Sunday, December 23, 2007

The winter of love


click on photograph to enlarge
Who could forget the easy listening of the Al Robel's Orchestra* setting the tempo with the band's mild performance of sight and sound? For starters, probably everyone in this photograph, which was taken back in December 1967: the so called "winter of love." That is when an unprecedented number of young people (estimated to be in the dozens) converged into the Nativity gym, creating a seminal moment in Pottsville's musical history. It was called the Christmas Prom.

Easy-listening music was immediately criticized by some as a tool of the devil for its ability of letting dance partners actually have physical contact with one another in public. Others said that the three hour event was likened to being trapped in an elevator for days and that rock and roll would soon take over the airwaves of WPPA, WPAM and WMBT.

Yes, many remember 1967 for its psychedelic summer of love in San Francisco, but in Pottsville it is the fortieth anniversary of the winter of love, where easy listening music ruled. Try and remember those gentle, bland sounds that filled the gymnasium one cold december night.
It was pure magic.


*Remember that Al Robel is often confused with Jolly Jack Robel, the polka king of Shenandoah.

Merry Christmas.


Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Greetings from Lock Haven!


I look forward to any reunion we may have next year. I personally have a preference to have something at a hotel/meetingroom, but they look like a nonexistant entity in Schuylkill County. Perhaps I shoud move back and opensomething down there. Even little Lock Haven has something here. I did get to a nice reunion for another organization in Reading last month and had a great time. Of course, it was at a very nice hotel.... A picnic sounds like a great idea too. I never did know about those when they were held. Somehow I got out of the loop for 15-20 years. I've been enjoying your blog entries. If I find any old pictures, I will forward them. If I may help in any way, please let me know
Take care.

Joe Murton








Thanks Joe for your note. I will give your website some publicity if you don't mind:
If anyone else has a website of interest to the Class of 1968, please send in details.
maitre de blog
Here is a video involving feet.