Please come on in and let me take your coat. Tonight we’re going to have a little vintage pre-Thanksgiving gathering called The Last Mile Home. Firstly, I want to express my thanks to all of you. I am grateful for the personal stories, good cheer and mystery you have shared with me in this last year. I hope that tonight’s festivities remind you of precious years now passed and the dear family and friends we once shared them with. To imagine these people again, around the Thanksgiving table brings a smile and a happy tear to my eye. For those who are alone on the holidays or whose family memories were less than pleasant, I hope you can find solace here– an Omaha homecoming of the heart. I will be playing you some of my favorite Thanksgiving themed songs. Music brings a comfort that never fails me and I find I can still wander and dream in my mind. I think you understand. I also weaved in some special autumnal Omaha residences, exempting all homes and gardens that were tiresomely well ordered. Not a leaf-blower in the bunch. Must Have Fallen Leaves, folks, for that perfect Midwestern feel but truly, those few hesitant leaves on the trees should be an inspiration to us all in this sometimes-fierce November wind.
Let’s go into the living room for drinks and hors d’oeuvres. On that note, this is not a Coca Cola sponsored site, although you’ll see a lot of their historic Thanksgiving themed ads. Hey, this is a party, Marty. Well, you get the cherry, Jerry. Now look, don’t be so picky, Mickey, ’cause everybody eats when they come to my house.
The longest mile is the last mile home
When you’ve been away
The dearest dreams are the dreams of home
When you’ve been away
(For those not familiar with these videos, you can press the arrow in the middle of the image and it will play the song or advertisement.) Butterball Turkey Thanksgiving commercial from 1956.
You travel far over land and sea
Then one day it’s as clear as can be
The sweetest mile you’ll ever roam
Is the last mile home.
You can travel round the globe
And see a lot of things
From Mandalay to old Pompeii
To Paris in the spring.
Banquet Frozen Dinners commercial.
But you’ll only learn one thing
Yes, just one thing.
You travel far over land and sea
Then one day it’s as clear as can be
The sweetest mile you’ll ever roam
Is the last mile home.
“The Last Mile Home” by Bing Crosby with Ken Lane Singers and Victor Young and His Orchestra, written by Walton Farrar and Walter Kent. Released as a single July 1949.
“The Last Mile Home” sung by Bing Crosby. 1949.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtsWhdb4Ri8
“Jumpin Punkins” by Duke Ellington, written by son, Mercer Ellington. 1941.
“Early Autumn” was composed in 1949 by Ralph Burns and Woody Herman, lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Ella Fitzgerald recorded it in 1952.
“Carvin’ the Bird” by Charlie Parker. 1947.
Gonna take a sentimental journey
Gonna set my heart at ease
Gonna make a sentimental journey
To renew old memories
I’ve got my bag, got my reservation
Spent each dime I could afford
I’m like a child in wild anticipation
I long to hear that all aboard!
Seven, that’s the time we leave, at seven
I’ll be waitin’ up for heaven
Countin’ every mile of railroad track
That takes me back
I never thought my heart could be so yearny
Now why did I decide to roam?
I’m gonna take that sentimental journey
Sentimental journey home
Doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo doo, doo
Doo doo doo, doo doo, ree, ree
I gotta take that sentimental journey
Sentimental journey home.
“Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, with vocalist, Doris Day. Music written by Les Brown and Ben Homer; lyrics written by Bud Green. Released in 1944.
“Sentimental Journey” sung by Doris Day in 1944.
“Everybody Eats When They Come to My House” sung by Cab Calloway in 1948.
“Let’s Turkey Trot” by Little Eva. 1965.
“Leaves That Are Green” sung by Simon and Garfunkel. 1966.
“Thanksgiving Theme” by Vince Guaraldi Trio. 1973.
I’ve got plenty to be thankful for
I haven’t got a great big yacht
To sail from shore to shore
Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for
I’ve got plenty to be thankful for
No private car, no caviar
No carpet on my floor
Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for
I’ve got eyes to see with
Ears to hear with
Arms to hug with
Lips to kiss with
Someone to adore
How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy ’em all
At the five and ten cent store.
Oh, I’ve got plenty to be thankful for.
“I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For” by Bing Crosby and His Orchestra. Written by Irving Berlin in 1942.
“I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For,” sung by Bing Crosby in 1942.
“The Last Mile Home,” sung by Jo Stafford in 1949.
“Homesick, That’s All,” by Frank Sinatra. 1945.
“’Tis Autumn” performed by Rosemary Clooney on the Judy Garland Experience television show in the 1960s.
“Autumn Leaves” by Nat King Cole. 1955.
Coca-Cola Thanksgiving commercial 1950s.
“Thanks a Million” by Louis Armstrong. 1935.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends! And thank you all for stopping by.
This painting by Janet Hill encapsulates my Ideal Holiday.
I welcome your comments on The Last Mile Home. We want to hear from you! To comment or read others’ comments, please scroll to the end of this page. Be assured, everyone would love to read what you have to say and it makes the conversation more fun.
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© Miss Cassette and myomahaobsession, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Miss Cassette and My Omaha Obsession with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Very nice.
Happy holidays Miss Cassette, and please keep the stories coming!
Thank you so much, Bob. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Miss Cassette
I must comment that the Pendleton ad resurrected a long-ago memory of the annual ritual of burning leaf piles. In the Autumns of my childhood, the air was filled with the smoky smell all over our South Omaha neighborhood. My mother would be furious when a neighbor would decide to start a burn on the same day she hung the freshly-laundered sheets outside to dry! I wish you could add a “sniff ‘n smell” aspect to your post, but I have very much enjoyed the sights and sounds of Fall that you have gifted us. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving from someone who loves old homes and all things vintage!! and your stories!!
Thank you, Jean! Have a good holiday and take care.
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for bring back many wonderful childhood memories from Bella Macree
Happy Thanksgiving Ed! I’m glad you found the post. Francine shared a memory about leaf burning. I’ve got to ask did you burn your leaves at Balla Machre?
I must comment that the Pendleton ad resurrected a long-ago memory of the annual ritual of burning leaf piles. In the Autumns of my childhood, the air was filled with the smoky smell all over our South Omaha neighborhood. My mother would be furious when a neighbor would decide to start a burn on the same day she hung the freshly-laundered sheets outside to dry! I wish you could add a “sniff ‘n smell” aspect to your post, but I have very much enjoyed the sights and sounds of Fall that you have gifted us. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sniff n smell! John Waters would be proud. Thank you so much for this great memory. I too noticed that the Pendleton man was about to light those leaves on fire Or had already and it gave pause. I don’t remember the burning of leaves but I have heard about it. I can “see” the memory that you shared and I thank you so much for taking the time to share it.
The John Waters reference is inspired!!
Lovely, just lovely! I enjoyed all the music, but especially Little Eva. Must go practice my Turkey Trot now! Thank you for this and a happy holiday to you!
Special thanks to you for taking us on all these wonderful journeys. You have just caused me to relive my childhood in one article. I grew up with these commercials and spent many hours reading and looking at the old magazines, calendars and calendar art, postcards, Saturday Evening Posts, and other ephemera courtesy of my grandparents/great grandparents who never threw any of it away (can only imagine what they would be worth now). Accidentally discovered your site while trying too authenticate a bedroom set that supposedly came from the Creighton mansion. Your site came up in one of the search terms, and the rest is history – or should I say mystery. Thank you again (even though I only find these articles around midnight in my inbox)!! Oh, and surely you understand that you now have to do this for Christmas as well 🙂
love! thank you1
I was delighted to see our former home on 56th and western in your collection. We lived there for 22 years.
I so loved it. We moved in 1998 into the former Rips home on 69th street. I’ve felt like we’ve been on a permanent vacation ever since. Happy Thanksgiving !! Drive by and see our Christmas lights! We’ve continued our tradition from 56th street but on a much larger scale!!
What a beautiful message to share from you & the past! & for affirming the love of glorious, colorful leaves! Thank you & Happy Holiday Season! Linda
I will drive by and have a proper look but I’ll wait for the snow. I’m sure it is lovely! Thanks
Oh dearest, now I’m really homesick. But thank you for these beautiful words and songs. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Ella! Doris! Rosemary! Louis!
You’ve made my morning!
On a somber note, I have to take this moment to play town crier. All of you reading this may or may not be aware that the City of Omaha has placed a demolition order on the birthplace home of Fred Astaire ( 2326 S 10th ST). I don’t believe this will happen if there is unprecedented community objection. Unprecedented being the key word. Please get the word out. Fred Astaire is the American Story, and this meek little home is such an important artifact of his story and American history. Please do what’s in your power to see that this important little gem is saved.
I also really enjoyed this Thanksgiving article, Miss Cassette! You put it all together so well. I agree with the person who commented on burning leaves in the Fall. That’s also one of my special good memories of growing up in Omaha!
You have completed my Thanksgiving Cheer by including a photograph of the Dewey Street apartment building in you greeting. I was fortunate to have lived in the third floor apartment that is shown in your photo. It was the mid seventies and there had been a resurgence and new interest in tennis. Billie Jean King has influenced the tennis interests in Omaha with her athleticism. My apartment had full view of the tennis courts across the street. Summer nights were so active. It was my private club membership for free. The court directly across the street have since been removed. I had discovered in my last visit to Omaha for my Westside Class reunion. My view then included the mutual of Omaha logo every morning as I prepared for my reverse commute to my West Omaha office. I had found the apartment as a intern with the Omaha City Planning Department. It is a great apartment building and remains one of the best places I have lived. Thank you for including the photo in your greeting!
Jim in Seattle.
I LOVE that building too! Had a friend who lived there before I was old enough to rent an apartment and I always loved it. That sunroom! And I enjoy its positioning on that lot and the trees. So great.
Happy Thanksgiving and the holidays following. I love your blog and I miss Thanksgiving at Grandma’s in Omaha. How can you not love THE GATE CITY TO THE WEST? The Holy City of Lincoln nigh unto Bethany isn’t the same. It’s holy or home. I love Omaha.
Thanks so much!
I especially enjoyed the music. My mom’s very favorite singer was Bing Crosby. I much prefer Nat King Cole myself, as far as that era is concerned.
I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for the autumn rush and Leaves that are Green past blast. This was so lovely, tender and warm. Happy Gratitude Day❤️
Absolutely love your posts! I’ve learned so much about Omaha history from them. This most recent post was a wonderful trip down memory lane. Thank you for what you do!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!?
wonderful .thank you
Thank you for wonderful memories the last 6 years. So many wonderful memories of neighborhoods, houses, businesses, etc. I’m 85 so there is hardly anything you have discussed that I haven’t seen or heard about. And thanks for this wonderful look back in time as I listened to Bing, Doris, and others, and the wonderful soothing sounds of Nat King Cole,. You are a treasure and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of your research, time and effort.