Pennsylvania Farmer Couple Looks Back From 1979

I wish I had more of this. I wish I had been smart enough as a young filmmaker when I did this back in 1979 to realize the incredible history that they could have articulated about rural Pennsylvania, about farming life, about the coming of the 20th century, and so much more. The time before the telephone and the computer. Before the radio. Certainly before television. The time when she traveled by train and trolley and horse. The time when people essentially stayed in their own towns and didn't travel much. The time when the telephone was a device where everyone in town could hear everyone else speaking. I found this old 16mm workprint in my basement and digitized it not knowing it would be as wonderful as it is. I recorded this for a television special I was making in 1979 called “the information society.” You can see the entire 1 hour film on my KZbin channel by searching it although I did not use this clip in the film.

[@deannahext]

Asked my dad what changed on the farm during the Great Depression. He said “Nothing.We were poor before it,during it and after it.”

[@norcalbry]

I don’t think this old timer is negative. He’s a bit nostalgic for the old days as we tend to be in our old age. I’m middle aged but I sometimes find myself nostalgic for the things from my youth. In fact he’s quite pragmatic at the end as he’s talking about farming technology and balancing against environmentalism and production needs for the population.

[@ericpurkey7502]

I am a middle aged man miss the pre internet smart phone age and pre I tunes age I remember watching film strips and listening to record albums as a kid if needed to send a message you wrote a letter or a note or called someone on the phone.

[@LynxSouth]

@Ancient Link It's very easy to hear the strong German influence in his speech. It's surprising, after so long.

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

I agree Bryan. He doesn't strike me as particularly negative at all. He acknowledges that you have to keep up with the current trends and information. He just sees that there was value also in the older ways and he has very understandable nostalgia for those older ways. I was expecting someone much crankier.

[@norcalbry]

He acknowledged times were harder in his youth and they relished the challenge. This generation was 100 times tougher than any generation since. Certainly tougher than my generation.

[@WookieLove1]

@@YAMISOOLD2009 I agree that the filmmaker interpreted a negative aspect to the old man's perspective. I don't think the old man was cranky. He is sharing his view point. I think the filmmaker and old man have mostly different opinions and world view....

[@KeithFinkFamilyFarm]

The gentleman being interviewed is NOT negative. We all heard him say that he has the best mother-in-law in the world. How could anyone be more positive?

[@judastreachery1707]

😁

[@c_dubbzz6127]

who said he was negative?

[@malcorub]

@@c_dubbzz6127 1:58 Mr. Hoffman did. I don't agree with Mr. Walt's viewpoint entirely but you can understand where he is coming from, we all long for the old days. My counter to Mr. Walt's "there's no challenge in today's America" is that we live longer (although not always healthier) lives in America compared to his days and days past.

[@zmeil]

:-D ❤️

[@mattshipley6801]

"Let your soul catch up to your body every now and then." Brilliant!

[@ThreePuttBogeys88]

Old guy just spoke to me...

[@nwester4232]

Goes to show people haven’t changed much with regards to our need to destress; just the details surrounding the need have changed.

[@HearturMind]

I feel this way when I fly overseas, and then back- that my soul needs to "catch up with" my body so that really speaks to me as well.

[@janicekennah1824]

I loved that he said that too.

[@Underwaystudios]

@@ThreePuttBogeys88 me too

[@TheStuport]

My Senior Year of High School, my History Teacher was doing "Casual Fridays" back in '75 and would bring in elderly residents of the Retirement Home his Mom lived in (It actually was Her Idea) into his History Class to teach us Students what life was like back when they were our then age of 17-18 yr olds. We took notes, laughed, had a few tears, and even made them laugh too. Was such a cool way of learning about History AND from the Source that actually lived it! This video is such a learning tool for ALL AGES!! Cheers From Ohio Mr. Hoffman

[@Bear-nu8xm]

This would be great for kids today however, there is little respect for the elderly today, especially among the young.

[@itgetter9]

You had an excellent History teacher. What an excellent idea.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

In my opinion, history is taught backwards in school. Instead of going back to antiquity and coming forward, start with now and go back. That way when somebody asks a question, "Why did this happen", the teacher can then say, "Well this is what happened before that caused that........"

[@TheStuport]

@@itgetter9 My Teacher, Mr, Geyer told us it was in fact his Mom's idea. He asked the School Superintendent if it was possible and it was started on "A Trial Basis"...Turned out to be a Winner! Cheers

[@itgetter9]

@@TheStuport That is amazing. I love it. (Moms often have the best ideas, too.) Cheers to you!

[@kd6836]

My grandmother turns 102 this June. She’s starting to go downhill but has led a very healthy and great life. She still tells stories from the thirties right on up to today. She remembers the depression, the first Model T the family had, listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and so much. In 1995, I took video of her and my grandfather for a solid two hours just telling stories. I am so glad I did that. Her generation is almost gone. That is sad but what we all face. Make each day what you can.

[@puddlespickles8810]

I loved talking about family history with my late gran I front of the coal fire, playing cards, loved those days, apparently the family back in the day transported tea from India to UK, a funny story of a big manor house, and one of our ancestors ran off with the stable boy, and we become disinherited, a class thing sadly, my gran used to laugh and say if didnt happen we wouldnt be here.

[@oldredbarnman]

God Bless your grandma! My grandmother (the only grandparent I knew) was born on 1/1/1901. She passed a few months after her 105th birthday. She wrote her life story down, which is great. It's awesome that you videotaped your grandparents, and preserved some of their memories.

[@maryarnold7562]

Cool to hear you actually took videos, which when you grandmother is gone will probably bring tears to your eyes when you watch them. I wish I would have videoed my grandparents before my grandmother passed away.

[@seannewhouse1943]

I'm encouraged by how people are living much longer on average I mean I remember not really long ago in years ago I mean people were just like up to about maybe 85 or 90 or something at best mostly it seemed

[@andicasos316]

Long live your grandma :)

[@Gladaseeya]

Greatest takeaway: “I don’t think you should know too much too fast. Keep your mind in the world.” I think that statement perfectly encapsulates why so many are overly stressed in this day and age

[@trishayamada807]

Gladaseeya hmm, that sounds like a climate change denier sentiment.

[@rebeccacarlson9166]

@@trishayamada807 I didn't read what Gladaseeya said as climate change denying. I think it is more about over-stimulation of the senses and a fast food/lack of patience society.

[@Gladaseeya]

Rebecca Carlson I was implying this, people staring at phones and missing life around them

[@jc.1191]

That's a great insight you shared. I like it

[@FarrYaweh]

@@Gladaseeya Now more than ever it feels. So many around me seem to have lost their plot obsessing over others.

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

When I was a kid in the mid 70s our class went to a convalescent home to bring cookies and play music for the old folks. Many of them were over 80 years old but there were a couple who were over 100 and they still had their wits and memory. Listening to them talk about the 1880s like it was yesterday is quite amazing considering that I can still remember it today in 2020

[@joaodfreire]

This man and his wife have more insight into the way life and how the world is than 89% of today's ppl.

[@posysdogovych2065]

Nonsense. You're suggesting that elderly people in 1979 have more insight than elderly people in 2020?

[@MixolydianMode]

@@posysdogovych2065 Makes sense actually. The minds of today are distracted and manipulated all the time. The couple had time to think and feel. The attention span of the internet generation is getting shorter and shorter.

[@posysdogovych2065]

@@MixolydianMode Of course, Professor. Because if I had to describe my 86 year old aunt, the "internet generation" is the first thing that would come to mind.

[@GplusGains]

89%??? You sound ridiculous.

[@posysdogovych2065]

@@GplusGains He probably meant 88.43%, in which case it is now perfectly logical.

[@jafrayanes8354]

"Let your soul catch up with your body every now and then" wise words

[@lottevannoort1211]

I love how the man let's his wife speak and finish talking, too! It shows great respect in their marriage, which wasn't always the case back then. Also, they sound like they would be amazing grandparents to have. Absolutely lovely couple.

[@jbolanowski1]

The old dude doesn't seem bitter or grumpy to me. He's more of a "we'll see" about information society (as we alla should be IMHO - I'm 36 btw), he's very rational about technology I would say, seems like a wise, well-adjusted guy to me. Also totally right about tourism. And the line about office work... I wish I couldn't relate :(

[@CForged]

He seemed pretty modern with the times to me. He even said he wouldn’t want to go back in time because it was too hard. That was a great couple. He praised his mother in law. I liked hearing that video

[@watermelon520b]

I like how you mention that because there are a lot of people in the comments using this to justify their own beliefs and pathological hatred for modernity.

[@mr.r2362]

Anything extreme, fanatical and uncompromising is pathological. People who root for modernity at the expense of all farmers are just as delusional as those who want everybody to go back 500 years. There are many pros and cons to both modern and traditional ways life living.

[@JLone55]

I remember when old people used to look like this! Crazy how times change. Even the old people aren’t the same type of old.

[@user-hr3tx6uu9o]

You are so right!! Dressing differently, hair coloring, etc. I have a photo of my great aunt; on it was labeled Forty! Most women then wore dark printed dresses. Why? I guess it was the norm.

[@larryhagemann5548]

"... Puts your mind in a whirl..." That's what the information era has brought us. A very nice couple who were raised in a more challenging time. A great video.

[@nwester4232]

That part stuck with me too. It’s so true. I often feel like my mind is in a whirl due to the information overload.

[@LukenUSee]

More challenging in different ways...

[@jojoUK120]

@@LukenUSee Agreed! I don't think anyone's yet fully understood how psychologically damaging modern life has become. That usually takes half a century of hindsight and scientific research- by which time it's too late to fix.

[@brianna094]

@@jojoUK120 This stuff is fascinating to me. Great point

[@hillarym4550]

They look happier than most people today.

[@HighRollersLounge]

WTF

[@esahutske]

Yes, definitely: I smiled watching them :)

[@Rick-zw7zv]

Cause they had more realistic ideals and expectations.

[@petepeters6495]

They lived in whiteopea

[@itsthatonekid6188]

No blacks

[@TheLittletroyboy]

There's something comforting about these people. Almost like it's going to be ok.

[@timeforchange3786]

I feel the opposite. I really want to have a homestead but I am afraid they want us to live like we are in a Jim Jones commune with no independent thought. I fear the future and would do anything to go back in time

[@jtal19]

What a precious couple. The women reminds me so much of my own grandmother who passed away. She lived and worked on a farm in Michigan with her husband - both of them came from the old Europe after the war. They had to grow their own food, cook on a wood fired stove and raised 13 children on that farm. I had my best times visiting the farm and spending time with my grandmother and all my aunts and uncles. This couple is so smart and sweet and I admire how the man cherishes the challenges of life. Most people now would not survive one week back then living like they did. Great outtake of a time that had sadly passed away.

[@jtal19]

David, your YT channel is a gem and I am so glad I found it (it just popped up in my feed one day). I think a lot people, young and older, enjoy seeing the kind of content you are producing for YT. Please don't stop! Thanks

[@Nonduality]

10:37 "Let your soul catch up with your body." Lots of great wisdom. If there was a film of the woman making her famous decorated cookies it would be pure gold on youtube.

[@marynadononeill]

"Let your soul catch of with your body every now and then. It's all down to your attitude. It's not good to know too much too soon. The mind is in a whirlwind. Take it easy. Relax. Keep the balance. Study the cycles and find your own rhythm. We are thankful and glad." Total wisdom. We're lost today.

[@MK6gtiguy]

How cool, my Great Grandmother was still on a "party line" with several other people into the early 2000's. She spoke of it much like this lady did, she loved to hear the gossip of the neighborhood.

[@gboo7563]

Lol so did my great aunt Ginnie

[@henrycomputer1403]

I love her drapes. I have the exact same thing on my windows that I made from gingham tablecloth. They make the house feel wholesome and warm. This could be my family. Them old-timers were tough and wise. Gentle and well-spoken thanks for posting

[@christinetarquin3773]

I loved her drapes too. I'm sure she sewed them herself. I've heard stories of sewing clothes from flour sacks for the children, as she mentioned. They did what they could do back then.

[@riverraisin1]

@@christinetarquin3773 Flour sacks were made out of fabric specifically designed to be repurposed into clothing. It was sort of a sales gimmick back then. A way to get you to buy their product.

[@eshore389]

I like how he talks about life giving you challenges and how overcoming them gave you a sense of accomplishment. He is right.

[@diedericky]

That man is a visionair. The soul needs rest.

[@bobcharlie2337]

So cool, I bug my mom all the time to tell me how live was like when she was a kid in the 40's, and how her parents grew up in the early 1900's. She also talks about the massive change from her time and now. Older folks have so much knowledge to teach us.

[@modenam9046]

This couple is fantastic. Emotional intelligence in abundance. And you can physically see their love for each other, it’s amazing.

[@gibsongirl6816]

Absolutely refreshing! I can watch this forever! I love the old school attitude of doing. Not hand outs. He was so honorable and fought all new lol. Love it! But they adapted together and held strong together. People today do not know this strength.

[@jomama5186]

I was 10. I miss the 70s. I wish things could have stayed that way for a looooong time. This was a treat. Thank you so much for sharing all that you do. They are treasures. All of them. I wish I had a cam coffee or smthg to record even the every day places I took for granted would always be there and didnt need to be even photographed. People were mostly good back then. God bless you for having the foresight and them sharing them. They are pearls, each of them.

[@sonnycorleone2602]

Jo Mama, Hi I miss the 1970's too ! I was 14 years old in 1979. People were a bit friendlier back then. Of course no computers, Cell Phones or VCR but if you do not have it. You don't miss it ! I like these times but the 1970's was my favorite decade still. All the best.

[@Caperhere]

This is wonderful, David. Thank you. Both sides of my maternal grandparents were Irish. Here in Nova Scotia, coal mining was a big employer. The different mining areas had baseball teams, and miners were moved from one area to another if they were on a ball team. They were both from Springhill, but were both born in Cape Breton because their fathers were playing ball here. Grampy Jim’s family moved back to Springhill when he was a boy. His father, Pa Ryan, was a miner, a town drunk, and a ladies man. I remember my mother telling me he tipped his hat to every woman whom he met. He was also abusive. When Grampy Jim was 15, he had been learning to box. He pounded his father when he was abusing his wife, and was thrown out in bare feet. He went to work in a little grocery store, on the Main Street, and slept in the stable where the owners kept the delivery horses. Later in life he would own that store. I remember going to see him at the store. My nanny Reilly’s family were in Cape Breton, mining. Her father was killed in the mine. There were no social safety nets then, and the mining companies owned their houses, so Nanny’s family (6) kids lost their father, their income, and their home all at once. Nanny’s mother married another miner, but he didn’t want her children. They were all put out of their home as teenagers. The boys rode the rails, and the only two I ever met were pretty rough. Nanny had been keeping house for a Jewish couple. She slept in a field the first night, and when she burst into tears at work the next day, Mrs. Cashen took her in to live with them. Nanny had to take her pay home to her mother every week. But Mrs. Cashen kept a little bit every week, and bought Nanny a new winter coat; the first new item of clothing she ever had. Nanny went to Springhill when she was 17, and met and married Jim Ryan. They lived on the Main Street , close to the store. They had 6 kids. Once the kids had gone out on their own, Nanny Ryan wanted to move out to the country. Grampy laughed at that notion, but they did move outside of Springhill, on a big farm. They had cows, pigs, chickens and other birds, a collie I loved, and a garden. There was a brook meandering from a mountain, through part of the yard, under the milking room, then out under the outhouse. Nanny used to catch brook trout and fry them up. She loved them. The milk, chickens, and produce from the garden were sold in the store in town. I used to love going there on weekends and summers. I still have a quilt Nanny made, 50 years ago. Grampy always wore a tam of Nova Scotia plaid, and a few times I got to go on the milk run with him. Going to Nanny’s house gave me some wonderful memories.

[@LindaCasey]

Absolutely brilliant! They're about the age I am now .. good grief .. how wonderful to see yourself from the future into the past. I didn't think he was negative at all. Just very practical. I love your old films David. Thanks. 💖

[@luciehanson6250]

Just love his expression as she speaks of not WANTING to stay on the farm, milking cows.

[@MissShembre]

My gosh so cute! I hope these people were well loved and missed when they passed on.

[@Sticks-of-TNT-tf1tn]

I absolutely loved listening to this wise old couple! 🧨

[@ltcajh]

Reminds me of my grandparents. The old generation didn't talk about complex things usually, because generally their lives were not complicated, though what they experienced could be intense, like the Dust Bowl. This sounds like the usual Sunday afternoon family chats I would often hear. I distinctly remember them talking about a tractor being, "A hundred bucks". I had no idea what that meant! The fascination with my uncle's new dovetailing router bit, and talking about steers, corn prices, and kids on the way.

[@bruceprentice6441]

My wife and I are the 2022 version of this couple. After dairy farming for the last 42 years, the changes we see in both agriculture and society in general are both as irreversible and dramatic now for us, as they were for the folks in the video. People need to become aware that agriculture, and food processing all the way through to retail is falling into the hands of very few individuals.

[@bonnie1097]

He is so incredibly kind and respectful to his wife 😊 and very handsome too.

[@jsphfullmer1]

What a lovely couple. They both seem like such kind, wholesome, and even-keeled people.

[@sign543]

It’s interesting how we see the value in capturing something only in hindsight. I try so hard to do it today...”Hold onto this...in 20 years, you’ll wish you kept this!” - But I think we are doomed to devalue the present for some reason. I would pay a year’s salary to get a video of me from 1979...just to see what kind of a kid I was...how I sounded...what I was like...would I have liked myself as a kid? Did I sound annoying? You at least had the wherewithal to capture some things on film...which now makes them national treasures. I remember visiting my great aunt and uncle probably in this exact year or maybe the next. Not realizing I was talking to people who lived in the 1800s. I should’ve asked so many things...but you just don’t think of it at the time. Love your videos, David. 👍🏼

[@thetwistedwigs8253]

These old bits of film are priceless. Windows into a world long gone. Thank you for capturing these moments and rescuing these clips and outtakes. Sometimes the outtakes tell us more than the feature. I can't get enough. Thanks again.

[@nobilismaximus]

That was brilliant. What an incredible outlook on the world. Open minded yet knows the value of things to them and expressed in such an authentic natural way. Ok as a Scotsman I absolutely loved their accents!

[@rosesperfumelace]

I do agree with the gentleman too much puts your mind in a whirl. I think we are OVER stimulated today with all the visuals and audios and gadgets. And they are also correct about family farms dwindling and the cost goes up. When I was a kid many people had gardens in their back yard. That was common.

[@itgetter9]

Completely agree. Our minds are in a whirl. This couple had clearly put a lot of thought into the implications of what might be headed our way, via technological changes.

[@josephanderson7237]

Marlena D Yep. Get up so tight we couldn’t unwind.

[@sdgakatbk]

One other thing not mentioned is all the adds polluting peoples' minds today. There were adds back then to be sure, on tv, billboards, in sports stadiums. Today it is much worse. We have all they had back then plus going online there are adds everywhere. And I do believe today that there is more bombardment in terms of add time per hour or some similar stat.

[@itgetter9]

@@sdgakatbk So true

[@GplusGains]

You're more than welcome to move to North Korea.

[@keeponsearchingearth1543]

I couldn’t imagine getting up at 2:00 am to harness the horses and wagon to travel 50 miles to town to get a years supply of groceries then head back home. Amazing life people had back in the day. Much respect.

[@daveylad2]

Fascinating interview David. I didn’t find him negative at all, both of them just being honest, intelligent and articulate. I think there is some deep wisdom in his answers. A real gem of an interview David, thank you. I particularly liked what he said about facing challenges ...so true, absolutely spot on in fact. Struggle is good !!

[@walkerpantera]

I'm melancholy thinking this lovely couple is no longer here.Just touching, looking at this vid, looking back in time to a period I was actually living in (I'm 52) and remembering life was so much MORE then. I hope the remainder of this couples lives were peaceful and happy. Any idea about the rest of their lives? Did they live 10 more years? 20 more years? Who died first and who had to remain alone? Well it was a sweet time capsule for sure, thanks for sharing your vids Mr. Hoffman.

[@kirk1968]

I hear ya, brother. I'm 51 and have always loved talking to those in previous generations and hearing history firsthand. I also wonder about this couple and their family history, they are the real deal.

[@zmeil]

🐣🐓It makes me feel younger, and more mature at the same time - this video, - and I am 49, almost 50!

[@saraschneider6781]

I don't even know their last name.

[@jimhimmelreich6329]

The couple in the video were my grandparents Walter and Jennie Himmelreich. Walter lived to be 87 and passed in 1993. Jennie lived to be 91 and passed a year later in 1994. The video really captured their personalities well. My grandmother was such a positive person and a joy to be around. My granddad shared much practical wisdom. Finding this video was such a pleasant surprise. It was like sitting down and talking with them all over again.

[@HDBerlin]

@@jimhimmelreich6329 thanks for the information!

[@d.vaughn8990]

“We looked back to what we thought were the good old days, but we wouldn’t want to go back to them.” How true then and now!

[@davidratcliff8960]

I found them to be quite intelligent and they had a wise perspective of the past as well as the future.

[@michellek.5744]

What a great interview watching it makes me feel good as I grew up in the 70s and it was the best time for me with great memories. She reminds me of my grandma who lived in a small country town. I can identify with the gentleman because I've said some of the same stuff and I'm 54. Things were different in their time and they worked their tails off and appreciated what they had. It's not like that anymore and much of what he said applies greatly to today.

[@jchow5966]

Life moves ahead & technology changes things & society changes. I l am a student of history and appreciate akk of these gems. But i am so grateful that im here NOW.

[@boujiatexas1870]

Aww they still love eachother,These folks are great . I could listen them talk for hours

[@robertjohnburton9775]

A nice couple who have moved well with the times. The bowl of flowers said it all, a care for their surroundings & home. They had a kind view of the rest of the world.

[@LazyIRanch]

My Grandfather was born in 1882. He died in 1970, a year after he watched the Moon Landing with us with tears in his eyes. He told me the story, as a young man, when he first read about the Wright Brothers famous first flight, weeks after it occurred because news didn't travel fast then. He said it was all anyone talked about, and there were arguments whether it was real or not. Apparently, there have always been some who claim "fake news!" Granddaddy was not among them, he loved technology, raised his son (my Dad) to love knowledge. Daddy became a top communications expert, an engineer at Collins Radio, and was on the team that designed and built the communication systems aboard the Apollo missions. That's what put that tear in Granddaddy's eye, the realization that those words, "One small step for man..." was heard around the world through equipment his son helped design. He was so proud of what his little farm boy accomplished. One phrase Granddaddy often said, "They don't make 'em like they used to, and BOY! Am I GLAD!"

[@eshore389]

I'm the daughter of a pilot (I was taught to fly but unfortunately will never get to be pilot-in-command bc of my eyesight.) Reading your comment about your grandfather getting tears in his eyes at the moon landing made me tear up! He saw so much technology go from small steps to giant leaps.

[@BrianJuntunen]

When I watch these I can almost smell the coffee and Danish like when I was a kid around the same aged folks. I sure do miss hearing my grandparents voices.

[@ikGREENY]

The respect this couple has for each other is amazing. What a stunning perspective, they are true American farmers, reminds me of that one painting!

[@AshleeWhite]

"Let your soul catch up with your body every now and then" I love that, thank you for sharing x

[@andytuesday500]

This is man is a great philosopher. This gentleman is very sharp. Thank you 🙏

[@malcorub]

He is well travelled too... how many people travelled to Israel and South America in those days.

[@eshore389]

It seems like it really gave him perspective!

[@GregorySkidmore]

These two know what the value of living really means. Thanks, David, for the perspective.

[@HS-mm2yz]

"I don't think you should know too much too fast... Let your soul catch up with your body every now and then." Beautiful.

[@NH-en6et]

I guarantee you that my aunt know the children of this couple. And her parents knew this couple. She was a Mennonite that grew up on a farm in Lancaster. Glad you’re in a happier place Aunt Marian and Uncle Henry. They lived a simple, but wonderful life. They left behind a large, and prosperous family filled with blessings. I’ll always remember their sweet corn dish. Thank you David once again for sharing this with us.

[@feocco]

This is really wonderful. Some bits are so well spoken. As always, thank you David for sharing a unique perspective for the times. There's no channels that hit this sweet spot like you do. Cheers.

[@berylcurran6999]

Beautiful couple and so true in what they were saying. It brings to my mind how exactly difficult we can make life for ourselves!! What a blessing it is to have a simple life with challenges that made you strong yet gave you accomplishment in enjoying life.

[@jenniferk4336]

❤ She reminds me of my great grandmother whom I haven't seen in decades. Such a nice trip to the past!

[@ChrisBairDrums]

Your channel is a rare treasure, such wisdom in both of their words. Thanks for posting this!

[@freeto9139]

I cannot imagine what you were thinking; Walt was charming, pleasant, and he didn't criticize anything, but that he gave the opposite point of view in the next breath, allowing a good reason for whatever both sides of the argument were. He saw the good in many things that were being spoken of. Wish I could meet these folks! They must have seen some changes 🕰️ Thank you for sharing this one 💛

[@GHOSTbirdnatureLOVER]

Oh my God it's like hearing my great grandparents again... That old LC dialect... Thank you for preserving it

[@Auroradiluculum]

Oh I love people like this. They are my connection to the past. Good, true people.

[@BrodyJoeandBriars]

A wonderful insight by this great couple, and at almost 68 years old, I can agree wholeheartedly with the gentleman's view on tourism...I live in coastal Alabama and in my teens, the pristine beach had one small motel and one snack stand...now it's all condos and hotels and upscale attractions and tourist crowds and traffic...good for business, for sure, but I'm thankful for having had blissful, introspective walks on an quiet, solitary beach before it changed!

[@Toarcade]

Growing up in the early age of the Internet, I am really anticipating a future reality when people interview me about what it was like to be online in 1995 - 2005 before social media, youtube and smartphones. I am going to praise the hell out of the old days when the Internet was a wild west new frontier!

[@RunninUpThatHillh]

Same! Oh boy, those were the days.

[@SolidMike84]

Toarcade "Back in my day, we had Napster to download music with. The time varied from 30 minutes to never! Greatest days of my life. To hell with todays "advancements"!"

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

I remember the first time I surfed the internet...it was in the Spring of 95, a couple of months before my high school graduation. Our Social Studies teacher had us look up things with it in the computer lab. Mosaic and Netscape...in the lab, I think we used the Mosaic browser. She also had us play Sid Meier's "Civilization," on occasion. I miss the quiet and isolation of the pre-Internet days...it made you more creative and a better thinker. Now, like the old man in the video said, all the tech creates a whirlwind in your mind.

[@shannons1886]

Surfing the Internet was amazing back then. Spending hours going from link to link to a totally new experience. Then coming across things like “Hamster Dance” and have your mind blown. So fun!

[@nwester4232]

I remember the early online days in the 90’s and the sound of the dial up connection. I made my first online rental car reservation for a trip to Cancun, and it blew me away to show up in Mexico and have a car waiting for me in my name without ever having had to speak to someone. Amazing!

[@capriracer351]

This, along with all of your film clips on here are fascinating. My Grandparents were Western Pennsylvania farmers of German descent.They were a little younger than this couple. Both were born within a few months of each other in 1912 and also died within a few months of each other in 1987. The original family came over in 1750. They fought in the Revolutionary war, then was involved in the Whiskey Rebellion after the war. Born troublemakers, certainly not people to cross or mess with. Pretty much lived the same from way back in that time until my Dad's generation. My Grandfather Worked at the CCC camps as a young man while my Grandmother stayed back at the farm. At some point while he was there he read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle". After that he never ate anything that he did not grow or slaughter on his own his remaining life. Used to absolutely scream, rant and rave about the "Rockerfellers". He used to always hold a copy of Ida Tarbell's book in front of him and tell me as a young child, well more like scream to me "If you wanna know anything about those dirty Rockerfellers, you just read this BOOK. Or ask ME, I can tell you all about those dirty Rockerfellers!!" Family legend is that the family was cheated out of some land in the 19th century by old man Rockefeller himself. That is certainly possible since Rockefeller was certainly active around here at that time. Interestingly, right about the time you filmed this, in 1979, the coal company took his farm to strip mine it. They did receive some money for it, but considering that they probably had 100 acres or more, they did not get much for it. They rented a small house that was still in a very rural area that they lived in for the remaining 8 years or so of their lives.

[@AlisaStreet]

Fascinating Couple ...

[@darci1410]

Oh I so love these old films. I could watch them all day. Thank you David

[@redram5150]

I had a good laugh when you corrected your pronunciation of “Lancaster”. Locals are quick to correct anyone who doesn’t say “Lank-iss-ter”. “No, not “Lan-kas-ter”. That’s a WWII bomber”

[@tonycollazorappo]

Wow, in 1979 I was 18yrs old, lol. I was born in 1961, Wow again, lol. I know I'm always nostalgic for the days back when I was a kid. Best times to have grown up for kids is 50s, 60s and 70s.

[@ditto6330]

What a beautiful couple! I don't blame them it's like they say It's got it's good and bad. They wouldn't trade it for the today's world! They had hard jobs they worked in gardens picking potatoes sewing for their children cooking in an stove bringing wood to stay warm. When you have the courage to be yourself you'll feel a freedom like no other. The right people will love the real beautiful and creative soul that you are quirks and all Take a stand for authenticity and openness Believe in yourself to be yourself is to be Free! Thanks for sharing! Another great excellent story!

[@culbinator]

Wow these people were wise beyond their years, literally. This is a gem

[@stephaniewhite5644]

Thank you for sharing this video, Mr. Hoffman...I graduated from high school in 1978, and so much has changed since then. I grew up in California and there was alot of agriculture there. There was no silicon valley, just 3 channels on TV, slot of people would go to the city to see a movie or a play or a concert. I enjoyed listening to this couple, since I had no grandparents, they had passed away before I was born. So any ways, I like hearing stories that the older people would tell, very interesting. I always liked working on the farm my aunt and uncle had.Milked the goats, collected the eggs, fed the rabbits,and helped my aunt collect the vegetables from the garden, etc. In my younger years I worked on horse ranches, which I loved because it got me out of the city, L.A. for a while. Well, enough about me, but thanks again for sharing the videos, please keep them coming!♥️

[@trappersurge6364]

These two are gems. RIP

[@zachdancy5828]

Thanks! As a 43 year old today, I enjoy seeing what 70 yr olds thought in 1979.

[@stevenfrost6441]

What the gentleman said at 5:06 about having things too easy and being soft applies to the U.S. Today in 2020 same as it did in 1979! Great Interview!

[@LukenUSee]

Good point!

[@luanabrans]

My parents grew up in the depression, WWII, and they seemed amazed at the changes. (I cannot imagine what they'd think now!) They always told me how easy it was for me. And about bread lines and operators handling phone calls. I'm sure your parents told you about these things. I was 18 in 1979, my relatives weren't all that different from these folks.

[@rpool5874]

Luana B. Same here, only my parents used the ole “we had to walk to school every day,uphill,both ways “

[@luanabrans]

@@rpool5874 *In the snow, with only grease sandwiches for lunch(because they couldn't afford the meat), while in the orphanage... Then they got sent to Omaha Beach to fight the Nazis.* Yes, I actually heard this.

[@rpool5874]

Luana B. My moms greatest line was “ if you don’t straighten your ass up, I’m sending you to the children’s home “ it never worked though.

[@deannahext]

stickinit totheman My mom would get on the phone and trick us that she was talking to the funny farm until we cried and begged no mom no.

[@TheLostboy29]

I grew up in Lancaster county. In many ways this county is still very old times. Especially the little town called Quarryville if anyone here knows of it. I love it there. Unfortunately I am homeless and live in my car and work abut and hour away now. But I miss living there. I miss being a kid and having my mom and living in quarryville. I loved Lancaster county

[@judybicknell8610]

In our push button, automatic, instant world today I can't help but wonder what they would have to say now. I just love to hear from people like these. Thank you!

[@Franaflyby]

This guy you are interviewing looks like a hard worker. Back when men were men and women were glad they were.

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

Interesting to see the difference in their feelings about the past. The wife was happy the old days were over, but the husband is waxing nostalgic about them.

[@Franaflyby]

@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 you are absolutely right.

[@mariabecker521]

I'm glad my husband was one of them. A real man. That's what we need now, real men. But now they call it "toxic masculinity". That is just crap.

[@Franaflyby]

@@mariabecker521 couldn't agree more.

[@itgetter9]

@@mariabecker521 I'm going to disagree with you slightly. As I understand it, "toxic masculinity" only refers to certain traits that hurt men as well as women, and those are: a) limiting boys to only certain emotions, and berating them if they cry or express sadness or gentleness; and b) a masculinity that seeks to dominate, rather than to protect. I think most people who use the phrase "toxic masculinity" use it to distinguish from healthy masculinity, which is what I hear you supporting, and I support too. This guy in this video seemed to have the kind of masculinity we all appreciate (he was a hard worker and also thoughtful, expressive, etc.). Hope that makes sense. I wish you well!

[@texas1949]

The way her dad shopped sounds like my husband going to Costco! 😂

[@NickiesAdventureChannel]

Texas 1 haha what a fantastic comment. Made me chuckle 😂

[@texas1949]

Alex D 😘

[@aceautonewportky]

I just love these two. I could listen to them for hours.

[@helloSanders]

This is my great grandfather's generation. Glad to her this perspective again.

[@saraschneider6781]

Walt is SMART. He recognizes the impact of stress on mental health when no one else did.

[@tashat60]

Did he say she was 98? She looks way too healthy and young for 98! Wow time has changed.

[@Snoopy-20111]

These sorts of interviews are wonderful to see as a child, primarily, of the 21st century. Before he passed, I had the pleasure to record two talks with my grandfather, neither of which came with particularly good phrases like this because I didn’t know what to ask. To this day I remember his stories of his parents and grandparents, and the joy of not just AC in the 50’s in Mississippi, but before that having an *attic fan*. I can still hear his answer to what it was like before those: “it was HARR-IBLE!”

[@ladeene06]

I stayed 2 weeks with my great grandmother when i was 12...1981. She was 81. Yep...born 1900. I still treasure every moment. I picked veggies from the garden everyday. Shelled peas, her greanbeans were a meal by itself imo. I had to bath in a round washtub outside under the clothesline with drying sheets shielding me. She had a big tv but not one channel came in...so it just sat there unused. Id sit in front of it reading Readers Digest or playing solitaire. She knelt beside her bed every night and talked to God like he was her best friend. I dont think she knew I could hear her. She passed away in 84. Priceless footage here.

[@Treasuremonk]

“Let your soul catch up with your body” how fitting on how today, we are pounded with news, bad and good. There is so much that people do not have time to process it all, and jump to conclusions , feed on emotion and not facts.. I forgot my cell phone a few weeks ago, it felt nice after the panic wore off..

[@reuben5012]

A lot of the questions that are asked, are hard for me to understand and simply answer, but when I hear these people being interviewed answer with plenty of description and detail as if this is a common question, it really shows me that, in earlier generations, people were less educated, but smarter.

[@SouthernMama2five]

David, thank you for sharing these treasures of yours. Everytime I read your thoughts, "I wish I had more of this...I wish I had asked..." Oh, the folly of youth. I am 42 years old, and I so often wish I had sat with my grandmother a few more minutes instead of impatiently rushing off to see my boyfriend. I am reminded of the wisdom of my beloved grandparents when watching your films. Thank you!

[@Hedy]

Absolutely amazing to listen to them. What a great couple! I could listen to them for hours. They were wise indeed. Thank you for sharing this David! I love your videos!

[@jacobbuxton932]

Frequently being in the Lancaster/reading area it’s cool seeing some interviews like this from years back. Still a traditional life in certain parts with the Amish

[@paperm2023]

dcbee z how

[@paperm2023]

dcbee z abhorrent?

[@wingwaves940]

@@dcbeez5956 Not all. Not all of any religion or group is abhorrent because some are. That kind of thinking and blame gets billions of people killed. An Amish co. put a great roof on my house and not 1 of them or their families run a puppy mill.

[@edaker4684]

@@dcbeez5956 you really don't know much about the Amish if you think that. Puppy Mills are run by bad eggs. Not necessarily the Amish.

[@johncharles9528]

The gentleman interviewed wasn’t the least bit negative. He said how grateful he was and how wonderful his mother in law was to him. He talks about the importance of struggling and the growth that comes from it and that the government wasn’t there to give handouts. Maybe you disagree with his politics but the man was responsible and what I would consider a model citizen.

[@donmoore7785]

I graduated high school in 79 so I would love this. Around 1979 *I* interviewed a 90-something year old woman, who was half blind and almost deaf, who still lived across the street from where my dad lived as a young boy from the age of 6 to age 13. She actually remembered my dad, and his mother discipling him for flipping up the skirts of the school girls. That memory of what she said for me is priceless.

[@johnlynch4743]

Wishes come true. I wish we were all living like that again.

[@elaineoutdoors9581]

The man didnt seem pessimistic to me, it seemed like he had a pretty educated outlook on the past and why things need to progress

[@davidellis5141]

Jimmy Carter was still President & John Lennon was still alive. There was a pop band in the 80's named " The Information Society " who had a few hits.

[@akilcarter3594]

David Ellis thank you for this! I’m going to find their music now

[@danieldaniels7571]

They’re still around and just released a new song a few weeks ago

[@dgtwo3724]

The Information Society came after Carter and after Lennon's death. Their hits were more late 80's.

[@notalexandra]

I’ve seen this clip many times. It blows my mind every time.

[@katiesfarmhouse]

Just brilliant. Wonderful, elegant couple.