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by Rosemary Lee Potter
Special to Tropical Breeze

Once again it seems as if everywhere one goes on visits or vacations there are collections! This round was then no different. It was really true that at every destination — take Denver, New York, Chicago, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Pinellas County, just look around. Somebody had nicely acquired and organized a very special collection, might be biker memorabilia or a European family’s photos as wall décor. Here’s the “Collections” Collecting Adventure!

Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway, NYC—home to a collection of 1950’s memorabilia, décor, furnishings, food, and entertainment.

Historic Glos Mansion, Elmhurst, Illinois, houses thousands of artifacts and photos, as well as interactive displays.

In mid-summer, family members headed for Golden, CO, not far from Denver, to attend a cousin’s wedding at a very special mountain estate, the famed Boettcher Mansion, ensconced up a hilly, winding road. The ceremony was out on a sunny porch deck, with a piney hillside backdrop, including several deer scampering by.

Collections? This is an Arts & Crafts-style lodge-like estate home filled with wonderful historic photos showing the first owners and family events. Across from the mansion, there is the Lookout Mountain Preserve Center, filled with collections and photos of native flora and fauna, set up in cases in such a way that visitors, older or younger, could learn from viewing the items, even say, matching up information, drawings and habitats.

Not far away in the same area, is the Buffalo Bill Museum, where in glassed wall there were photographic long timelines about William Cody’s life, and even a narrated video, including photos from his famous Wild West Show. Displayed were period guns and posters. Nearby is Cody’s grave.

Off to New York City where my undergraduate college, Maryville, TN had a a celebration for an alumni’s directing “Flamingo Court” an off-Broadway Play, starring Jamie Farr (of M.A.S.H* fame) and Anita Gillette. At the New World Stage Theater (part of the NYC major collection of theaters) meeting the two stars was fun, the autographs for our own PLAYBILL collection, and all this amid a huge collection of large Broadway posters on the walls!

The Old John Street United Methodist Church, founded in 1766, the oldest Methodist Society in America, is also in New York very close to Ground Zero. Just think of the Revolutionary military connection of a church that old sitting in that particular 21st Century spot!

In the wood interior sanctuary, there are carved marble tablets on the walls commemorating leaders who died, say, in 1808! In the church basement, a large room filled with artifacts, early china, historical documents, drawings and paintings from this denomination’s past.

Since I planned to see a matinee of “Mama Mia” back up on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater, I ate lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner for a definite 1950s collection experience, beforehand on the corner next door. There, midst chrome and formica booth seating, jukeboxes and walls full of old signed celebrity photos, ads and screens showing vintage movies, I watched the youthful wait staff, actually very talented singers, garbed in bright ‘50s serving uniforms, sing lively period songs, even from up on table-tops! Of course, I had fries and a chocolate milkshake so as to blend in with the collection’s diner theme.

Vintage radio and antenna, items and photos, Elmhurst College, The Elmhurst Historical Museum.

One of hundreds of vendor tents, Annual Corridor Sale, Alabama to Ohio, this tent one with antique and unusual tools in Tennessee.

Then off to Chicago to see my son Robert and my daughter-in-law, Adriana, in Elmhurst, IL. Since Adriana had to work, Robert took me on a tour of this historic, beautifully tree-lined suburban city. We visited the Elmhurst Historical Museum housed in the Victorian family home of Henry Glos, 1st Elmhurst Village President. Inside there are housed more than 10,000 photographs and as many as 7,000 artifacts, as well as many interactive exhibits geared to choose, match up or connect original sites with current ones, a popular arrangement in historical museums.

Robert and I were both interested in a large display of items from nearby Elmhurst College, particularly one radio and what we believe is an early antenna. He and I also shared in the identification of what was thought to be a museum mystery item brought back from Europe in the late 1800s as a souvenir by the wealthy homeowners.

We told the museum secretary that we believed the blackened, 8" high item to be a miniature Irish harp! I could see a shamrock on one side in the perhaps bronze metal, while Robert spotted the mechanism for placing and tightening the five metal strings, now missing. Whether some deft fingers ever played the tiny instrument, who knows?

However, we enjoyed a little online research later that night that pretty well confirmed our joint collectible identification! First, the owners collected the item in Ireland and brought it back to Illinois. Much later, the City of Elmhurst collected it as part of its historical acquisition. Robert and I collected a gleeful adventure surrounding the item as our online research backed up our identification!

On to Signal Mountain and surrounding roads near Chattanooga, TN for an outdoor collection adventure! Of many regular yard sales now enjoyed in Florida, Texas, California and elsewhere, this annual Corridor Sale on Highway 127, billed as the World’s Longest Yardsale, now stretches from Gadsden, AL to Defiance, OH! 630 Miles! Five states! Countless vendors and items! Yum?

This event is truly a collection of collections! There is something for everyone in it — even if, and, it is unlikely, one is just casually browsing, to find an item for their own collection. Held the first week in August this collecting adventure is usually hot, humid, hopeful and happy!

Might find a Bakelite button, a wrought-iron bedstead, an English antique clock from 1790, which still works, a Civil War button, a really rare wooden chalk line tool, a miniature copper spittoon, wrought iron garden figures from Mexico! How about a Dancing Hamster, which, when you press its foot, sings a rock birthday greeting? Hey! From the ‘80s. Only $3!

Just try traveling around without seeing collections at every turn! I know. You don’t have to be dared to go hunting. You already do it! Right?

Note: On Saturday, Oct. 18 you might want to visit Indian Rocks Beach City Hall. There’ll be an antique show. Call 727-586-7515.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month.

(NAPSA)-If you thought cancer was the leading cause of female deaths in the United States, think again. Every minute, approximately one woman dies from heart and vascular diseases-that's nearly half a million women each year. In fact, more women die of heart disease than all cancers combined.The good news is that you can take steps to prevent heart disease. You can reduce your heart disease risk factors, including excess weight, high blood sugar levels and high cholesterol, just by making simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing your physical activity, making nutritious food choices and managing stress in healthy ways.   

An Important First Step

Knowing your cholesterol levels is an important first step toward taking charge of one's heart health. In recognition of National Cholesterol Education Month this September, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement is urging women across the country to talk to their doctors, learn their cholesterol levels and better understand their risk for heart disease.There are two types of cholesterol: the "good cholesterol," also called HDL, and the "bad cholesterol," called LDL. It's important to understand the difference and to know the levels of "good" and "bad" cholesterol in your blood.  Too much LDL cholesterol in the blood can clog the arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke, while high levels of HDL cholesterol seem to protect against heart attack.

High Cholesterol  Can Be Controlled

"Many women are unaware that high cholesterol can be controlled and managed by taking small steps, such as eating foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat, being physically active and maintaining a healthy weight," said Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., associate professor of medicine and director of nuclear cardiology at New York University. "Working with your doctor to make these steps a part of everyday life can provide long-term benefits for your health and your heart."
Take the  Go Red Heart CheckUp

The American Heart Association started the Go Red For Women movement to better educate women about their personal risk for heart disease. This September, with Merck & Co., Inc. as a national sponsor, Go Red For Women urges women across America to visit your doctor to discuss your heart health and know your numbers-cholesterol as well as fasting blood sugar and blood pressure levels.  

With these numbers, you can visit www.goredforwomen.org to take the Go Red Heart Checkup-an online tool that helps you identify your risk factors and provides a personalized heart health action plan you can follow. You can also play the Heart Smarts Challenge at www.goredwithmerck.com for a chance to receive a free copy of the heart-healthy Go Red For Women "Light and Easy Recipes" cookbook.

By being a part of the Go Red For Women movement, you are making an investment in your own health and that of those you love. Join Go Red For Women and spread the word.

For more information about cholesterol and heart disease, visit www.goredforwomen.org or contact your local American Heart Association chapter.

Many women don't realize that high cholesterol is a major controllable risk factor for heart disease. Approximately one woman dies from heart and vascular diseases every minute-that's nearly half a million women each year. The American Heart Association started the Go Red For Women movement to better educate women about their personal risk for heart disease. With Merck & Co., Inc. as a national sponsor, the movement continues to help women learn to be proactive about their heart health.

The U.S. Department of Energy contends that wind power can provide 20 percent of the nation's electricity by 2030.

(NAPSA)-Experts say there is a renewable source of energy that is capable of becoming a major contributor to America's electricity supply over the next three decades-wind power.

In 2007, wind was already one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity in U.S. households, and the U.S. Department of Energy contends that wind power can provide 20 percent of the nation's electricity by 2030 and be a critical part of the solution to global warming. Some say achieving a 20 percent wind contribution to U.S. electricity supply would:
•    Reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 25 percent by 2030;
•    Reduce natural gas use by 11 percent;
•    Reduce water consumption associated with electricity generation by 4 trillion gallons by 2030.

It's also estimated that a 20 percent wind contribution could increase annual revenues to local communities to more than $1.5 billion by 2030 and support roughly 500,000 jobs in the U.S., with an average of more than 150,000 workers directly employed by the wind industry.

New technology will be required to achieve these goals, such as the new hydrodynamic drive system, WinDrive, from a company called Voith. This system is designed to make energy generation with wind power more effective, because the wind rotor is always operated at optimum speed. That translates to a constant output of energy.

The technology is already breaking records in extreme environments. For instance, it is the highest installed wind turbine in the world, operating at 2.61 miles above sea level.

The wind turbine delivers the power supply to the Veladero gold mine owned by the Barrick company in the Andes mountains of Argentina.

American students are also on track to benefit from the technology. The Texas State Technical College in West Texas, in a joint venture with the city of Sweetwater, has purchased a DeWind D 8.2 wind turbine featuring the Voith WinDrive. The wind turbine is installed in Highland, Texas, just a few miles from the campus in Sweetwater. It's planned that students will have access to technology as part of their course of studies in the school's wind energy program.
To learn more, visit www.voithturbo.com .

(NAPSA)-It seems that owning a pet might keep your health from going to the dogs. Pet owners tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than non-pet owners, and they have higher heart-attack survival rates, too, according to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.

Add to that lower levels of depression, loneliness and emotional problems in pet owners than non-pet owners and you might soon see the true value of a four-footed friend.

It's a fact not lost on Kimber, a graduate student who brings her dog Kujo to visit disabled adults and children.

"We don't even make it to the building before they all run out very excited and say, 'The dogs are here, the dogs are here!'" she says. "One boy, who is about 7, almost never speaks because of his autism. But when we're there, he calls out 'Dog, dog, dog!' and claps his hands. It makes such a difference in him."

Kimber shares her story on the PowerofPaws.com Web site. It's part of a new national initiative created by Milk-Bone, Meow Mix, Kibbles 'n Bits, Pup-Peroni and Snausages to educate consumers about the mutual benefits that both pets and "pet parents" enjoy. One goal is to make pets more accessible to those who need daily assistance or a loving friend. The site offers inspiring testimonials from pet parents, as well.

"Our goal is to help people get active, reduce stress and live healthier lives together with their pets," explains Dr. Bonnie Bergin, who created the concept of the Service Dog in 1975 and is a partner in the Power of Paws program. "It's as easy as taking your dog for a walk. You'll walk farther with your pet than you would if you were walking alone."

Additionally, site visitors can tell their own heartwarming pet "tail." Each story triggers a $1 donation on the teller's behalf to organizations across the country, such as Bergin University of Canine Studies and the Animal Medical Center, which help people in need experience the benefits of pet companionship.

So what are some additional reasons to love your pets?

Nutrition For The Soul

When you show pets affection in the form of gentle words, caressing hands and simply by acceptance of them, they respond in kind.

Healthy Relationships

Walking your dog can be a great way for you and your dog to get some exercise. The American Heart Association says just two brisk 15-minute walks with your dog each day satisfy the standard for aerobic exercise.

Self-Worth

Studies show that self-esteem is enhanced in children who own pets and that pets can help children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) learn to concentrate.

For more information, visit www.powerofpaws.com .


A new Web site lets people share their favorite pet stories.