Discover Vintage America — February 2012
Nostalgia abounds in month of hearts
One of my first memories of Valentine’s Day hails back to Mrs. Molly McBride’s first grade classroom in Joplin, Mo. It was under her guidance that I learned how to cut a heart by folding a piece of red construction paper in half. We’d then paste our unfolded, lopsided heart shapes on white paper doilies and etch out an “I love you” on them in crayon to give to our parents.
Here was where I also learned the social custom of passing out valentine cards to classmates. We’d each decorate a shoe box in festive reds, pinks and whites with our names emblazoned upon it, a sort of mailbox for fellow classmates to declare how much they liked us.
And of course, there was always the boy crush and the internal debate of do I/do I not declare my love for him with that special “I love you” card in the dime store package of valentines my mother bought me.
In this month’s issue, antique and collectibles expert Robert Reed shares the history of valentine cards (page 14). And the tradition, I assure you, started long before Mrs. McBride’s class, hailing back instead to the Middle Ages.
Design writer and decoupage artist Durwin Rice also shares some creative ways to say “I love you” in his column, “Sweet somethings for your valentine,” (page 6) by repurposing vintage items with a personal touch and a little whimsy.
And for another original art offering, check out the feature article on “Hidden art, and talent, revealed,” about the 30th anniversary of an art show displaying paintings created by inmates of the US Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS, and the US Disciplinary Barracks, in Fort Leavenworth, KS. A percentage of the sales from this annual event benefit the River City Community Players theater group, which has sponsored the event since its inception.
We wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Send your suggestions for story ideas to editor@discoverypub.com or via snail mail to 1501 Burlington, Ste. 207, North Kansas City, MO 64116.
As always, we look forward to hearing from you!