Mickey Yarber, aka The Retro Rambler

From Poem to Christmas Icon: The Story of Rudolph

In 1939, with the depression still casting a shadow over sales and war worries depressing the general mood, executives at Montgomery Ward were looking for a special Christmas draw to lure shoppers. Traditional themes –

The Early Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Mickey Yarber

Every year on Thanksgiving morning, while countless turkeys are roasting in the oven, over 3 million people bundle up and line the streets of New York to watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In

Our Favorite Stores at the Mall

Mickey Yarber

Hey retro lovers, welcome to our first TRN Round Table. The Round Table is where several creators from the TRN Bullpen get together and share their thoughts on a common theme. In this first edition,

The Real-Life Inspiration for Rocky Balboa

Mickey Yarber

Chuck Wepner was a tough man. He learned to handle himself while working as a bouncer in the late ’50s. Then, while in the Marine Corps, he took up boxing. When his time in the

Our Favorite Old School Wrestlers

Mickey Yarber

The staff of TRN and some friends get together for a round table style discussion of our favorite old school wrestlers.

The History of McDonald’s Shamrock Shake

Mickey Yarber

McDonald’s Shamrock Shake had a unique beginning. Football teams, hospitals, and more combine to give this iconic shake it’s humble beginnings.

Ed Wood: The Worst Filmmaker of All Time

Mickey Yarber

From the time he was only 7 years old, Ed Wood wanted to make movies. After seeing the 1931 movie Dracula, he started spending as much time at theaters as he could. He got

The Golden Age of Department Stores at Christmas

Mickey Yarber

In today’s world of specialty shops, discount superstores, and all the choices we have online, it’s hard to imagine the role the department store once played in American life. Each town had one of these

Do You Remember Green Stamps?

Mickey Yarber

Raise your hand if you remember S&H Green Stamps. For those of you without telepathy, my hand is high in the air. That’s because I certainly remember Green Stamps. Now, for those of you

Who Did We Crush On?

Mickey Yarber

Carolyne Heldman Biggest crush? If we’re talking junior high, might have to say, Mary Lou Retton. I fell head over heels for that little spitfire during the ’84 Olympic games. She may very well be

The Glory Days of Pizza Hut

Mickey Yarber

Pizza Hut in the 80s and 90s was great. Relive everything you miss, and all the things that made it great back in the glory days of Pizza Hut.

Our Favorite Old School Music Videos

Mickey Yarber

Welcome back to another TRN Round Table. It’s where we get together and share our thoughts on the same subject. Earlier this week, the latest episode of the TRN Podcast featured Jason, Mickey, and Eric

Pictorial: The 17 Original Nintendo Entertainment System Games Released in 1985

Mickey Yarber

A pictorial guide to the first 17 games for the original NES. The box art of these original games is simple, yet elegant, and wonderful pieces of artwork in their own right.

The Foods We Miss

Mickey Yarber

It’s time once again for another Retro Round Table! This time, we’re talking about our most missed foods from day’s gone by. There have been a lot of fast food choices and snacks that have come and gone over the years, and we are all nostalgic about one or more of them.

Big Money No Whammies! The Scandal That Shook the Game Show World

Mickey Yarber

In 1984, a man named Michael Larson racked up more winnings than anyone was thought possible on the game show, Press Your Luck. It wasn’t just luck, and the world of games shows would never be the same.