Columns

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 ...

Gardening: An Activity That Can Be Enjoyed By Everyone

WHEELING — This is a very exciting time of year for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts. It brings me much joy driving around the Ohio Valley and noticing many gardens beginning. Starting a garden without the guidance of a family member or trusted neighbor can be overwhelming and exhausting. If you are interested in starting a garden, now is a great time, as you have plenty of time for your warm season produce to grow until our first frost in Autumn. Did you know many crops can grow into winter? With minimal investment, you can keep some crops growing all winter under low tunnels ...

They’re Still Standing Guard

Chugging up the steep slope along Oglebay’s walking path, I catch my breath and a glimpse of him as the morning sunlight bounces off his green patina. Sitting as if the watchdog of the park, the majestic Stag statue has been in the same location since before World War II. Anyone who has traversed these paths and green spaces that intertwine the Waddington Gardens and Kuchinka Amphitheatre have seen this impressive bronze Stag sculpture sitting atop his brick stand in the middle of the grass. Since my childhood, I have seen the Stag in this place. I played in its shadow with ...