On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania’s groundhog extraordinaire, will again stick his head out of his den. The nation awaits his verdict. Groundhog Day is said to have its origins in ancient weather lore where the prognosticator was often a badger or a sacred bear.  In the United States, its origin is said to come from a Pennsylvania German custom. […]

Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash, was one of the greatest political sages this country has ever known. Enjoy the following tips from Will Rogers: 1. Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco. 2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day. 3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works. 4. Never […]

By Robert Reed  Starting with George Washington and later with Abraham Lincoln, the memorabilia of presidents has provided a significant source of collecting. It doesn’t hurt either that President’s Day honoring them all is an annual holiday.  For the traditionalists it should be noted that the federal Office of Personnel Management still calls the third Monday in  February simply Washington’s […]

By Robert Reed  In the 1950s, some of the greatest American doll manufacturers were ready to make their best even better. Madam Alexander, American Character Doll Company, Effanbee, E.I. Horsman, Ideal, Vogue, and many others would turn the 50s into virtually a golden age of dolls for little girls.  Right from the beginning small, life-like baby dolls were-to pardon a […]