We must never forget the contributions made to American pop culture by our animated brothers and sisters.

Fresh-Up Freddie got his big show biz break in 1957 when he was selected as the spokesbird for 7-Up. Exactly what kind of bird was never made clear.

The campaign was hatched by the Leo Burnett advertising agency and the design of the character as well as the animation was done by the Walt Disney Studios. Freddie made his debut on Walt Disney’s Zorro TV series, which also debuted in 1957.  His voice was provided by veteran voice artist Paul Frees (best remembered as the voice of Boris Badenov as well as the narrator for “The Haunted Mansion” at the Disney theme parks).

The formula for nearly all of Freddie’s commercials began with Freddie asking a hypothetical question that began, “Right now, you’re probably asking yourself…” Of course, the answer to every one of the questions somehow involved using 7-Up. The commercials all ended with Freddie singing a sort of nonsensical jingle that sure sounded like “Beet-en, Beet-en, Beet-en/Nothing does it like 7-Up!” (You can watch one here.)

Alas, as we moved into the 1960’s, 7-Up morphed into “the Un-Cola” and Freddie’s contract was not renewed.

But there was a time when there were actually Fresh-Up Freddie toys, buttons and of course, lots of magazine ads!

Boomtown America is proud to salute this plucky animation icon!

Disease prevention experts say those of us over 65 may be facing a health care crisis we could easily avoid!

Nearly 2/3 of American over 65 have not had the shingles vaccine and 40% of us haven't had a tetanus shot in the past decade. Add to that nearly 1/3 of Boomers have not been vaccinated for pneumonia.

If you fall into one of these categories, do yourself a favor and make an appointment with your doctor today!

Money experts agree, the longer you can wait before starting to takew Social Security beneits the better off you'll be.

If you can afford, wait until the maximum age of 70 (when you must start receiving your benefits). Your payout will be 76% higher than if you had started drawing them at the minimum age of 62.

Baby Boomers are rightfully concerned about not outliving their financial resources. One of the most vexing is taxes. Here are the states where your tax bite may be less painful:

Alaska & New Hampshire: These states collect no tax on sales, income or Social Security.

Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Nevada, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming: No taxes on income, Social Security or pensions.

38 States and Washington, D.C.: Do not tax income from Social Security

Many states have other taxes, such as on interest and dividends, sales taxes and high property taxes, so consult your financial advisor before making any final decisions.

Kicking off your shoes not only makes your feet feel better, it may actually be healthier than leaving them on!

Experts say you should remove you shoes right at the door when you enter your home to avoid tracking in allergen-loaded dirt and pollen that may be stuck to your shoes.

As school starts, a reminder to stay safe!

We’ve been hearing this song since it first entered the pop charts in the fall of 1962, but how much do you know about its creation?

Bobby Pickett was an aspiring actor in L.A. who sang with a band called the Cordials at night while attending auditions during the day. One night as the group was performing a cover version of “Little Darling,” Pickett began a short monolog using an impersonation of Boris Karloff’s voice. The crowd loved it.

Pickett then sat down with fellow band member Lenny Capizzi and quickly worked up some monster-themed lyrics as a parody of Dee Dee Sharp’s “Mashed Potato Time.” While the major labels were not interested in their song, writer/producer Gary Paxton was. Paxton was no stranger to novelty records, having written, sung & produced “Alley Oop” just two years earlier.

Paxton called in session musicians like Leon Russell and Johnny MacRae and quickly got “Monster Mash” recorded and released on his own Garpax label. Bobby became Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the session men were christened “the Crypt-Kicker 5.”

The little record from an independent label was an immediate smash (just as Bobby had boasted in the lyrics), reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during Halloween week of 1962!

Like the Frankenstein monster himself, the record refused to die, getting fresh airplay every year thereafter. It proved so popular that it actually re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970 and again in 1973 when it went all the way to # 10. The song was actually banned by the BBC in 1962 for being “too morbid.” Pickett had the last laugh when the 1973 re-issue also reached the Top 10 in the UK.

Pickett released several follow-ups to “Monster Mash” (some of which you’ll hear every Halloween here at Boomtown America), but never matched the success of his first release.

He went on a brief career as an L.A. disc jockey and also played bit parts in several low budget movies.

The song is still available on multiple compilations. Just remember, as Bobby said, “When you get to the store, tell them Boris sent you!”

Or at least that's what they wanted for their hair. So, they started ironing it!

Today, of course, there are much more efficient appliances for straightening hair, but this is the way we did it back in the 1960's!

When we were younger, we made fun of those awful TV commercials where the older lady wailed: “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
These days, for many of us, it’s not so funny any more. Each year more than 25,000 older adults actually die falls and millions more are injured.

As we age, many factors increase out instability. These includes arthritis, weakening bones, inner-ear problems and diabetes.

Experts say one of the best ways to avoid falling in to recognize some of the most common danger zones:

Getting out of the tub or shower – We all now the phrase “slippery when wet” and we all know the wettest place in any home is the bathroom. If you have a tub, consider using a tub mat or applying one of the many non-slip coatings for tubs and showers that are available today. You might also want to consider installing a grab bar on the wall to help you get into and out of the tub.

Just walking down the hall – Loose rugs and slick hardwood floors can cause falls. Check the common walkways of your home for hidden hazards.

Getting out of bed – Most of us aren’t really fully awake when we first get out of bed in the morning. Some medications can increase the chances of dizziness when you first arise. Take you time. Sit up, perhaps do some stretching exercise to make sure you have a clearer head before getting your feet under you.

Wearing high-heels – While this is primarily a concern for women, there are some boots that can present challenges for either gender. Wearing high-heels or other types of footwear can increase your risk when walking in unfamiliar places.