Before there was Secret Santa, there was the grade school gift exchange. The spending limit? 50 cents.
Schools probably don't do the gift exchange any more..but back in the 60's and 70's, Christmas at school was full of lots of candy, cookies, a fair dose of religion (yes at a public school), and the Gift Exchange.
Most popular gifts: the Lifesavers Holiday Book (rolls of Lifesavers candy in a book shaped box), candy cane shaped cylinder full of candy, like gumballs or M & M's, pee wee footballs, yo-yo's, paddle balls, jump ropes, Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars.
In first grade, I remember I got the name of Timmy, a cute boy who I purchased a pee wee football for. Another little boy, named Jimmy, who had a crush on me traded to get my name. He gave me a necklace and a Ring Toss game. (He apparently had no regard for the 50-cent limit..unless of course he stole the stuff, which is a distinct possibility.)
When I was in 4th grade I was in a mixed class of 4th and 5th graders. One of the 5th grade girls had my name, and she got me a Christmas ornament which was a little red bird with a clip instead of feet so you could clip it to the Christmas tree branch. I thought it was the dumbest gift ever because it had no play value and you couldn't even eat it! But you know, I still have it! And in the years when I get around to putting up a Christmas tree, it's usually one of the first ones to go up.
So thank you Karen, or Jean, or Joan...or other un-named 5th grader from Miss Hooks' class for a gift that is close to my heart..in a box..in the basement.
The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
I got a chance to see the production for the 2nd time last night, and once again was blown away. Even though I saw Wicked in 2010, I had...
Today we traveled back to 1975 for a Rendezvous with The Hudson Brothers. This song didn't make it to high on the charts, but Kitty enjoyed it. Her favorite brother was Brett. She also loved their television show. We've included a skit from...
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
I got a chance to see the production for the 2nd time last night, and once again was blown away. Even though I saw Wicked in 2010, I had...
Today we traveled back to 1975 for a Rendezvous with The Hudson Brothers. This song didn't make it to high on the charts, but Kitty enjoyed it. Her favorite brother was Brett. She also loved their television show. We've included a skit from...
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
Before there was Secret Santa, there was the grade school gift exchange. The spending limit? 50 cents.
Schools probably don't do the gift exchange any more..but back in the 60's and 70's, Christmas at school was full of lots of candy, cookies, a fair dose of religion (yes at a public school), and the Gift Exchange.
Most popular gifts: the Lifesavers Holiday Book (rolls of Lifesavers candy in a book shaped box), candy cane shaped cylinder full of candy, like gumballs or M & M's, pee wee footballs, yo-yo's, paddle balls, jump ropes, Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars.
In first grade, I remember I got the name of Timmy, a cute boy who I purchased a pee wee football for. Another little boy, named Jimmy, who had a crush on me traded to get my name. He gave me a necklace and a Ring Toss game. (He apparently had no regard for the 50-cent limit..unless of course he stole the stuff, which is a distinct possibility.)
When I was in 4th grade I was in a mixed class of 4th and 5th graders. One of the 5th grade girls had my name, and she got me a Christmas ornament which was a little red bird with a clip instead of feet so you could clip it to the Christmas tree branch. I thought it was the dumbest gift ever because it had no play value and you couldn't even eat it! But you know, I still have it! And in the years when I get around to putting up a Christmas tree, it's usually one of the first ones to go up.
So thank you Karen, or Jean, or Joan...or other un-named 5th grader from Miss Hooks' class for a gift that is close to my heart..in a box..in the basement. 
