BEST OF EVERYTHING THE COMPRI HOTEL j CLUB . New Year's Eve at DANNY RASKIN Compri $ 8 9 Loccil Columnist per room double occupancy plus tax ($59 Fri., 12-29, Sat., 12-30 and Mon., 1-1-90) Celebrate the New Year in comfort and style at Compri Hotel Southfield Package Includes: Deluxe Accommodations For Two Full Cooked-To-Order Breakfast New Year's Day Two Complimentary Cocktails 5-7 p.m. Complimentary Hors D'oeuvres 5-7 p.m., Light Buffet 11 p.m.-2 a.m. 1 Bottle of Champagne per room Party Favors Late Checkout 2 p.m. New Year's Day Use of Indoor Pool, Sauna, Whirlpool and Exercise Room * * * * * * * * Advance guaranteed reservations required by 12-27-89, credit card or deposit Call 313-357-1100 Hotel Southfield (COMprlY 26000 AMERICAN DRIVE SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48034 24366 GRAND RIVER 7 Mile 3 BLOCKS WEST OF TELEGRAPH 6, 6 Mile 1■ •• ■ •• a 537-1450 OPEN 7 DAYS I FREE BANQUET ROOM AVAILABLE I Mexican or American Cuisine rt iv% FOR TWO $9.95 ANY FOOD BILL OVER $15 00 js Dine In Only • One Coupon Per Visit ith Coupon. Expires Dec. 31, 19891 C INCLUDES: STEAK FAJITA, 2 TACOS, CHEESE ENCHILADA, EL PADRE BURRITO, TOSTADA, GUACAMOLE DIP, RICE AND BEANS. In Only With Coupon L •Dine • One Coupon Per Visit • Expires Dec. 31, 1989 JNj Serving Hours: Mon.Thurs. 11 a.m:11 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m:12 Mid. Sat. 2 p.m:12 Mid., Sun. 4 p.m:11 p.m. OUR MUSIC WILL HELP MAKE YOUR PARTY! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ WEDDINGS BAR/BAT MITZVAHS CONFIRMATIONS ANNIVERSARIES PRIVATE PARTIES ALL YOUR HAPPY OCCASIONS (313) 544-7373 78 Portrait of the Great American Investor 1 F MEXICAN SAMPLER PLATTER' OFF FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1989 '60s Singles Weekends Changed Lifestyles It's his job to know good advertising—and he also knows a good investment. Terry Wilson puts his money in U.S. Savings Bonds. Bonds now pay competitive rates, like money market accounts. Find out more, call 1-800-US-BONDS. Bonds held less than five years earn a lower rate. A public service of this publication. U.S. SAVINGS BONDS THE GREAT AMERICAN INVESTMENT T he mystery guest writes . . . "It's widely known that resort hotels in the Catskill Moun- tains of New York are famous for their homey hospitality, kosher food and entertain- ment from 'Simon Says' to stellar personality performers. "But did you know that in 1962, the singles game was first played in big-league style when Grossinger's staged its singles-only weekend? - "On a Friday evening in March, singles piled out of buses and plunged into a flurry of activities. Gross- inger's and its Catskill rivals were in the singles business to stay. "After that, entrepreneurs began to infiltrate the lucrative singles market. By the late '60s, singles-only resorts, publications and apartment houses began to emerge. "Planeloads of singles toured Europe and ocean liners took singles cruises to the Bahamas. Swingers wedg- ed into singles bars. "In the 1970s, the darkly- paneled, dimly-lit lounge was groaningly crammed during Thursday happy hours at the Lion's Den in Southfield's Raleigh House. The drinks were 75 cents from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and it was two deep around the bar. "Sober-suited corporate heads pulled in their stomachs, lifted their glasses high and stepped aside as attractively-tanned office girls squirmed their way into the crowded bar. "Masculine hands moved their drinks to give a scrap of space, and here and there a stool was offered. 'Do you come here often?' a voice shouted through the din. Lighters flickered in the semi-darkness. "The Lion's Den wasn't a `pickup' bar. Younger customers were visibly ner- vous when they approached another single. - "They nursed sloe gin fizzes, cokes, beers and pink ladys. The brave ones ordered bloody Marys. The hard- drinking took place around the bar where the older im-. bibers gathered. Businessmen stuck out like scotch-on-the-rocks in a Kool- Aid world. "On one Thursday night, a motley-attired rock group called 'Pyramid Power' was blasting ear-shattering sounds from the bandstand. It was 9:30 p.m. and nobody was dancing. "Girls in blue jeans, mod- tops and mini-skirts were separated from the stag line. Males of different ages in California walking suits, multi-colored shirts and blue jeans swayed to the music. "They didn't look like swinging singles but rather like bashful high school kids without dates for the prom. "By 10 p.m., one tall, dark- mustached Casanova-type grabbed a partner and set the pace. Soon, couples were jum- ping and bumping to the music. Few pairs remained together after a set. Of all the bars, most agreed, the Lion's Den was the best. The people were friendly. And, according to singles, the social mobility The Catskills helped to kick off the singles revolution. of this particular age group was virtually stagnant. "In a place like this, many single fellows said, you may get a girl to dance with you, but you usually go home alone. "Back in the '60s, TGI Fridays was among the rendezvous for unattached strangers of the opposite sex. It remains so to this day. "Hundreds of computerized dating services sprung up in the '60s. The ultimate setup for unmarrieds was the singles-only apartment com- plex, touted as a 'recreational residential community for single young adults? "The singles who answered the clarion call to frolic and friendship were ages 21-40, worked at white collar profes- sions and had an average in- come of $8,000. "They could manage the "monthly rents which ranged upward from $120 for a one- room apartment unit with bath and kitchenette. "There was always a waiting list of eager ap- plicants clamoring to make the scene, to be caught up in the whirl of group activities. "Although the attention of America in the 1960s ap- peared to be riveted in the generation under 30, something almost as big was brewing. "The number of people past 0.1 I 4 11 110 40 4 S S