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Stretch Glass Collectors Go for Shimmer

The term “stretch” glass seems a contradiction. Glass is one of the hardest substances known, so how in the world would it stretch? But stretch glass enthusiasts know that this term stands for a sparkling type of Victorian art glass that attracts lots of attention. Ask any one of the thousand or so members of the Stretch Glass Society why they got started collecting this novelty glass and they will tell you that once you discover it — stretch glass just won’t let go. Not to be confused with swung glass, or glass made by swinging it back and forth on a rod, stretch glass is ...

TV Dads Are Far From Real

My father passed away 30 years ago when he was just 68 years old. He was two years older than I am today. He lived enough years to see most of his children leave the nest and to celebrate about one-third of his grandchildren’s births. He was a proud, patriotic man who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He survived the Battle of the Bulge despite being wounded. He came back to his Wheeling hometown to enjoy a 50-year career with this newspaper. However he could not undo the damage caused by smoking cigarettes from a young age, which led to his early demise. Growing ...

For Father’s Day This Year, Give Dad a Toby or Two

What do you give the father who has everything? A Toby mug of course. These treasures are fun to collect and display, and there are plenty of them to search for which is half the fun. The Royal Doulton company has a long history and is famous for its tobies, among other wares. Doulton and Company of England was founded in 1853 but can be traced back to 1815 when the original partners, John Doulton and John Watts, manufactured utility stoneware and even drainpipes at Lambeth, England. Royal Doulton is the name used on Doulton and Company pottery made from 1902 to the present. ...

Unplugged And Loving It

It is common knowledge that as we grow older, our memories are not always firing on all cylinders. As hard as we try, sometimes we can’t recall pieces of our youth or even what we ate for breakfast. Some folks say they can’t recall any parts of their childhood under the age of 5. Yet I can tell you that at age 3, I can still remember the first time my parents walked me and four siblings up the wide, wooden front steps of the house we would call home for decades. After that day, memories are scattered among backyard swings, welcoming dogs to the family and understanding ...

Canes, Walking Sticks, Are Fashionable Collectibles

Canes, or walking sticks, as they were formerly known, are a reminder of the pre-World War I era when gentlemen considered a proper walking stick a necessary accessory. These sticks were not just for walking, however. Considered a fashion statement, walking sticks were also valuable as status symbols and even for self-defense. Yes, walking sticks were seen as a handy weapon, during the age of dueling pistols and other refined moments of violence. Used since ancient times, canes can be ornate and elaborate. Today collectors find these old-fashioned treasures fun to study and ...

The Disturbing Pecking Order

I never really understood the phrase “pecking order” until recently. After checking with Mr. Webster’s dictionary, I confirmed my suspicions that the pecking order actually was established by poultry. Hens, that is. Apparently the bigger, stronger, more aggressive hens rule the roost. Their actions give them the ability to take the most feed from others while the more intimidated hens get out of the way. I observed the pecking order in another venue — at a window bird feeder we installed outside our living room window. It took some time before any winged visitors landed and ...