(EDITOR’S NOTE ­- Jeff Moeller has been a contributing writer to the Times News for more than two decades. This week, he will debut a weekly column titled “Yesterday” where he will look at sports and pop culture news from his past.)

How often do you reflect about things from your childhood, teenage or early adult years?

Whether it be sports, songs, food, or any other items of pop culture. Those were the days when a trip to Dorney Park or the Poconos was one of the highlights of your year.

For the past 61 years, I primarily was a resident of the Lehigh Valley and also New Jersey. My memories have reached down to Phillipsburg and have risen up toward Scranton.

Over the past two months, I made the move to South Carolina, but I haven’t forgotten my roots. I am constantly reminded because I still can’t find a good cheesesteak or deep-fried hot dog down here, as well as any pierogies, halupkies, or cabbage and noodles. Enjoy them while you can.

Being a late 1960s and a 1970s nostalgia buff, here are some passing thoughts about some sports and pop-culture going back to mid-October of 1971 as well as some other years within reach :

Notre Dame - The 13th-ranked Fighting Irish under Ara Parseghian began week five of their season with a 4-0 mark and would go on to an overall 8-2 record that ended in a 28-12 loss to seventh-ranked LSU in their final game. They were paced by Lombardi lineman winner Walt Patulski and tight end Dave Casper, and they were among eight Irish players drafted that season. Their quarterback that year? Does Cliff Brown ring a bell?

Penn State - The Nittany Lions also would enter week five of the season with a 4-0 mark. They would end the year with an overall 11-1 mark led by quarterback John Hufnagel, and running backs Lydell Mitchell and Franco Harris. PSU finished the year ranked fifth overall in the AP Poll after a 30-6 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

Phillies - The Phis finished their first season at new Veterans Stadium with an overall 67-95 record that left them mired in last place. Rick Wise hit two homers in his no-hitter in late June and topped the cub with 17 wins (17-14). Deron Johnson hit 34 homers and Willie Montanez added 30.

Eagles - The Birds were dreadful and had an 0-4 record heading into week five of the season at Oakland. Ed Khayat took over as head coach for Jerry WIlliams, and Pete Liske and Rick Arrington were their answers at quarterback. A rookie tight end then named Harold Charmichael began to make his mark.

Toys - How about the best selling toys in 1971 and 1972? Try Weebles in 1971. The miniature round clown replicas became famous for the slogan of “Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down.” A year later, the Big Wheel hit the market, and we all have our memories of those.

Music and more - The No. 1 song for the week was “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart, and TV shows like “All In the Family” and “Mary Tyler Moore” began to change the landscape of the market. “Soul Train” made its syndication debut during the month of October in 1971, and it was a show that attracted a variety of viewers.

Memories - If you watched Channel 10 (WCAU) or Channel 6 (WPIV) on Saturday or Sunday mornings, you may remember “The Gene London Show” or “Cartoon Corners.” London, who was a Reading resident, worked in a general store for the miserly Mr. Quigley and he was infatuated with his daughter Debbie. He would relate and explain children’s stories as well as show cartoons. But the real hook was his adventures with the magical golden fleece and those at the haunted Quigley mansion. I used to love the cliffhangers held over to the final week.

More memories - Those same types of end of the episode cliffhangers also became a part of the Batman TV show that debuted in 1966. Does anyone remember ... ”Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.” Did anyone watch TV on one of those huge and wide RCA wooden-based, console TVs that had the big push button remote?

Commercials - Finally a final thought on one of my favorite cereal commercials in 1967. Kellogg’s introduced “Puffa Puffa Rice,” a blend of puffed wheat and rice krispies covered with brown sugar. The appeal was a Hawaiian-based theme with a video of the islands, primarily surfing and water scenes that had captured the country’s new infatuation with Hawaii. There was some great footage that can be found on Youtube. It was a prelude to the debut of “Hawaii Five-O” in September of 1968. The cereal didn’t attract a big enough audience and was discontinued in 1976. Too bad, it was good.

Final thoughts - I’ll have some more thoughts down the road locally and nationally that may revive some memories. If you have any, please pass them along ... Until then, think about how good the Pershing donuts were at the Lehighton Bakery and the coconut Long Johns were at Wentzel’s Bakery in Lansford and Tamaqua.