Ladies and gentlemen, we’re still in 1942 on account of not taking gas rationing of the time into account … and the way-back machine is a bit thirsty. Don’t worry, folks, we’ll get some gas down the road, but at this point, we may have to walk or hitch a ride.

Ladies and gentlemen, over the past two offerings, we’ve beheld Thanksgivings and “Black Fridays” of yore, and now that we’ve had our first snowfall of the season, let’s look ahead (or back?) to Christmas.

Ladies and gentlemen, Wikipedia tells us that the day after Thanksgiving has been regarded as the beginning of the United States Christmas shopping season since 1952. However, the term “Black Friday” did not become widely used until more recent decades, during which time global retailers have adopted the term and date to market their own holiday sales.

Ladies and gentlemen, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and wouldn’t it be nice to see how the time of togetherness and gratitude was celebrated in Hillsboro and Highland County in the 1960s? I thought so, too.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re back in the ’60s in uptown Hillsboro, and gee whiz, I’m having a heck of a time keeping track of the time. It’s probably been 15 years since I’ve worn a wristwatch, and the cell phone might stick out in the 1960s, so let’s drive the Studebaker up West Main Street and shop for watches at C.W. Limes Jewelry.

Ladies and gentlemen, since prices in the 1960s are so “inexpensive,” at least compared to today’s inflated dollars, wouldn’t it be nice to purchase some 1960s furniture to decorate a room in your home? In Hillsboro in the early 1960s, we have a few places to choose from, among them: D.M. Evans Co.; Johnnie’s Bargain Center; Pierce Furniture; Phillips Furniture; and Stockwell Furniture Co.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re having lots of fun in Hillsboro in the early 1960s. We’ve gassed up a classic Studebaker, bought ’60s clothes, did some grocery shopping at Albers on West Main and Kroger on Muntz Street, took in a couple of movies, went to the county fair and watched a couple of Hillsboro High School football games.

Kroger wasn’t located on Harry Sauner Road in the 1960s. It wasn’t at Highland Plaza, as it was when I was in school. It was at 185 Muntz Street in Hillsboro – which is now the Highland County Senior Center, and has been for some time. Before it was on Muntz, Kroger was on South High Street in uptown Hillsboro.

Ladies and gentlemen, since we’ve gone back to Hillsboro in the 1960s, we’ve stopped in at local auto dealers, gas stations and clothing stores. We’ve even visited the county fair and took in a couple of films at the Colony Theatre and a drive-in movie at Roselawn in Allensburg. I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to get a little hungry. Let’s do a little grocery shopping.

Ladies and gentlemen, most folks would think I’ve led a wooden, repetitive life – nothing to write home about. And perhaps that’s true. After all, I’ve spent most my life hanging out in a barn. I spent so much time in that barn I forgot all about my former life. Oh, I vaguely remember bits and pieces here and there, but that was so long ago I don’t know how long ago that was.

Ladies and gentlemen, most folks would think I’ve led a wooden, repetitive life – nothing to write home about. And perhaps that’s true. After all, I’ve spent most my life hanging out in a barn. I spent so much time in that barn I forgot all about my former life. Oh, I vaguely remember bits and pieces here and there, but that was so long ago I don’t know how long ago that was.

Ladies and gentlemen, most folks would think I’ve led a wooden, repetitive life – nothing to write home about. And perhaps that’s true. After all, I’ve spent most my life hanging out in a barn. I spent so much time in that barn I forgot all about my former life. Oh, I vaguely remember bits and pieces here and there, but that was so long ago I don’t know how long ago that was.

Ladies and gentlemen, most folks would think I’ve led a wooden, repetitive life – nothing to write home about. And perhaps that’s true. After all, I’ve spent most my life hanging out in a barn. I spent so much time in that barn I forgot all about my former life. Oh, I vaguely remember bits and pieces here and there, but that was so long ago I don’t know how long ago that was.

Ladies and gentlemen, now that we’re back in the 1960s, we should probably get some ’60s clothes.

Ladies and gentlemen, now that we’re back in the 1960s, we should probably get some ’60s clothes.