Here's To You

Here's wishing you more happiness

Than all my words can tell

Not just alone for New Years Eve

But for all the year as well.

Bearwiskers says... Happy New Year!

Times Square

The address is one Times Square and expect one million people watch the ball drop to say farewell to 2010. The first party at Times Square was in 1904 with fireworks, and in 1907 a large illuminated iron and wood ball was lowered.

Happy Year Year.

Black Eyed Peas

A lucky food on New Year's in the south is black eyed peas, but don't eat chicken or turkey because they will fate you to scratch in the dirt all year, bring poverty upon yourself. Eat pork - because poultry scratches backwards, a cow stands still, but a pig roots forward.
Bearwiskers says... Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish song first published by poet Robert Burns in 1796. Band leader Guy Lombardo popularizes the song and turned it into a New Year's tradition. Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians played the song on New Year's Eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City in 1929, and a tradition was born.
Bearwiskers has stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel, and it is a great hotel in a great city. If you see Guy Lombardo at the Roosevelt Hotel this New Years Eve, say hello for me.

Happy Year Year

First Footing

In Britain the custom of first footing is practiced. The first male visitor to the house after midnight usually brings good luck for the new year. Usually they bring gifts like money, coal or food to ensure the family will have plenty of these things all year. Make sure the first person is not blond, red haired or a women as these people are supposedly bad luck.
What about teddy bears? Happy New Year.

Of Thee I Sing

1931 George Gershwin's musical "Of Thee I Sing" opens in New York City and goes on to win the first Pulitzer awarded in America.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all

Merry Christmas!



Merry Christmas Eve

Santa is on his way. Have you been naughty or nice? Is the tree decorated, the presents wrapped? Have you started the cooking for the Christmas dinner? Are you going to church tonight, or maybe have a quiet evening with the family? How about a Christmas movie?
Bearwiskers says... Merry Christmas all.

1958 #1 Song

Yep - you got it - the Chipmunk Song was #1 today in 1958. Song by David Seville and the Chipmunks. Christmas time is here.... All I want is a Hula Hoop!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Australia

A typical Christmas menu in Australia will include seafood, glazed ham, cold chicken, duck or turkey, cold deli meats, pasta, salad, desserts, fruit salad, pavovas, ice cream, mince pies and fruit cake. Bearwiskers says... Yum Yum.
Remember that Christmas down under is summer time, warm weather, sunny skies, wow let's go!

First Day Of Winter

First day of winter, a special day, a lunar eclipse, the shortest day of the year, the celebration of Dong Zhi in China, Makar Sankrani in India, Germanic Yule Festival. Wait there's more, the mistletoe is cut and hung in the door for good luck.
If you see Bearwiskers... Give him a BIG hug, it's his special day too.

Coooold

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite!

En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!

The Pennsylvania Germans in the Amish Country have a rich history of old and new traditions. Have you seen the Moravian Star, a 26 pointed star originated in Niesky, Germany, and can be seen on many porches of Litiz, Pa.
Did you know that the first mention of a Christmas tree is found in the 1821 diary of Matthew Zahn, who lived in Lancaster, Pa.? The Christmas tree tradition was brought to America by the German settlers, and maybe Lancaster, Pa. is the home of the first Christmas tree in the United States.
Bearwiskers says... Merry Christmas all.

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Don't forget to put a candle in the window, to welcome Joseph and Mary. After the Irish Christmas meal, a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a picture of milk and a large lit candle was placed on the table, and the door was left unlocked so that Joseph and Mary, or any wandering traveller, could avail themselves of the welcome.
Bearwiskers says... Don't forget the soda bread and mince pies - Yum Yum!

·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

New Teddy Bear tubes have been released at ·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

5 singles........... including
Please go check them out!

Buone Feste Natalize

Let's go to Italy to see the elaborate manger scenes or Cribs. The most beautiful Cribs or set up in churches and people go from church to church and compare the display and Cribs.
Don't forget to set out the children's shoes in the hope that La Bafana, the female Santa Claus will fill them with toys, fruit and candy. Bearwiskers says... pass the Spumetti, Yum Yum.

Kellemes Karacsoni Unnepeket

Hungary has lots of Christmas traditions, the season starts with advent - waiting for Jesus. Christmas is a family affair, and usually the meal is fish or cabbage with special poppy bread called beigli. In Hungary, St. Nicholas is known as Mikulas, and visits childers accompanied with the Devil. There are small gifts for the good childern, but the Devil has a switch made of dry twigs to hit the naughty childern.

Kala Christouyenna

Hronia pola! In Greece a fasting period of up to 40 days before Christmas, mostly for religious reasons and also a healthful practice, would prepare everyone for the Christmas cookies. An older custom was that every family would raise a pig, or hiros, and would be served as the main dish on Christmas. Children sing carols, kalanda, from house to house, and are rewarded with sweets and candy. The word carol comes from a Greek dance called a choraulein, which was accompanied by flute music.
Bearwiskers says... Bring on the melomacarona cookies! Yum Yum

Frohliche Weihnachten

Let's all go to the Weihnachtsmarkte, or the German Christmas Market, and listen to the brass band, have apple cider and some stollen or sugar roasted almonds. Christmas markets date back to the 14th century and are the place to be. The most famous Christmas market is the Nurnberger Christkindlesmarkt, which is at least 375 years old, and has over 200 vendors each year.
Bearwiskers says... lassen Sie uns gehen!

Saint Lucy Day

Today we celebrate Saint Lucy Day. Usually celebrated in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Malta, Italy, Bosnia, Bavaria, Croatia and Slovakia. Saint Lucy is also celebrated in the Bearwiskers house in the United Stated. Saint Lucy comes as a young woman with lights and sweets. What a great day! Merry Christmas Y'all!

Joyeux Noel

French children put their shoes in front of the fireplace, in hopes that Pere Noel will fill them with gifts. Enjoy le reveillon, a symbolic awakening to the meaning of Christ's birth, and is the culinary high point of the season. Bearwiskers likes the traditional desserts - la buche de Noel, le pain calendeau, la galette des rois. Yum Yum! Don't forget the telling of the Marveiles qui advinrent en la Saint Nuit.

·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

New Teddy Bear tubes have been released at ·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·


A New Package was released at My Tag Art! HC Pack 8

Please go check them out!

Hyvaa Joulua

The Finnish Christmas is celebrated on December 24th. Most Finns have a tradition of going to sauna to start the celebrations of the evening. Then it's a family get together for Christmas dinner and maybe the reading of the Christmas gospel by St. Luke, describing the events at the time of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas - the time when everyone gets Santamental.

Glaedelig Jul og godt nytar

The main festival of the year in Denmark is Christmas. A month long calendar candy giving is one of Bearwiskers favorite Denmark traditions. Yum Yum

Feliz Natal

Papai Noel is the gift bringer in Brazil, and according to legend, he lives in Greenland. When Papai Noel arrives in Brazil he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat. I hope he brings a teddy bear for me.

A Date Which Will Live In Infamy

December 7, 1941, more than 2,300 Americans die at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii after a sneak attack, an air raid from Japan. This was the tipping point which brought the United States into World War Two. God Bless the brave men and women who served in our Armed Forces at this time, and God Bless our troops who serve today.

My father and father in law were at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, at the time of the attack.

God Bless America

·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

New Teddy Bears have been released at ·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·


A New Package was released at My Tag Art!

Please go check them out!

Tchestita Koleada

Why does Santa have 3 gardens?
So he can Ho Ho Ho

Breakfast

What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Snowflakes.

Feliz Navidad

TY Santa's Net

Savings

December 2, 1816, the first savings bank in the U.S. opens in Philadelphia, Pa. The PSFS bank...wow.
Bearwiskers says... people were savings up for a Merry Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Today starts the Christmas Season in the Bearwiskers household. Merry Christmas to all!

Happy December

December 1, 2010 is the first day of December (LOL - I had to do that). Bearwiskers says... Happy December All.

A Study in Scarlet

December 1, 1824, Sherlock Holmes appears for the first time in the story "A Study in Scarlet".

Computer Security Day

This annual event, started in 1988 and held around the world, is held to raise awareness of computer related security issues. There is lots we can do, but we have to be proactive, have a anti virus program, firewalls and strong passwords. Bearwiskers says... safeguard your data!

Teddy Bears

How do teddy bears keep their houses cool in the summer?
They use bear conditioning.

December Reading List

Here is my December Reading List:


Hercule Poirot's Christmas: A Holiday Mystery by Agatha Christie
Decked with Folly (Special Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery Series) by Kate Kingsbury
Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen Series) by Joanne Fluke
Christmas Cookie Murder (Lucy Stone Series) by Leslie Meier
Still Life (Armand Gamache Series) by Louise Penny
A Fatal Grace (Armand Gamache Series) by Louise Penny
Sugar and Spice by Fern Michaels, Beverly Barton, Joanne Fluke, and Shirley Jump
Holiday Magic by Fern Michaels
The Cat, the Professor and the Poison (Cats in Trouble Mystery)  by Leann Sweeney

Meet Me In St. Louis

On November 28, 1944, the musical Meet Me In St. Louis premiers in New York, starring Judy Garland. Bearwiskers says... if you want to meet me in St. Louis, why are you in New York?

I Didn't Know That!

November 27, 1779, the College of Pennsylvania becomes the University of Pennsylvania, the first university in America.

Left Overs?

Got Any Left Overs?

We ate out so all we have is pie!

giggles........

We have a traditional Pumpkin Pie

and

this Low Carb/Sugar Free one.

(the crust is ground walnuts)

The Price is Right

Premiering today in 1956, The Price is Right on NBC, with Bill Cullen and Don Pardo is a great favorite TV game show. The Price is Right moved to ABC in September 1963. In September 1965, The Price is Right was replaced by a talk show, The Young Set. In September 1972 the show was back on TV with the great Bob Barker and Johnny Olson (replaced by Ron Roddy after Johnny's death). Drew Cary took over hosting in 2007 and has done a great job with bigger prizes, more money and a faster pace. Bearwiskers says.. Come On Down, watch the Price is Right and have some fun.

Happy Thanksgiving

Bearwiskers says...

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

Thanksgiving

"I want people to know that in every life there are storms. But we must remember to play after every storm and to celebrate the gift of life as we have it, or else life becomes a task, rather than a gift".
13 year old poet Mattie Stepanek, who succumbed to to the disease of muscular dystrophy. Bearwiskers says... thank you Mattie.

Happy Cranberry Day

Yep, it's Cranberry Day! Native to North America, cranberries are grown in bogs, mostly in New England. They are a great snack and are used in dyes. I'll have some cranberry juice today, but wait till that great Holiday - Turkey Day - to have my cranberries.

Where Were You

November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot as he rode in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. I was at 47 th and Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. Do you remember where you were?

Hello

Today is World Hello Day, just say hello to someone, or bonjour, hallo, hola, yeia' oou, ciao, ola', or as Bearwiskers says... hi y'all!

Smile

A smile is a window in your face to show your heart is at home

·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

New Teddy Bears have been released at ·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

1 Package was released at My Tag Art today!
Please go check them out!

President Lincoln November 19, 1863

The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom— and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

God Bless America

Playing in the mud

My honeybear is a water sign, I'm a earth sign, together we make mud!
I love playing in the mud.

K-Mart / Sears

On November 17, 2004, K-Mart announced that it was buying Sears, Roebuck & Co.
In 1893, Richard Warren Sears and Alvah C. Roebuck joined together to sell watches through mail order catalogues in Chicago, Illinois. The first Sears catalogue was published in 1888, and by 1894 the catalog grew to 322 pages. The first Sears store opened on February 2, 1925 in Chicago next to company headquarters, and the first free standing Sears retail store opened on October 5, 1925, in Evansville, Indiana. Bearwiskers and Angel Bear have both worked at Sears many moons ago.

Have a Party With Your teddy Bear Day

Yep, Have a party with your teddy bear is held on November 16 every year! Invite other teddy bears, bake a cake, play twister. Sounds like a great day. Bearwiskers says... PARTY

Sadie Hawkins Day

Started by Al Capp on November 15, 1937, in his comic strip, Sadie Hawkins was the homeliest gal in in the hills. Her father worried that Sadie would never find a husband, so he started a race where the unmarried women chased bachelors.If a women caught one of the slowpoke men, he would have to marry the lucky dame.
TY Al Capp

Largest Bear?

It's close, but the Polar Bear is considered the largest bear. The brown bear, specifically the Kodiak Bear might be larger but not the heaviest. Bearwiskers says... I wouldn't want to feed them porridge every day.

Happy Birthday Holland Tunnel

The Holland Tunnel opened on November 13, 1883. It was the first fixed vehicular crossing between New York and New Jersey. The first non official through the Holland Tunnel was a truck making a delivery to Bloomingdale's. The toll was $.50 and the tunnel cost 48 million to build. As of 2003 the tunnel has made 378,057,000 million. The tunnel was named after Clifford Milburn Holland, the designer of the tunnel.

Drive Through Please

The first drive through? the City Center Bank in Syracuse, NY in 1928! On November 12. 1946, drive through banking service starts at the Exchange National Bank of Chicago, Illinois. The first drive through food service goes to Red's Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri in 1947. Today you can get just about anything at a drive through.

Veterans Day

Today we honor our Veterans. Thank you for your service. Bearwiskers says ... God Bless our Troops and God Bless America.

·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·

My Christmas Bears have been released at ·:♥ My Tag Art ♥:·


2 Packages and 3 new Singles have been released at My Tag Art today!
Please go check them out!

Semper Fidelis

Always Faithful, the United States Marines was formed on November 9, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pa. The USMC has about 205,000 active duty Marines and about 40,000 reserve Marines. The USMC traces its roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War. Bearwiskers says... God bless the USMC and all the fine men and women who protect the citizens of the United States, the greatest country in the world.

Wir Wollen Raus

We want out, so on November 9, 1989, the wall came down, the Berlin wall. On April 1, 1952, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had ordered the open inner German border closed and a barbed wire fence was erected. Over the next few years, 1961, some says Nikita Khrushev, wanted a proper wall built, and on August 17 the first large blocks were put into place.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall", was said by President Reagan on 12 June 1987, on the 750 th anniversary of Berlin. On November 9, 1989 the brave people of Berlin did just that and Berlin was reunited.

Happy Birthday Montana

On November 8, 1889, Montana entered the Union as the 41st state. Much of the great state of Montana was acquired in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. There are lots of teddy bear lovers in Montana.

Time To Change Your Clocks!

Did you change your clocks?

Here where we live - we set our clocks back an hour.

Spring Forward

Fall Back

Do you change your clocks before you go to bed or in the morning after you get up?

LOL - I always seem to forget one......

3 - 2 - 1 - go

How do you start a teddy bear race?

Ready, Teddy, Go!

John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa was born today, November 6, 1854 in Washington, DC. When Sousa was 13 he wanted to join a circus band. To prevent this, his parents enlisted him in the U.S. Marine Corps as an apprentice musician. Sousa was a band master and composer of military marches and the sousaphone. Sousa wrote 136 marches including: Semper Fidelis, the official march of the U.S. Marines Corps, Stars and Strips Forever, the National march of the United States. Bearwiskers says... Hoorah!

Happy Birthday Leonard Slye

Roy Rogers, born Leonard Slye on November 5, 1911 in Duck Run, Ohio. Remember Dale Evans, Trigger, Bullet, Sons of the Pioneers? Roy was in lots of movies and TV shows. His first movie was in Slightly Static in 1935 and 12 other movies where he was uncredited. In 1938, his first movie as Roy Rogers was Under Western Stars. Bullet was stuffed and sold for $35,000 (I didn't know that), and Trigger was stuffed and sold for.... ready for this .... $266,000. Dale's stuffed horse Buttermilk sold for $25,000. Bearwiskers says... Wow.

How'd you get so funky?

How'd you get so funky, Did you do the monkey, Born in Arizona, Moved to Babylonia -
King Tut
Today we celebrate the discovery of King Tut on November 4, 1922, in the valley of the kings in Egypt. Today, King Tutankhamun is on tour in the US, with his show now in Denver and going to NY City and St. Paul, MN next year. King Tut.

TY John Montague

Today is National Sandwich Day, and Bearwiskers is planning to have one for lunch. Credit for the sandwich go to John Montague, Fourth Earl of Sandwich. Sandwich, Kent, England, is a historic town on the Stour River. The first elephant was landed near Sandwich in 1255, a gift from the King of France to the English Monarch Henry III. The elephant was taken on foot to the King's Zoo at the Tower of London. As the elephant was walking, a bull attacked the elephant, and with one move, the bull was thrown by the elephant and killed. Bearwiskers says... wow.

Teddy Bear Graphics

I thought I would give you a sneak peek of one of the Teddy Bear Graphics I made and just sent to My Tag Art.

My Tag Art released 30 of my Teddy Bear Graphics in October.... did you see them? Go to My Tag Art to see them!
You will see more bears later this month......... :0)

November Reading List

Here is my November Reading List:

Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke - Hannah Swensen Series
Merry Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart - Bailey Ruth Series
Back to School Murder by Leslie Meier - Lucy Stone Series
The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney - Cats in Trouble Series
The Search by Nora Roberts
Irish Lace by Father Andrew M. Greeley - Nuala Anne McGrail series
Boardwalk Empire by Nelson Johnson
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz - The Spellman Files

I am reading The Search right now.

Happy Birthday North Dakota and South Dakota

North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the Union on November 2, 1889. There are lots of teddy bear lovers in the Dakotas!

Another British Invasion

On November 1, 1964, another British invasion band is seen on the Ed Sullivan Show. The Dave Clark Five, a clean cut band visibly relieves the host who was still suffering from a Rolling Stones riot a few days earlier. After the band plays "Glad All Over", Ed goes out of his way to tag them as "nice neat boys".

Bearwiskers says... Happy Birthday Micky

Boo!

Halloween is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Halloween has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain (summers end), and the Christian holiday of All Saints Day.
Halloween is a special day in the Bearwiskers household, its when he and his Angelbear met.
Bearwiskers says... Cool!

War of The Worlds

It's October 30, 1938 and we are sitting around the radio listening to our favorite program. All of a sudden the radio announcer brakes into our programming saying that Space Ships have been sighted landing on earth! Orson Wells caused mass hysteria and frightened tens of thousands of listeners to flee from their homes and start praying when War of the World aired on Radio. The play was so good that people mistook it for the real thing.

Today people would be out there with their camera phones and it would be up on utube instantly!

Eye reporters would be on the spot reporting and Saturday Night Live would have a comic spot about it on their next show. Bearwiskers says... bring on the martians. Hey wait, didn't I see martians at Walmart the other day?

Frankenstein Friday

Today we celebrate Frankenstein Friday, a fun day to remember one of the best known horror characters and his creator, Mary Wollenstonecraft Shelly. Mary wrote the Frankenstein story in 1818, at the age of 21.

Did you know that Saint Frankenstein Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Transylvania, Molvania and Latveria?

What a day for the mad scientist of the world.

Bearwiskers says... TY Ron Macloskey of Westfield, NJ, who started this holiday in 1997.

My Tag Art has new release

·:♥ Five new Singles have been released at My Tag Art ♥:·

Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, presented to the United States by the people of France, was dedicated on October 28, 1886. The Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom throughout the world. Bearwiskers says... God Bless America and thank you to the freedom loving people of the great nation of France. USA USA USA

Macy's

Rowland Hussey Macy open his "fancy dry goods store" today in 1858 at 204-206 6th Avenue and 14th Street, NY. In 1862 Macy's set a new store standard with the first in-store Santa. Elaborate store window displays (another first) appear in 1864. Macy's moves to a new store at 34th and Herald Square, and has 33 elevators and 4 escalators, the first American store to use them. The original wooden escalators are still working in that store. Bearwiskers says... Macy's is a great American department store, and want to visit the Macy's store in NY city!

TY Macy's Milestones

National Pumpkin Day

Celebrate National Pumpkin Day, one of Bearwiskers favorites! Pumpkin means large melon in Greek. The oldest known evidence of this fruit dates back to 7000 to 5500 B.C. Bearwiskers just had great tasting pumpkin pie, Yum Yum.

Nuke It!

The Tappen Company introduced the first home use micro wave oven today in 1955. It was an micro wave oven at 24 inches wide and cost $1,200. The Tappen Company started out in 1881 as the Ohio Valley Company, which manufactured cast iron stoves in Bellaire, Ohio. W.J. Tappen sold his stoves from the back of his wagon. Today the Tappen Stove Company is owned by the Frigidaire Company out of Dublin, Ohio. Bearwiskers has popped lots of pop corn in a micro wave oven.

Barrel Ride Anyone?

On October 24, 1901, the first successful barrel ride over Niagara Falls occurred when Anna Edson Taylor, a school teacher, rode safely over the falls in a barrel. You would think a school teacher would be smarter than that. Bearwiskers says... I'll just ride the maid of the mist.

Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day, do somthing nice for someone, pick up trash in the park, help a non-profit organization, help someone in need.

Teddy Bear Graphics at My Tag Art

My Tag Art released 8 new Teddy Bear Graphics today!
Go to My Tag Art to see them!

Today's release includes 6 Butterfly Teddy Bears. They are in HC Pack 3
Plus 2 singles Single-24HC and Single-25HC

Be sure to look at the Fall and Halloween Bears - they are still on sale!

National Nut Day

So does this want to honor all the kooks, looneys and daffy people or the nutritious and healthy nuts! Let's celebrate both, I know and meet lots of nuts and love to eat the great snack too. The maybe this day celebrates the nut that screws onto a bolt for fastening things. Who said that Bearwiskers has a nut loose?

Smarter?

What's smarter than a talking bird?

A spelling bee!

Bearwiskers says... see angelbear's teddy bears at My Tag Art.....cool!

Monster Mash

October 20, 1962, Bobby "Boris" Picket and the Crypt Kickers reach the top of the charts with "The Monster Mash". It was #1 for two weeks. Bearwhiskers says... I was working in the lab late one night... Cool.

$.75 an hour!

On this day in 1947, the $.40 per hour is said to be too low and the Federal Works Administration changes to the great sum of $.75 per hour! Bearwiskers says... Wow!

Happy Birthday Alaska

The Great State of Alaska became part of the United States on October 18, 1867. The great land was transferred from Russia to the United States, and the American flag was raised in Sitka at the Governor's house. Gold was discovered in 1897, by Joe Juneau and Richard Harris. There are lots of teddy bear lovers in Alaska. Bearwiskers says...if you ever get a chance - visit the amazing State of Alaska, you will love it!

Age

Age is a issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

Mark Twain

National Boss Day

Always observed on October 16th in the US and Canada. Bearwiskers has the Greatest boss anyone could have. My boss is fair, honest, understanding, approachable and a great communicator! My boss puts extra time along side staff, doesn't yell or overwork me, has an open door policy and interacts with me to build better working relationships. I LOVE my boss. Now could I get a raise, please?

My Tag Art

I am happy and excited to tell you that My Tag Art has released Fall and Halloween Teddy Bears.
Check them out at:
Angelbear's Bears My Tag Art

HC Pack 1
HC Pack 2
Plus 3 single tubes.
Single-13HC
Single-14HC
Single-15HC

I Love Lucy

On October 15, 1951, I Love Lucy, a black and white TV show started. Lucy Ricardo, Ricky, Fred and Ethel Mertz entertained us for many years. Lucille Ball was a Bearwiskers favorite actor. Lucy opened the door for women actors to play a lead role in TV.

Dessert Day

Yep, today is one of bearwiskers most fun days, National Dessert Day! Let's have dessert with breakfast, mid morning snack,brunch, lunch, after nap snack, lunner, dinner, TV watching snack and the milk and cookies before sleep snack! Bearwiskers says...yum yum.

Teddy Bears Off To Work!

OK - I was driving to work today and happened to look over to the next driver, and there was a teddy bear riding shotgun! Then I get to a stop sign and I'm seeing teddy bears in lots of cars, all going to work. Some had ties on, some were al a natural, all looked happy to share the day - Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work Day - with others. Have fun.

Happy Birthday to the United States Navy. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Navy was established. Bearwiskers says...TY to the brave men and women of our Navy and all the Armed Forces of the United States, who put their lives on the line every day protecting us and our freedoms. Remember - Freedom isn't Free.

National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work Day

Usually held on the second Wednesday of October, Bearwiskers wanted to tell everyone about this holiday so you can make plans. Put your teddy bear (or one of them) on your desk and when people ask you why it's there - tell them. Every teddy bear has a history, a story, a memory. For the lucky people at home on this day, make sure you give extra hugs to your teddy bears.

Bearwiskers says...TY Gayle Crabtree, a real teddy bear lover.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

DAR

On this day in 1890, The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in Washington, DC. The DAR is dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. The DAR is a lineage based membership organization for women. There are over 3,000 chapters of the DAR in the United States and 26 chapters in 12 foreign countries! Bearwiskers says...TY DAR and God Bless the United States of America.

What do you get?

What do you get if you cross a teddy bear and a pig?

A teddy boar!

Leif Erikson Day

Were the Vikings the first europeans in the new world? Rasmus Anderson published a book in 1874 that says so. The date was chosen because the ship Restauration coming from Stavanger, Norway, arriving in New York on October 9, 1825. Leif is said to have discovered the new world in about 1001. Bearwiskers says...break out the lapskaus and kransekake!

You're It!

October 8th is American Touch Tag Day. Tag, also known as it, has, he, tips, tig, touch, tick, queer, dobby, chasing, chasemaster, chasey , smear and other names is played world wide. You can add rules like home base, target, cree and more. Shell we play a game (oops, that's from a different game)? Bearwiskers says...you're it!

Cats

Cats - opens on Broadway (you know, NYC) today in 1982. Remember seeing Cats? Bearwiskers says...I'm still waiting for the opening of that great show Teddy Bears!

German - American Day

October 6 is German - American Day. Celebrating the German American heritage, commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld, Germany landed in Philadelphia, PA. The families founded Germantown, PA., the first German settlement in the American colonies. Bearwiskers says...Danke to these early pioneers. of America.

Do Something Nice Day

Today is Do Something Nice Day. Maybe a thank you or a smile (it won't crack your face)? How about holding the door open for someone. A random act of kindness would work. Say YES or say NO - think about it. Pay it forward in the coffee line. Bearwiskers says...I should try to do this every day, Do good, feel good.

Beyond The Sea

Written in 1946, Beyond The Sea, was a contemporary pop song written by Jack Lawrence. It has been recorded by many artist, including Benny Goodman, Mantovani, Roger Williams and Gisele MacKenzie. Bobby Darin's version released in 1959 has been the most popular reaching #6 on the Billboard Top 100. Now you have the song on the record, in Apollo 13, Austin Powers - Goldmember, Diner, Goodfellas, Lost, Black Rain, The X-Files and many more.

TY Wikipedia

Father Knows Best

Today in 1954, Father Knows Best debuted on CBS, sponsored by Kent cigarettes. It started on radio in 1949 and competed with 19 other family shows. Jim Anderson played by Robert Young, was the father and Jane Wyatt the mother. After the first year, Kent cigarettes dumped the show because of low ratings, but Scott Paper Company picked up the show, changed its time slot, and the show was a hit. It was a great show for years, one of those shows that you love it or hated it. Bearwiskers says...love Father Knows Best.

October Reading List

Here is my October Reading List:

Whicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich
Death on the D-List by Nancy Grace - Hailey Dean Series
Trial by Fury by J A Jance - J P Beaumont Series
Ghost At Work by Carolyn Hart - Bailey Ruth Series
Cat On the Edge by Shirley Rousseau Murphy -Joe Grey Series
Naked in Death by J D Robb - In Death Series (Nora Roberts)
Countdown by Iris Johansen - Eve Duncan Series
Trick or Treat Murder by Leslie Meier - Lucy Stone Series

Candy Cane Murder is 3 books in one
"Candy Cane Murder" by Joanne Fluke
"The Dangers of Candy Canes" by Laura Levine
"Candy Canes of Christmas Past" by Leslie Meier

Peanuts

October 2, 1950, Peanuts comic strip starts it's great run. Peanuts first appeared in 1947 in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Today Peanuts is world wide with loyal followers. Bearwiskers says...TY Charles Schultz for a great comic strip series!

My Tag Art

I am happy and excited to let you know I signed up with My Tag Art.
My graphics will be there soon.
Go see all the great graphics at:
My Tag Art

In God We Trust

On October 1, 1957, In God We Trust was first used on US paper currency. The phrase first appeared on the 1864 two cent coin, and 1866 on the nickel, quarter, half dollar, silver dollars and gold dollars. In God We Trust became the official US motto in 1956.
One of the first references of the motto of In God We Trust is in the National Anthem. In the last stanzas "And this be our motto, In God We Trust. And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave, O'r the land of the free and the home of the brave." Bearwiskers says...God Bless America!

The Howdy Doody Show

On September 30, 1960, the last episode of the Howdy Doody Show aired on NBC. Clarabell finally spoke and said "Goodbye kids". The show began on WEAF radio in 1947 being called The Triple B Ranch, which stood for Big Brother Bob Smith. The show opened with a ranch hand, Smith, saying "Oh, ho, ho, howdy doody". On December 17, 1947, Smith started the Puppet Playhouse on NBC TV, and within a week the name of the show was changed to The Dowdy Doody Show. The Howdy Doody Show was a American TV classic and Bearwiskers says...TY Bob Smith and the great cast, with 2,543 episodes of great kid TV. Did you know that Chief Thunderthud introduced the word "Kawabonga" into the English language? Hey kids, what time is it?

Mondegreens or Lyricocis

Bearwiskers gets this all the time and has had it for years. Cool web sites like KissThisGuy and AmIRight are devoted to this problem. Since September 29, 1973, Bearwiskers has been going around singing the wrong words to We're An American Band by Grand Funk Railroad, their first #1 song. Grand Funk Railroad has released at least 54 great songs with my favorite being...Some Kind of Wonderful. What's your favorite. Bearwiskers say TY Grand Funk Railroad for your great songs!

Happy Birthday Alfred Gerald Caplin

Born on September 28, 1909, in New Haven, Connecticut, Alfred, or better known as Al Capp was a great American cartoonist. He was best known for his comic strip Li'l Abner and the great Fearless Fosdick. Al had many characters, General Bullmoose, Joe Bfstplk, Evil Eye Fleegle and many others. Al was a frequent guest on the Tonight Show. To quote Al - "Success is following the pattern of life one enjoys most". Bearwiskers says...Happy Birthday Al and TY.

Tin Lizzie

Today in 1908, the first production Model T left the Ford factory at Piquett Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Ford makes a great product, and Bearwiskers says...Buy American!

Oktoberfest

200 years of October fest. Named for the commemoration of the Crowned Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. The festival was held for a horse race which continued till 1960. In 1811 an agricultural show was added to boost bavarian agriculture and is still held today. It is a 16 to 18 day event. There are lots of fest around the country starting from September 15 and going on for weeks. Bearwiskers says.... PARTY!

Melville Reuben Bissell

Melville Bissell was born today. In the mid 1800's, Melville and his wife Anna owned a crockery shop in Grand Rapids, Mich. The dust from the crockery packings was affecting Anna's health, so Melville invented the carpet sweeper. Tufts of hog bristles were bound with string, dipped in hot pitch, inserted in a brush roller and trimmed with scissors. After Melville's untimely death in 1889, Anne took control of the company and became America's first woman corporate CEO! Today Bissell, Inc., employees over 2,500 people, it's products are sold world wide and is still headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bearwiskers says...Happy Birthday Melville and thank you for a great product!

Harvest Moon

Did you see the harvest moon? The moon will appear larger when it is lower in the sky, it's called a moon illusion. The harvest moon in is also known as the wine moon, singing moon, elk call moon, ands the Gypsy moon. This year we had a super harvest moon, the first time since 1991 and won't happen again till 2029. That's when we have a full moon on the autumnal equinox. Did you hear howling last night?

September

The breezes taste of apple peel. The air is full of smells to feel. Ripe fruit, old footballs, burning brush, new books, erasers, chalk and such. The bee, his hive, well-honeyed hum, and mother cuts chrysanthemums. Like plates washed clean with suds, the days are polished with a morning haze.

John Updike

The goldenrod is yellow, the corn is turning brown.

The trees in apple orchards, with fruit are bending down.

Autumn

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and fall a mosaic of them all."
Stanley Horowitz

Happy Birthday Walter

Happy Birthday Walter Breuning, of Melrose, Minn. Walter is 114 years young today, born in 1896. Bearwiskers says...Happy Birthday Walter!

Are You Ready?

Fall starts on Wednesday at 11.09 PM. Do you call it Fall or Autumn? For meteorologists, fall always starts on September 1. For some people who live in China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan, fall starts around August 8th. In the hemisphere it starts in March. Maybe it's when the leaves start to change? Maybe it's when animals start to store food for winter. Or is it when the fall TV schedule starts? Bearwiskers says...That's an easy question - it's when FOOTBALL starts!

Clinica Regina Margherita

Happy Birthday Clinica or as we know her now - Sophia Loren. Born on this day in 1934, Sophia was the first actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English speaking performance in Two Women. Sophia lives in Geneva, Switzerland, but has homes in Los Angeles and New York. Sophia has appeared in over 90 movies! Bearwiskers says...Wow!

Talk Like A Pirate Day

Ahoy matey, avast there, dead men don't bite, shiver me timbers! Bearwiskers thanks John Baur and Mark Summers for starting a cool holiday in 1995. Arrr matey, where's my eye patch?

September 18, 1837

Tiffany and Company is founded by Charles Tiffany and John Young in New York. The company name started out as Tiffany & Young. The store is called a stationery and fancy goods emporium. On opening day, every item is marked with a non-negotiable price, a revolutionary policy at that time that makes headlines. The first day's sales total $4.98! The store was at 259 Broadway. Tiffany & Company is a great American success story and Bearwiskers knows Angelbear LOVES Tiffany!

Cost of Living

Back to 1976 -

yearly inflation rate - 5.75%

year end close of the Dow Jones - 1004

average cost of new home - $43,000

average yearly income - $16,000

average monthly rent - $220

cost of a gallon of gas - 59 cents, yes that's right, 59 CENTS!

Plymouth Arrow - $3,175

Polaroid Camera - $28.00, you do remember the Polaroid? Bearwiskers says...WOW

Bewitched

Bewitched aired today in 1964 to 1972. Starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, then Dick Sargent, Agnes Moorehead and David White. Did you know that the Tates had a son who was about Tabitha's age? In the first six years of the show, just about every car was a Chevy, because it was one of the show's original sponsors. Helen Hunt and Jodie Foster were considered for the role of Tabitha, and Tammy Grimes was offered the role of Samantha.

TY IMDb

Fun in Chantilly

Everyone had fun at the Teddy Bear Show in Chantilly. Lots of teddy bears found new homes and the teddy bear graphics sold like pancakes with honey! Bearwiskers had a great time and suggest that all you teddy bear lovers get to the next teddy bear show in your area and adopt a new teddy!

Space

Cape Canaveral, Florida, is America's launch pad for space flights. The first rocket, launched on July 24, 1950, was Bumper 8. Today, NASA Kennedy Space Center is open for tours. The next Space Shuttle Mission will be the STS-113 / Discovery, target launch is November 1, at 4:40 pm. Bearwiskers says...visit this great location in the great State of Florida!

The Star Spangled Banner

On September 14, 1814, U.S. Soldiers at Baltimore's Fort McHenry raised a hugh American Flag to celebrate victory over British forces. Francis Scott Key was so inspired by the "broad stripes and bright stars", he wrote a song that eventually became the United States National Anthem. The Star Spangled Banner was officially made the National Anthem by Congress in 1933.

Today in History - September 13th

On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America's national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Today in History - September 12

"Lassie" was seen on CBS-TV for the first time. Despite being called “girl” by Jeff Miller, who starred as Tommy, and Jan Clayton, who starred as Jeff's mom, Ellen, Lassie was, in reality, a male dog. In fact, there were more than a half-dozen Lassie dogs doing stunts. "Lassie" ran on CBS for exactly 17 years. The last show aired on September 12, 1971. Granny loved watching Lassie.

September 11

September 11, 2001, 19 al-qaeda terrorist hijacked 4 air line planes, flying 2 of them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. A 3rd plane was crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, DC and the 4th plane crashed near Shanksville, PA. The death toll was 2981 people, or higher, mostly civilians, with people from 70 different countries.

God bless the innocent people who died on that day, and their families.
Our hearts go out to all the families affected by the events of September 11.

Bearwiskers says God Bless America.

Gun Smoke

Today in 1955, Gun Smoke premiers on CBS TV, running until September 1975, making it the longest running dramatic series on TV. James Arness and Milburn Stone work all 20 seasons, and Amanda Blake was on 19 years. At one time there were 30 westerns on TV at the same time. A radio version ran from 1952 to 1961. Bearwiskers says....Cool!

National Teddy Bear Day

Celebrate Celebrate. The teddy bears are dancing, having a picnic (get it?), eating porridge, and celebrating National Teddy Bear Day. Bearwiskers says....LET'S PARTY!

Shake Shake Shake

On September 9, 1956 (Really?) Elvis Presley appears on the Ed Sullivan's TV show, toast of the town, and scandalizes the audiences with his suggestive hip gyrations. They say...82% of the TV audience saw that show. Did you know that Elvis had already appeared on other TV shows, the Stage Show, the Milton Berle Show and the Steve Allen Show.

Melitta Bentz

Melitta Bentz of Dresden, Germany, invented the first coffee filter because she didn't want over brewed coffee. After trying different materials, she found that her son's blotter paper worked best. That was in June, 1908, and the coffee filter and coffee filter paper was patented. In December, 1908, Mellita and her husband Hugo started the Melitta Bentz Company. The Melitta Company is now world wide with great products. Bearwiskers thanks Melitta for a great invention!

Here She Comes

On this date in 1921, the first Miss America beauty contest, a two day event, was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The First Miss America was Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C. Father Neptune and the Mermaids opened the contest, arriving on a barge. Father Neptune was 80 year old Hudson Maxim, the inventor of smokeless gun powder. Atlantic City merchants started the contest to get people to stay at the beach past Labor Day. Bearwiskers has heard Angel Bear is a beauty contest winner!

Labor Day

First celebrated in 1882, labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. Bearwiskers says have a safe and fun Labor Day.

New York, New York

On this day, September 5th, in 1664, the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam surrenders to the British, who will rename it New York. Bearwiskers knows lots of teddy bear lovers in the Big Apple.

Treaty of Paris

September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the American Revolution. The Treaty was ratified by the Continental Congress on January 14, 1884. Bearwiskers says God Bless America.

It was the 3rd of September...

Quick - what song was that from? It was Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, a 12 minute hit for The Temptations. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone was written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and released in 1972, and peaked at the 63rd spot on the pop charts and 24 on the R & B charts. In 1972, after the Temptations remake, it rose to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won 3 Grammy awards in 1973. The flip side or B side was an instrumental that was 6:58 long. Bearwiskers says - turn it UP!

September's Reading List

Here is my September Reading List:
Blind Alley by Iris Johansen
L is for Lawless by Sue Grafton
Candy Cane Murder by Joanne Fluke
Scratch the Surface by Susan Conant
Roses are Red by James Patterson
Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn
Ghost a La Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian
Open and Shut by Andy Carpenter

"Who's been eating my porridge?" squeaked Baby Bear
"And who's been eating my porridge?" cried Momma Bear
"Burp!" said Poppa Bear
TY The Teddy Baron

Happy Birthday to the "T"

Where was the first American subway, New York -no, Philadelphia - no, San Francisco - no. The Boston West End Company teamed up with the Boston Transit Commission and on September 1, 1897 the "T" opened for business. One of the oldest stops was at Boylson Street. Bearwiskers has been on a subway and a trolley, the first used as subway trains.

Clayton Johnson Heermance Jr

You know him, you have heard him and you have seen him on TV. OK here's a hint - It's a bird, it's a plane, it's - that's right - Superman! But what's Clayton's role in this tale? Clayton changed his name to Clayton "Bud" Collyer, and was the first voice of Superman on the 1940's radio program. Bud became one of the busiest and hardest working actors and announcers on the airwaves at that time. We also know him for being the host of Beat The Clock, for eleven years and To Tell The Truth. Bearwiskers says TY Bud for many years of great radio and TV enjoyment.

Cookie?

What did the teddy bear say when offered another cookie?
No thanks, I'm stuffed!

Bearwiskers said - please.

Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg, near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was designated as a U.S. Army installation in 1918 and named Fort Bragg on September 30, 1922. In 1942 the first airborne unites trained there and in 1951 Fort Bragg became known as the "home of the airborne". Between 1966-1970 more than 200,000 men underwent basic training at Fort Bragg. Today, many of America's finest men and women are trained at Fort Bragg, to continue to preserve peace, security, and provide for the defense of the United States. Bearwiskers thanks Sergeants Staggs and Pope, you never forget who your Drill Sergeants were.

Chocolate Cake

The Duff Company of Pittsburgh, PA, introduced Devil's food chocolate cake mixes in the late 1920's or early 1930's. The cake mixes were put on hold during WW11. After the war, safe

food packaging grew by leaps and bounds, and today you can find great many cake mixes in the store. Bearwiskers still loves the home made cake mixes. Anybody else like chocolate cake?

Happy Friday

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pike Place Market

Opened in 1907, Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington is one of the oldest continually open farmers markets in the United States. It offers just about anything you could want from comic book dealers to fish mongers to lots of craftspeople and artist. Pike Place Market has been in many TV shows and movies and is a must see place when in Seattle. The place is big, with lots of fresh veggies, flowers and food. Bearwiskers always goes to Pike Place market when in Seattle.

Coffee, Tea, Soda or ?

Caffeine helps increases circulation, speeds up a person's thoughts, produces a feeling of well being and could cause nervousness and loss of sleep. The subject of caffeine has been in many cartoons and caffeine is in many foods. There are lots of web pages about caffeine an it has it's own Facebook page. What is caffeine? Chemically speaking it's a plant based alkaloid, which stimulates the central nervous system. So.. how do you drink it, coffee, tea, soda or something else?

Kiss and Make Up Day

Some people are calling today - Kiss and Make Up Day. Bearwiskers needs this day about , oh maybe 364 days a year. Bearwiskers says Kiss and Make Up today, just for the fun of it!

Delaware

Delaware was the first state to ratify the federal Constitution on December 7, 1787, becoming the first state in the Union. The longest twin span suspension bridge in the world is the Delaware Memorial Bridge that connects Delaware and New Jersey. The State Motto is "Liberty and Independence", and the State Bird is the Blue Hen Chicken.

Oliver Hazard Perry

Born on August 23, 1785, in Rhode Island, Oliver Hazard Perry, became an American Naval Hero at the Battle of Lake Erie. After the battle, Perry sent dispatches to General William Henry Harrison and wrote "We have met the enemy, and they are ours".
Oliver Perry died on August 23, 1819 - on his birthday.

Steam Boat Philly

John Fitch, born on January 21, 1743 in Windsor, Connecticut. In 1875 he was living in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, where he started to work on building a steam powered boat. On August 22, 1787, on the Delaware river, the first successful trial run of his steam boat was held. In June 1790, Fitch had a steam boat ferrying passengers on round trips between Philadelphia and Burlington, NJ.

My Merry Oldsmobile

My Merry Oldsmobile a popular song written in 1905, with music by Gus Edwards and Vincent Byan, helped make the Oldsmobile car a best seller.

The Oldsmobile Motor Works , of Lancing Michigan, was founded in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds. In 1901 the company produced 425 cars. On this day in 1908, General Motors purchased the company. The 1901 to 1904 Curved Dash Oldsmobile was the first mass produced car, made on the first automotive assembly line, an invention that is often mis-credited to Henry Ford.

My Merry Oldsmobile was used by Carl Stalling of Warner Brothers, in his cartoons when driving or automobiles were used. Disney plays the song on their Main Street USA in Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom. My Merry Oldsmobile has appeared on M*A*S*H*, with Hawkeye Pierce singing it while driving a jeep in Korea. Other songs about the Oldsmobile are 455 Rocket, This Ain't Your Daddy's Oldsmobile, Mr. Smith Had An Oldsmobile.

The final production day of the Oldsmobile was April 29, 2004, and the last Oldsmobile Alero can be seen at the R.E. Oldsmobile Museum in Lancing, Michigan. Bearwiskers is waiting for General Motors to bring back the Oldsmobile.

TY Wikipedia

Texas

Texas has had the flags of 6 different nations to fly over it. They are Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, the Confederate States and the United States. Texas comes from the Hasinai Indian word "tejas" meaning friends or allies. For the Dr Pepper lovers, Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, TX, in 1885, and the Dublin Dr Pepper still uses pure imperial cane sugar in it's product. There is no period after the Dr in Dr Pepper. Bearwiskers loves Dr Pepper.

TY 50 states.com

Kentucky State Fair

The Kentucky State Fair starts today in Louisville, KY. Lots of concerts by national known artist all week and the World's Championship Horse Show. Expect great food, roller coasters and crafts. The fair was started in 1816 by by Colonel Sanders, a local farmer, and it became the official state fair in 1902. Bearwiskers says "Let's go!"

Mail Order Catalog

In 1872, Aaron Montgomery Ward produced the first mail order catalog. His first catalog was a single sheet of paper, and 2 decades later it grew to a 540 page illustrated book with over 20,000 items. The first Sears catalog was published in 1888 and grew to 322 pages by 1894. Hammacher Schlemmer was founded in 1848! Bearwiskers is waiting for his first Christmas catalog which should arrive any day.

L'i'l Abner Update

Mike from California was nice to say that Li'l Abner is now being reprinted in it's entirety with full color on Sundays by IDW Publishing, AND...Al Capp's granddaughter will be producing a 2011 documentary for PBS and their "American Masters" series. Now this is must see TV! Bearwiskers thanks Mike for the update, and will keep everyone informed on the PBS series. Bearwiskers feels like he lives in Dogpatch, so he can really relate to this great American comic strip!

Farmers Market

The biggest farmers market in the United States - Dane County Farmers Market, Madison, Wisconsin. Open all year long on Saturday and Wednesdays in the summer. All items are produced locally by the vendor behind the table. They even have a breakfast served from 8:30 am till 11:00 am.

There is craft and single food item sales across the street from the farmers market. The farmers market is BIG, so bring some good walking shoes! Bearwiskers says Yum Yum.

Roller Coaster Day

August 16th is Roller Coaster Day. Coney Island, NY, has had one since 1884! Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH have great rides. 102 people rode the Nemesis at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England - in the nude! Those crazy Brits did it to raise money for breast cancer research. Want to go FAST, try the Behemoth in Canada's Wonderland near Toronto. It has an 85 degree decent and speeds up to 130 km/h in 3.9 seconds, has 8 drops and double banked horizontal loops. Bearwiskers says you better have clothes on this ride!

"The Twist"

Happy Birthday to Chubby Checker's version of "The Twist". Originally written and preformed by Hank Ballard, Chubby sang and added his dance moves to give this song new life. Chubby launched his version on Dick Clark's American Bandstand stage in August, 1961. Did you know that "The Twist" was the first and only 45 single to appear in the #1 spot in two different years? Does anyone remember what a 45 is? As a kid, I met Chubby Checker in Philadelphia as he was driving down the street in his pink cadillac, big fins and all. Chubby was great, very nice to everyone, and took time to talk to everyone that was there. He was the "first" pop star I met and by far the nicest! Bearwiskers is still a fan of Chubby Checker.

Gold Found!

Yep, you could go gold mining in North Carolina and find gold! Lots of people do it, and gem mining too, rubies, sapphires, garnets and even emeralds. The Reed gold mine in North Carolina is said to be the first documented gold find in the United States, and North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when the great gold rush to California started. Bearwiskers wants to go gold mining in North Carolina!

Teddy Bear Review Magazine

I am excited to tell you that:

Bart & Friend are in your October Issue of  Teddy Bear Review Magazine.

Happy Birthday Li'l Abner

On August 13, 1934 cartoonist Al Capp began his famous comic strip "Li'l Abner". The cartoon started out in 8 newspapers and eventually be in more than 500 newspapers, be a Broadway Play and a movie. Li'l Abner lived in Dogpatch, Kentucky. There were many characters involved in the story line. Li'l Abner Yokum got his last name by combining yokel and hokum. Bearwiskers thanks Al Capp for a great and funny comic strip.

Diamonds

Want to dig for diamonds? Just head over to The Crater of Diamonds State Park near Mufreesboro, Arkansas. In addition to diamonds you might find many semi precious gemstones like garnet, phlogopite and quartz. The largest diamond found there was a 16.37 carat white diamond in 1975. Bearwiskers wants to go diamond digging in Mufreesboro, Arkansas.

2 of Angel's Bears Packages Released Today

2 New Packages of Angel's Bears tubes were released today at CILM
Angel's Bears Package 97

Angel's Bears Package 98

The Rock

Alcatraz opened for business as a federal prison today in 1934, and was in use for 29 years. Some of the criminals jailed there were Al Capone, Robert Stroud (the birdman of Alcatraz), George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Mickey Cohen and Alvin Karpis.
The Rock or Alcatraz Island is located in the San Francisco Bay and has served as a lighthouse, military fortification, a military prison and a federal prison. Today The Rock is a historic site operated by the National Park Service and is open for tours. The Rock has been featured in many movies, TV shows, cartoons, books, games and comics.

Happy Birthday Missouri

On August 10, 1821, Missouri entered the Union as the 24th state. Missouri was acquired in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Missouri is the "Show Me State". At the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, iced tea was served by Richard Blechyden for the first time and the ice cream cone was served for the first time. Did you know that Kansas City has more miles of boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any city except Rome. Bearwiskers knows that Missouri has lots of teddy bear lovers.

Betty Boop

Betty Boop made her first appearance on August 9, 1930 in the cartoon Dizzy Dishes. Betty Boop was created by Max Fleischer and appeared in the Talkatoon film series. Besides the films, she has appeared in 2 cartoon strips, one in 1930's and another in the 1980's and 2 TV specials in the 1980's. Betty's first voice was performed by Margie Hines. Betty Boop has a large collection of collectibles and is still popular today. Bearwiskers says TY Max Fleischer and family. TY to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Steiff Teddy Bears

The Steiff Company of Giengen, Germany, owned by Margarete Steiff, has been making toys since 1880. Margarete's nephew Richard had an idea to make a toy bear standing upright. Until that time toy bears were made standing on all four legs. In 1902 Margarete made a new bear with a humped back, a long snout and was jointed like a doll, stood on 2 feet and could walk upright. It was the first jointed bear! TY Steiff Teddy Bear Company for your great teddy bears, Bearwiskers knows someone who has lots of your bears.
TY IMA Hero.

National Lighthouse Day

On August 7, 1789, the Federal Government assumed the responsibility for building and operating our nation's lighthouses. Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island introduced a joint resolution in 1988 and National Lighthouse Day became law in 1988.
Most lighthouses will be open to the public today with activities for a fun filled day. A great lighthouse is at Cape May, NJ, and will have lots of family things to do today. Do you have a favorite lighthouse?

The Ohio Burgee

The Ohio State flag, or Ohio Burgee, adopted in 1902, is a swallowtail designed flag. This is the only swallowtail shaped flag in the United States. Ohio is known as the Buckeye State. What's a buckeye? It's a tree! And...the state beverage, tomato juice! OK here is a easy one - what is the State Rock Song? "Hang On Sloopy".

There's lots of things to in Ohio. Try Cedar Point amusement park, or Kings Island amusement park. How about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bearwiskers says Rock On Ohio.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Neil Armstrong. Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio on on August 5, 1930. Neil was the FIRST man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Bearwiskers was in Germany at the time and watched the moon landing on a small, grainy, black and white TV. Do you remember where you were on that day?
Happy Birthday Neil Armstrong, an American Hero!

U.S. Coast Guard Day

On August 4, 1790, The U.S. Coast Guard, first known as the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, was authorized by Congress to construct ten vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.

U.S. Coast Guard Day honors the military branch that protects our waters and shorelines. Honor the brave members of this important branch of the military.

The U.S. Coast Guard Museum is located at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, 15 Mohegah Avenue, New London, CT. It's a great museum, and well worth a visit!

Bearwiskers salutes all Coast Guard personnel.

Virginia Dare

The first English child, Virginia Dare, was born in Roanoke, North Craolina in 1587. Virginia's grandfather, Governor John White, was forced to return to England for supplies, and 3 years later Governor White returned to Roanoke to find everyone gone! 117 pioneers had vanished. Does anyone know where they are?
Roanoke Island and near by Manteo, NC is a great place to visit, with lots to do and see.
Bearwiskers knows for a fact that there are teddy bear lovers there!

Mohair Bears

Mohair Bears have been posted at Granny Doodle Prints & Teddy Bears

Teddy Bear

"Teddy Bear" was a song released in 1976 and made famous by counrty music star Red Sovine. "Teddy Bear" was a salute to the American truck driver and was released at the height of the citizens band radio craze. Woodrow Wilson Sovine, better known as Red Sovine was born in Charleston, WV, was a solid country music singer recording over 28 singles including "Giddyup Go", "Phantom 309", and "Little Joe". Bearwiskers says TY Red for your truck driving songs and great music.

August Reading List

Here is my August Reading List:


The Scoop by Fern Michaels
One Night by Debbie Macomber
The Eleventh Hour by Nancy Grace
No Such Thing As a Free Lunch by Shelly Fredman
Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
Dead Aim by Iris Johansen
K Is for Killer by Sue Grafton - Kinsey Millhone Series
Injustice for All by J.A.Jance - JP Beaumont Mysteries
Irish Gold by Father Andrew M. Greeley
Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy - Ellie Engleman, Dog Walker Mysteries
A New Leash on Death by Susan Conant
Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl
(No Such Thing as a Free Ride by Shelly Fredman (read/finished))

If I have time....... if not there is always September.......
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth

Colorado

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876. Denver is the state capital and claims the invention of the cheesburger. The trademark for the name Cheeseburger was awarded to Louis Ballast in 1938! Denver's 13th step of the State Capital Building is exactly 1 mile high. Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America The Beautiful" after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.