A movie marquee glow, a green Road Runner, and a cookie tin warmed by the radiator.

Evening, friend, Jack Reynolds checking in. December 15th always takes me back to a winter day when the town lights looked extra bright and folks wanted a good story on the big screen. Stick close when we swing by that Rallye Green Road Runner, the kind my brother would have circled twice in a brochure. Then we will end with a steady old quote that still fits home and work. Brings it all back, doesn’t it?

December 15, 1978 is when I first believed a man could fly. I remember packed theaters and kids sitting dead still. The film cost about $55 million and went on to earn over $300 million worldwide. It changed how Hollywood treated heroes. Click to see how they pulled it off.

The 1968 Road Runner was the blue-collar dream, big engine, plain talk, and a horn that said “beep beep.” It started around $2,896 new, and today the average auction sale sits near $53,100. That 383 made about 335 horsepower, and nearly 45,000 sold fast. Click here for the specs, options, and the funny story behind the name.

Snyder’s Drive-In on North Michigan Street in Plymouth smelled like hot oil and vanilla custard, with cars lined up under the lights. It opened in 1951, and by 1956 it was Plymouth’s first place to serve pizza. These days that corner is just another busy road. Click for the photo and the exact spot.

“We Try Harder” was Avis’s plainspoken 1962 promise, and my dad loved that kind of honesty. The campaign helped push rentals up about 28%, and fiscal 1964 revenues hit a record $31.2 million. It showed up in everyday talk fast, too. Click to see the original print pages and the full copy.

Rubik’s Cube hit big in 1980, and every kitchen table turned into a little workshop. Folks figure about 200 million sold from 1980 to 1983, and around 500 million have moved worldwide by 2024. I never did get it without peeking. Click for the full story and the numbers that still surprise me.

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Tonight’s “Your Memory” comes from Patty in upstate New York, because it feels like the kind of December every family knows. In 1975 she kept a blue cookie tin on the warm radiator so the chocolate chip ones stayed soft. The kitchen smelled like cinnamon and dish soap. My wife remembers that exact trick, too.

Tonight’s Quote comes from John Wooden, who gave us a simple aim: “Make each day your masterpiece.” I like that, because it puts the work right in our hands. You do the next right thing, at home and on the job. You can learn more about him here. Click in, his story will steady you.

See you tomorrow. Same time, same station.

– Jack

Images are AI-generated or sourced from public-domain archives. Reader photos used with permission.