The World's a Playground

Interesting article in the New York times about playgrounds being 'too safe'.  Certainly if you look at the old school pictures in this collection - safety was not a leading design consideration.  There are several images from McDonalds Playlands that featured the classic characters from their early days.  These characters have, for the most part, been phased out of McDonalds branding strategy.  If you are as outraged as I am, I invite you to visit this site and sign the petition to bring back Mayor McCheese.

Enjoy these playground images....

Nan and Dede with Cousin Julie hanging out with Officer Big Mac @ McDonalds Playland in St Paul.    I am dizzy just looking at the picture.

Looks like the Beaver Brook Playground.  Good thing these slides were never hot. 

My kids at my old stomping ground - Burbank School.  Of course this was just a field with a steel swing set when I was there...

They don't make them like they use to...  Of course Kathy always got the pelican !    I think this is at the playground near next to the Northview Pool in South St. Paul.

Cousins on the turtle @ Southwick Zoo playground circa 2001

Cousins on the turtle @ Southwick Zoo playground circa 2011

Many classic elements in this McDonald's playland picture.  Nan hanging out with Mayor McCheese in her Minnesota Kicks shirt.  I would pay good money to have the Hamburglar statue for my front lawn. 

A swinging good time @ Beaver Brook.  

Nothing was more exciting than getting to ride the train up to the McDonald's Playland.  Are those knee patches on my pants ?!?  What is Ronald McDonald doing ?

 The Surro backyard playground ~ 2000

The Olen backyard playground on Totten Pond Rd

Playground in San Diego.  Nice soft landings in the sand.

Brett and Caley flying the plane at the Frye Island playground in Maine

What a view from Officer Big Mac !

Not sure where this photo was taken but I am sure we all appreciated the shade generated by the tree they planted in the middle of the playground. 

Pomp and Circumstance

A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that 'individuality' is the key to success. - Robert Purvis

The only have two memories of my high school graduation in 1987.  The first was our class butchering the singing of our class song "The Best of Times" by Styx - a song released in 1981.  The second was the speech delivered by our Valedictorian Chong Se Park.  He delivered an impassioned speech that, unfortunately due to his accent, nobody understood.  My high school buddy Tommy still believes to this day that his speech was a rallying cry that culminated in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.  The fact that Chong was Korean does not seem to dissuade him of this theory...

Enjoy the photos....

Some good 80's hair in the picture.  I can only name 1 of the 3 classmates in this picture. 

Uncle Gary - Getting his Doctorate ?  I appreciate the hallmark of the Kuhn picture with the subjects being off center .

My Dad getting his MBA from Bentley with Uncle Rog

Kathy graduating from Lesley.  I think this is pre-engagement to Joe

Dede graduating from BHS in 1985.  I am a fashion disaster !

Jeff getting his diploma from Foster Wright at BHS.

Mom graduating from college ?.  A very unMinnesotan painting in the background

Nan graduating from confirmation class.  Who is next to Kurt Johnson ?

Kathy - BHS Graduation

Another off-center Kuhn picture !

It will be 20 years this December.  When Jake saw this pic he asked me if I dyed my hair.  Nice.

My lovely bride graduating from Emerson.  Once of the first times I spent time with her parents.

At the Beach

Although we grew up just a few miles from the Atlantic, our Midwestern roots make us more comfortable heading to the placid lakes of New England rather than heading to the beach.  However there are plenty of times we would show off our beach bodies and dip our toes in the salt water.  Below is a collection of photographs collected from beaches around the US.

Leave a comment if you can identify the date and/or location of some of these shots.

Not sure where this one was taken but must be around 1975 ?  The sideburns on our fearless leader is certainly the highlight of this shot.

Aug 2010.  Brotherly Love

Cardiff by the Sea, CA  - July 1980 with the Santoros.  First time in the Pacific. 

Nothing more terrifying than seeing Bretto head off into the surf

2004.  Feeling at home at  Revere Beach

Dad relaxing at the beach.  May want to bring a bigger towel next time.

2005 - Baker Beach, SF CA.  Moments after our engagement.  Not sure why she is smiling

Love the Euro bathing suit on Jeff

Marlboro Bag ?  I always thought Mom was more of a Kool girl

I think Brett is telling them that the boards work better if they go our farther

Kathy looking thrilled that somebody brought a camera to the beach

I think this wall is still standing today

Jeff and Nan @ Cardiff by the Sea - 1980

Nothing to see here !

Mom at the beach.  Love the old school radio !

 The gang of 5