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Just A Passing Fancy

I is just a passing fancy and in time may go." If
we are to believe the words of this old song,
many of the looks we try to perfect and the
activities we pursue will soon be outmoded.
There are some fads, which, upon reflection, may
cause us to ask, "What were we
thinking of?" Some of the following
may even evince the reaction, from
those too young to remember such
things, of "You're kidding, of
course."
In the 1920s, the cloche hat was
very in for women. It was "bell
shaped" and fit nicely over the new
short-hair look. One of the big
SY
MANELLO spectator sports of the time was flag-
pole sitting. The record was set at
Editorial
49 days with a reported 20,000 peo-
Assistant

ple watching.
The 1930s saw the introduction of miniature golf or
.minigolf as it was called. At one time, there were over
30,000 links and 50 rooftop courses around. The real-
ly fashionable males sported zoot suits; this extravagant
style boasted wide lapels and tapered pant legs.
The advent of the 1940s saw many swallowing gold-
fish and making the pea shooter popular. The latter
was basically a blowgun for dried peas.
In the 1950s, college students were busy with tele-
phone booth stuffing; the record was 25 people. A few
years later, VW stuffing was the rage. (Wasn't anyone
in college studying?) The DA haircut was in, with the
help of a lot of hair creams; and women began to wear
slacks outside the home. (As opposed to wearing the
pant at home, which is a whole different story with
beginnings much earlier than the 1950s.)
The 1960s ushered in the popularity of bellbottoms
and platform shoes. Girls were into having their hair
ironed — yes, really on an ironing board.
With the 1970s, we saw a relaxation of inhibitions

Going To Bat For Johanna

Detroit's Oldest Jews

Anne Gonte Silver of Bloomfield Hills had an emotional trip to
Washington, D.C., in mid-May.
She attended a Senate subcommit-
tee hearing focused on "Johanna's
Law: The Gynecologic Cancer
Education and Awareness Act"
named after her oldest daughter who
died of ovarian cancer in August

In its annual search for the oldest members of metro Detroit's
Jewish community, Federation's Elderlink found 56 this year
older than age 95.
All attended a recognition luncheon May 20, which was
underwritten by the family of honoree Bessie Spector, who
said the most important thing to have happened to her in her
102 years was "my family."
Meanwhile, Gertrude Gilbert, age 97, declared that the
Honoree Nate Stein and guest
highlight of her life is "being a great-grandmother."
Irving Goldberg: old friends
Linda Lee, associate chair of the Federation's Commission
on Jewish Eldercare Services, welcomed the honorees and
their guests. "Each year, those of us who have worked on this
event have been overwhelmed by the wonderful people who
are being honored," she told the 175 people in attendance.
"You have all lived to see amazing changes in how we live:
geographically, socially and technologically. Your personal data
bank of memories is filled with treasures that I hope your share
with your family. We applaud your longevity and your contri-
bution to our Jewish community."

2000.
The legislation, brainchild of
Johanna's sister Sheryl Silver of
Hallandale, Fla., is designed to create
a federal outreach campaign regard-
ing the risk factors and symptoms of
ovarian and other gynecologic can-
Anne Gonte Silver of
cers. The goal of the bill is improving Bloomfield Hills with Sen.
early detection of these cancers,
Arlen Specter, D-Pa., and her
which have killed more than 250,000 daughter Sheryl Silver of
American women in just the last 10
Hallandale, Fla. after a
years.
Senate subcommittee hearing
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal
on Johanna's Law.
Oak, authored the bill 2 1 /2 years ago.
Nearly 180 members of the U.S. House of Representatives — from
both sides of the political aisle — have co-sponsored the bill.
On May 11, the day when buildings on Capitol Hill were evacuat-
ed after a small plane strayed into restricted airspace, Anne Silver
watched as the Senate subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Arlen Specter,
D-Pa., heard testimony from Dr. Andrew Von Eschenbach, National
Cancer Institute director; Nanny TV star and uterine cancer survivor
Fran Drescher; and Anne's daughter Sheryl.
"It was very emotional," Anne said. "It was painful to hear Sheryl
talk about Johanna's shocking diagnosis and all that followed. I still
cry every night for my Johanna.
"On the other hand, I was also very proud as I listened to every-
one's testimony. It was overwhelming to realize all that has taken
place because of Sheryl's determination to warn other women about
these cancers through this legislation. Although nothing can ever heal
the heartbreak of losing my child, there is a small measure of healing
that comes with knowing that through Johanna's Law, we may finally
be able to improve early detection of these cancers and, by doing so,
save more lives."
To learn more about gynecologic cancers and Johanna's Law, visit
tiN wvvw. johannaslaw.org
— Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor
6/ 9

2005

12

as streaking became popular and gave a whole new
meaning to "let it all hang out." The most notorious
incident occurred at the 1973 Oscar ceremonies. Pet
rocks and puka shells were also quite popular, which
now make us question our gullibility and sense of
style.
The 1980s were the backdrop for the popularization
of break dancing and an entertainer named Madonna
created an interest for young girls to wear lace finger-
less gloves.
In the 1990s, the younger set took to self-mutilation
or as they called it — piercing — and no body part
was immune. Some of the older of us were releasing
our inhibitions by dancing the Macarena.
Now add to all of this the plethora of slang that
accompanied each era and you have some colorful
times to look back on.
One sobering fact is that each generation thought
they were living in what became known as the good
old days. Did they seem so at the time? Ah well, what-
ever "floats your boat." El

DETROIT'S OLDEST JEWS on page 13

Bessie Spector, 102

Yiddish Limericks

"This allergy season, the pollen
Is out of control," complained Collin.
"I hoost* and I sneeze,
And thanks to this wheeze,
My love life's completely Mallen'!"

— Martha Jo Fleischmann

* cough
** hopeless

IlLEMErcha Don't Know

After Coke and Pepsi, which cola company, founded by Jews,
is most well known?

— Goldfein

-Allurej umao atia Aq papunoj .‘-eToD mi

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