We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto...

[BobPalma]

...or South Bend IN, for that matter.

Some days, you're reminded of how old you are. I've had two such days back-to-back; Feb 1 and Feb 2, 2020.

To wit: Yesterday (Saturday, Feb 1) was the Hoosier History Live radio show specializing in Studebakers, during which Andy Beckman and I were on the air to discuss -what else?- Studebakers. I got to the studio an hour early to learn what we were going to do and generally get ready for the live show, reviewing the procedures.

In the course of discussing things, I volunteered to the Host, Indiana Historian Nelson Price, that I thought the History Mystery question he was going to pose on the air was too easy and that the phone lines would be tied up with people wanting to answer it and win the prize package. The question was, "What model did Studebaker introduce in 1959 that beat The Big Three to the punch for the growing small-car market?"

Nelson said, "Well, we don't want too many callers with the wrong answer because it eats up our time, waiting for a caller with the correct answer, so I thought that was easy enough." So would all of us, of course.

He continued, "Besides, Bob; I asked that question of five people under 50 here in the studio last week and no one had any idea what I was talking about!" YIKES!

Yes, Toto; I guess we're no longer in Kansas.

Second occurrence this morning (Sunday, Feb. 2) was not Studebaker-related but nonetheless illustrative of the point I'm making about not being in Kansas any more:

The retired Pastor of our church is from Wisconsin and a big Green Bay Packers fan; I mean big time. While he was gone on vacation, I bought an early '70s 6 1/2-ounce Coca-Cola bottle at an antique mall with GREEN BAY WIS molded in the bottom, as they used to do with deposit bottles to identify the city and town from which a given bottle came.

I told him in an e-mail while he was away that I had bought him something no other Green Bay Packers fan in Hamilton County IN was likely to have.

When he and his wife returned to church today, I gave him the Coke bottle. Even though he is 72 years old, he knew nothing about 6 1/2-ounce returnable Coca-Cola bottles having the city of origin molded in their bottoms!

At what age does one realize they are getting OLD? BP

[2R5]

When you start tell everyone ...your old

[studegary]

...or South Bend IN, for that matter.

Some days, you're reminded of how old you are. I've had two such days back-to-back; Feb 1 and Feb 2, 2020.

To wit: Yesterday (Saturday, Feb 1) was the Hoosier History Live radio show specializing in Studebakers, during which Andy Beckman and I were on the air to discuss -what else?- Studebakers. I got to the studio an hour early to learn what we were going to do and generally get ready for the live show, reviewing the procedures.

In the course of discussing things, I volunteered to the Host, Indiana Historian Nelson Price, that I thought the History Mystery question he was going to pose on the air was too easy and that the phone lines would be tied up with people wanting to answer it and win the prize package. The question was, "What model did Studebaker introduce in 1959 that beat The Big Three to the punch for the growing small-car market?"

Nelson said, "Well, we don't want too many callers with the wrong answer because it eats up our time, waiting for a caller with the correct answer, so I thought that was easy enough." So would all of us, of course.

He continued, "Besides, Bob; I asked that question of five people under 50 here in the studio last week and no one had any idea what I was talking about!" YIKES!

Yes, Toto; I guess we're no longer in Kansas.

Second occurrence this morning (Sunday, Feb. 2) was not Studebaker-related but nonetheless illustrative of the point I'm making about not being in Kansas any more:

The retired Pastor of our church is from Wisconsin and a big Green Bay Packers fan; I mean big time. While he was gone on vacation, I bought an early '70s 6 1/2-ounce Coca-Cola bottle at an antique mall with GREEN BAY WIS molded in the bottom, as they used to do with deposit bottles to identify the city and town from which a given bottle came.

I told him in an e-mail while he was away that I had bought him something no other Green Bay Packers fan in Hamilton County IN was likely to have.

When he and his wife returned to church today, I gave him the Coke bottle. Even though he is 72 years old, he knew nothing about 6 1/2-ounce returnable Coca-Cola bottles having the city of origin molded in their bottoms!

At what age does one realize they are getting OLD? BP

The trivia question is flawed if he was looking for Lark for an answer. The Lark was introduced in 1958 (not "1959") as a 1959 model year car.

To answer your question - for me: 80.

Yes, I also remember those Coke bottles with the location on them. At places, like the service station, when a few were buying Cokes from the machine, the bet was on who would get the bottle from the furthest distance. The furthest would win, usually the cost of everyone's Coke.

[556063]

Bob, I'm 56 and have spent my entire life in the South Bend area. I know I've discussed my displeasure at how much of the Studebaker Legacy has been de-emphasized around here, but I guess I need to understand much of that is due to the age of those around me now. I've gone from encountering actual Stude Employees, to talking with the children and grandchildren of employees when I have a car out. The little details and twists and turns are being forgotten, like when the Lark was introduced. I guess I'm old now, and at least I'm in an area where most people know my Lark is not a Rambler. My '55 Champion Sedan gets called a Hawk almost every time I have it out, which I'm learning to take as a good thing. The details though, are getting sketchy, and only the deeply interested will carry them on.

[jclary]

Getting old can sneak up on you. Like the time I was at a check-out and was just about to make a flirtatious comment to the young lady at the register...but before I could make a comment she looked at me and said..."you remind me of my father!" I politely responded he was fortunate to have a polite daughter like her and went on my way.

A few years later, in my sales position as a supplier to the BMW factory start-up project...I was taking two German engineers to look over some equipment. Although I studied German in college, I was not confident in my language skills and they spoke very little English. So we were assigned an interpreter. She was young and movie star gorgeous. I was driving and she chose to sit upfront in the passenger seat. Along the way, we made small talk and I told her the story of the girl at the checkout. Then, I told her that the realization that I'm old had come full circle...because now, instead of attempting to "flirt," my thoughts were how much SHE reminded me of my own daughter. I believe that admission alone, confirms I'm old.

Oh, I still tinker with my old cars, ride my motorcycle, and am a lot more active than many folks my age. But, the daily medications, the walking cane in the closet (for the occasional neuropathy flair-ups), my handicap parking sticker, and my stiff back in the mornings are a constant reminder that I need to do things with caution.

I'm at peace with that and live a lot calmer as a result.

[Andy R.]

On the trivia question-an easier answer welcomes more people to call in and stay tuned in. If they feel they know something about a subject, they are more likely to keep listening for more information on the subject or confirmation that they are smart. Those who could answer the harder question would likely stay tuned in anyway.*

On age, it is a variable between you and those around you. Most people I work with are in their 30s, so I am old as dirt. They think movies from the 90s are classic and car window cranks are a brilliant idea. Most of us can agree on that last point, regardless of age. That makes us all feel younger.

Bob, could you please post a few alternate trivia questions you would enjoy putting out on the airwaves?

I'd probably ask one about the "Hill-Holder" clutch, since many Subarus built in Indiana also had that same feature.

[62champ]

Just going to throw a little gasoline on this philosophical fire - there are a number of people who will not know what you are referencing when you mention Kansas and Toto...

[S2Deluxe]

Just going to throw a little gasoline on this philosophical fire - there are a number of people who will not know what you are referencing when you mention Kansas and Toto...

No doubt, your correct, but I'm not aware of who any of them are.

Yes, Toto; I guess we're no longer in Kansas. [/QUOTE]

As I remember the line, it was more, something like, Gosh Toto; I don't think, we're in Kansas, anymore? But, still I have no doubt, of what it is, he's referencing!

Mark

[daytonadave]

Today, I rode my Blue 2012 Kawasaki ZX14r Ninja to the local Motorcycle gathering Post. The young Guys (39 yrs old) were surprised that Me-68 yrs old riding such a motorcycle. Living the Dream they said. I've been riding for 48 yrs. Guys my age usually ride Cruisers.

[Dwain G.]

5¢ per bottle at the grocery store was always a good way to make a little spending money in small-town SW Missouri back then.

[bumpkinvilledano]

I never noticed, that I can remember, the location on the bottom of a Coke bottle until I noticed my grandfathers collection of large, quart size maybe, Coke bottles. He was trying to collect one from EVERY bottling plant and in the mid 70's had maybe 55 different bottles. I have no idea how many bottling plants Coke had but he had a heck of a collection. As I left the hometown for work in 1980, I don't know if he ever collected every one. When I would visit, the topic never came up, as my grandmother had put her foot down and relegated his collection to the basement.

I hadn't thought about that in years. Thanks for the memory jog.

[8E45E]

Yes, I also remember those Coke bottles with the location on them. At places, like the service station, when a few were buying Cokes from the machine, the bet was on who would get the bottle from the furthest distance. The furthest would win, usually the cost of everyone's Coke.

It sounds like they were returnable for refund where you were. Here, those 6-1/2 oz. bottles were 'No Deposit-No Refund' and non-returnable.

The 10 oz. and 16 oz. empties did have a 2¢ refund on them back then.

Craig

[Clippertown]

5 cents a bottle??!! Only the occasional and very rare quart sized bottle (usually Canada Dry or Rock Creek) brought 5 cents. Regular Coke, Pepsi, or RC bottles got you 2 cents each. Used to pick up half a dozen bottles out of the ditches around town and go to Mr. Mahoney's Amoco Station and get a couple of candy bars. Baby Ruth, Chunky, Power House, Hershey --he had the best candy counter in town.

[Blue 15G]

I realize I'm getting older when I think about price increases through the years. Just recently I told one of my young coworkers about the time I hit a deer with my '66 VW Bug back in 1971. Damaged and needing replaced were the hood (trunk lid?.... the engine was in the back, of course), left front fender and side panel between the fender and hood. The whole cost for bodywork and paint was $275, and this was done at a commercial body shop. Today you couldn't even fix a scratch in the paint for $275.

But everything is relative. My mother is 95 with some health issues and I'm sure she'd be thrilled to be my age (65).

[bezhawk]

Well, I guess some Missourians are now in Kansas After being relocated by a congratulatory super bowl announcement!