Welcome to the Nostalgic Ramber





Hans Jeff Borger is heard on WRGE 97.9 FM in Ocala, FL featuring Christian programming.

"The Nostalgic Rambler" radio show can be heard on Youtube. Just search for Hans Jeff Borger Nostalgic Rambler.





Why a blog? I wrote a book "The Little Grownup: a nostalgic Michigan boyhood" which should appeal to most baby boomers. A mass market book? Well, not yet...but the potential is there! (Be sure to buy it at "finer on line bookstores" everywhere!)

The comments presented in "The Nostalgic Rambler" probably won't be of interest to the masses...anymore. If grandma and grandpa and their friends were still alive, then it would be a different story.

I live in the past. My time warp is a comfortable cocoon even if it sometimes drives my wife crazy. The music of the 1940s and 50s, the stars of those days were big stuff in their day, but are now almost forgotten. Oddly enough, I was born in '64 so those iconic years were for the most part over by that time.

Through "The Nostalgic Rambler" I maybe can help share my love and knowledge for those times and things...all at one time important pieces of Americana but now a bit faded in memory.

The woman who did the blog about cooking all of Julia Childs' French Cuisine Cookbook in a year got a sweet movie deal out of her blog experience. I wouldn't mind that but would be happy to know that you are reading this....and maybe enjoying my time warp, too.



Hans Jeff Borger



Thursday, August 29, 2019

Memories of Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan

             A Visit to Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan


On a recent vacation to my hometown Detroit area, I stopped by Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary school in Southfield. Sad to say, but it is abandoned, closed and run down.

I was a student there when it opened in 1970 and recently found the dedication program my parents attended in 1971. 

Eisenhower was a great Elementary school. I fondly recall sitting in the "commons" area watching the fledgling PBS TV system for the "Electric Company."  The art classes offered everything from a kiln to fire our clay projects to learning paper mache'.  I remember music class and letting us bring in our favorite 45s to play in class. I was already then a mini nostalgic rambler as I brought in songs from "My Fair Lady" or Vaughn Monroe!  I played floor hockey in the gym and gave a performance or two on the stage there for various Christmas programs, probably playing the accordion.

Since we were the first group there, we spruced up the side of the property by planting trees as a student body.  I think we even had a garden.

We raised money for the projects by bringing in popcorn poppers from home and selling popcorn in school. Can you believe it?!

The former President Eisenhower had passed away in 1969 and he was very well loved, thus naming the school after him. Some of the quotes from the dedication ceremony celebrate the man. From his first inaugural address this quote "Almighty God...Give us the power to discern right from wrong...to work for men everywhere."  Powerful words today that probably wouldn't be tolerated.
"Ike", as he was known, said "there is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure."  Wow.

Eisenhower Elementary school is falling apart, much like the values the Ike and the 1950s when he was president idealized.

I'm a bit sad....