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Read Me A Story, John Boy

I recently watched an old episode of “The Waltons” in which Olivia, the mom, decided to spend good money on a set of books for her seven children. A traveling salesman had enticed her with the promise of books that would open a whole new world to the somewhat isolated country family. This episode was set during the Great Depression when work and money were equally scarce. So when Olivia gave up hard-earned money for the books, it was a big deal. The story goes on to show that she was flimflammed by the salesman. But there was a positive outcome by the end of the story. What ...

Curious Collectibles Offer a Look at Yesteryear

We live in a visual age where photos are so numerous that we don't even bother to print them off our cell phones and videos are viewed many times a day thanks to news alerts, YouTube and other digital applications. But movies got their start in the 19th century as photography developed on a much smaller scale. Back then, film stories were told with still images that amazingly to today's viewer, moved manually. The “special” effects then still seemed like magic to viewers who may have never even seen a camera, let alone used one. These early movie projectors are today’s ...

September’s Burden Not Forgotten

When we weren’t looking, September crept in on a cool, foggy morning. The month of September kicked August to the curb and is here to remind us of things past and things to come. This month used to signal an unofficial start to fall. The kids go back to school. The swimming pools are emptying out. The swings at the playground are swaying if only by an errant breeze. Leaves are beginning to swirl in a downward spin as the wind picks up. The trees will soon take on colors to paint the landscape in a wondrous beauty. Yet as much as I love fall, I stand looking out the kitchen window ...

More Than Just Numbers

I have never been a whiz at figures. As early as first grade I realized my strong points were geared more toward words and vocabulary. That does not mean that numbers, especially dates, have not been important in the greater scheme of my life. I often wondered why we were made to memorize “important” dates in history in lieu of simply knowing why certain dates were worth remembering. If you ask anyone in the baby boomer crowd what he or she remembers about Nov. 22, 1963, they will immediately tell you where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news that ...

Vintage Cookbooks Are Tasty Treat for Collectors

I was pleased to find a pristine copy of my favorite cookbook, Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook, at Sibs recently. I received a copy of it as a wedding gift in 1982 and have used it so much that it’s falling apart at the seams. I got a real bargain too since I’ve seen it online for three times the price I paid ($5). Lots of antique enthusiasts collect cookbooks. With everything from simple hometown pamphlets to the big books authored by television personality chefs, cookbooks are a delicious collectible. A line-up of great titles makes an impressive display in the ...

Cool Down With This Charming Collectible

Lace, silk, fringed and painted, fans from bygone eras are delightful to collect and display. One of my favorite collectibles, these delicate conveniences are a popular treasure worldwide, and a charming reminder of the era before air conditioning. I was pleased to find Oglebay Institute used a paper fan to remind guests of its Capital Campaign now going on, “Preserving our Past Creating Your Future.” The fan was a gift to all those attending its lovely Board Benefit last Friday evening and it came in handy in this August heat wave. Used for personal cooling convenience since ...