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Antiques & Collecting: Spatterware dates back to the 1700s

It is easy to guess what this is -- a rainbow spatterware water pitcher. But how old is it? Spatterware was first made in the late 1700s in England, but most found today dates from about 1800 to 1850 in Staffordshire, England, made to sell in the United States. Unfortunately, the word “spatterware” now has several meanings, probably because novice collectors didn’t realize there is a difference between spatter and spongeware. Another hazard is that there are fairly good copies of spatterware made today to be used in the kitchen. Experts can tell the old from the new by the shape, ...

Off the Shelf: Reflections on the year

This is my last Off the Shelf of 2020. As 2021 approaches, I’m reflecting on the year that we’ve had, the fantastic staff at the library, and the devoted library patrons in our community. As I mentioned in April, I didn’t think that the future ever held closing a public library, our community gathering space to its patrons, our public. It’s been a year unlike any other for the library. When the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to close in the spring, we found new opportunities in the library to organize contactless pickup, answer reference questions over the phone, find unique ways ...

Family Living Focus: Dealing with grief during the holidays

For many people, the holiday season is a special time of year marked by festive celebrations and gatherings with family and friends. It is a time to look ahead with excitement to the approaching New Year. For those struggling with losses such as the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, health concerns, or challenges related to the pandemic, the holidays are a difficult time full of painful reminders that may magnify their sense of loss. Holiday songs on the radio catch you in the car. Television commercials reflecting Norman Rockwell images of the season come into your living ...

Antiques & Collecting: The Bonzo bank

This vintage bank is easy to date. It is a type of tin bank that is no longer popular and the dog decorating the front was a comic cartoon star from the 1920s to the 1940s. This is the first famous Bonzo. A live dog by that name became famous in the movies years later. Bonzo was first pictured in a British comic strip in 1922, but the bank was made in Germany by Saalheimer & Strauss. The company made toys, especially cars and motorcycles, until it was bought in 1936. The toys had an oval mark with two overlapping S letters on top of the word Success. There are two similar versions of ...

Off the Shelf: Great new books

Like many, over the long Thanksgiving weekend I chose to stay home and celebrate a quieter Thanksgiving than in past years. Although I missed seeing family and friends, I took the opportunity to enjoy a few books in my to-be-read stack. I must say, I chose some winners. David Sedaris’ latest book, “The Best of Me,” collects his favorite essays and stories from throughout his writing career. He is hilarious as ever and many of the selections are about his family. His deep love for his family is obvious, but that doesn’t keep him from sharing intimate and sometimes raw ...

Family Living Focus: Prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it is hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if you know the holidays have taken an emotional toll in previous years. Living during the challenging times of the pandemic could make this holiday season even more special. Tips you can try to head off holiday stress and depression: 1. Acknowledge your feelings. If a loved one has recently died or you are not able to be with your loved ones, realize that it is normal to feel sadness or grief. It is okay now and then to take time just to cry or express ...