In 1983 the Fairway Springs Homeowners Association was born, taking over from the developer all of the 406 homes and 19 streets that make up our neighborhood. It was mostly retirees back then (but not all), and a lot has changed. In advance of the big Birthday Bash Carnival on June 24th, I wanted to take a step back in time, to see what life was like then.

Let's start with buying power. What would the following items cost you in 1983?
- Fresh eggs (1 dozen): $0.82 - White bread (1 pound): $0.54 - Sliced bacon (1 pound): $1.94 - Round steak (1 pound): $2.90 - Potatoes (1 pound): $0.21 - Fresh grocery milk (1/2 gallon): $1.13
- Gasoline (per gallon): $1.23
- Chicken (1 pound, whole): $0.69
- Electricity (per KwH): $0.08
The average price of a new car sold in the United States, including imports, was $9,370 in mid-1982, according to the National Association of Automobile Dealers.
It's worth pointing out that the US Dollar has lost 67% of its value since 1983, meaning that a dollar today only buys one third of what it could buy back then.
But, on to the fun stuff:
What/Who else do we share a birth year with? 1983: The Internet was Born – According to USA Today Date: Jan. 1. The internet as we know it today – a seemingly endless collection of websites hosted on servers scattered across the globe – is still more than a decade away. But at the beginning of 1983, the the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) – a small network for academics and researchers – transitions to the standard TCP/IP protocol of the World Wide Web. The protocol would become the internet's cornerstone and technical foundation as it allows expanded available address space and decentralizes the network, thus also expanding accessibility.
Brueggers, Costco, J. Crew, LensCrafters, Sam's Club, Verizon Communications, and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company were all founded.


McDonalds introduced Chicken Nuggets for the first time, to such acclaim that they added a 20 piece option the same year.


The ChocoTaco was dreamed into existence, although it was made for the last time, last year and is no longer available.
Hot Pockets or "food adjacent, microwavable lava in a pastry", first saw the shelves.

Nerds Candy was introduced


Axe Body Spray, in its original 3 scents, was launched to teenage boys, initially in France and ultimately the world.
How about Movies? What were the top grossing and most popular movies of 1983?
Number 1:

Number 2:

Number 3:

Number 4:

and Number 5:

Did you remember them all? Did you see them all in the movie theater?
OK, so what were the most popular TV shows? Might you remember these? How about in this order?:
Dallas (CBS)
60 Minutes (CBS)
Dynasty (ABC)
The A-Team (NBC)
Simon & Simon (CBS)
Magnum, P.I. (CBS)
Falcon Crest (CBS)
Kate & Allie (CBS)
Hotel (ABC)
Cagney & Lacey (CBS)
*Courtesy of Nielsen TV Research. - I think it's crazy that M*A*S*H did not make this list. How about you?
Music is always evocative and stirs up memories. Lets take a look at what we were listening to in 1983. Thanks to Music Outfitters for this list of the top 25 selling songs on the Billboard Music Charts. We'll make sure to have a great selection of music at the Carnival from all 4 decades we've been around, so there'll be something for everyone.
1. Every Breath You Take: The Police
2. Billie Jean: Michael Jackson
3. Flashdance...What A Feeling: Irene Cara
4. Down Under: Men At Work
5. Beat It: Michael Jackson
6. Total Eclipse of the Heart: Bonnie Tyler
7. Maneater: Daryl Hall and John Oates
8. Baby, Come to Me: Patti Austin and James Ingram
9. Maniac: Michael Sembello
10. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This): The Eurythmics
11. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me: Culture Club
12. You and I: Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle
13. Come on Eileen: Dexy's Midnight Runners
14. Shame On the Moon: Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
15. She Works Hard for the Money: Donna Summer
16. Never Gonna Let You Go: Sergio Mendes
17. Hungry Like the Wolf: Duran Duran
18. Let's Dance: David Bowie
19. Twilight Zone: Golden Earring
20. I Know There's Something Going On: Frida
21. Jeopardy: Greg Kihn Band
22. Electric Avenue: Eddy Grant
23. She Blinded Me With Science: Thomas Dolby
24. Africa: Toto
25. Little Red Corvette: Prince
I'll end the trip down memory lane, with just a sampling of the key news events of that year:
From July 1981 to November 1982, the U.S. economy experienced one of the longest and deepest recessions since the Great Depression. By 1983, the economy had rebounded and the United States entered into one of the longest periods of sustained economic growth since World War II.
Reacting to the worst auto sales in two decades, General Motors announced that it would lower or freeze the prices of half its 1983-model cars.
President Reagan proposed a “Star Wars” missile defense system that was “decades away from reality.”
Elizabeth Dole became the first woman to serve as the secretary of transportation, and NASA astronaut Sally K. Ride became the first American woman in space.
OPEC cut oil prices for the first time in 23 years.
Six robbers broke into the Brink's-Mat warehouse near Heathrow Airport and stole £25 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds, and cash. The heist was described by some as “the crime of the century.”
New York City had the biggest snowfall ever—18 inches.
The world's lowest-ever natural temperature, −128.6 °F, was recorded in Antarctica.
The most costly landslide in U.S. history destroyed the tiny town of Thistle, Utah.
Hurricane Alicia ripped through the Texas coast and ended the three-year and eight-day “hurricane drought” for the continental United States.
In December 1983, the unemployment rate was 8.0%, down from 10.8% a year earlier. Inflation was 3.21%, down from the 1980 inflation rate of 13.50%.
Here are some sports facts from 1983: The Washington Redskins were the Super Bowl champs, the Baltimore Orioles won the World Series, and the New York Islanders clinched the Stanley Cup.
Brooks Robinson, Juan Marichal, Walter Alston, and George Kell were all inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Blake Giddens won the 56th National Spelling Bee by spelling the word “Purim.”
Maytag built its last wringer-washing machine, and the last hand-cranked telephones in the U.S. were taken out of service, when “440 telephone customers in Bryant Pond, Maine were switched over to direct dial service.”
More than 10 million computers were being used in the U.S., and the first-ever version of Microsoft Word was released.
On February 28, the TV series M*A*S*H (CBS) ended after 11 years and 251 episodes. The series finale—Goodbye, Farewell and Amen—was watched by 77 percent of the television viewing audience.
Gandhi won an Academy Award for Best Picture, and Cheers (NBC) won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
We do hope to see you all at what is promising to be a wonderful way to celebrate our neighborhood's birthday on the 24th June. There'll be so much going on and it's all FREE to our homeowners and renters, you, our neighbors. (Assuming that you are in good standing of course, and why wouldn't you be?)
Dunk Tank - Dunk or be Dunked? It’s up to you
Giant Jenga
Plinko
Connect Four
Face Painting
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
PopCorn
Cotton Candy
Sno-Cone’s
AND MUCH MORE!!!!!! including the following timed events:
4:30 Water Balloon Game | 5:00 Cornhole Tournament - email:social.fshoa@gmail.com to sign up
5:30 Water Balloon Game | 7:00 Help us blow out the candles and cut the Fairway Springs birthday cake.
Want to help? Sign up for one of the fun volunteer opportunities? https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4ca8ac2aa0f49 -fairway#/
We hope you enjoyed this list. Wow!! 40 years already? What will Fairway Springs look like in another 40, I wonder?
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