By Terry and Kim Kovel Mechanical banks function as both a toy and a useful, even educational, device. Deposit a coin and a figure dances or jumps into the air, an animal swallows the coin, a flag is raised or another action is performed. They entertain children and encourage them to save ...

Memorial Day is a time to both honor individual memories and reflect on American history. Designers have drawn inspiration from American history for over a hundred years. Copies of styles from the early years of the American republic, or the Federal period, have been popular since the 1870s. ...

Collectibles don’t need to be utilitarian. In fact, many of today’s collectibles have a purpose that has been lost to time. For example, how often do you see a toothpick holder in use? Toothpick holders, especially from the 19th century, are miniature examples of the beauty of art glass, ...

Recently I read the book The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. The subjects “baking competition” and “mystery” grabbed my attention. I love cooking and baking shows, as well as cookbooks and cooking so I was intrigued to see how a mysterious puzzle would be woven into a baking competition. ...

Perfume is always a popular Mother’s Day gift. It combines luxury and sentiment — the sense of smell is closely linked to emotion and memory — and lasts much longer than a bouquet of flowers. Perfume bottles are often works of art in and of themselves, increasing their appeal. They are ...

I visited Flandrau State Park recently and was happy to see campers in the campground. It is that time of year when campers come out of storage in preparation for camping season. If you are planning a camping trip, I have just the books for you! “Where Should We Camp Next?: National Parks: ...