The phrase evokes memories of simpler times when life moved at a slower pace and every moment seemed to carry a bit of magic. Whether it’s the smell of fresh bread baking in the kitchen, the sound of laughter from front porch conversations, or the joy of fall days spent outdoors, we all reminisce about the times when the world and everyday life were shaped by traditions, relationships and small-town charm. This collection of anecdotes captures some of those cherished moments, offering a heartfelt journey back to the days when life’s greatest joys were often found in the little things.
No phones – oh, wait – the slender model with the long cord! We talked to each other, we supported brick & mortar, ran through the hose; ice cream cones at City Dairy and Mooney’s (I’m from Saginaw); Saturday matinees at our beautiful theaters, family time as we didn’t run our kids to death from one thing to another; playing baseball, playgrounds, tennis courts and city frisbee contests. Good times!
Marge Murphy
These days, too many kids sit around playing on their phones or video games. When I was a kid, my siblings and I played outside all day – swimming in the pond, catching frogs, riding horses – and we played with the neighbor kids. We rode our bicycles to visit friends and walked to the corner store to buy penny candy. We came home when we heard the dinner bell ring. After dark, we would play hide & seek and catch fireflies in jars. We played card games and board games. Those were the good ol’ days to me!
Cheryl Dennison
I was born and raised on the west side of Flint. I have a fond place in my heart for the Old Girl. Plus, I love it when people ask you where you’re from and when you say “Flint” they know you mean business!
Mark Donnell
Playing outdoor games until the street lights came on – jarts, dodgeball, kick the can. Having play clothes and school clothes, and knowing the consequences for mixing them up. The stretched-out phone cord in the kitchen – everyone trying to get a little privacy on the phone, but mom always knew who was calling and what you were planning. My rusty “Holly Hobby” lunch box with a smashed sandwich from the apple rolling around inside.
Terese Allen
The Good Ol’ Days were when every community had a school and library. We had Saturday activities with classes like shop, cooking/home skills and teen club. The Flint School system was an example for the United States. We were thankful for the C.S. Mott family, then and now. Many local students went on to work in theater, movie businesses, sports and medicine. I would love for someone to write about Flint in its glory. There were many opportunities for students to go to work for GM right from high school.
Joan J. Kippe
We did everything together as a family – swimming at the local beach (which was actually an old limestone quarry) and taking day trips everywhere including to visit family friends in Chicago on Sundays, a two-hour drive north from home. We took many vacations to Chicago visiting all the museums, the zoo, botanical gardens and more. My favorite activity, though, was going off by myself. I was, and still am, a big daydreamer. I would ride my bike down to the creek and sit there for hours, enjoying nature and just thinking about life in general. I attended a small country school; my graduating class was under 30 kids. Incredibly, I am Facebook friends with five of them and it’s through them that I get to relive the “good ol’ days.” Like the song goes, “Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end …” I am truly one of the lucky ones because in my mind, they didn’t.
Vera Hogan
The first thing that comes to mind is waking up as a kid on summer Saturday mornings, heading for the kitchen pantry to choose from the fabulous selection of sugary cereals (Cap’n Crunch!) and pouring a big bowl. Off to the den to plop down on the floor in front of the TV just in time for “Looney Tunes” – when cartoons were legit! Next, I was into my swimsuit, running to the backyard to jump into the above-ground pool where my sister and I would be until lunchtime. Then, I would head next door with sopping wet hair, lugging my Barbies and all the requisite accessories (in a sweet carrying case) to my neighbor Naomi’s house where we would play dolls until it was time for baton lessons. Hula-hooping, Kool-Aid, riding bikes until dark – our parents knew we were somewhere nearby …? Watching “Batman”, “The Monkees”, “Adam 12” and “The Wild Wild West” … I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Sherron Barden
Thanks for the memories!
