Alum Ann S. shares her memories of the 1960s, when she attended St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Saginaw from 1960-65.

CLASS MEMORIES: We had a weekly newspaper in social studies, and one article predicted that some day
phones would have a screen where we could see each
other as we talked! We all laughed and said, “Sure.” I
said, “My friends will see me in my hair rollers!”

HAIR: Agh, yes, we slept with brush rollers in our hair.
Some of us even used empty orange juice cans! (No wonder I have a stiff neck to this day).

MUSIC: The Beatles were a big hit in 1964. Motown was big and so were Peter, Paul & Mary and Sonny & Cher.
My friends and I saw Sonny & Cher perform at Daniel’s Den. Simon & Garfunkel were big too. I even bought my own guitar and Stella M. and Ed K., St. Mary’s and St. Andrew’s friends, came over to play guitars and Mom served them homemade apple roll.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Daniel’s Den was a teenage “nightclub” and some parents thought it was a bad influence, but it was all pretty innocent and there was no alcohol allowed. We also had sorority dances from the various
sororities, many held at the Saginaw Auditorium on Washington Ave. Duke Ellington played for our “Winter Wonderland Dance.” The girls wore long formal dresses, the guys tuxes and suits. It was quite the gala. Parents of members chaperoned. At the time, we were not supposed to join sororities, but it was a great way to meet students from other schools.

Supposedly this was a revolutionary time, but at St. Mary’s we had our dances, sports events, homecoming floats, cheerleading, and class officers/class activities. It was pretty mellow really, and at the time you were considered “wild” if you drank or smoked.

RELIGION: Most families knew each other. We started each day with Mass. Girls all wore lace mantillas on their heads. We all looked forward to glazed donuts and chocolate milk after First Friday Masses. We also had May Crownings and daily religion class.

The Dominican Sisters and Monsignor Forbes pretty much kept us in line, and in those days you were in double trouble at home if you got in trouble at school.

UNIFORMS: We had to wear blue surge uniform jumpers, which everyone really hated, and a transgression was given if you did not wear the regulation blouse. We were so excited for “color day” once a month!

CLOTHES: The Village Store in Downtown Saginaw was the place to shop. They sold pretty clothcovered purses with wooden handles (the covers could be changed), and other popular items: kilts, mohair sweaters, Capezio shoes, and jerkins to go with the kilts. Town and Country was also a favorite with their “Ladybug” brand.

NATIONAL EVENTS: The Vietnam War defined the 1960s. The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962. And sadly, we had the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963.