Monday, November 13, 2017

Toy Hall of Fame

 Toys Beloved By Generations

In a culture that places a high value on the 'work ethic', it's refreshing to know there is a museum that chronicles and honors play. The National Toy Hall of Fame includes folk toys and education and has recently announced its 2017 inductees. They are:
1) paper airplane, 2) Wiffle ball, and 3) Clue.

The hall, which is located inside Rochester, New York's interactive The Strong museum, was designed to showcase new as well as classic beloved toys. Nominations can be made by anyone an final selection advice comes from historians, educators, and others who support or engage in creative  toy-related careers and activities.


More than 65 toys have been placed in the hall of fame, including crayons and dominoes. All of them foster creativity and discovery. Here’s a brief look at a few of the most recent additions:

Paper Airline

No one is really sure about the origins of this toy which is fundamentally made of paper. Some credit the ancient Chinese with inventing papyrus paper that could be folded and flown. Others note that Leonardo DaVinci considered the dynamics of parchment airplanes. Researchers and experts say that the principles that make an airplane fly are the same that govern paper versions. Even so, paper airplanes can be made of manly shapes, colors and weights. Consider Pop artist Peter Max’s 1970 book of psychedelic paper airplane templates.

Clue

This murder mystery game has been around since 1949. While there were other murder-solving games prior to this one, Clue has been noted by hall of fame advisers that none "Combined its simplicity of play with the enjoyment of solving the 'whodunit', not to mention the 'where' and 'what' of the game's pretend murder. The board game's success is linked to pop cultural interests of the time. Murder mystery novels and suspense films were a big hit in the 1950's. It is interesting to note that it remains one of the more popular board games.


To learn more about nominating a toy, click here

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Monday, September 25, 2017

October Harvest Time



 
October Festivals and Harvests

Harvest time in October means it is festival time! People are gathering across the country to celebrate the foods and traditions of their region. From New England cranberries to Oregon pumpkins, there’s a lot to see and do. 

Our Favorites


21st Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival
This is all about bringing the sheep home and other livestock home from the mountains to their winter pasture. The streets fill with sheep as people gather to celebrate and preserve the history and culture of sheep herding in Idaho and the West. 
Where: Sun Valley, Ketchum, and Hailey, Idaho
When: October 4-8, 2017
Juried arts and crafts show offers handmade items made of wool, alpaca, wool blends or items of a 'sheep' nature such as soaps and lotions from lanolin, sheep cheeses or items that augment cooking with lamb.  More:trailingofthesheep.org.

14th Annual Cranberry Harvest Festival.
This New England tradition is the highlight of the harvest season in Massachusetts. Bog tours, paddleboat rides and more.
Where: Wareham, Massachussetts
When: October 7-8, 2017
More:  https://www.seeplymouth.com/events/14th-annual-cranberry-harvest-celebration

Circleville Pumpkin Festival

Established in 1903 by the Mayor, it began as a small exhibit of corn and pumpkin decorations. Today it offers so much more.
Where: Circleville, Ohio
When: October 18-21, 2017
Parades and delicious fall treats. Plus, more than 10,000 pounds of pumpkins, squash, and guards beautifying the streets! More: pumpkinshow.com.


Other Fun Festivals:


Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
Where: Hood River, Oregon
When: October 13-15, 2017
For more information: hoodriver.org.

Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
Where: Stowe, Vermont
When: October 14-15, 2017
For more information: vtpumpkinchuckin.blogspot.com.

 

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Friday, September 8, 2017

About Fairies


What Do You Call Them?

What would the world of folklore be without fairies? These spirits, often perceived as “little people” have been helping humans, plants, and animals here as well as in other realms for a very long time. Perhaps, according to some legends and folk tales, even before then.

The word Fairy- also spelled as Faery -  originates from the Latin word fatum which means fate or destiny. The English version we are all familiar with has roots in the French version fee. It has been suggested that the Saxon word feie refers to a specific world inhabited by fairies.

That world can exist in many places. Depending upon the culture, it can be over the rainbow, under the sea or in the stars. It can also be found in tree roots, summer breezes and winter snow.

Here are some of the names different cultures have given these ‘other worldly beings’:


AsparasThese feminine sky dancers have the ability to swoop down and bless people during important rites of passage, such as births and weddings.

Brownie Residing over Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, these spirits are often compared physically to very short men who appear at night to complete the work of servants.  Named after their ragged brown clothing and rugged brown skin, they come out at night to help to take care of work that has been left by the servants.

Glaistig Part woman, part goat, these water fairies can do many things. They can lure men in order to drink their blood, they can help old people and young children, and they can help with the herding of cattle.

Ohdows - This family of dwarf, well-formed people of Native Americans stories and myths live underground, inside the belly of the earth. From there they can thwart above ground deities that cause destruction, such as earthquakes.

TokoloshSouth African legends say that these spirits, covered in black hair, live near waterways and scare lone travelers by causing other animals to cry out in fear.

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