Zenith record radio console
My prized possession is the old Zenith record radio console my parents had—they bought that before I was even born—and the records. I had brothers, so they bought a lot of these red, yellow, orange, black, children’s records. And I learned very early on how to stack those things and just let them plop onto the turntable. And I even remember some of the titles; there was The Duck With Big Flat Feet, Henny Penny, Early to Bed Early to Rise, Davy Crockett, Clementine, Peter Pan, Mickey Mouse, Crocodile…you know. And, maybe she did, but I do not ever remember my mother telling me “Don’t you want to go play outside?” or, you know, “Let’s give the record player a rest.” I’d just play these over and over, and I remember the Firestone Christmas albums that would come out, Julie Andrews. They loved George Beverly Shay, and Saturdays we would listen to the Lighthouse Hour which was like a radio play. Not too long ago, I took the radio out so I could take it to Cedar Rapids to get it fixed. It’s wonderful, I can turn it on, it’s got a really good sound, you can see that orange glow again of the dial. It just brings back so many memories of all the music and all the wonderful times in that kitchen.