There are many, many children who cut their teeth, so to speak, on Sesame Street.

Heck, there are lots of adults I have known over the years who have gotten one of the catchy tunes performed by those crazy Muppets stuck in their head for days on end. Those who know me well would say I have been guilty of attempting to sing a few of them myself.

Today when reading this article it took me aback though. Has it really been that long?

NEW YORK, June 20 (UPI) — The U.S. children’s TV program “Sesame Street” announced it will welcome its first Indian-American cast member when its 39th season begins this summer.[emphasis-mine]

The character Leela is described as someone who embraces her heritage and culture as she begins her new life in the neighborhood, working in the laundromat next to Hooper’s Store. The show said she enjoys singing, dancing and helping her friends on “Sesame Street.”

Thirty-nine years young..that is what this show has maintained throughout the years, and those of us who have had young children in our midst over those years or even for brief periods of these episodes will no doubt remember a few of the following clips:

Back to the adult world tomorrow but for now I’d like to pass along one of my favorite scenes from Sesame Street which was used many times over as a teaching tool for the alphabet.

Jim Henson would be proud that after all these years his creation is still going strong.

Have a great weekend all and hope this brings out a bit of the child in all of you or at the very least stirs up one or two fond memories.