ANOTHER FAB VINTAGE POSTING COURTESY OF THE LATE MARION COSTELLO: 1950'S, LUCILLE BALL

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

We've spoken many times about the late Marion Costello here at Everything Croton--her absence is still keenly felt on Grand Street--and at Holy Name of Mary where she was a tireless volunteer. Her generous contributions of vintage magazines, newspaper clippings, and other ephemera have--and will--enrich the pages of EverythingCroton for years to come. (You can see the scans from her vintage Playbill collection here--that lady loved the theatre! See http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157625987345133/with/4331150158/) 

And television too! She was a big fan of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; here are some scans from her clippings file, a side of Lucy and Desi you've probably never seen before. Click on the photos below and smile with us. We feel certain Marion is doing the same from way on high.

You may also have an interest in http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-late-marion-costello-wildflowers.html

SELECTED PAGES FROM THE 1975 SEARS SPRING SUMMER CATALOG

It has often been said that the 1970's produced some of the most tasteless fashions and home decor ever to grace a department store shelf.

And going through the 1975 Sears Spring Summer catalog that we found today at a local tag sale surely reinforces that premise. 

After thumbing through pages and pages of polyester, shag rugs, and "mod prints" (and laughing our proverbial rears off), we finally came across some lighting that actually might withstand the test of time in the right setting or with some modification (like swapping out the ugly overdone lampshades that were popular at the time--the 70's definitely produced some of the most hideous shades). Then there were lighting examples that had positively no redeeming qualities at all! Click on the photos....enjoy...and stay tuned for more...You may also have an interest in the updated Flickr slideshow Stuck in the 70's at http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/08/stuck-in-70s.html

ATTENTION ALL THOSE M&M'S CHARACTER COLLECTORS OUT THERE

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

Croton's M&M's character collectors (and yes there are quite a few!) can find the 2013 Valentine's edition at CVS. Complete with ooh-la-la mustache,  carrying flowers and a heart, atop a tube of m&m's of course....click on the photo. Yes, we've already bought two for giving and one for keeping...

UPDATED: SEE THE 2014 EDITION HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-attention-all-those-m-character.html

A RARE VINTAGE LIFESAVERS CANDY AD, COURTESY OF TONI & THE 2012 ASBURY TAG SALE

Just when you think you know everything about Lifesavers candy...

We had to smile when Toni sent us this 1930 LifeSavers ad that included flavors we never knew they produced before--and that have gone the way of the dinosaur: VIOLET, LICORICE and CLOVE. Click on the ad. Enjoy! 

p.s. She found the ad in an old magazine from the 2012 Asbury Methodist Spring Tag Sale--clearly that was one that got away from us! You can see some photos from the sale here: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/04/photos-from-great-asbury-methodist-tag.html

GOOD-BYE & THANK YOU FROM LISA PRIMEGGIA, GROOVY ON GRAND THE SHOP

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

The following letter appears in this week's Gazette (1/17-1/23/13). It is re-printed here with permission. Once again, we urge you all to shop local.

To the editor:

GROOVY ON GRAND, THE SHOP, located at 119 Grand Street here in Croton, will be closing its doors. It was a pleasure serving this community since 2006.

All merchandise and fixtures will be for sale at a deep discount. If you have a Groovy on Grand gift card, please come in and redeem it.

As more and more people shop online and in  big box stores, it becomes more and more difficult for the local shop to be successful. Support your local shops so that they can stay in business.

Groovy on Grand Design Studio and Camp Groovy on Grand located at 122 Grand Street will continue to crank out grooviness.

Thanks to Lenny Amicola, the BEST landlord in the world, for everything.

Peace & Love, Lisa Primeggia  

UPDATED: GROOVY ON GRAND DESIGN STUDIO HAS CLOSED.

FROM THE EVERYTHINGCROTON "PUTZ" REQUESTS MAILBAG

We received a very interesting note from a reader today--and yes: we knew just what to do... 

“A reader asks: I live in a coastal New England tourist town that gets snow and hard winters and would like my Christmas putz village to reflect these surroundings. Any patterns or putz available for those of us who would want to include more “beachy” houses sprinkled with snow? I’ve already made a lighthouse and a sandy/snowy platform with faux ocean and an icy shore. Now all I need is the town. I don't mind buying new houses and would like some options, but I'd also love some DIY patterns. Can you help?” 

Well Martha, you are in luck. Check out Building Sea Side Storefronts by Howard Lamey and Paul Race for BIGINDOORTRAINS.COM. (They have a faux vintage tinplate look but we think you'll find some inspiration there.) Click on the link: http://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/buildings/lackie/seaside_storefronts/seaside_storefronts.htm 

And as for "seaside putz", boy have we some options for you, courtesy of putz artisan Howard Lamey of www.littleglitterhouses.com.  Doubtless you'll also be more inspired when you get there. Click on the link but FIRST, click on the photos below. And the last "seaside" scene shown for even more inspiration comes from the amazing vintage made in Japan putz mantles of Antoinette Stockenberg--this one is from her 2008 mantle. See all of Antoinette's Christmas putz mantles here: http://www.antoinettestockenberg.com/xmas.htm 

And for DIY putz cardboard house templates and patterns, here's the motherlode of links, courtesy of CardboardChristmas.Com - http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=d4e2d195e1b0b49a3d1e54dc2fe7f2f8

All rights reserved Littleglitterhouses.com

All rights reserved Littleglitterhouses.com

All rights reserved Antoinette Stockenberg

A BIT OF VINTAGE VALENTINE HEAVEN, AN OLD FIND FROM THE CORNELIA COTTON GALLERY

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 couldn't resist sharing this vintage Valentine's Day advertisement we found in an old magazine at the Cornelia Cotton Gallery back in 2001. It has all the bells and whistles---it's a 1945 wartime ad, featuring a very grown up Shirley Temple, a Lane cedar chest, and all those post-war hopes and dreams.  In three parts so you can read the content easier...click on the photos below.

The Cornelia Cotton Gallery--ephemera, orphan photos, art and more. 111 Grand Street, 271-6802.

You may also have an interest in her book, "Stepping Stones"; read more here  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/12/martin-smolin-on-cornelia-cottons-book.html

 

CROTON'S CHRIS TRAVER NAMED INTEL SEMIFINALIST

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

Congratulations to Croton-Harmon High School (CHHS) senior Chris Traver for being named a semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search (STS). The Intel STS is the nation’s most prestigious science research competition for high school seniors. 

THE VINTAGE CROTON HISTORIAN: CHHS STUDENT GROUPS, FALL 2007 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.

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 2007 edition– CROTON HARMON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GROUPS. Click on the photos below. 

For more info, visit  https://www.crotonhistoricalsociety.org/

DOZENS ARRESTED IN MOB CARTING CASE

JOURNAL NEWS: More than 30 people from three mob families were arrested this morning by FBI agents, Westchester County police and New York City police after a long-term investigation into the carting industry. Links won't last forever.

Also see  http://newyork.newsday.com/news/new-york/fbi-raids-net-30-reputed-mafia-members-in-westchester-nyc-officials-say-1.4454750

1/17 UPDATED 
http://www.lohud.com/article/20130117/NEWS05/301170067/Ex-trooper-among-10-region-charged-mob-trash-hauling-probe

1ST SNOWFALL OF 2013: THE CHRISTMAS TREE AT VASSALLO PARK

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

Yes we know that snow can be a right pain in the...but you have to admit that the Vassallo Park Christmas tree, still donning it's holiday finery, is never more beautiful than it is in the snow.

Click on the photo. Or see a higher resolution copy here http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/8386848200/

p.s. Your dependable business community is out there--open and ready--the Dairy Mart, LaMonica's, Grouchy Gabe, the Black Cow, Baked by Susan, Giovanni's, Mike's "German" Deli, J&J's, the Croton Mini Deli and more--with coffee, rolls, the paper and...more.

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHINGCROTON

--Love this 1933 Butterfinger ad; it's hard to imagine anything being a nickel these days..OR a penny--click on the photo.

--The jury's still out for us on the putz houses known as "haciendas" -- sometimes we like them, sometimes we don't--but some folks can't get enough of them; we've posted a few over at http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=282 

--We've found an interesting site: Jacqueline Wagner, features objects made out of paper, foamboard, whatever. Here's the how to for a "caravan"--now can't you imagine this as a putz being pulled by a little old fashioned car; we can! Instructions here: http://www.wagner.de.com/blog/how-to-build-a-caravan/ 

Oh and a charming paper owl; very retro 1960's http://www.wagner.de.com/blog/charming-paper-owls/

--Well for most of us, the vintage Christmas is packed away, including those wonderful cardboard house putz villages we all love. But you know vintage Christmas collectors--we're already thinking about what we'll do differently in 2013!  For example a friend is already planning the effect of a tree with village surrounded by retro dolls and toys to complete the picture...so...we're on the hunt for retro toy repros: 

Check this out, a 1930's retro ride tin carousel http://www.misternostalgia.zoovy.com/product/ROCK2/ROCKET-RIDE-CAROUSEL-1930s-TIN-TOY-Reproduction-NEW.html or how about tiddlywinks http://www.misternostalgia.zoovy.com/product/TIDD1/TIDDLEDY-WINKS-Classic-Retro-Game-NEW-Schylling-Toys.html or a tin bi-plane http://www.misternostalgia.zoovy.com/product/CURT1/CURTISS-Bi-Plane-Retro-1930s-Tin-Toy-Collectible-NEW.html or...what the heck just go to Mr. Nostalgia http://www.misternostalgia.zoovy.com/c=9T1eR79UwI1G5be9bqest9KQ9/category/toys/

Now if you're a purist and have to have the REAL thing, there's always the upcoming Serioustoyz auction; you can see a preview here www.serioustoyz.com - the auction's been delayed (we heard it was the flu)

By the way, the Mr. Nostalgia site also has old new stock from Radko's Shiny Brite collection, including their putz houses...and some from Bethany Lowe http://www.misternostalgia.zoovy.com/category/christmas.villages/

A NEW PUTZ HOUSE RESOURCE WEBSITE...TWEEKED AND READY TO GO!

DRUMROLL PLEASE... Pete Oehmen's site is up and running full force! "The World of Collecting Cardboard Putz Houses"

Welcome, fellow enthusiasts. This new website is dedicated to the collection and preservation of little cardboard putz houses - those little light-strand-powered communities that graced millions of homes every Christmas between 1928 and the mid-sixties. Click on the link for more: http://cardboardputzhouses.com/

2013: YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: ZORRO!

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

One of the most popular 2012 series here at EverythingCroton was the "YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND AT THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY" series. (You can see an index for 2012 HERE) 

So...as promised and back by popular demand, we've re-started the series for 2013....

Because the archives at the Society are not only filled with Croton's history but collections of ephemera and what-nots, the stuff of future exhibits. 

 

This week, from the newspaper and magazine files, a 1958 article on ZORRO! Click on the photos.