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Keepsaker’s Korner
Next Meeting is Thursday October 10 at 7:00 pm OKCC meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month (except for this month!). We meet at Becky’s Hallmark, 11109 E 41st (northwest corner of 41st & Garnett, next to Furr’s). Next month’s meeting will be November 14th. Don’t Forget Ornament Debut this Weekend!!! I’m sure you’ve gotten your reminder phone from Hallmark and the postcard from Hallmark with the bonus points info, but here’s one last reminder about the October Ornament Debut this weekend, October 5th & 6th, at Hallmark! There will be door prizes although I don’t think you have to answer any trivia questions to win like in July (bummer!). And here’s my editorial comment to Hallmark: Not only is answering the trivia questions fun, but it keeps the casual shopper out of the running. When specially colored ornaments are involved, I think these should go to the true collectors and not to someone who runs into the store to buy a card, enters a drawing because it’s easy, could care less about ornaments and doesn’t even realize that the ornament is special! At the October Meeting…. It’s swap and sell time! Bring your extras to sell and your money to shop. Community Service Domestic Violence Intervention Service – This month DVIS needs children’s cold medicine, hats,
scarves, gloves, and winter items. Food Bank – remember to bring your food items. They will go to Broken Arrow Neighbors unless someone volunteers to bring them somewhere else. (The last month for our contest will be December.) It’s dues time again It’s time to pay dues again. If you are receiving your newsletter on the internet, I will email you a membership form. If you get a hardcopy newsletter, the form is enclosed. This is the last newsletter you will receive if you have not renewed. This is a list of people who I show as not renewed yet:
Happy October Birthday to ….
Here’s an idea to start off your Christmas shopping! The Route 66 Collector Club (the one sponsored by Sherman’s) has created a cookbook as a fundraiser for our charity. (Didn’t you love the Spicy Beef Dip at my open house last Christmas? The recipe is in this book!) We hope to have it in time to sell at Sherman’s for this weekend’s October Ornament Debut. So if you are in the store, be sure and buy one. Or we will have them at the Okie Keepsakers meetings too! These make great Christmas gifts!!! Board Meeting The club officers had a board meeting on September 28th to strategize for the upcoming year. They would like to have some sort of a fund raiser like the Route 66 club is doing with their cookbook. Since Hallmark isn’t having a big event this year, pin selling, a fund raiser we’ve done in the past, is non-existent. Do you guys have any ideas on what you would like to do? Okie Keepsakers Meeting Minutes September 12, 2002 Meeting called to order by Rita Randall. There were no additions or corrections to last month’s minutes. An appropriate lawn ornament couldn’t be found, so the money collected for Terri Legrand and Joanie Hueitt was split and given to them. We took up a collection for Sally Turner and Earline Kennon. Organ donation was discussed. Rita reminded everyone to sign the sign-in sheet. Rita has tickets. There are 21 2002 Local Club ornaments left. The seven 2001 Local Club ornaments are for sale for $5.00 each. If there is anyone who has not picked up their 2002 ornament yet, please come to the October or November meeting and pick it up. Sally Turner read the Treasurer’s Report:
Teresa Pattison discussed the Collectively Speaking. There will be a new contest at Ornament Debut in October. There is a Local Club Survey. Please fill out and give to her and she will compile the results and send to Hallmark. The 2003 Local Club Roster must be sent to Hallmark by December 2, 2002. If you have not paid your dues by then you will not receive next year’s Local Club ornament. She also discussed the Benton, AR artist signing. Sponsor news: Sept 21, 2002 American Girl Event. There is going to be a special American Girl doll. Becky’s is giving away a charm to the first 50 people in the store. Be sure to bring your card from Hallmark. Register to win Kaya and her dog in a drawing on September 21 & 22. Hallmark AG items are not in the American Girl catalog. There is a Snow White snow globe that is only available at Wal-Green for $9.95 with a three card purchase. Old Business The food drive and tickets for the Santa’s Deer Friend will continue through December. New Business DVIS -- Please bring children’s cold medicine, hats, scarves, gloves, and winter items to the October meeting. Sunshine Committee – Terri Legrand sent a sympathy card to Elaine and Larry Wibben for the death of Larry’s father. A get well card was sent to Bobbi Tessandori for her surgery. Hospitality – Sandy Guinn, Connie Poppie and Elaine Wibben will bring treats to the October meeting. Finds – Teresa Pattison found a very unique large Hallmark window pendant ornament. Terri Legrand gave us information on next year’s Hallmark events: July 25 & 26 Scottsdale, AZ Aug 1 & 2 Chicago, IL Aug 15 & 16 Dallas, TX Aug 29 & 30 Boise, ID Sep 6 & 7 Philadelphia, PA Nothing is set in concrete at this time. Friday will be a Local Club only event, with Saturday being the National event. No artists or hotels have been designated yet. Terri also talked about the Five Star Works of Art that are on Page 19 in the Summer 2002 “For Keeps” publication. They will be packaged in sets of three for $24.80. The first three will be Star Rider by Tammy Haddix, Star to Sew By by Sue Tague (in denim bag), and Star Bright by LaDene Votrube (in gold velour bag). Price Guides were discussed. A new company called Bang Zoom (Nikki Pierce) will not have anything ready until January, if then. Not sure the company will do it at all. There are apparently problems with getting rights to Hallmark Ornaments and Boyd’s Bears. There will be a secondary market ornament show in Springfield, MO. Ask Elaine Wibben for details. Department 56 Halloween collectibles are really impressive. Marjolein Bastein also has some cute Nature’s Sketchbook items. The $25.00 Gift Certificate drawing winner was Robert Wilson. Rita Randall brought an under bed drawer (I didn’t write down who won that). Kay Schwartz – The program next month will be the Swap ‘n Sell. There will be a contest in November. The details will be announced at the October meeting. Meeting adjourned. The September program was by Alice Sandkuhl about doll collecting. She brought some different variations of her Alice doll collection and told some interesting facts about dolls. We appreciate your contribution Alice. Thanks! Hallmark News For those of you who are national club members, you will know this by now (or maybe not if you haven’t gotten it yet like me!). As announced in the latest issue of “For Keeps” magazine: · Scottsdale, AZ - July 25-26 · Chicago, IL - August 1-2 · Dallas, TX - August 15-16 · Boise, Idaho - August 29-30 · Philadelphia,PA - September 5-6 There will be a local club event on Friday night and the signing on Saturday. Saturday will include exhibits, workshops, prizes/register to wins, games, etc. There will be 2003 event exclusive ornaments and artist signings. More details about the artists and where they'll go on Hallmark.com next March. Registration begins on April 1st and is $50 for the Saturday event. Good news puzzle fans!!!! Springbok puzzles will continue to be made. Some new ones will be out for Christmas and again in 2003. (See the article I found about this later in this newsletter.) A picture of the 2002 Celebration Barbie ornament is available on-line! This year Hallmark is going to be distributing the holiday catalogs in a different manner. They will be mailed out based on your buying habits. Different versions for different shoppers, mailed at different times. In addition a number of GC Card members will receive 2 mailings of the catalog: One in late October and 1 around the first of December to remind you to come back in the store. (like any of us need a reminder!) Another new addition to the catalog mailing this year will be that your Gold Crown Rewards Certificates will be mailed with the GC Holiday Catalogs. So don't throw out the catalog! The special offer will be a Woolly Mittens Snapshot Album free with a $35 purchase or $2.95 with purchase of any three Hallmark cards. ($6.99 value) In addition there will be a special edition Hallmark Christmas CD featuring Tony Bennett available for $7.99. There is going to be a big prize give away in December. It all ties into Gold Crown Stores, The Hallmark Channel and Ebay. Everyone will win something... Over 60 million game pieces will be distributed through GC stores, Ebay and popular magazines. Ty News Retirements: 9/10/02 Beanie Baby Sherbet & Attic Treasure Franny click here 9/12/02 Ferny (New Zealand exclusive) click here 9/25/02 Beanie Babies Mattie, Pounds, Toothy. Beanie Buddies Cashew, Fleece, Hero, Dearest. 9/27/02 Beanie Babies Wales (Wales exclusive) and Scotland (Scotland Exclusive) click here 9/30/02 Logan Attic Treasure (Canadian exclusive) click here Introductions: 9/18/02 Ferny, Mugungwha, Vanda, Wattlie, Bunga Raya, Sakura II (Asian Exclusives) Beanie Buddies click here 9/30/02 October releases: click here · Beanie Babies: Bonsai the Monkey, 2002 Holiday Teddy (very cute!!! Has antlers!), 2002 Signature Bear, Seadog the Dog, November the Birthday Bear (Version II) · Jingle Beanies: Halo II, Santa, Jinglepup, Zero, Mistletoe, The Beginning, Snowgirl, 2001 Holiday Teddy, Dizzy Springbok® Puzzles to be Available Through Allied
Products Hallmark Licenses Patented Process, Designs for New Distribution KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 25, 2002) — Hallmark Cards has licensed its exclusive Springbok® jigsaw puzzle designs and the Springbok brand to Allied Products, a new Kansas City marketing company owned by 51-year-old Allied Materials. The arrangement ensures that an ongoing supply of quality Springbok puzzles will be available to consumers nationwide. A unique long-term licensing agreement will result in the potential for Allied Products to own Springbok Puzzles in the future. The agreement means that consumers and collectors will be able to purchase Springbok puzzles in stores that offer the Hallmark brand, according to Tom Kilcourse, Hallmark vice president, corporate development, who handled details of the agreement with Allied Products. Allied has purchased jigsaw puzzle-making and tooling from Hallmark. "Our goal has been to craft a seamless hand-off so that the same excellent quality and efficiency that Hallmark brought to Springbok will continue," Kilcourse said. "We believe that Allied Products is the best company to make that happen, and Allied already has the new fall Springbok catalog in retailers' hands." Both Hallmark and Allied are headquartered in Kansas City, and two key Allied employees who worked on the Springbok agreement will be integral members of the Springbok operation, and formerly were with Hallmark. Both companies consider that having people familiar with Springbok product as well as Hallmark sales, systems and methods will benefit the new business operation under Allied management. Steven Pack, president of Allied Materials, said Allied Products has been formed to manufacture and market Springbok puzzles and other consumer gift items. Pack said Springbok is a perfect match for Allied's expertise and area of interest. He said consumers not only will continue to see quality Springbok puzzles in the marketplace but also can look for new and exciting Springbok programs in the future, beginning in 2003, Springbok's 40th anniversary year. The Springbok deal reflects both Hallmark's commitment to ensuring that consumers are able to purchase Springbok puzzles and Hallmark's focus on its core businesses. Close cooperation between Hallmark and Allied sales, service and customer service organizations is resulting in a smooth transition, including a new line of Springbok puzzles on the market in plenty of time for the holiday season. Hallmark and Allied will share sales responsibilities during this transition year. Hallmark purchased Springbok Puzzles in 1967 from owners who founded Springbok in 1963 in New York. Springbok popularized puzzles picturing fine art, and was the first to introduce circular puzzles. The Springbok brand is known and preferred for its interlocking puzzle pieces. The Springbok method of creating puzzle patterns was learned by Hallmark craftsmen who expanded the art created by Springbok originators, skills that are being passed on to Allied specialists. Jigsaw puzzles were created in the 1700s when an early English mapmaker cut up a map of the world and had school children reassemble it. Puzzles were first manufactured in America in the 1850s, and have continued to be a popular form of entertainment. New Keepsake Ornaments Making Debut From hallmark.com With hand-crafted, dated ornaments representing a wide variety of themes, Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments have transformed Christmas trees everywhere into 3-D scrapbooks of memories that capture and preserve times, events and special occasions. Most Americans think of a Christmas tree as a memory tree, one adorned with ornaments representing life's special events. Hallmark sets the standard in the collectible ornament industry by unveiling a brand new line of more than 250 ornaments every year. This season, Hallmark is making it easier and more enjoyable than ever to capture moments and commemorate milestones through holiday ornaments, with a line of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments that help families preserve and share special events, celebrate pastimes, and bring their favorite characters to life. Some of this year's
highlights include: - Ornaments with interactive designs - enabling some ornaments to dance, sing, and record personal messages. One ornament, A Year to Remember, is designed like a photo album and has a place for a photograph on each page. A special voice message can be recorded for each photo, then replayed for years to come. -
Four new designer collections are introduced. Family
Tree, Between Us, Memories of Christmas and Perfect Harmony, use
elements like colored blown glass, images from the Hallmark Archives and
photo holders to help preserve family memories, celebrate special
relationships, honor the past and recall traditional holiday values. -
A special memory card packaged with each Keepsake
Ornament allows the giver or recipient to document a particular memory with a
date and note about the ornament and event. -
New materials, such as rich fabrics, colored glass,
wire, porcelain, chalkware, and wood -
The return of some old favorites including Star Wars™
and Star Trek™, Barbie™ and Scooby Doo™. Ornaments as Gifts Ornaments are viewed as personal and economical gifts during the holiday season. They allow the sender to show the receiver how much "I know you" by picking out an ornament that addresses their special relationship. For example, the Between Us collection from Hallmark includes sentiments about inspiration, gratitude and female friendship. Milestones are also acknowledged through ornament-giving. For example baby's first Christmas or first home ornaments are often given as gifts to help the recipient preserve the special event for years to come. Ornaments as
Collectibles Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments and Collectibles meet the demands of both emotionally driven and investment-seeking collectors. Design themes ranging from pop culture icons of yesteryear to ornaments commemorating special relationships reflect consumers' emotional and relationship-building interests and reinforce the company's industry-leading position in products that help people celebrate and connect with one another. Consumers are traditionally drawn to Keepsake Ornaments that evoke emotions and feelings. "People choose Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments as gifts, or for themselves, because Keepsake Ornaments help them connect with others, honor a special relationship or reflect a person's interest," says Mark Amren, manager of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collector's Club. Keepsake Ornaments also help people who rely on Hallmark to help them express their feelings, mark milestones such as wedding or births and commemorate important relationships such as parents, siblings and friends. "Hallmark finds its collections are so well-liked because they represent something that captures the meaning of an important memorable moment in time," says Amren. "Collectors, in particular, have a passion about Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments because of their sentimental value and their ability to last from generation to generation." In 1973, when Hallmark introduced six glass ball ornaments and 12 yarn figures as the first collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, a new tradition of Christmas decorating was started and a new collectible industry was born. When the first line was introduced, they were unique in design, year-dated and available only for a limited time-innovations in the world of ornaments. Since 1973, Hallmark has introduced more than 3,000 different Keepsakes Ornaments and more than 100 ornament series, groups of ornaments that share a specific theme. Keepsake Ornament
Collector's Club Hallmark research shows more than 31 million Americans collect ornaments. Some are so enthusiastic they band together to share their passion as members of the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collector's Club. One of the largest clubs of its kind, the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collector's Club was formed in 1987. Did you know... - The annual Keepsake Ornament Premiere event in Hallmark Gold Crown® Stores is held in July? For many ornament collectors the key date is marked on their calendar well in advance and they attend premiere parties at their local store. -
Many collectors have more than one tree to display
their collections during the holiday season. And many collectors leave some
of their collectibles up all year long. - Enthusiasm for collecting is based more on emotional appeal than investment value, according to Hallmark research. - Almost 600 individual chapters of the national Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collectors club operate locally (most sponsored by Hallmark retailers in their communities). - An average club member buys 22 Keepsake Ornaments per year versus 10-13 for the average Keepsake Ornament enthusiast who isn't a member. That's in addition to the free exclusive ornaments they receive as members. The Unprecedented American Partnership for Pets
Thanks the US Postal Service for Two Extraordinary Social Awareness Stamps
DENVER, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- September 20, 2002 marked the First Day of Issue for two very special social awareness stamps dedicated to the responsible pet ownership message, Neuter or Spay. The ceremony was held at the American Humane Association's 125th Anniversary conference in Denver in front of an enthusiastic audience. An estimated 8-10 million animals are taken in by our nation's animal shelters each year of which approximately 4-5 million are euthanized. Many of these pets would make wonderful companions if given the chance, but shelters cannot find new homes for them. Additionally experts estimate that there are tens of millions of free roaming and feral pets in our communities. Not only is this a heartbreaking issue, but also communities spend millions of dollars on animal care and control, and it is a public health and safety issue too. "Americans have enormous hearts and we believe that if the general public were more aware of this issue, and understood better about responsible pet care, we could solve this tragedy together! We are therefore utterly delighted by these social awareness stamps, because of the tremendous reach and influence of the Postal Service in our communities. They have the ability to deliver this message into the homes and hearts of America," said Sara Khurody-Downs, President of the coordinating organization Prevent a Litter Coalition, Inc., who spoke on behalf of American Partnership for Pets (APP) at the ceremony. "The American Partnership for Pets is an unprecedented and still growing coalition of more than twenty-five leading veterinarian and animal organizations and associations. These extraordinary partners understand the importance of standing together as Americans. They have set aside philosophical differences and are setting a standard for collaborative approach to a societal issue. The partnership will use these stamps as a tangible tool to raise national awareness about the tragedy of homeless animals and of the importance of spaying and neutering pets as a part of the solution," explained Ms. Khurody-Downs. "Spaying and neutering is beneficial for many reasons. It has health benefits, can help to address behavioral issues and it prevents the births of accidental and unwanted litters." APP has an exciting multi-year social awareness campaign in the works, and has already communicated its mission and initial program to thousands of veterinarians and animal care and control organizations nationwide inviting them to become community partners. Concurrently, the USPS distributed spay/neuter information to postmasters nationwide inviting them to hold spay/neuter events in their communities in collaboration with shelters and veterinarians. "We expect to see hundreds, perhaps thousands of collaborative events raising awareness in communities around the nation," said Khurody- Downs. The public and media can find events in their communities by visiting http://www.pets911.com or calling toll free (English/Spanish) 1-888-PETS-911. Selected by APP as the call to action, this free public service will direct the public to their local veterinarians and animal services by zip code! We are thrilled that the US Postal Service has included APP's call to action on every set of stamps and on posters displayed in post offices nationwide." In this way, we unite APP's national program with all of our community partners and with the public! "APP is seeking the long-term, community and sustainable solutions," said Khurody-Downs. To fund this work, APP has licensed generous USPS vendors with their name and logo and educational message. A percentage of all APPS spay/neuter stamp "merchandise with a message" will benefit APP's work and research efforts. "What better way to raise further American awareness -- but to see the message on tee shirts, tote bags and postcards!" said Khurody- Downs. "American Partnership for Pets will also make corporate sponsorship opportunities available." In addition, stamps will be available for sale at many local shelters for fundraising purposes. PETsMART stores will also carry the stamps at above face value with the difference going to PETsMART Charities, a tremendous partners of ours, who will use the funds for community spay/neuter programs. We owe a great debt to PETsMART Charities for providing us the seed money for this program," said Khurody-Downs. "They believed in our vision and have provided the partnership with not just financial support, but also tremendous encouragement!" "The American Partnership for Pets looks forward to the day when every pet has a home and every owner is a responsible owner! We are therefore truly grateful to the US Postal Service for so sensitively depicting the issue on these social awareness stamps, and for so sincerely working with the American Partnership for Pets to make a difference," said Sara Khurody-Downs. More information about this unprecedented partnership, the stamps, APP merchandise and the program is available at http://www.americanpartnershipforpets.org . The American Partnership
for Pets (APP) formed in response to the Postal Service's Neuter or Spay
stamp issuance, with a mission of working toward a nation of no more homeless
and unwanted pets. The national partnership's growing number of influential
members include: Actors and Others for Animals, Alley Cat Allies, American
Humane Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of
Professional Humane Educators, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Doing Things
for Animals, The Doris Day Animal Foundation, FIREPAW, The Humane Society of
the United States, In Defense of Animals, The Latham Foundation, National
Animal Control Association, Noah's Wish, North Shore Animal League America,
Petsavers Foundation, Pets 911, PETsMART Charities (Funding Partner), Prevent
a Litter Coalition, Snyder Foundation for Animals, State Humane Association
of California, Texas Federation of Humane Societies, Tony La Russa's Animal
Rescue Foundation, Tufts Animal Expo, United Animal Nations, Virginia
Federation of Humane Societies. These organizations are committed to setting
a standard for collaborative approach to a societal issue. America's
Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, Mia Hamm, the Sock Puppet and the Village People
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the TRIVIAL PURSUIT Game New Edition Captures the Last 20 Years of People,
Places & Events in a Box NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2002-- Today, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani took center stage to lead the celebration of the TRIVIAL PURSUIT® game's 20th anniversary at Toys "R" Us Times Square. The festivities included soccer champion, Mia Hamm and former dot.com icon, The Sock Puppet as mystery guests, who with Mr. Giuliani, broke into comedic banter onstage at the international flagship store for Toys "R" Us. The event closed with the Village People's performance of "YMCA," which brought the crowd to their feet. These notables and thousands of others from the past 20 years are part of Hasbro, Inc.'s (NYSE: HAS - News) new TRIVIAL PURSUIT® 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION game, on-shelf now. "I'm here today to remind people that it's okay to laugh, enjoy life and celebrate the good times," said former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "I'm for anything that brings people together to have fun." As event emcee, Mr. Giuliani revealed to spectators Ms. Hamm, The Sock Puppet and the Village People, who were chosen to represent the more memorable aspects of the last 20 years, and are included as questions in the new game. The TRIVIAL PURSUIT® 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION game includes questions that relate exclusively to the past 20 years. "There have been a lot of funny and meaningful people, places and events from the past twenty years that have inspired really great TRIVIAL PURSUIT® questions," said John Chandler, Senior Vice President, Hasbro Games. "When you look at the range of personalities that were onstage to help us celebrate this anniversary it was truly symbolic of what this game is all about." Also on hand to celebrate the 20th anniversary were Scott Abbott and John Haney, two of the inventors of the Trivial Pursuit game. The event unveiled TRIVIAL PURSUIT®'s 20th Anniversary print and broadcast advertising campaign, which features the likes of Joey Buttafuoco, Tonya Harding, Suzanne Sommer's ThighMaster, Kato Kaelin, the 2000 Florida Presidential election scandal, the Chia Pet and the Smurfs, to name a few. The 30-second spot debuts the evening of September 24 during network Primetime programming. The TRIVIAL PURSUIT® 20th Anniversary Edition game includes nearly 4,000 new questions that cover the last 20 years in six new categories. Game play remains the same as the traditional version with two to six players vying to collect all six scoring wedges and answer the final question first. Available exclusively with this limited edition, is a deluxe card dispenser. The game, which is geared for adults, is available now in the U.S. at the approximate retail price of $34.99. Berenstains celebrate bears' anniversary Wednesday, September 25, 2002 Posted: 2:35 PM EDT
(1835 GMT) SOLEBURY, Pennsylvania (AP) -- Since moving into their treehouse deep in Bear Country 40 years ago, the Berenstain Bears have helped children cope with first trips to the dentist, new siblings, summer camp and messy rooms. Now, with the release of their autobiography, authors Stan and Jan Berenstain want to share a few firsts of their own -- from their first college art class together to the early meetings with Dr. Seuss that grew into more than 200 books featuring the Berenstain Bears. The books have been translated into more than 10 languages and published in Europe, Asia and Latin America. "Down a Sunny Dirt Road" initially alternates chapters between Stan and Jan as they unspool stories about their childhoods in Philadelphia during the Depression, and their admiration of each other's drawing at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art. Their narrative voices blend as they become a writing and illustrating team with their marriage after Stan's return from service in World War II. The publication of "Down a Sunny Dirt Road," which was released Tuesday, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the first Berenstain Bears book, "The Great Honey Hunt," in 1962. The Berenstains, both 79, honed their family friendly humor drawing cartoons for The Saturday Evening Post, McCalls and Colliers. Examples of these early sketches and other pre-bear artwork will be included in a retrospective of the Berenstains opening in October at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The exhibit is curated by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Working with Dr. Seuss The Berenstains developed their series with children's author Theodor Geisel -- better known as Dr. Seuss, then head of children's publishing at Random House -- intending to teach children to read while entertaining them. Jan Berenstain said they decided on bears because of their anthropomorphic qualities. "Bears are a tradition in children's books. They stand up and they wear clothes and they're great fun to draw. We drew them a lot as art students. We can give them the same kind of facial expressions we put on the people we draw," she said. They still begin every Berenstain Bear book by hand. In their home studio in Bucks County, Stan Berenstain sketches covers for a DVD collection of their animated television specials. Across the room, Jan Berenstain points out paint splatters on the floor from where some of the earlier books began. More sketches line the walls and story ideas cover the tables between them. Much like the treehouse they drew for their bears, the studio and other rooms branch off from a central entryway in their wood-sided farmhouse about 50 miles north of Philadelphia. Two hundred forty Berenstain Bears books are in print, spanning reading levels from beginner to readers in first through fifth grades. The Berenstains' sons -- Leo, a 52-year-old writer, and Michael, a 49-year-old artist -- have joined the family business, so many of the more recent books are credited collectively to "The Berenstains." More Berenstain Bears books are in the works, including one on a trip to the emergency room and another on getting a computer for the treehouse. Stan and Jan Berenstain also have developed a daily, animated series based on the books that will debut on PBS in January. Taking on issues Over the years, little has changed about the Berenstain Bears. Their universal experiences and quotidian dilemmas persist in popularity, despite nearly half a century of technological advances and social change. Some issues simply aren't suitable for Bear Country, Stan Berenstain says, such as divorce, which educators have requested as a subject for the bears to explain. "Who's going to get divorced? Mama and Papa Bear can't get divorced, or we'd be out of business. I guess the neighbors could get divorced, but one of the things kids respond to is that the bears are just like us and they're funny. It would be pretty hard to do a funny book about divorce," he said. The bears haven't changed, and neither have their readers, Stan Berenstain says. "Kids still tell fibs and they mess up their rooms and they still throw tantrums in the supermarket," he said. "Nobody gets shot. No violence. There are problems, but they're the kind of typical family problems everyone goes through."
Mon
Sep 23,11:24 AM ET WASHINGTON
- Debonair leading man Cary Grant will be honored with a postage stamp next
month. The
Postal Service said Monday the 37-cent commemorative stamp will be issued
Oct. 15 in Hollywood, California. The stamp will join the Legends of
Hollywood series which previously included such stars as Marilyn Monroe,
Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney. Born
Archibald Leach in Bristol, England, on Jan. 18, 1904, Grant came to the
United States with an acting troupe in 1920. He performed in vaudeville and
on the Broadway stage, and in 1931 was hired for his first screen performance
in "Singapore Sue," a one-reel film released in 1932. Also
in 1932, using the screen name Cary Grant, he appeared in his first feature
film, "This is the Night." On June 26, 1942, he became a U.S.
citizen and legally changed his name to Cary Grant. Grant
was best known for starring in romantic comedies such as "An Affair to
Remember" in 1957 and was often teamed with some of Hollywood's most
prominent leading ladies, including Katharine Hepburn in "Bringing Up
Baby" (1938) and "The Philadelphia Story" (1940) and both
Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe in "Monkey Business" (1952). He
also starred with Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief" (1955) and with
Audrey Hepburn in "Charade" (1963). He
received two Academy Award nominations for best actor: one for "Penny
Serenade" (1941) and another for "None But the Lonely Heart"
(1944). In 1970 he was presented with a special Oscar for his life work. Grant
died in Davenport, Iowa, on Nov. 29, 1986, at the age of 82. |
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