Personal Memories Archives : Page 5 of 7 : The Retro Network

Reply to a Ethan Embry (Randall) Fan Letter

In November of 1991, I went to see a movie called All I Want for Christmas. The stars of the movie, Ethan Randall and Thora Birch who play siblings Ethan and Hallie O’Fallon. Ethan and

Home for the Holidays: Another Thanksgiving Movie

Stacey

When thinking about Thanksgiving movies, the one that always comes to most people’s minds is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I love that movie, but there’s one that I have grown to love just a little

My Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Karen Flieger

Thanksgiving is definitely the best holiday for food. The turkey is the traditional protein and there are several dishes that are considered staples. These are some of the sides my family has enjoyed sharing with

Fisher-Price: My Ten Favorite Toys

Karen Flieger

On the rare occasion I watch television commercials these days, one of my favorite ad campaigns are the commercials for Fisher-Price toys featuring John Goodman, “Let’s Be Kids.” It gives me the happy cries every

Skate Night Memories at Sparkles

Karen Flieger

When my brother and I were in elementary school, the PTA had a partnership with our local roller rink, Sparkles. Skate Night was usually held on either the last or second to last Thursday of

Cable Television in the 1980’s

Karen Flieger

Most of my earliest memories of watching television are associated with my family’s move to Georgia in February 1983. I remember

Sweet (and Savory) Home Chicago: Foods I Miss from the Chicago Area

Karen Flieger

Sometimes, when I listen to the food-themed episodes of The Retro Network Podcast, food items come to mind that are just out of reach for regional reasons and make me a little homesick for the

Saved By The Bell Memories and Zack to the Future

Karen Flieger

I remember watching Saved By the Bell during its original run on Saturday mornings and later in their syndication repeats. I liked Zack/Mark-Paul Gosselaar but my favorite of the male characters was actually A.C. Slater,

A Look Back at the World of Care Bears!

Karen Flieger

A few years after American Greetings had a big success with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends, their artists got back to work creating more iconic cartoon characters. The Care Bears came in a variety of

Girl Meets (Game) Boy

Karen Flieger

Here’s my secret shame as an ’80s kid and ’90s teen: I have never owned a game console. I was too young for the Atari 2600 and my dad wouldn’t let us have a Nintendo or

Fun With Food and Kitchen Toys

Karen Flieger

After watching Jason unbox some “Wacky Packages” recently, I thought it might be fun to explore some of my favorite food and kitchen toys. Sadly, I don’t have many memories of playing with some of

My Favorite Pajamas As A Kid

Karen Flieger

As I’m writing this, it’s a Friday night and I’m catching up on podcasts. I’m still wearing my work clothes because we’re having some work done on the house, but I’m looking forward to putting

My New Kids on the Block Experience

Karen Flieger

When you talk to a woman who was either a pre-teen or teenager during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, they are either going to have one reaction or another to the mention of New

Seven More Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

Karen Flieger

Earlier this summer, for my debut with The Retro Network, I wrote an article about my five favorite dolls from the Strawberry Shortcake toyline. I enjoyed writing that article and all of the sweet memories

10 Great Scenes and Lines from Clueless

Karen Flieger

Clueless is one of my favorite “comfort food” movies. When I have a tough day at work or I just get tired of watching the news, I either put in my DVD or pull it

Defining “Fair is Fair” in 1985 Films

Stacey

Every time I see a list of movies that came out in certain years in the ’80s, I’m amazed, and 1985 is no exception. So many movies that I still hold in high regard came

Summer Camp: The Campy Movies of My 80’s Youth, Installment #1

Eric Vardeman

They eighties were FULL of ridiculous, campy movies in every style and genre. This week, I’m reaching back into my younger days to revisit and review some of my favorites from the early and mid-eighties.