Remembering unique nuances of childhood experiences (Toledo, Youngstown: amusement park, house, movie theaters)

[aquila]

Forgive the thread title, as I'm not quite sure how to sum up what I'm talking about in one short sentence.

What are some things you remember experiencing as a child that were particularly unique or pleasant, not just for the physical experience, but for the way they made you feel? For instance, I don't mean just the specific outing to an amusement park or a ball game....but what kind of ambiance resulted from your visit to those places which stands out in your memory? Was there a particular childlike wonder you can recall which was connected to an experience you had, or some memory of life - whether life as it existed on a daily basis or connected to a special occasion? How did it affect you as you grew up?

An example with me is that I remember the smell of my grandmother's house when she was frying chicken for a family Sunday dinner. It was soothing for some reason, and made things feel "alive". To this day, when I smell frying chicken it makes things seem "better" in the world around me.

Any stories...?

[rrtechno]

Your mention of smells triggered one in me. My dad had an aunt who never had any children. Dad lived with her for about 7 years when he was a teenager helping with her farming and such, so she always said that we were her "grandchildren". We went to visit her a lot, this was in the 50s and 60s. She didn't have electricity or running water in her house and she had a wood burning stove that she used for cooking. She usually had just baked bread or coffee cake whenever we got there. There is something about the crusty smell of fresh bread from a wood burning oven that is really heartwarming. Just thinking about again, I can smell the baked goods and see the old kitchen. The house, barn, and all the outbuildings are gone now. I think there is still one tree standing from back then.

[ImaMichigander]

There are some nights in the summer when it was a warm day but cooling down at night. Those were the days when my mom would give me a bath, put me in jammies and we'd drive to the drive-in to see a movie. I mostly don't remember what movies we saw, but to this day on summer eveings like that, I feel like we just need to put on jammies and find a drive-in. But being from MetroDetroit, the only drive-ins left are not in the best areas of town and it doesn't seem like that great an idea. Sad, my kids will never know that smell or feeling....

[CortlandGirl79]

We still have two drive-ins here in Warren, but i guess we are a little too far away for you to come for a visit. I once heard that Ohio and Pa have the most drive-ins in the US. Maybe there is still a drive-in in the Findlay/Toledo area.

[Hartwell Girl]

We used to go to 7 Caves every year...this time of the year when the leaves were all changing. Its near Hillsboro and is now under new ownership...I havent been for about 3 years now but it was always a fun trip!

[gizmobizmo]

There are certain places and scents that always remind me of my parents.

Whenever I smell the smoke from a pipe, I think of my dad since he smokes one. Since I think my dad is terrific, it always makes me smile.

My dad and I also go to a little diner to eat when we can. I live out of state now so we can't do it very often. We've been going to this restuarant since I was young and whenever I drive by one, I wish he was here to go to lunch with me.

[rrtechno]

Originally Posted by ImaMichigander

But being from MetroDetroit, the only drive-ins left are not in the best areas of town and it doesn't seem like that great an idea. Sad, my kids will never know that smell or feeling....

You might check out and see if any of these are still open. I know some are kind of a drive after the show is over. There was just a new one opened up near Liberty Center this past summer, about a half hour west of Toledo. It's just there, out in the middle of a corn field.

Drive-In Movie Theaters - A Waymarking.com Category

[ImaMichigander]

Originally Posted by rrtechno

You might check out and see if any of these are still open. I know some are kind of a drive after the show is over. There was just a new one opened up near Liberty Center this past summer, about a half hour west of Toledo. It's just there, out in the middle of a corn field.

Drive-In Movie Theaters - A Waymarking.com Category

Thanks to you and Cortlandgirl! I'll check it out! My mom would love to go with my kids and we'd take great-grandma too! That was awfully nice of you both to contribute!

[CortlandGirl79]

If you're ever in the Youngstown/Warren area here's a link to our major drive-in Elm Road Drive-In Theatre: Welcome

[Furnier]

I'm gonna go with sounds.

Growing up in Sandusky, there was nothing quite like the bells of the various beautiful old churches in downtown ringing on Sunday morning.

Also, it was sweet background music to hear the Cedar Point train whistle echoing across Sandusky Bay on summer afternoons when I was out playing pickup baseball.

Doug