Old Time Shopping in Downtown Detroit

 As I am going about my daily business in metro Detroit yesterday, I ran across a video from the Detroit Historical Society about the Floral Telegraph Delivery, better known as FTD, and their 1960 convention in what was called Cobo Hall (now Huntington Place). Watching the video made me recall memories of the old J.L. Hudson Department store, which was one of the tallest department stores in the city of Detroit,  if not the country, and was as well known in Detroit as Marshall Field was in Chicago and as Macy's was in New York City. The Greater Hudson's complex was bounded by Farmer, Gratiot, Woodward and Grand River in downtown Detroit. Generations of Detroiters shopped here for various products (they delivered to your house if a product you purchased was  large) and was especially grand around the Christmas holidays. Many metro Detroit brides consulted Hudson's on all aspects of their special day, from their trousseau to furnishing their marital home, and one memorable promotion was the "Good Ol' Summertime," which had a setup that hearkened back to the late 1890s-early 1900s. A large flag was draped on the Woodward side of the building on June 14, Flag Day. it was retired in 1976 to the Smithsonian Institute, and has been respectfully destroyed as of 2023.  Business dropped off in the 1970s and early 1980s, and the store closed in 1983. Hudson's was demolished in October 1998, and currently, a mixed use building is being constructed on the site. I think of some pictures I discovered in my late father's collection, taken at Detroit's Labor Day Parade in 1981, where the parade passed by Hudson's on its way to Kennedy Square for the rally. One picture is shown below. 

YouTube Friday: Westlife - Uptown Girl radio edit

 

Doing some browsing around YouTube here recently, and come across this cover of Billy Joel's song "Uptown GIrl" by the group Westlife, who were from Ireland. This is a decent cover, and one that I enjoy hearing. Hope you enjoy it, too. 

Torchlighting to help all

 As I am going about town on Monday afternoon, reliving some memories from my past and the history of my family, I come across this building for World Medical Relief, which is now in Southfield. I notice a mention that it was a Torch Drive service. The Torch Drive was annually put on by the United Foundation (now the United Way) around Christmas time. Ads were placed in the paper to solicit donations, and would sometimes list which agencies would benefit from the donations. Many public and private organizations,  religious and secular groups, veterans, alumni and other groups would regularly donate to the Torch Drive to help the greater Detroit area and those in need. 

Memorialized at School

As I am going to visit various locations that are important in my family's history and journey here in metro Detroit, I stop by Southeastern High School, shown above, which a number of family members attended. As I am visiting, I notice a monument, shown below, in front of the school. Getting closer, I notice that this is a memorial to former students who served our country during World War 2. It was dedicated by the classes of January and June 1944-1948.  I was reminded of a couple of pages in a relative's yearbook about a young man who graduated from Southeastern in the early 1930s who died on December 7, 1941 in defense of his country. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously. In the yearbook. they showed the letters his parents received from his branch of service notifying them of their son's passing. I know there are memorials like this at other schools around the country, but this is the first I have seen in Detroit. 

 

Getting Schooled

 Schooling is a big part of anyone's history. A school can be a varied experience for anyone. Nestled on Glendale Avenue between Second Avenue and Third Street in Highland Park, MI, an enclave of Detroit, sits the former Highland Park High School. According to Detroit Urbex, this building opened in 1915 as a High School, , with the Community College, which was housed here until they ceased operations in 1996. A career academy was housed here, as well. This building still sits abandoned, with the auditorium destroyed within the past couple of years. Highland Park High School and Community College hold significance on my mother's side of the family, as two family members attended classes here. This picture was taken on August 11, 2023. 

Back to Blogging

I am sorry for the long delay between my last entry and this entry. It feels like I have been through a tornado and hurricane all rolled into one.. I am continuing to get back on my feet, slowly but surely, after a few personal issues with transportation and other issues knocked me down and stifled my snout-as seen on this dolphin located on Belle Isle-for a time.  I am getting back to work as well. As I was going through these challenges in my life within the past year and a half, My faith has been tried and tested, and I am feeling stronger in faith than I ever have. I feel that God brought me through this storm, and is currently guiding me, along with Christ holding my hand through it all. I have also had many ideas that I have documented in my journal that I will keep private for the time being. . Besides my day job in customer service, , I am currently back doing the gig economy. I do Lyft and DoorDash, giving people rides and delivering their breakfasts and lunches (and sometimes dinners!) around metro Detroit.  I have many stories to tell from these experiences, Hopefully, my blogging will get back to somewhat normal as I have the time to write about my adventures and historical journeys alround Metro Detroit.