Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine

The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine by Hasbro. 
Image from CollectPeanuts.com 

This was our first Fourth of July living in Florida. We enjoyed a BBQ with my aunt, uncle and cousins. When the sun went down, we headed to the beach to watch the fireworks at the beach and indulged in a tasty sweet snow cone.

Munching the soft ice reminded me The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine, a toy I had always wanted, yet never owned. The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine seemed like the type of toy that was cool for like a week or two, but then became tiresome. I could definitely see the novelty wearing off for me so I'm glad my folks never bought us one. 

The Snoopy Snow-Con Machine was first introduced in 1979. Although it is no longer a Hasbro toy, The Snoopy Snow-Con Machine is still available from your favorite toy store for less than $20.

Here's an old-school commercial for the Snoopy Sno Cone Machine snow cone maker.

1980s GOTCHA Surf & Skate Clothing

GOTCHA was the hottest
'80s clothing and accessory brand

I was fascinated with surfer/skater styles and fashions back in the late 1980s, yet I never skateboarded. I tried, but honestly didn't have coordination and balance needed to stay on the board. Living on Long Island, we had access to many different beaches, however I never once surfed. Yeah, I was a total skate/surf poser. 

Cool GOTCHA gear from the 1980s.

I had completely forgotten about my love of GOTCHA until recently when a reader contacted me regarding GOTCHA brand surf clothing and GOTCHA bracelets. I can't believe I blocked out that memory. I loved their logo and had GOTCHA stickers plastered all over my binders and notebooks. I mastered drawing the logo -- it was one of my favorite things to doodle in class back in the '80s. 

GOTCHA was a favorite line of clothing for surfers back in the 1980s. Originated in Laguna Beach, California in 1978 by pro surfers Michael Tomson and Joel Cooper, the GOTCHA clothing line included everything from t-shirts to jeans.

Shawn Stussy's version of the GOTCHA logo.

I was surprised to learn that the original GOTCHA logo was designed by Shawn Stussy of Stussy clothing fame although I don't remember his version of the logo, I preferred the one above with the cool  flipped "O" and "A."

For more info and to see what GOTCHA is up to today, visit Gotcha.com.

Huey Lewis Power of Love Back To The Future Summer 1985

Back to the Future & Power of Love rocked
Fourth of July Weekend, 1985

July 4th weekend in 1985 was totally rockin' ... Back to the Future just opened and I was lovin' this joint by Huey Lewis and The News. Anyone old enough to remember? Yeah, didn't think so... Man, I need some older readers!

The summer of 1985 was awesome for me... Why?

1. I loved Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future and Teen Wolf  both out that summer! 
2. I was both confused and excited by New Coke! 
3. I was sweatin' the three boys from Explorers!
4. I smiled as the Live Aid concert brought in big bucks to feed hungry Ethiopians!
5. I was thrilled Madonna married Sean Penn on my brother's birthday!
6. I loved Bruce Springsteen that summer and only that summer with his Born in the USA tour in full effect -- note that is the only Bruce Springsteen album I have ever owned.
7. The obvious -- too young to worry about boyfriends, careers, bills and school was out for summer!