Thursday, January 31, 2013

PATTY ANDREWS, LAST MEMBER OF THE ANDREWS SISTERS TRIO, DIES AT 94 & THE GREATEST GENERATION, CROTON

Yes, this was THE GREATEST GENERATION.

Patty Andrews, Last Member of Andrews Sisters Trio, Dies at 94, 1/30/13, WSJ - The last surviving member of the Andrews Sisters trio, Patty Andrews, passed away on Wednesday from natural causes, according to the Associated Press. She was 94 years old. The singer was a part of the trio of sisters that helped to raised the morale of U.S. troops during World War II by entertaining soldiers with songs like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” and “I Can Dream, Can’t I? You can read more here: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/01/31/patty-andrews-last-member-of-andrews-sisters-trio-dies-at-94/?mod=google_news_blog

Also fyi from Wikipedia: Eldest sister LaVerne died of cancer in 1967 after a long bout with the illness. Both surviving sisters had something of a comeback when Bette Midler recorded her own version of their song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" in 1972. Their most notable comeback, however, was in the Sherman Brothers' nostalgic World War II musical: Over Here! which premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1974 to rave reviews. This was a follow-up to Patty's success in "Victory Canteen" a 1971 California revue.

Vintage ad courtesy of the late Marion Costello's Playbill collection. The Greatest Generation cover below from The Croton Historical Society. Click on the photos.

SEE THE ANDREWS SISTERS HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGnIiGszOSQ

AND BETTE MIDLER'S VERSION of THE BOOGIE WOODIE BUGLE BOY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsrAJtXsRMc

You may also have an interest in THE WOMEN WHO SERVED, featuring many residents from the village. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157627590122757/with/6166839198/

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

MORE MEMORIES OF CROTON'S POP BERGER

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

We were chatting with an older Croton resident today about the late Pop Berger, a man who is still much loved and well-remembered today. That’s when we were reminded that we had recently scanned this posting to the right from The Croton Historical Society’s archives. Click on the scan. Wish we had known him. It sounds like he was a remarkable man.

For more about Pop Berger: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-pop-bergers.html 

And if you have any photos of the store before the fountain was taken out, please send a copy to the Historical Society: 

http://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/Public_Documents/CrotonHudsonNY_WebDocs/HistoricalSociety/index

Monday, January 28, 2013

YES WE ADMIT IT...WE LOVED THE UNTOUCHABLES

Frankly, we don't care if it's politically incorrect to say so these days--but back then we just loved THE UNTOUCHABLES--and still do. So when Pete sent us these two clippings on the show, we were pretty excited. These are from 1961, and he found them wedged in an old book he bought from--you got it--The Old Book Room right here in Croton (111 Grand St., 271-6802). Click on the photos and enjoy. We're also throwing in the Untouchable Tommy Gun featured in a previous auction at Croton's own Serioustoyz And for a definitive write-up on the show--plus the Marx Untouchables playset from 1961, click on the link from Toys & Stuff:  http://toyconnect.blogspot.com/2012/05/series-untouchables-was-one-of-most.html

VINTAGE CHOCOLATE, VALENTINE OR OTHERWISE...WHITMAN'S

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

We were in the local Shoprite when we spotted the annual Snoopy adored Whitman's Valentine boxes of candy...and were reminded of all those ads we have in the archives for Whitman's Chocolate. Whitman's has been around a very long time...since 1842 to be exact--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitman%27s

Click on the photos...enjoy...

Friday, January 25, 2013

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHINGCROTON

So many wonderful things are hitting the email here at EverythingCroton! Where vintage rules--and yes, we admit it, we love those little cardboard putz houses, vintage or otherwise.

First up, some shots from Linda's amazing "Uptown Christmas Village"--all photos, all rights reserved--a collection of vintage made in Japan putz houses--and that wonderful cathedral created by Howard Lamey of littleglitterhouses.com - click on the photos - followed by a fantastic vintage Christmas tree scene from France circa 1910. Keep it coming folks! We want it all!

p.s. And for all you train lovers, look what hit the mailbox today: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/01/for-train-lovers-only-2013-3.html

And on a lighter note: Dino skateboarding! http://www.toyconnect.blogspot.com/2013/01/1991-dino-skateboarding-post-cereal.html

1910 French Christmas

Thursday, January 24, 2013

THE VINTAGE CROTON HISTORIAN: OLD PHOTOS, ADS & MENUS, FALL 2006

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

If you're not yet a member of the Croton Historical Society, you're missing out on their quarterly publication: THE CROTON HISTORIAN. This informative publication always entertains--it also deepens your appreciation of why we live in Croton in the first place and is a perk that comes with membership. 


As promised, EverythingCroton is now featuring selected pages from vintage editions of The Croton Historian for your reading pleasure: this week's proverbial blast from the past comes from the FALL OF 2006 edition–OLD PHOTOS, ADS & MENUS. Click on the photos below.  For more info about becoming a member of The Croton Historical Society, click on the link: crotonhistory.org

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

ALAN LOMAX, WOODIE GUTHRIE, FLOYD DELL...POSTED AT THE GREATER CROTON SONG BOOK

Today we told you about a fab new Croton site we found called The Greater Croton Song Book. The press release is pasted below.

But we also can't resist resist mentioning that they have a shot of Woody Guthrie and Alan Lomax posted and mention Floyd Dell's house as well! Click on the link: http://bit.ly/2tp5hZJ

And for those who want to know more about Floyd Dell, Croton's own Robert Scott has written the definitive article here: http://notorc.blogspot.com/2012/10/floyd-dell-respectable-radical.html 

You may also have an interest in the opening reception photos for The Croton Historical Society's current exhibit THE MASSES: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/02/photos-from-opening-reception-of-masses.html

PRESS RELEASE - A Songbook Grows in Croton

Croton-on-Hudson, NY--Croton has the Black Cow, the Blue Pig and now, The (Greater) Croton Songbook--its very own online music collection!
Producers Fabiana Chiu and David Rinaldi claim that Croton has more musicians per square mile than any other community in Westchester. “The idea came from getting together and creating songs with our neighbors,” said guitarist/composer David Rinaldi. “We quickly recognized that the greater Croton area has been an inspiration to musicians for decades, from Pete Seeger to country star Tamra Rosanes.”
“We moved here almost a decade ago and it seems everywhere we turn, there are musicians - from students of music to amateurs, professionals and everything in between. It’s a perfect ecosystem!” said Chiu, a former arts festival producer.
So far, five new original songs have been added to the growing online audio collection which can be heard on www.thegreatercrotonsongbook.bandcamp.com. They include songs about commuting and Croton’s artistic heritage.
Rob Morseberger’s The Wild Wind is reflective of Croton’s rich artistic past, and Andrew Karp’s The Croton Cannonball is a swingin’ ode to Croton’s commuting workforce. David Rinaldi’s I Wanna go to the Croton Dam was written for the “junior set” and has been performed at area elementary schools. Be sure to click on the bios to learn more about these dedicated Croton musicians. Also, click on the lyrics where you will find lessons in history, and facts about Croton put to music.
“The community response has been fantastic,” said Chiu. “Friends of Croton History have contributed ideas about historic musical figures and songs in Croton. Former Croton residents have also been contributing their ideas.”
What’s next for the collection? “We would like to add more songs and once we hit 10 or 12, we hope to be able to perform the songs live” said Rinaldi. “Like most things in Croton, we would love to see this project grow organically. We have conceived this to be a community based project. If you have, or know, a song inspired by Croton, please don’t be shy and contact The (Greater) Croton Songbook through our online fan page.”
The Songbook has a dedicated Facebook fan page (www.tinyurl.com/crotonsongbook) which can be accessed without a Facebook account. In it, one can see a variety of posts and comments on Croton’s music scene from yesterday and today, including a music video of a 1967 Battle of the Bands in Croton, a veritable time capsule. Other frequent contributors include singer-songwriter Tim Robinson and drummer-illustrator Rob Shepperson.
“This is a collection for and by our community, a collection for our families and kids to enjoy for generations to come, all in one easy to find and accessible platform,” said Andrew Karp, whose song, The Croton Cannonball, is part of the project.
To listen to the growing collection for free, go to www.tinyurl.com/crotonsongbookand click on the HEAR THE SONGS HERE tab. Downloads are available through a modest donation.
Do you love Croton?  
Have a song about or inspired by this awesome place? 
Then share with us! And watch the (Greater) Croton Songbook organically grow! 
Check it out and LIKE us at www.facebook.com/TheGreaterCrotonSongbook

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHINGCROTON

Vintage inspired by littleglitterhouses.com
For those who don't know, not all vintage or antique "putz" a.k.a. cardboard Christmas houses were made in Japan or Germany; some were produced in the former Czechoslovakia. To the right is a vintage inspired interpretation of a Czech church by Howard Lamey of littleglitterhouses.com

Next up is a shot of Linda's Czech Christmas village--featuring Howard's interpretation--it's 10 X 10 by the way--and is in memory of the late Papated...these Czech houses are three dimensional on a flat board.  Click on the photos...Linda promised us more--featuring the actual vintage houses.

Moving along, we couldn't resist mentioning that the little wooden animated village with circling train that Carol Ann wanted to buy but didn't is now almost 50% off! Make sure you click on the video thumbnail to see it in action http://www.gumps.com/p/miniature-animated-wooden-steeple-house

Blumchen's old fashioned heart shaped candy boxes are now 25% off http://www.blumchen.com/valentine_shop_party_favors_pg2.html

THE GREATER CROTON SONG BOOK ON FACEBOOK

Welcome to EverythingCroton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

We love finding new and exciting Croton sites—check out THE GREATER CROTON SONGBOOK—very interesting--AN ORGANICALLY GROWN ONLINE COLLECTION OF SONGS ABOUT CROTON—click on the link http://www.facebook.com/TheGreaterCrotonSongbook?group_id=171731049566886

UPDATED: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/01/arnie-lomax-woodie-guthrie-floyd.html

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS ETC. FROM EVERYTHINGCROTON

It's vintage catalog time again--first up from 1962--the Build-A-Home & Subdivision Set from Kenner!  Click on the photo. And speaking of Kenner, we've mentioned this site before but it is so worth visiting again http://www.kennercollector.com/

Followed by a Marx 1962 Dollhouse currently being offered on EBAY with...a bomb shelter. Yes. A bomb shelter: http://retrorenovation.com/2013/01/16/rare-1962-marx-metal-dollhouse-with-a-bomb-shelter/

For Train Lovers Only 2013 #2 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/01/for-train-lovers-only-2.html

Formica is celebrating their 100th anniversary--check out more from Retro Renovation--they've even introduced some retro countertop designs http://retrorenovation.com/2013/01/22/breaking-news-formicas-100-anniversary-designs-include-retro-style-counter-top-patterns-and-colors-hurray-for-color-and-pattern/

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

FOR COLLECTORS OF VINTAGE GREETING CARDS

One of our local vintage greeting card collectors forwarded us this very cool ad from 1956 featuring Groucho Marx, Jane Wyman, Fred MacMurray and Henry Fonda; it turns out that their paintings were featured as Hallmark Christmas cards that year--in the special "Hollywood Star Box". Who woulda thunk. 

Would have loved to see those. There's always EBAY. Click on the two part scan and enjoy.

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

Now here's a Pepsi ad campaign from 1940 that we've never seen before "Pepsi and Pete"...The Pepsi-Cola cops...click on the photo; with thanks to local collector Amy C.

It seems that one of our prior postings here at Everything Croton - Linda's 2011  'Mushroom and Fairies" Christmas village putz (click on the link http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/01/lindas-amazing-2011-putz.html) has inspired a few of you to create something similar--we've been getting lots of requests for vintage mushrooms supply sources---and so...click on the links http://www.blumchen.com/vintage_florals_mushrooms.html and http://www.meyer-imports.com/index.php?cPath=164&osCsid=2d57963183975815541474563318399e

Diners! Read about and see more classic examples--perfect for putzing and railroad enthusiasts--right here--Banning Enterprises Stella's Diner, the Sunset Diner by Tin Toy Co. of China (Coca-Cola)--and more http://toyconnect.blogspot.com/2013/01/sunset-diner.html 

Old stock vintage metal candy molds--there’s a lot of inspiration here (updated, no longer available at Blumchen)

Boy we sure are getting a lot of "putz questions" in the EverythingCroton mailbag:
Q: "I'd like to make my own cardboard houses, putz. Do you have any supply sources you can share in one place?"
A: Yes we do--right here--a page full of useful info, being updated all the time http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=12&sid=f045de4c447b9342d7c0670acec26d58

Monday, January 21, 2013

PART 2, 1973: CROTON'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY: THE CROTON CORTLANDT NEWS SPECIAL EDITION

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

PART 2 of the Croton-Cortlandt News special edition in honor of the village's 75th Anniversary (August 1973). Click on the photos below; see Part 1 here http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/01/crotons-75th-anniversary-croton.html

You may also have an interest in a 2012 posting here at Everything Croton: the village's Golden Jubilee in 1948; courtesy of The Croton Historical Society http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-croton-memories-2012-crotons.html


MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHINGCROTON

--Wow: this is a really red Christmas ad for Chesterfield Cigarettes, circa late 40's. Click on the photo.

--How wonderful to see the "real thing"; ya gotta love tinplate: the West Bros. E&A Drug Store  http://www.toyconnect.blogspot.com/2013/01/west-bros-e-810-drug-store.html

And if it looks strangely familiar: http://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/buildings/lackie/storefronts/tin_storefronts.htm

--We were delighted when this incredible Shirley Temple 1940 Christmas themed ephemera hit our email over the weekend. For the first time, Shirley plays a mean little girl! Click on the photos below. Enjoy!

Oh...and a little Ed Sullivan on What's My Line http://tomfaranda.typepad.com/folly/2013/01/a-little-ed-sullivan-on-whats-my-line.html

Sunday, January 20, 2013

1973, CROTON'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY: THE CROTON-CORTLANDT NEWS SPECIAL EDITION PART 1

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

About a year ago we were sent some very battered pages from the Croton-Cortlandt News special edition in honor of the village's 75th Anniversary (August 1973). We'll be sharing those restored pages with you over the next few weeks. Here's the first installment; click on the photos below.

You may also have an interest in a 2012 posting here at Everything Croton: the village's Golden Jubilee in 1948; courtesy of The Croton Historical Society http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-croton-memories-2012-crotons.html

Updated: see part 2 of the 75th Anniversary Special Edition here  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/01/part-2-1973-crotons-75th-anniversary.html