Nothing Butt the Truth (pic)

Nothing Butt the Truth

My sister took this picture recently at a correctional officer's graduation. She gave it the headline that I found quite funny.

"Behind the Mantle" Keep This Ticket

Keep This Ticket...as stated on the ticket. That's what they did for almost 73 years. We found this ticket from 1932 (among many other things) behind the mantle when we were refinishing it. I have never heard of Presque Isle Grocers or of Presque Isle News. Both are long gone, I'm sure. I wonder if the Park Theatre was the Drive-In Theater across from Waldameer. Hidden history from behind the mantle.

"Behind the Mantle" 1927 Erie Elections, Lavery

Here is a campaign postcard sent the day before the election in 1927. This is another item we found behind our mantle. (We have a whole box of stuff we found.) It was sent from James F. Lavery. He was running against someone that had been in office 20 years. I don't know if he won or not (probably not, as unseating someone that has been in office 20 years wouldn't be easy). Below the picture, I transcribed the postcard to make the cursive writing easier to read. It is a bit "cheezy" if you ask me.

Lavery. Pa - Monday
Tomorrow is Elections Day. Will you give me a vote?
I want your support, but the time is too short to see you. Will you give
me a vote? You can vote a straight party ticket and also vote a mark after
my name. Will you give me a vote? Isn't 20 years in one office too
much? Doesn't patriotic service merit a reward? Shouldn't Erie
County have the use of her own best talent? If you believe these
things, don't fail tomorrow. Don't fail to go to the polls. No
matter how busy you are, please take time to go and vote for me. I am
depending on your help. Thank you - James F Lavery.

UPDATE..not that anyone cares but I found this listed in the website "the political graveyard" http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/latno-lavorato.html ...so it looks like he tried again in the 40s, if it is the same guy. Lavery, James F. — of Pennsylvania. Democrat. Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, 1940 (29th District), 1944 (28th District). Still living as of 1944.(defeated both times)

"Behind the Mantle" Arthur F Schultz Co

"Behind the Mantle" Arthur F. Schultz Co.

We found this brochure behind our mantle. It was one of many "discoveries". From the early 1930's. The whole brochure can be read by following the link below the picture.

Silver Heron antique (pic)

Antiques in Virginia continued..

We came across a giant antique mall as we were leaving Virginia on our vacation to Colonial Williamsburg. We spent an hour, maybe two going through so many antiques. They actually had a civil war uniform (rebel) for sale on a display mannequin, It was riddled with moth-damaged holes. I touched it and moths flew out. Hmm... you'd think they would do somthing about that, it is an historic item. I almost bought this and I almost bought that, but wasn't sure..... When we got home I had lots of regrets for the things I didn't buy. I found the same copper apple kettle for 3 times as much here in Erie and it wasn't in as good a shape. We did buy an Art Deco silver heron. I believe it is from the 20's but no later than the early 40's from the research I've done on it. It is from the Jennings Silver Co. I love the bird. I love herons so this was perfect. It is big, it is about 16 inches from beak to tail. (See past days' posting for more of the Virginia antiques.)

Antique Folk-Art Weathervanes (pics)

Below are some pictures of antique weathervanes we saw at Colonial Willimasburg, VA in the DeWitt/Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. I'd love one of these beauties gracing my garden.

Circa 1810 Tall Clock (pic)

Virginia Antique Series

We recently went to Virginia on a vacation. We just loved Colonial Williamsburg. Anyone that is an American antique lover will love this picture of an 1810 clock located in the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum in Colonial Williamsburg. I'll post a few more pictures this week of some more great antiques from that area.

Fireworks from Presque Isle (pic)

This was my first year seeing the fireworks displays from Presque Isle. I was stunned by how many private (illegal) fireworks were going off in the city (did they change the law?). I didn't know which way to look there were so many. The display from Mercyhurst was exceptionally pretty with the bursts occuring over the lit-up city. The drawback was that we really couldn't hear the fireworks and that is a major component for enjoying them. We started our evening off with some fishing at about 7 PM. The fish are pretty much asleep or gone with all this hot weather. I did catch a crappie and a bluegill. Then we staked out our little place on Presque Isle. Almost no one was there. The breeze was stiff and it felt good. I brought ice-cold cokes and chips and salsa minus the chips that I forgot at home. One the way home we drove by Strong Vincent High School. Someone was setting off quite a large display. I wonder if they got caught. We did see a helicopter with a spotlight searching around the bayfront and city, I wonder what it was they were looking for. Here is a photo I took from Presque Isle of last night's Mercyhurst's fireworks display.

Fun at the Seawolves Game

I have been wanting to see a Seawolves game for quite a while but was just waiting for perfect weather. Last evening had perfect weather. I really had a nice time. It was very relaxing, the food was good and the crowd was unbelievably behaved. I didn't hear even one swear word by anyone at the game (my husband said he did hear one of the players swear, ha). Everyone was having fun. I was really surprised at how many kids were there and they had a ball running the bases after the game. The low-level fireworks were very impressive. Good job Seawolves, they won!

Erie-Related "Behind the Mantle" Conklins Tire

Below is another "Behind the Mantle" find from our house. It looks to be circa 1920's.