For New Holiday DVD Releases 09/29/09

There were lots of holiday DVD released yesterday, September 29th, with undoubtedly more to come! Many of these are on sale the first week so now would be a good time to pick up anything you may want for your collection.

THE WIZARD OF OZ (70th ANNIVERSARY ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION)

In this charming film based on the popular L.Frank Baum novel, Dorothy and her dog Toto are caught in a tornado's path and somehow end up in the land of Oz. Here she encounters some memorable friends and foes in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz who everyone says can help her return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.


THE WIZARD OF OZ (70th ANNIVERSARY TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION)

In this charming film based on the popular L.Frank Baum novel, Dorothy and her dog Toto are caught in a tornado's path and somehow end up in the land of Oz. Here she encounters some memorable friends and foes in her journey to meet the Wizard of Oz who everyone says can help her return home and possibly grant her new friends their goals of a brain, heart and courage.


MONSTERS VS. ALIENS

When Susan Murphy is unexpectedly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall and is instantly labeled a “Monster” named Ginormica. The military jumps into action, and she is captured and held in a secret government compound filled with other “monsters” like herself. This ragtag group consists of the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, P.H.D.; the macho half-Ape-half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement time is cut short however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to save the world from imminent destruction.


THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS: COMPLETE COLLECTION

Available for the first time on DVD! Get all 147 episodes of The Real Ghostbusters plus over TWELVE HOURS of bonus material. This special offer includes a deluxe firehouse collectors box with lenticular (hologram) panels on the front and sides. Inside this box are 5 separate steel book cases containing a total of 25 DVDs with every episode from The Real Ghostbusters and Slimer! A must have for any Ghostbuster fan.


WINNIE THE POOH: SEASONS OF GIVING

Ring in the season with this special 10th anniversary edition of WINNIE THE POOH: SEASONS OF GIVING -- the cherished, full-length adventure that celebrates friendship, family and the true meaning of the holidays. Join Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Rabbit on a brave quest to find a favorite season they somehow seem to have missed -- Winter! Next, accompany them on a wild search for the perfect ingredients to create a festive Thanksgiving feast, and share in the warm glow of a Christmas that brings a surprise visit from a very special friend. Featuring beloved characters, five irrestible songs, and two new-to-DVD Pooh adventures, this fun, heartwarming Disney classic will keep the magic of the holiday season alive and sparkling the whole year long!


DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION 7: MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL

Celebrate the holidays with MICKEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL, a beloved classic short film that is now part of the Disney Animation Collection! Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many more of your favorite characters join the cast in this delightfully charming adaptation of a classic holiday tale. Ebeneezer Scrooge Scrooge McDuck is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is the time for kindness and generosity. So, with the guidance of some wise ghosts with Goofy and Jiminy Cricket, and the examples set by his clerk Bob Cratchit Mickey and nephew Fred Donald, Scrooge learns how to embrace the true spirit of the season. Each volume in the Disney Animation Collection series is packed with classic Disney short films that will bring laughter and merriment into your family's home. Includes the following shorts: Mickey's Christmas Carol, Pluto's Christmas Tree, The Small One, Santa's Workshop. Add them all to your DVD library today!


MUPPETS CHRISTMAS: LETTERS TO SANTA

Celebrate the season will all your favorite Muppets in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday movie. Whoopi Goldberg, Uma Thurman, Nathan Lane and other sensational guest stars join our friends on a fun-filled Christmas adventure full of sidesplitting laughs and memorable music. When Gonzo forgets to mail three letters to Santa, he convinces Kermit and the gang to help him deliver the notes to the North Pole. Along the way, they discover that Christmas is the time to be with those you care about most, as they dash home to make a friend's Christmas wish come true. Bursting with bonus material and never-before-seen footage, A MUPPETS CHRISTMAS: LETTERS TO SANTA is hours of holiday fun for the entire family!


HERMIE & FRIENDS: A FRUITCAKE CHRISTMAS

It's Christmastime in the garden and Hermie and his friends are hustling and bustling to prepare for the big day. But more than anything they all eagerly anticipate the crowning moment of the holiday season: the arrival of Grannypillar's scrumptious fruitcake. Suddenly, Christmas is hijacked when Iggy and Ziggy Cockroach steal Grannypillar's fruitcake. How will Christmas survive?! But deep in the hearts of the youngest of hearts, the true meaning of Christmas shines through.


WORDWORLD: HAPPY HOLIDAYS WORDFRIENDS!

The Christmas Star: It's the night before Christmas and FROG needs a star to hang on his Christmas tree. DUCK thinks this will be the perfect present for FROG, and tries to lasso one out of the sky for him. Try as he might, DUCK is unable to catch a star fro FROG, and cries himself to sleep. But while he sleeps, someone leaves him a wonderful present: the letters S-T-A-R... A Christmas Present for DOG: It's Christmas morning, and all the WordFriends are excited by the presents Santa has brought for them! PIG has a sled, BEAR has a doll, and ant has a cookie. But not all the letters for DOG's present came down his chimney. All he has is a B-A-L. BEAR gets filled with the Christmas spirit and makes a sacrifice to ensure DOG's Christmas will be merry!


SONIC UNDERGROUND: SONIC CHRISTMAS BLAST

Santa Claus announces his retirement on television and the public is shocked! But its Santa's replacement, Robotropolis, who has everyone worried. It seems Robotropolis has his own ideas, and instead of giving boys and girls gifts, Robotropolis would rather receive them. Join Sonic the Hedgehog in an adventure to rescue the spirit of Christmas and bring joy back to the world!


THE LITTLES: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Discover the true meaning of Christmas with the family with the biggest hearts, the Littles! Living in the walls of houses and other tiny spaces is a race of little people with tails and pointed ears who are rarely seen by humans. Despite their small size, the Littles have the same cares, worries, and joys as we do, but being so tiny brings its own dangers!

For Apple Picking

It's prime time for apple picking in northern New England. The kids and I have had a lot of fun reading some of the books I posted in a previous blog and we learned interesting facts about the history of apples and apples today. For example, did you know that the leading state for apple production -- by FAR -- is Washtington state? A distant 2nd is New York and then the great, state of Michigan (where I grew up.) In fact, the apple blossom is Michigan's state flower.

Here's another one: The most popular apple is the Red Delicious. (Good -- that's my favorite!)

We all know who Johnny Appleseed is -- he was born in MA, but he spent most of his life planting and cultivating apple trees in the Ohio Valley and many of the apple trees there today are descendants of his.

New England isn't slack in the apple department either. In fact, states on both coasts are great apple producers. Around here, you will mostly find Cortlands and MacIntosh. My family is happy about that (they do not share my love for Red Delicious.) For them, the more tart the better -- and since "Macs" ripen earlier than other varieties (and fall and winter come sooner here), we decided that a sunny, September Saturday was perfect timing.

We head across the Connecticut River into Vermont (since it is the closest large apple orchard to us.):

Most of the apple trees there are of the dwarf variety -- perfect for climbing!

Like most orchards, they let you eat as many as you want on the go. My kids can't get enough. They wonder about all the apples on the ground and I inform them that they will be used to feed animals, make cider, and for applesauce.

It's fun to look for an orchard that offers a little bit more for the kiddies. Some have cider mills, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches, but this one is a little more old-fashioned. Here, the kids enjoy the petting zoo (full of cows, deer, goats, chickens, rabbits, and other small, farm animals.)

Not surprisingly you will also find loads of pumpkins and other vegetables. Harvest is in!

A must for apple picking is the ability to buy apple cider donuts. If they don't have 'em, we don't go! It's a once-a-year treat . . . fresh donuts, hot from the fryer (your choice, plain or sugar -- I prefer plain.) Mmmmmm . . . look at the grease on that bag!

And like many public farms and orchards in our rural area, you will find a country store with home-town goodies and souvenirs.

If you are one of those rare folk who do not want to bother trampling through the trees and up the hills in order to fill a bushel full yourself, you can always purchase pre-packaged bags (and still enjoy being at the orchard.)

If you are used to grabbing the apple sales at the grocery store this time of year, I encourage you to consider your local orchard instead. If you are in a mind to make pies, tarts, applesauce, cider, or other apple goodies, you can't go wrong picking the apples right off the tree (bruise-free) and the prices are usually pretty comparable as well.

Don't miss out on this fall ritual. (September is prime time for the northeast and other parts north; October is better in other areas.) You can start here or do a search in your area for orchards. If you have kids, they are bound to relish in the simple fun and the opportunity to get out into the crisp air and you will find memories and traditions to last a lifetime.

Featured Music By Cheryl Wheeler

Cheryl Wheeler's, "When Fall Comes To New England", is a warm, folksy tribute to a time of year when people from all over the world take trips to New England to gaze at the magnificent foliage. It can be found on the album, When October Goes: Autumn Love Songs, which features 14 other tracks heralding the tranquility of Fall.

If you're looking for something special to laze the windy days away with, you'll find this album to be the perfect accompaniment. Like taking a peaceful stroll through the mountainous country side, it will soothe the soul. Visit out STORE to pick up a copy for yourself!

Visit A Haunted Theme Park

You may have noticed that most, if not all, theme parks throughout the country are gearing up for the fast approaching Halloween season. Most do so by adding Halloween themed attractions, lining their pathways with eerie displays and have frightful characters lurking about the park. Each tries to bring their own unique flair to draw crowds, and it's certainly good for business. Even the zoo's are getting in on the action, offering activities for young kids and exhibits of creepy crawlies and real life animal skulls. With the passing of the busy Summer season, they are still able to lure people of all ages who are looking for some spooky fun! Want to know where you can get in on the action? Follow the link to find a Scaredy Park near you!

For the most part, the amusement parks keep the scares to a minimum, offering family friendly fun. Still, it's a good idea to check with the park you plan to attend ahead of time to make sure it is age appropriate for your little ghoul. Nevertheless, there are plenty of options for adults as well. Halloween is no longer just a holiday for children! More and more local haunted attractions are popping up around the country that are geared toward adults. Most will be advertised around town, but a good website to find local attractions is the Haunted House Directory. These are the kind of high intensity thrills that require parental consent for people under 18. In fact, there are many adults who may not be able to handle these extreme terrors. Proceed with caution, for you may not make it back alive! Muhahahaha...

The Holiday Family Collection

After hunting around Amazon last night, I stumbled across this little gem, the Holiday Family Collection. It's an 8 disc set chock full of all kinds of classic Christmas movies, TV episodes and animated shorts. From what I understand, the picture quality does not come from the best transfer, but that's an incredible amount of films for the price! Here is a full list of what it contains:

FEATURE FILMS:

• Beyond Tomorrow
• Christmas Without Snow, A
• Great Rupert, The
• Little Women: Jo's Story
• Little Women: Meg's Story
• Littlest Angel, The
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Nativity, The
• Pilgrimage Play, The
• Santa Claus
• Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
• Scrooge

TV EPISODES

• The Adventures of Long John Silver - 1 episode
• The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet - 5 episodes
• The Adventures of Robin Hood - 1 episode
• Annie Oakley - 1 episode
• The Beverly Hillbillies - 4 episodes
• The Bob Cummings Show Love That Bob - 1 episode
• Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion - 1 episode
• Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - 1 episode
• Date with the Angels - 1 episode
• Dear Phoebe - 1 episode
• The Doctor - 1 episode
• Dragnet - 3 episodes
• Dupont Theatre - 1 episode
• Four Star Playhouse - 2 episodes
• General Electric Theater - A Child is Born
• General Electric Theater - Fred Waring Christmas Music
• The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show - 1 episode
• Gruen Guild Playhouse - Joe Santa Claus
• The Jack Benny Program - 3 episodes
• The Liberace Show - 2 episodes
• Lux Video Theatre - Holiday Affair
• Meet Corliss Archer - 1 episode
• Paul Winchell Show - 1 episode
• Petticoat Junction - 1 episode
• Racket Squad - 2 episodes
• The Ray Bolger Show Where's Raymond? - 1 episode
• The Red Skelton Show - 3 episodes
• The Ruggles - 1 episode
• The Scarlet Pimpernel - 1 episode
• Screen Writers Playhouse - A String of Blue Beads
• Sherlock Holmes - 1 episode
• A Star Shall Rise - 1 episode
• Telephone Time - 1 episode

CARTOONS:

• The Candlemaker
• Christmas Comes But Once A Year
• A Christmas Dream
• Christmas Fairy Tale
• Christmas Night
• A Christmas Visit
• The Christmas Visitor
• The Elf and Mr. Little
• The First Christmas
• Hector's Hectic Life
• Howdy Doody's Christmas
• Jack Frost
• Jingle Bells
• The Little Lamb
• The Little Match Girl
• Merry Christmas
• The Night Before Christmas
• O' Come All Ye Faithful
• O' Little Town of Bethlehem
• A Present for Santa Claus
• Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer
• Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen
• Santa and the Three Bears
• Santa Claus Story
• Santa in Animal Land
• Silent Night: Story of the Christmas Carol
• Snow Foolin'

As a bonus, it also includes a virtual fireplace DVD! According to one review, the fire is in color and has a very clear picture.  I ordered my copy from Deep Discount for $15.29 (free s/h).  Should keep a person busy until next Christmas!

A Last Hurrah!

If it didn't officially end on Labor Day, Summer certainly has come to a close this week. Today marks the official beginning of Fall, and though most people have put an end to their Summer time activities, there are still those who will bask in sun-filled bliss as long as humanly possible, even into October if the temperatures permit. But for all practical purposes, we considered this past weekend to be our last hurrah of Summer before pulling out our orange, red and gold decorations.

The Harbor Days festival in Oceanside is where we chose to implement our final celebration. It was your typical festival with various food vendors, arts and crafts and live music, but focused the theme on pirates and military displays. The atmosphere was very family friendly, with many children and adults getting into the act by donning pirate costumes of their own. We even watched a live hypnosis performance, which was a first for me and very entertaining. Still, I couldn't help but feel for the guy who was made to believe a Chuckie doll was his beautiful baby boy!

The most educating experience of the day was exploring the many military displays they had on site. Among them were many vehicles and an Army medical tent. After exploring the medical facilities, I must say, it's not the kind of place I would prefer to be treated. It certainly gives a person new found appreciation for our modern hospitals with their many conveniences. Once again I am humbled by the many sacrifices our men in uniform make to keep us safe! The Coast Guard had an exceptionally nice booth as well, along with a free tour of one of their ships. Personally, I found their little robotic talking ship, Coastie, to be much cuter than the real thing though.












We even got a chance to stop into our favorite fish and chips place up there, which is always a real treat. Just before leaving we had the pleasure of watching a harbor seal interacting with a family on a boat. They were feeding the seal fresh fish, which was received with great anticipation. At times he would even jump out of the water and give the onlookers a chance to survey its massive size. It's quite amazing how something in the wild would be so comfortable around humans.




Other than our time in Oceanside, we managed to fit in an afternoon at the beach. The water is definitely starting to cool down, despite the bit of a heat wave we've been experiencing. It won't be long now before we'll be forced to seek out new ways to spend our afternoons on the weekend, but that's the beauty of the seasonal cycle...you never have a chance to get stuck in a rut. It's a good reminder that no matter how monotonous life may get, change is on the way!

What did you do for your last hurrah of Summer?

A Visit to the County Fair

Here is a popular end-of-summer rite in New England. Most states have 'em, but they are all different. In New England, fairs have been around since the early settlers -- and some do not seem to have changed very much since the early 1800's, including this fair in Tunbridge, Vermont. Have you ever attended an old-fashioned county fair? If so, maybe this post will bring back fond memories; if not, come and take a tour!

Fairs in rural New England are usually nestled in some remote country-side, surrounded by green mountains and farms. They tend to feature livestock and agriculture, but you can't have a fair without a midway and rides, too.

Our family particularly likes this fair because they have "Agriculture Education Day", which means FREE admission for schools and home-schools! With sunny weather in the mid-'60's, we were off.

Throughout the fair grounds are old buildings, including barns, shops, and this authentic one-room school-house. Kids take a step back 150 years and get a little glimpse of life for their Victorian counter-parts.


Schools were not so "tolerant" in those days.


After school, the kids can run over to the general store. Unfortunately, due to inflation, candy sticks and lollipops are now whopping .25 each.


Further down the lane, step into a trade-woman's shop. She is hand-making colorful rugs with rags. Amazing.




Not far away, a man builds violins. A few guys play jigs and waltzes in the background:


The local blacksmiths are busy, too. They solder iron hooks, horseshoes, candelabras, toys, and tools.




After an hour or two watching how things were done in the old days, it's fun to watch our resident Civil War heroes (AKA "The Green Mountain Boys") in a drill demonstration:




Like many fairs, shows and entertainment abound -- but Vermont offers those of a more quaint variety. You might catch a square dance (and even be pulled up on stage and give it a go yourself) or a puppet show. You might also listen to a mysterious "Dixieland Band."


If you step over to the other side of the fairgrounds (after watching the pig races), you can see all the wonderful produce, artwork, baked goods, and handiwork that local people have entered with dreams of winning a blue ribbon.


The judges take their duties very seriously:






























Though your head might be spinning from that amazing talent, you do not want to miss out on the highlight of the fair -- livestock. (The kiddies especially squeal with delight over the prospect of petting.)






Every farm animal you can think of is there, happily displayed by owners in pursuit of those coveted ribbons. We learn a lot about our agricultural history and see that God has greatly blessed this nation and continues to do so.
I hope you enjoyed this little visit to a rural, New England fair. We enjoyed it very much. I encourage you to take a day off and look for a fair near you. Fore-go the concessions and rides and really soak in the history and agriculture. You, too, will marvel in the ingenuity and riches of our country and learn a lot, in the bargain. Can you think of anything better than that? If you have memories of the fair (old or new), please share in the comments section! Have a blessed harvest!