Archive for December, 2010

Joe – Booth #29

Rita – Booth #61

Margaret – Booth #247

Julie – Booth #26

More items and variety for our customers!

Looking for something to do?  We’re sharing some of the great things Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County have to offer.  If you missed last month’s list, just scroll down after checking these out.

Hallstrom Planetarium
http://www.irsc.edu/visitors/shows/planetarium/planetarium.aspx?id=1273
Hallstrom Planetarium at Indian River State College offers astronomy  shows to the general public and telescope viewing sessions are provided, weather permitting, through the services of the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society.  An exciting educational planetarium that transports you to distant places and times and uses special effect projectors to tell stories about the planets and stars.  Comfortable reclining seats with headrests, a 40-foot dome that duplicates the night sky, and ever-changing shows, has made the planetarium a favorite.  Regular shows on Friday and Saturdays, with additional special and astronomical event shows, concerts, etc.  Full calendar online through June.  Heck of a deal for $3.
Editor’s note: Recommended for adults and children 4 and over.  Tickets can be purchased up to 30 minutes before show time, but seating is limited.  Bring a sweater, the dome is kept at a cool 72 degrees.

Tours on Horseback
http://www.beachtoursonhorseback.com/
One of the few areas in Florida where horsebackriding on the beach is permitted.  Regularly scheduled rides on Sunday, although other days can be reserved.  Located at Frederick Douglas Memorial Park on A1A.  Approximately one hour and three miles for $35 per person, this would be a great idea for visiting family or friends.  Riders must be at least 10 years old, and weight limit is 225 pounds.
Editor’s note:  Shorts are permitted, but from experience, I’d recommend long pants.

Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit
http://www.sms.si.edu/SMEE/index.htm
The Indian River Lagoon stretches 156 miles and harbors over 3,000 species of organisms. The Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit provides a window into this underwater world with six different Florida marine habitats.  Living models of Caribbean coral reef, seagrass, mangrove, estuarine and nearshore habitats, as well as a deepwater Oculina coral reef.  Several smaller aquarium displays and a touch tank where you can meet some of our local sea creatures.  Not a typical aquarium, SMEE is dedicated to showing how our complex ecosystems interact.  Very reasonable admission and first Tuesday of every month is free.
Editor’s note:  Just north of downtown Fort Pierce over South Bridge.  Right on causeway beach, so you can make a day of it – boat ramp, covered picnic benches with barbecues, swimming.

Heathcote Botanical Gardens
http://www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org/home1
Pathways bordered by flowering shrubs, bulbs, trees and vines lead to an assortment of specialty gardens including Japanese, Reflections, Herbs, Rainforest and many more.  Labels on native and exotic plants make the walk informative as well as delightful.  A replica Florida Pioneer House takes you back in time to when Southeast Florida was renowned for its pineapple plantations in the early 1900s.  Something is always blooming.  Reasonable admission with discounts for members.
Editor’s note:  Plenty of places to sit and relax, so take your time.

That is the question, and after visiting Richard Binder’s website (http://www.richardspens.com) I have an overwhelming urge to send snail mail on real paper with real ink, and really wish I had better handwriting.  Where to start?

I could begin with all the great info that’s available or the photos or the blog.  But since I have such fond memories of traveling the roads in the passenger seat of a semi with my father, I’m gonna start at Richard’s “Pen Writings” where he gives a new slant to the old Burma Shave road signs.  And read the rest of them.  Poignant is not a word I use often (obviously, since I had to run it through spell-checker), but some of his writings are gonna stay with you for a while.

Where next?  Richard offers pens, nibs, accessories, tools, repair and restoration services and if you’re already a pen collector, I’d recommend him.  Not because I actually own a pen that doesn’t have a slogan on the side, but because his enthusiasm is boundless, and I’ve discovered over the years that people who love their work want to spread the joy.

Now to the nitty gritty.  Reference pages are a cornucopia for anyone involved in, interested in, or just curious about pens (and mechanical pencils too, since they often came in a set).  He’s covered everything from anatomy of a pen, glossary, history, care of, how to fill, and English/French/Japanese lexicons to design features, and my favorite ‘the pen detective’.  Read that and you’ll never walk past a pen again without whipping out a magnifying glass.  There’s a whole section on Inks, how they rate, which ones to avoid, etc.  Click on any of the reference headings and you’ll find a whole list of articles, how-to’s, specific and general information.  If you have a question, the answer is probably here.

Richard’s own collection of pens features exquisite descriptions and really first rate photos, all of which can be enlarged in great detail.  His ‘Reader’s Corner’ recommends books that he’s read and gives a brief summary and these aren’t just collector-type books.  You can subscribe to Nib Noise, a monthly newsletter, and there’s plenty of links for you to explore.

Go forth and discover, dear reader (my apologies to Mr. King), and you won’t be disappointed.  Visit Richard Binder’s website (http://www.richardspens.com) and

Tell ‘em I sent ya’
Victoria

What a spread!  Our cooks outdid themselves and our customers reaped the benefits.  Food, fun, shopping and free gifts were all on the menu December 4th.

Congratulations to Janice M. who won our Fall Gift Basket raffle!  We were pleased to present it to her and she sent us a lovely thank you note.  Our customers are really special people!