt today beautiful?

Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 08/15/2011 at 10:54 AM

What a fun post. I just love learning more about the bloggers I follow though this crazy thing of Blog Land. I LOVE the dress you designed at 5 years. WOW....
Annette

Posted by: Annette | 08/15/2011 at 11:43 AM

Thanks, Annette!

Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 08/15/2011 at 06:37 PM

hi mitzi! congrats on the move. it looks great!!! i was born in 1960 too, so all your memories were like my own. the fuzzy hat, the turtles, hahahaha. such fun. i can't wait to see what you will come up with next! thanks!

Posted by: sharon | 08/16/2011 at 08:39 AM

Love the move too!

Your kindergarten photo tells it all; about who you are and where you came from. It has the ever present "Olan Mills" stamp.

I was born in Jackson, and lived in Pleasant Lake, '57. Grew up in Flint and Detroit, ski'd at Alpine, concerted at Pine Knob. I miss MI, but now live in sunny Tucson.

Posted by: Fitzy | 08/16/2011 at 08:55 AM

Hi Fitzy,

We seem to have a lot in common, including the sound of our names! Thanks for stopping by to introduce yourself. Its a gorgeous summer day here in Michigan.....not too hot. Im going to the farmers market to get some Michigan peaches and raspberries. Wish I could send some to you!

Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 08/16/2011 at 09:59 AM

Hi Sharon!

I always knew we had a lot in common.....Im glad you like my blog makeover. Ive got lots of interesting things planned for the future!

Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 08/16/2011 at 11:59 AM