Nostalgia Archives ~ Page 3 of 3 ~ 50 Plusses

Due to the Coronavirus, Drive-In Movies are making a comeback with old and new features.

What’s Old about Drive-In Movies:

If you haven’t been to a drive-in for years, maybe since a kid or teenager, in a lot of ways, drive-ins haven’t changed much, except for there being far fewer.

Before the pandemic, there were about 305 drive-ins left operating in the United States, from a high of about 4000 in the 1950’s. Many still have, or refurbished, their flashy neon, or multi-bulbed vintage signs. There are still snack bars and playgrounds for the kids. There’s also double-features. Generally, unless there’s a severe weather forecast, movies are shown rain or shine. Parking is first come, first served.

The movies that are being shown are classics, rather than new releases, as film studios are holding back new releases, or using streaming services. The hits of past summers, such as Jaws, Grease, E.T. and StarWars films are being shown to sold out audiences again. So, old favorite movies are making a comeback, too, on the big screen.

What’s New about Drive-In Movies:

Due to the Pandemic, people looking for safer outdoor recreation. Suddenly, drive-in movies are hot and thriving, instead of slowly dying off.

Tickets, for the most part, are being sold online. Just lining up like the old days may not get you in, especially with the demand. Check the website before you go. Many post the movie schedule online at the beginning of the week.

No more speakers that you attach to your window. Audio is broadcast through your radio. If you don’t want to have your car on accessory for the duration of the movie, bring a battery operated FM radio. Or, some drive-in’s rent them.

Due to the size of your vehicle, you may be directed to an area to the back of the parking lot. They don’t want a large truck or SUV blocking a Mini Cooper.

A newer custom is to park backwards in your space. This is so, if you have a hatchback, or truck, you can open up the back and pile air mattresses, pillows, and blankets in them and stretch out. Some people bring folding chairs and sit, either in the truck bed, or in front, of their car. Some parents may sit in chairs slightly off to one side as their kids take over the hatchback area. If you plan to sit outside your vehicle, plan to bring an FM radio for the audio. If your hatch is going to be open, or your car on, figure out ahead of time how to turn off your interior and exterior lights. They distract others from enjoying the show.

Refreshments and Refreshment Policies Vary

Drive-ins may allow food, but have some restrictions. Some allow you to bring food, but no coolers. Some charge a fee, say $5, for a food permit, if you are bringing in your own food. This is because they make money from the snack bar, and not the movie and the permit helps them stay in business.

From what our research found, a very few allow alcohol, or have a beer garden. Also, a few allow walk-in’s, either to meet friends, or who bring chairs and sit in a designated area.

Now, drive-ins are more than likely to have a website for ticket sales and F.A.Q’s., especially regarding COVID safety measures.

New Entries to the Drive-In Scene

As businesses faced closures and losses, due to the Pandemic, some have pivoted to opening Pop-Up drive-ins

Some include movie theaters, who have turned to using their parking lots. The Kowloon, a large restaurant in Massachusetts made use of it’s parking lot, adding outside tables and a car hop service.

In the shadow of Gillette Stadium, home of the N.E. Patriots, Showcase Cinemas set up a Pop-Up Drive-In in the parking lot at Patriot Place.

Walmart announced that it was going to have outdoor theaters at some of its “Supercenters.”

Some flea market fields and some community recreation areas also have become temporary outside movie venues. Ironically, many large flea markets are on the site of former drive-ins.

Entertainment companies that rent out event equipment have partnered with companies to lease their screens for other pop-up outdoor theaters.

COVID Safety Measures

To save on face to face interactions, a lot of ticket buying has moved online.

Depending upon the facility, parking spaces are adjusted to maintain social distancing.

Some drive-in’s are handing out masks as you enter.

Moviegoers either have to remain in, or in front of their cars and wear face coverings outside of vehicles.

Plan on taking your trash home with you.

Send only one person per car for refreshments.

20 Tips for Enjoying the Drive-In, and Safely

Plan ahead. Check out the website for what’s playing, how to get tickets, and restrictions.
Buy your tickets online ahead of time if possible, to avoid disappointment.
Arrive early, that is, shortly after the gates open, in order to get a better choice of spot.
Bring your own refreshments, if allowed, and to reduce interaction with others at the snack bar.
Bring an FM radio so you don’t have to use your car radio, and have more flexibility about where you sit.
Bring a sweater, sweatshirt, blankets in case you get chilly or wear light clothes if it’s a hot night. Running your car during the movie is distracting to others and may not be allowed.
Bring a pillow or two for comfort and even an neck pillow, for added comfort and support.
Bring folding chairs and perhaps a small folding table if you plan to sit outside of your vehicle.
Eat and drink lightly before and when you get there to reduce trips to the rest rooms.
Leave your pets at home.
If you smoke, check ahead of time to see if smoking or vaping is allowed.
Bring bug spray or repellent.
Bring a battery operated fan if it’s going to be a hot night.
Bring a charger for your phone.
Bring masks, wet wipes, and sanitizer.
Bring water or a beverage as you will be there several hours.
Bring games, books, or some activity to fill the time until the movie starts, which will be at or after dusk.
Maintain social distancing.
Respect the boundaries of your allotted parking space.
If you bring children, make sure they stay in the car or in your parking space.

For Drive-in buffs, or those newly discovering drive-ins, check out the website, driveinmovie.com.

It features news, information, and reviews of drive-in movie theaters across the United States.

Have you been to a drivein lately? What did you think? Please comment.

The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge provides a trip down memory lane.

Pictures by Norman Rockwell were commonplace in the lives of Baby Boomers and older generations. His images were on the magazines, like Saturday Evening Post, Boy’s Life, and Time, that our parents read and were in our doctors and dentists waiting rooms. Prints, especially those involving sports, childhood situations, or special occasions, were on our walls.

Now, they are often used on holiday cards and all kinds of decorative items.

This year, 2019, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Norman Rockwell Museum, located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts celebrates 50 years in 2019.

Day-tripping to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge

We had been considering a trip to the Berkshires and zeroed in on visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum. Their Woodstock to the Moon Exhibit particularly appealed to me.

On a bright sunny summer Sunday morning, we put on our sunblock and hats and headed West in our Solstice with the top down.

We learned from the Museum’s very informative website that it offers free gallery tours with admission. We aimed to be there for the 12:30 p.m. Rockwell Gallery tour. We also hoped to enjoy the Woodstock to the Moon Exhibit talk at 2:00 p.m.

We arrived with time to spare. Friendly staff directed us to the lower gallery to enjoy an exhibit of Rockwell’s magazine covers and a short video about him before the tour. The magazine covers line the walls of a the large room where the video is shown. Seeing them, it strikes you just how prolific Norman Rockwell was as well as creative. There are many favorites, that we remembered. There were many covers, especially those of presidents and head of state, that made us pause to think back on the political changes we had witnessed and Rockwell documented in his unique way.

Gallery Talks

The galleries aren’t all that big, but some how the intimacy suits the exhibits. The docents are enthusiastic. They have a store of tidbits and anecdotes about Rockwell and his life and work. They truly helped us to appreciate the little details that Rockwell put into his work. The details added humor and/or nuance to the story he was telling with paint.

During the gallery talk we learned that Rockwell found ways to best present his subjects. It took some effort with portraying Nixon, not a man with regular features. When Lyndon Johnson saw his official portrait, he said, that’s not what I look like. He pulled out a copy of Time magazine with Rockwell’s portrait of him from his desk drawer and said “This is what I look like.”

Norman Rockwell the Photographer

One of the things that the museum points out is that Rockwell was a photographer as well as an illustrator. He used photos extensively when planning his illustrations. He would enlist local residents and pose them with props and take photos. When he traveled, he took photos which he later incorporated into his work. Some of his photos and sketches are shown with finished paintings. You can see his process from concept to photos to studies to the final product.

Accessibility at the Norman Rockwell Museum

The Museum and Rockwell’s studio, which is on the grounds, are accessible. There’s an elevator between levels and all restrooms are accessible. There are manual wheelchairs for loan at no charge on a first-come first-served basis. The museum offers large print materials as well as Rockwell’s biographical summary in braille. The stairs are wide, and the exhibit space designed for easy navigation and enjoyment.

The introductory video is closed captioned. A digital tour also provides closed captioning and full text transcripts. For a fee, arrangements can be made for sign language interpreters for gallery talks.

Rockwell’s Studio part of the museum’s experience

Rockwell’s studio has been relocated to the site from Stockbridge Village. There was scaffolding around part of it and obviously work being done on it, so we didn’t visit it. The studio is open seasonally. If you wish to see it, check the website or call so you won’t be disappointed.

What you may not know about the Norman Rockwell Museum

Unlike many museums, the Norman Rockwell Museum is open 7 days a week and only closed for a few holidays.

You can visit Rockwell’s studio as well as the Museum for one admission.

Seniors 65+, Veterans, and College Students with I.D. receive a discount

Admission is free for:
Kids and Teens 18 and under.
Active military/Blue Star program free with I.D.
SNAP/EBT card holders and 3 guests.
Members.

The scenic 36-acre grounds are free to walk, sketch, and picnic.

You can wander among gardens, specimen trees, and labeled plants enhanced by views of the Berkshires, the Housatonic River, and Peter (son of Norman) Rockwell’s sculptures.

You may walk leased pets on the grounds as long as you clean up after them.

The museum’s cafe, open seasonally, offers terrace dining, or self-serve packaged food for snacks and picnicking.

The Norman Rockwell Museum has digitized its amazing collection of photographs, letters, objects, reference materials. Check out the website for information about its archives.

The museum also has collections of other illustrators, including James Montgomery Flagg (I want YOU Uncle Sam poster) and Robert Childress (Dick and Jane series).

To enhance your child’s or grandchild’s visit, the Museum has treasure hunt sheets, a children’s audio tour, a creativity center with crayons, worksheets and children’s books, and climbable sculptures on the grounds.

Final Takeaways about the Norman Rockwell Museum

The Museum presents the man and his craftmanship behind the whimsy and the storytelling.

The Museum’s website has an incredible wealth of material. We wish we had looked through it more thoroughly before we went. Spend some time scrolling through the information.

Allow plenty of time to explore the grounds and studio as well as the Museum itself. Pack a picnic lunch and walking shoes and camera if you like exploring the outdoors.

Finally, Norman Rockwell’s many many works have been apart of our lives for decades. Because of that, visiting the museum is stepping back to our younger days to remember a kinder, gentler time as well as significant people and events that shaped our lives. He is special to those in our age bracket and older which enhances your visit. Everyone in the family can enjoy the Museum, but it feeds the nostalgic souls of the older generations probably like no other.