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It is what it is: Commentary on July 2, 2025 with Jen Brien
July 2, 2025/
by Jennifer Brien, contributing writer, commentary
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
HEY GANG! As we kick off summer now that the kids are out of school and it’s a holiday week, I thought I’d lighten it up and have some fun! Life is so busy, and intense, and CRAZY these days with all that’s going on in the world – so let’s go back to times when things were a lot simpler (in some ways) and get nostalgic!
We kick things off with the TOP 10 SONGS OF 1968! THE YEAR I WAS BORN!
I hope some of these memories make you smile! Now, go have a great 4th of July and DON’T BLOW YOUR FINGERS OFF!
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TOP SONGS OF 1968
HEY JUDE—- BEATLES
SITTIN ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY—-OTIS REDDING
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE—- MARVIN GAYE
“HONEY”—- BOBBY GOLDSBORO
“MRS.ROBINSON”—- SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
JUMPIN JACK FLASH—- ROLLING STONES
SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE—- CREAM
BORN TO BE WILD—- STEPPENWOLF
“LOVE IS BLUE” —- PAUL MAURIAT
PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE —- THE RASCALS
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FAMOUS RESTAURANTS IN THE 70’S THAT VANISHED
HOWARD JOHNSON’S
SIZZLER
BURGER CHEF
GINO’S HAMBURGERS
BOB’S BIG BOY
PONDEROSA
SHAKEY’S PIZZA
MINNIE PEARL’S FRIED CHICKEN
WIMPY’S
YORK STEAK HOUSE
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POPULAR THINGS IN 1986 / SIGNIFICANT EVENTS!
CHERNOBYL DISASTER
CHALLENGER EXPLOSION
HALLEY’S COMET
“HANDS ACROSS AMERICA”
FASHION – RAY BANS, POWERSUITS, CROPPED TOPS, LARGE SHOULDER PADS, BOMBER JACKETS, LEG WARMERS, NEON, ACID WASH JEANS, MINI SKIRTS
NES (NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM) LAUNCHED IN THE U.S!!!!
MOVIES – TOP GUN, CROCODILE DUNDEE, 9 1/2 WEEKS, STAND BY ME, ABOUT LAST NIGHT, THE MONEY PIT, JUMPIN JACK FLASH (ONE OF MY PERSONAL FAVS) FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, RAD, RUTHLESS PEOPLE, DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS, HOOSIERS
CHICAGO BEARS DEAFEATED THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 46-10 IN SUPER BOWL XX (IT WAS OVER AT HALFTIME….AND A PAINFUL WATCH)
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POPULAR RADIO PROGRAMS IN THE 1940’S/ 1950’S
FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY
SHERLOCK HOLMES
ESCAPE
THE SHADOW
THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
LIGHTS OUT
GUNSMOKE
DRAGNET
RICHARD DIAMOND DETECTIVE
FATHER KNOWS BEST
THE ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE
AMOS AND ANDY
X MINUS ONE
(BTW- I LISTEN TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE! SIRIUSXM RADIO… “RADIO CLASSIC’S”… AWESOME FOR THE RADIO ENTHUSIAST!!)
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THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY
OUR NATIONAL PARKS
THE FLAG
COASTLINES
SUPERBOWL SUNDAY
THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN MUSIC
THE FESTIVALS
SPORTS
THE OPPORTUNITIES
AIR CONDITIONING (THE HISTORY OF AC IS FASCINATING)
JULY 4TH AND FIREWORKS
MOVIES / ENTERTAINMENT
BBQ’S
THE ROAD TRIPS
TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
THE FOOD
CAN DO ATTITUDE (MOSTLY… WE HAVE A GAGGLE OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO PREFER TO BE VICTIMS)
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“ECHOS OF A NATION”
Beneath the skies of red and blue, where hopes are old and dreams are new, a whisper rises from the dust: A solemn vow- IN GOD WE TRUST.
Through winding roads and rusted rails, in quiet towns and storm-tossed sails, the hearts of many bold and just, beat to the hymn: IN GOD WE TRUST.
NOT bound by creed nor held by fear but drawn to something bright and clear- a light that guides, though winds may gust, we journey on: IN GOD WE TRUST.
So, carve it deep in stone and soul, a pledge to guard, a sacred goal……for every voice and every crust, let FREEDOM RING: IN GOD WE TRUST.
GOD BLESS AMERICA! Praying for another 249!
Be safe everyone!
Jen
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Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.
To read more columns and commentary by Jen, go here: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/
Thanks for the reminders of a simpler time in our lives.
Hoping your noise sensitive dog gets through this week’s fireworks and pop-up thunderstorms OK.
GOD BLESS AMERICA – LAND THAT i LOVE!
Marge
hi always a good read Jen!!! oh and 1 more thing Lums you forghot lums restaurant!!!! lol
Hi Linda! You wouldn’t ruin anything! Times are times we grew up in! And my dog ELLA hates FIREWORKS 🎇
SHE’S terrified of them poor thing. She’ll be ok in a few weeks. The fireworks linger in my neighborhood. It not as bad as hunting season. She REALLY REALLY hates that noise! Enjoy the 4th!
Well I was in college the year you were born and can honestly say I recognized several of the songs and a couple of the movies.
Growing up in downtown Boston we (my mother sister and I) use to walk down to the Boston Common with little chairs and potato chips and watch the fireworks that they set off in the little ballpark in the Common. Then my father would come and find us when he got out of work and we would walk home. Lovely memories of a much simpler and in a ton of ways nicer time and place. I won’t ruin the nostalgia by comparing the 4th of 1955 and the 4th of 2025.
Jen have a lovely, safe fun 4th and hope the fireworks won’t bother your doggie.