As we feverishly and frustratingly scroll through streaming options on Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu today to find a show we actually want to watch, we forget what the process was like to pick out a movie not too long ago. I took this walk down memory lane with friends the other day.

Remember going to a rental store and walking the aisles, looking for just the right movie to check out? It was an experience most of us actually looked forward to. The new releases would go quickly, so you found yourself perusing through the bargain-priced oldies. And, more than likely, you rented more than one. Checking out movies was fun. Paying late fees? Not so much.

In the early years, only the VHS (Video Home System) tape covers were on the shelves, often filled with Styrofoam to fill the box. You had to take those boxes to the check-out counter to get the real tapes. I know this because I still have a Styrofoam-filled box of the movie “Shane” that some girls in college “borrowed” from the video store and gave to me.

Before VHS players were common, we had to rent the players, too. These machines weighed about as much as an 8-year-old boy and were packaged in large, zippered, well-insulated bags. They were simple, though. Once you attached the cable and turned to channel 3, you were set. Just insert the tape, push play and hope the prior renter was kind enough to rewind.

When VHS players originally arrived on the scene, they were an incredible breakthrough in technology. No longer did you have to use your TV Guide to remember when to watch your favorite shows. Now, you could program them to be recorded. At least in theory. This, of course, was dependent on your ability to set the clock and the recording time, which were no easy tasks. A simple look at the VCRs at the time with “12:00” flashing on the displays proved it.

VHS technology was introduced in 1976 with an original retail price tag for the players up to $1,400. By 1980, VHS had had 60% of the North American market and seemed invincible — until DVDs took over. They also seemed invincible. We know the rest of the story.

I still have a few of my VHS movies around the house. My college wrestling tapes. A Godzilla movie. A bootleg KISS concert. Our wedding video. And, several years and a few kids later, dozens of Disney movies. I still have a VHS player somewhere, too. Whether it works or not is another question. If it does, and if I could find a blank tape somewhere, could I record a movie from one of the modern streaming services on it? Or would the feds put me in jail for this — and the stolen “Shane” movie box? In reality, the recording of the streaming shows would never happen for me, as I would first have to figure out how to stop the clock from flashing “12:00.”

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman                                                                                    President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's other columns here.

CIVIC SKINNY
Church of Hope removed from ELCA. High-price home sales. Lt. Governor Gregg is the first.

By CITYVIEW staff

Earlier this summer, the Evangelical Lutheran Churches Association (ELCA) and the Southeastern Iowa Synod voted to remove the West Des Moines-based Lutheran mega-church, Church of Hope, from its roster of congregations. The Southeastern Iowa Synod is one of 65 synods that make up the ELCA.

Bishop Rev. Amy Current said she recommended Hope’s removal from the roster because seven pastors currently serving on Hope’s staff are not on the roster of the ELCA or any of its “full communion partners,” and this conflicts with the ELCA constitution. The synod statement said the constitutions of Hope and the ELCA no longer align.

425 E. GRAND AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-07-09
SALE PRICE: $885,000
SELLER: WADE INVESTMENTS LLC
BUYER: DSM INVESTMENT GROUP LLC
ACRES: 0.227
SQUARE FEET: 2,200

We are loving our new Kalorik Maxx combination double burner and griddle top portable stove. It has four temperature settings on two burners capable of 500 degrees F ($213 at Walmart).

Tuesday deals                                                        • Beaver Tap has $7 burgers including a side on Tuesdays.

Meet Beth Tremaine
GiGi’s Playhouse volunteer

By Jackie Wilson

Beth Tremaine of Waukee has volunteered throughout her life. Working as a chief investment officer, she often gave her time to help fundraising efforts.

After facing a tragedy, she changed her volunteer focus to a more hands-on volunteer effort for the human interaction it offered. She chose to volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse in Des Moines.

GiGi’s Playhouse provides free educational and therapeutic programs for individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood. It also offers resources and support for their families, providing for connections and a community to support individuals with Down syndrome.

These celebrities were born on this date: Chevy Chase, Bruno Mars, Sigourney Weaver, Matt Damon, Nick Cannon, Bella Thorne, Molly Quinn, Jesse Jackson, Darrell Hammond, R. L. Stine, Karyn Parsons, CeCe Winans, Kim Wayans, Ian Hart, Bill Elliott, Martin Henderson, Teddy Riley, Angus T. Jones

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What prize do you win for growing older? ATROPHY (A Trophy!)

Today's riddle:

Why was the robot couple’s anniversary in the fall?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or the Iowa Living magazines, contact:

Jolene Goodman
Vice President
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 319
Mobile: 515-326-0082
jolene@iowalivingmagazines.com

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