The Wonderful World of Evergleam

I haven't posted for quite a while (long story, perhaps for another time) so I hope you're all still out there reading.  For my part, I will say it's good to be back.

Several years back, celebrated local art photographers, Julie Lindemann and Johnie Shimon, published Season's Gleamings, known locally as "the little pink book".  Their fascination with the Evergleam trees culminated with a stunning collection of tree portraits.

Now, Theron Georges, a Texas pilot, has given us a compliment to that book.  The Wonderful World of Evergleam features full color photos, along with a myriad of well researched information on everything from production specs to advertising.  He even includes tips on how to spot a phony evergleam.

Did you know....

Instructions for Assembly of Stainless Aluminum Christmas Tress cautions: DO NOT DECORATE THE TREE WITH 

STRINGS OF LIGHTS.  

THE HANGING CORDS MARS ITS BEAUTY...

The branches should always be handled by the stem end only and the tree should be stored "meticulously"

The trees were manufactured from 1959-1971 - 12 years

The holiday favorite "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is blamed by some for the demise of the aluminum tree

Trees had individual styles and names.  For example "Blue Frost" bears a resemblance to the ermine spot pattern seen in age-old royalty portraiture

And...did you know there was an unofficial song written by several of the line-workers.  You can sing along to the tune of "Glow Little Glow Worm".

This book is packed with facts, photos and memories.  So, how does a guy from Texas come to write about something so unique to Manitowoc?  You'll have to read the book to find out.

Shameless plug...these will go fast so message me on FaceBook or call to reserve a copy (682.7040).  Only $29.95 for this beautiful,keepsake book, in a protective slipcover.

Off to a Trade Show

It's trade show time!  This year we get to go to the big one...the whopper...the mother of all trade shows...Book Expo America!  This is an international trade show and is usually in New York.  This year, it's in Chicago.  So....

LaDeDa will be closed

Thursday, May 12

and 

Friday May 13

We'll be back on Saturday at 10:00

Spirit of the Rivers

Last week my friend Karen and I peeped into the windows of Skip Wallen's studio where he and his brother are working diligently on an impressive piece of public art. We sure were surprised when Skip unlocked the door and allowed to to nose around.  

Although I am not fond of the overused word "awesome" that seems to be the most appropriate description of what we saw that day.  Awe.  The photo at the left is a prototype of what will eventually be a 16 foot sculpture paying homage to the Lakeshore's early history.  I spent a long time simply looking into the emotional faces that had emerged from once stoic and unformed blocks of clay.  Skip has coaxed life from something lifeless.  The monument is scheduled to be completed in 2016.    Here's a bit of information from the Spirit of the Rivers web page -

Spirit of the Rivers is a monumental bronze sculpture group to be situated on the Lake Michigan shore between Manitowoc and Two Rivers, Wisconsin.  Celebrating the culture and history of the earliest inhabitants, the monument reminds us that people lived on this shore for countless generations before the first axe struck timber to develop our present cities.  The birch bark canoe, held aloft upon the shoulders of the portageur, stands as a tribute to the first vessels to ply these waters and foreshadows our rich maritime history.

The beauty and grandeur of Spirit of the Rivers will bring pride to area residents and attract visitors to our lakefront for generations to come. It will be a newsworthy undertaking as a collaborative public art project between the cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers and serve as an educational resource for the communities.

For more information and additonal pictures of the work in progress go to www.spiritoftherivers.org

In celebration of the project, the Spirit of the Rivers Educational Committee is hosting author Helen Frost who will speak about the connection between the diamond willow and the monument.

October 23

Spirit of the Rivers Studio

822 Franklin Street

6:30-8:80

We have books in stock and will be at the event 

selling books with Helen.

What am I reading?  "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" -a Hemingway short story that seems so familiar that I think I read it in the recent past...or is is simply that all Hemingway mean and women share similar characteristics?

28 Lessons We Can Learn from Pride & Prejudice

This seemed too good to pass up, so instead of an origianl post, I am sharing this one from the good folks at Bas Bleu.

Today marks the 202^nd anniversary of Pride and Prejudice’s publication, a cultural milestone that almost never was thanks to a dismissive publisher who rejected Jane Austen’s manuscript First Impressions in 1797. Sixteen years later, Thomas Egerton bought the rights to Pride and Prejudice for just £110…and the rest, as they say, is literary history. So today, the twenty-eighth day of January, in honor of P&P’s birthday, Bas Bleu is sharing our list of twenty-eight life lessons we learned from Miss Austen, Lizzie Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and, yes, even Mr. Wickham.

1. Beware of truths universally acknowledged.

2. Be persistent in the face of rejection.
3. There is great joy in a long walk.
4. Don’t set too much stock in first impressions.
5. There are worse things than being single…like being married to Mr. Collins.
6. A six-hour movie isn’t too long if it’s the right story.
7. You can learn a lot about a man by the way he treats his sister.
8. You can’t hide in the library forever.
9. Sharp wit and a pair of fine eyes are worth far more than an expensive dress.
10. The man of your dreams will love you even when you have a terrible cold.
11. When in doubt, say it in a letter.
12. Never play dumb to attract a man.
13. Don’t make important life choices just to soothe your mother’s nerves.
14. Men, always keep your home ready for unexpected guests. You never know when the love of your life will show up.
15. Bad boys are not worth it.
16. Gorge all you want at a banquet as long as you’re wearing an empire-waist dress.
17. It’s not the end of the world if your little sister gets married before you do.
18. A dashing uniform does not make the man.
19. “Obstinate, headstrong girl!” really is a compliment.
20. Don’t be stingy about giving others a second chance. You never know when your own happiness may depend on one.
21. When it comes to a man’s library, size matters.
22. An intelligent woman should never tolerate a disrespectful man…no matter how rich he is.
23. A great love story is always in style.
24. It really is a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.
25. Marrying your true love means marrying his or her entire family.
26. Men may leave you, but your sisters never will.
27. Happy relationships are based on more than romance.

28. Colin Firth then, Colin Firth now, Colin Firth forever.

Be Thankful

When Abraham Lincoln declared a National day of Thanksgiving on October 3, 1863, he could only dream that someday the holiday would coincide with Hanukkah.

This year his dream has come true.  

Celebrate America!