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By Terry and Kim Kovel Gustav Stickley has created icons of American design. Inspired by John Ruskin and William Morris of the English Arts and Crafts movement, Stickley started the Craftsman workshop in 1900. He originated what was later called mission furniture, with its simple, sturdy shapes, iron and hammered copper hardware, and emphasis on skilled craftsmanship and practicality instead of decoration. He favored oak because it is strong and heavy. Like the movement in England, Stickley’s style went beyond a furniture brand; it was an entire philosophy. He published a magazine ...

Off the Shelf: Great new reads

I recently enjoyed these new releases and think you might, too! In “The Turnout” by Megan Abbott, sisters Marie and Dara, and Dara’s husband Charlie have been a unit since they were teenagers. They run a small and crumbling ballet studio and live in the sisters’ childhood home, inherited when their parents died. When Marie suddenly and unexpectedly moves out of the house and into the attic of the ballet studio, Dara is confused and concerned. Marie is acting erratically, and when she accidentally sets a small fire in the school with a space heater and gets romantically involved ...

Public Health Corner: Preventing foodborne illnesses during the holidays

Foodborne illness is estimated to impact 1 in 6 Americans per year, and many of these cases end up in hospitalizations and sometimes death. As we prepare for a busy season of holiday gatherings, it is important to be aware of food safety practices in order to prevent foodborne illnesses. The four steps below will help to ensure that the food you prepare and eat does not cause serious illness. The Four Steps 1. Clean: Washing hands is essential to food safety because it prevents germs from spreading. Wash hands for a full 20 seconds before and after making food, as well as before ...

This strange piece of art pottery is a cornucopia vase, popular in the 1930s. It was made by the Roseville Pottery Company. The pattern name is White Rose. Roseville Pottery Company started in Roseville, Ohio, in 1890. A second plant was opened in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1898. White Rose pattern was introduced in the 1940s. White Rose cornucopia vases were made in two sizes, 6 inch (143-6) and 8 inch (144-8). By the late 1940s, there were over 50 shapes in the White Rose pattern glazed in different colors such as sea blue, coral or autumn brown. Reproductions of Roseville pottery have ...

Off the Shelf: Cooking with kids

I love to watch cooking shows. No cuisine is off limits for me nor is there an age restriction for the contestants. In fact, I really like watching kids cook and bake. I am amazed at the skills I have seen these young chefs and bakers display. They are far more talented than I am in the kitchen. At times I wish I had spent more time with culinary arts. I also wish I had spent more time in the kitchen with my children learning how to cook and bake with them. One of my fondest memories with my kids is making sugar cookies at Christmas time. They weren’t the most beautifully decorated and ...

Antiques & Collecting: Advertising posters with ‘fanciful’ illustrations

This 1894 poster could have been made for an Olympic event in the early 1900s or well into the 20th century. Tandem bicycling was a Summer Olympics event in 1908 and then again from 1920 to 1972. Two-rider teams raced for 2,000 meters on tandem bicycles. In 1908, 34 riders from seven countries took part. France won the gold medal. In 1972, the last year before it was dropped, the event included 28 riders from 14 nations. Tandem bicycle races are still part of the Paralympics. This antique bicycle advertising poster sold for $6,600 at Poster Auctions International. It pictures a pair of ...