COCONUT UPDATE & MORE!

-As many of you know, the secret of “coconut”—that wonderful glistening substance on the older Made in Japan putz houses—was finally discovered and is being offered for sale by--our own Pete Oehmen - for years we wondered what it was--and tried in vain to duplicate it without success.

See the earlier article here: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/03/everything-crotons-fabulous-craft-find.html); not long ago we got an update from Pete, which we repeat here again for the benefit of new subscribers to EverythingCroton:

In a nutshell, as he has perfected the process of making Coconut he has noticed that more and more colors are POPPING! Oranges, Reds, Greens, Blues and Yellows are as the originals looked. The new Coconut is as silky and fine as a collector could hope for. He’s even doing metallic Silver and Gold now and getting a lot of requests for pastel colors. They're a little dull but then that is the nature of the lighter shades. Right now he’s having trouble keeping up with orders and at what he is charging, he’s losing money but considers this a learning experience and fun—though he is trying to figure out a way to mass produce the raw product—it takes more than a week to make one batch—and some of the time is spent matching colors that the customer requires. Different dyes, different chemicals for different effects. He’s taking meticulous notes and photos for future reference for collectors that want to take this Coconut making to another level. (To order--and you can discuss colors--and or custom color possibilities with Pete directly--email him at oehmen@sbcglobal.net)

And now...drumroll please...click on the photo to the right; this is a copy of a vintage made in Japan clock tower--crafted by Pete--and covered in the newly discovered "coconut"--as you can see, it is as silky and fine as on the original pieces!

We're just so excited--clearly this just isn't for making "repairs" on old pieces any more! Click the link to see another Pete's clock tower from another angle http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6853212235/in/photostream

--We’ve been spending some time at Family Christmas Online—and enjoying it immensely –here’s a lovely story: Christmas Gifts Gone Awry http://www.familychristmasonline.com/musings/gifts_gone_awry.doc/gifts_gone_awry.htm

2/9/12 UPDATE: THE 1916 SEARS CATALOG

It will be a long time before the 1916 Sears Christmas/Winter catalog is completely scanned for your viewing pleasure...so for now, we'll just let you know when we add large batches to the set.

Please note that the catalog is NOT in any particular order. Whatever pages are falling out or in danger of completely disintegrating--are the ones that get immediate attention.

This update is all about warmth--1916 STYLE--scarves, house jackets, fall and winter coats--ending with a gas hot water heater--and a smattering of baby clothes. Enjoy! Click on the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157625908978489/

THE NATIVITY PROJECT 2011

This lovely set of photos entitled THE NATIVITY PROJECT 2011 is from our friend Brian Apuzzo--it's a collection of assorted nativities he photographed last year, both indoor and out. We thought you'd enjoy seeing them. There are some exceptional pieces here: http://bit.ly/2pYOqLH

There’s also a new article on Family Christmas Online you may enjoy: http://bit.ly/2zOZTNE

And if you like Fontanini—or vintage crèche scenes—there are three pages of links and photos over at http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34

MORE EVERYTHING CROTON'S FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC.

Time for Linda’s 2011 Log cabin Christmas putz photos (loggies)--Click on the photo, then the links: 

10 vintage made in Japan loggies, 4 Karl Fey's (including the church he designed), 1 Howard Lamey (littleglitterhouses.com), 2 American made

SEE MORE HERE:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6835525019/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6835524869/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6835524547/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6835524411/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6835524257/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6835524083/in/photostream/ 

AND...

You never know what you’ll find at Toy Connect: CLICK ON THE LINK FOR the 1958 Marx Zorro Hacienda! http://toyconnect.blogspot.com/2012/02/marx-zorro-garrison-hacienda.html 

SERVICES FOR MARGARET A. ROBINSON

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 very sad to hear the news that Margaret Robinson passed away.  Arrangements are as follows: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Holy Name of Mary Church, 110 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson - Margaret was a true Renaissance woman, a published botanical illustrator, a gifted artist, a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, involved with the Croton Shakespeare company and more; she was also an active parishioner at Holy Name of Mary Church where she served for many years as a Lector. In fact, it was Margaret who first told us about the botanical ephemera available at The Cornelia Cotton Gallery, sparking a life-long love of vintage botaniciana. RIP Margaret.

MORE CROTON MEMORIES 2012: THE 1916 & 1928-1929 CROTON BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS

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 stopped by THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY last week where everyone was working hard on the new exhibit, sorting new material, and more—to take a look at some baseball and basketball photos from the village’s illustrious sports history. The society has an excellent archive, all of it handy at a moment’s notice. Kudos to the volunteers for their ongoing efforts to preserve this part of Croton’s heritage. They do it so well!

With Croton’s basketball team in the news so much these days, we thought you’d enjoy seeing some photos from the 1916 and 1928-1929 teams respectively. Click on the photo to the right to see the 1916 team!

Then click on this link for the 1928-1929 team http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/6829499505/in/photostream Pictured in the back row: Coach Campbell, Albert MacDougall, John Jacobs, Douglas Travis and Dr. T.J. Wagner; in the front row: Aubrey Munson, Carmen Cignarale, John Picciano, Joe Nutall, Joe Kimball

As an added bonus, you can catch a glimpse of what life was like back in 1916 by viewing THE 1916 SEARS CHRISTMAS CATALOG, which we have been scanning little by little here at Everything Croton! http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157625908978489/

TODAY'S EAGLEFEST 2012: CROTON'S EMS

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

While the warm weather and lack of ice kept the eagle sightings to a minimum, there was plenty of story-swapping, fellowship, and great information to be had at the Croton Point, Georges Island and Peekskill Waterfront locations today at Eaglefest 2012. Pictured to the right is Croton's EMS, on hand at Croton Point...just in case...click on the photo.

More photos in the days ahead...

2012 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FREE THROW "DISTRICT WINNERS"

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

2012 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FREE THROW "DISTRICT WINNERS", courtesy of Holy Name
CALEIGH MOORE 10 YEAR OLD CATEGORY
CONNOR JERUTIS 11 YEAR OLD CATEGORY
LUCAS CURREN 13 YEAR OLD CATEGORY
FOR THE 14 YEAR OLD CATEGORY--GIRLS--EMILY HOFFMAN
FOR THE 14 YEAR OLD CATEGORY--BOYS--JACK O'CONNELL