Slot Cars and Tracks

… a little bit of history

By the fifties, America was moving firmly past the Second World War and into an era of unprecedented prosperity. More and more Americans felt they could afford some pleasant distractions. About this time Joseph and Gennaro Giammarino got together with John Cuomo and Abe Shikes to create a company that would become an icon of the American toy industry – Aurora Plastics Company. While you could fill a book with the history of this innovative business, we will focus on their contribution to slot cars and only briefly touch on some of their many accomplishments.

fromAFXRacing.com
Slot Cars at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Slot Cars Acquired Recently

By the end of 1976, AFX sales hit their all-time high of about $45 million on the back of the stunning popularity of the new technology. Quite an increase from the roughly $15 million in sales for the line in 1970.


fromAFXRacing.com

In doing a bit of research, we’ve been made aware that slot car racing is still alive and well in many countries. This interesting book, published in Dec. 2018, is an example of this interest.

THINGIES, a Retro Futuristic Slot Car Story

Here at Bahoukas, we have a small collection of slot cars as well as a number of slot car tracks.

Slot Car Tracks by TYCO available at Bahoukas Antiques

You can visit the Spanish site (also in English) SlotCar Today and discover how active the slot car hobby is today! It’s fascinating to realize how actively the concept of slot car racing is today.

Plus AFXRacing.com gives a great account of the many countries with a history of slot car racing.

Stop in and visit us. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Flix and Smurfs!

… fun for kids

Tiny Smurf characters - a great way for youngsters to begin collecting. Bahoukas iin Havre de Grace
Tiny Smurfs are a delightful collectible.

SMURFS have been BIG business! Here’s a quote from Wikipedia:

The Smurfs is a Belgian comic book series created by Peyo in 1958. It became well-known worldwide with the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series in the 1980s. With the popularity of the Smurfs came a wide range of toys and spin-off products and use of the Smurfs in merchandising. Smurfs’ merchandising in 2008 generates about 5 to 12 million euro per year in Europe alone, while the total figure after fifty years worldwide is about $5 billion.

Do you know how many female Smurfs there are? Do you know their names? We’ll give the answer at the end of the post.

Are you familiar with FLIX?

FLIX Candy Gumball Machines collection at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace, MD
Recently acquired: FLIX Candy Gumball Machines

No, we’re not talking about the soft fur of a beaver or software! We’re talking about the fun FLIX Candy Gumball Machines.

This recently acquired collection are in their original packaging and included Power Ranger Super Heroes and Flintstone Characters. These are another great way to start a youngster in the joy of collecting.

We invite you to bring your youngster in to browse the shop. Share your stories with them and encourage them if they show signs of wanting to ‘collect.’ We love meeting young collectors. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

The answer to the Female Smurfs:
Smurfette , Sassette, and Nanny.
When the movies came out, more were created.

Small Is Fun!

Hot Wheels and more…

Hot Wheels and other small cars and trucks part of the Collection of Collections to be found at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Yes, small is beautiful … and fun!
These cars, trucks are more are proof!

Do you remember playing with Hot Wheels and other little cars and trucks as a kid? Do you share that fun with your own kids or grand kids?

At Bahoukas we have a wide variety of small metal and plastic mini-vehicles. From fire trucks to construction equipment, possibly your favorite car of your youth, we have scores to choose from.

These little cars have a long history… TootsieToy made die cast cars in the 50s. They were crude and not very detailed. Then MatchBox hit the market in the mid-50s. And Hot Wheels burst onto the scene in the 60s.

We have a variety of the scale model, mini-vehicles and believe it’s a great way to share your stories of playing with them (and, of course, sharing those favorite ‘car stories’) with the youngsters in your life. It’s also a great way to start the kids collecting. What a wonderful way to enjoy years gone by.

The following quote from an article at Hemmings.com shares the love of these mini-cars in those early years:

Before you could drive, there was the desire to drive. Before you could put your name on a pink slip, you could ask Grandpa for a dollar to buy something cool. The rip of the package, the smell of the fresh paint that escaped the blisterpack, the bounce of the suspension, the fast roll of your new ride. More than a few car junkies will have to admit that playing with (and collecting) Hot Wheels was their first step into loving cars.

Stop in at Bahoukas and see the variety of die-cast cars and more. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Did you know that Bahoukas is the Collector of Collections?

What do you collect?

PEZ over 700 including all the presidents from Washington to Obama at Bahoukas Antiques!
PEZ are fun to collect for young and old!

Of course, you’ve seen our Christmas Tree decorated with PEZ! And we have a huge selection in our shop. Did you know that George has an entire room in his home dedicated to PEZ. Yup, he sure does!

decoupage old canning labels from Bahoukas in Havre de Grace
Canning labels are very collectible and can add to your kitchen decor as well.

Canning was a major industry in Havre de Grace for many decades. And collecting canning labels is a passion for many. Our label reprints make for some very colorful items to create decorative pieces especially for your kitchen.

We encourage you to visit Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum to discover our many ‘collections.’ George really is a “Collector of Collections”! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Holly Jolly First Friday and Bahoukas

Love an old-fashioned Christmas?

Wooden riding firetruck!

One of the things we hear people saying is how ‘commercial’ Christmas is. We can help change that if you visit us at Bahoukas Antique Mall. We have a wonderful variety of toys and gifts that add value and excitement to your gift-giving.

Above is a well made, wooden firetruck sure to please that young toddler on your list. Nothing fancy, nothing to break, just a great toy! Stop by and see it for yourself.

Create a reader with these Golden Books and more

Remember all of your favorite books of years gone by. You can bet that we have some of them in our store. Come browse our children’s book section and find a couple that you’ll definitely want to share with the young reader on your list. Remember, there’s nothing kids love more than having you read to or with them!

Lunch Boxes for nearly every tv show or movie character.

Everyone had a favorite tv or movie character, often on their favorite lunch box. We have a huge collection of character lunch boxes that you’ll surely discover the perfect one for the lunch-carrying kid on your gift list. Or maybe, they just want to hide their treasures in one. Oh, and don’t forget, there are ‘big kids’ that love carrying one of these to work! So come in and pick out a couple for those on your gift-list that carry lunches or have treasures to hide!

Puzzles and more…

This is only one shelf of a huge collection of puzzles for all ages. We have large puzzles of 6-8 pieces for the toddler, 24 pcs for the pre-school, and plenty of other puzzles of all shapes, sizes, and number of pieces to entertain any puzzle lover – toddler to adult!

So while you’re enjoying tonight’s Holly Jolly First Friday with parade at 6, the lighting of the tree, carolers and stilt walkers, Santa’s arrival, shops open late, plenty of eateries – indoors and outdoors, take a few minutes to check out all that we have to offer for those on your gift list (and yes, even for yourself)! You can always come back tomorrow when the kids aren’t with you. 

In the meantime, enjoy the festivities. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

3.2 Billion U.S. Dollars … Global Games Market

That was in 2016. It’s projected to be 8.12 billion U.S. dollars in 2021! Yes, that’s BILLIONS! *

BOARD GAMES THRIVE and we’ve got them!

George just added about 75 games to his game shelf. Some of them have never been opened. Yep, you know George, can’t leave a good deal behind. So we’ve started cleaning the toy area to make room. Check out our game shelves!

card games, dominoes, checkers, puzzles, and more at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace   Erector sets, charades, learning games, and more board games at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace

Not only do we have new and nearly new games, but we also have older and very collectible games. There are games for every age and every type. Like puzzles? You won’t believe the unique puzzle-twisters we have. Seriously, stop in and check them out (while they’re still neatly stacked!). 

Bible Trivia game at Bhaoukas Antiques

Shark Attack game at Bahoukas n Havre de Grace

Yes, Games are IN! So if you, your family, and friends enjoy a game or two, you just might want to stop in and see what we have. I can guarantee we have games you’ve never seen that are positively amazing. Try one. Surprise your family with a unique game. Consider this:

Board games are returning as a mainstream entertainment among families, kids, and even child-less millennials looking for a new way to socialize with friends.

The board game boom has not only led to the creation of new games but also to cafes and bars focused on gaming.   from CNBC.com

High School Musical Game - like new - at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace

Hot Tomatoes - an active game for kids - in Bahoukas toy area in Havre de Grace

Seriously, if games are on your list for Holiday Gift Giving or just to be ready for the coming holiday fun, you’ll want to drop by and see what we have. And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya! And while we’re thinking of it, how about a game cafe!! Of course, or local coffee shops and pubs might be just the place!

Do you remember Buffalo Bob?

Howdy Doody and other puppets!

Puppets at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace include Howdy Doody, cloth hand puppet with plastic clown face, lady hand puppet, plastic frog hand puppet, and goat and fox push puppets

Howdy Doody was an American children’s television program (with circus and Western frontier themes) that was created and produced by E. Roger Muir and telecast on the NBC network in the United States from December 27, 1947, until September 24, 1960. It was a pioneer in children’s television programming and set the pattern for many similar shows. One of the first television series produced at NBC in Rockefeller Center, in Studio 3A, it was also a pioneer in early color production as NBC (at the time owned by TV maker RCA) used the show in part to sell color television sets in the 1950s.

from Wikipedia

Remember this – here’s a show from 1947 from YouTube!

 

Click on the Wikipedia link for the history of the Howdy Doody Show. It’s most interesting. Also, we share a few photos from the show (also from Wikipedia ). Do you remember these characters? Did you  have a favorite?

Buffalo Bob with Howdy Doody and Flub-a-Dub  Phileas T Bluster from the Howdy Doody Show  Clarabell the Clown from the Howdy Doody Show

The other items in the top photo, available at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace include, a 1950s Howdy Doody puppet, on the left  is a 1960s cloth hand puppet with a plastic clown face, goat and fox “push puppets”, a 1970s lady hand puppet and int the front right is a plastic frog hand puppet from the 1970s. 

BRIEF HISTORY OF PUSH PUPPETS…

….where did they come from ? When were they first made? All Puppets in photos are from my own collection. Push puppets were first made in Switzerland by a wooden toy maker, Walter Kourt Walss in 1932. These articulated,wobbling toys were known as WAKOUWAS; taken from the first few letters of each of Walter’s names! The dancing, wiggling toys are now known by many different names around the world   from Pomsie’s Push Puppets
Take a peek at the Pomsie site … you’ll even see a Howdy Doody push puppet!
 

 

Rocking, Springy. Bouncy Toy Horses

Everyone Had a Horse!


French rocking horse from early 1900s at Bahoukas Antique Mall.
What was your favorite toy horse?

It took three times around the shop to actually find all the ‘play horses!’ And we’re not even talking about the horse figurines, which we’ve posted in the past. These amazing rocking/springy/bouncy children’s horses come in all shapes and sizes. But don’t stop there. 

We also have several wooden horses including this Fench Rocking Horse from the early 1900s. It’s not in the best of shape, but someone out there could create a beautiful upcycled pieced, we’re certain.

The other fun ‘horse-y’ items are the 1940s stuffed horse and jockey. These are just too cute. 

You might notice in our slideshow two unique pieces. One is a stick horse which requires actually walking/running around pretending you’re riding a real horse. Hey, exercise that’s fun! The other is a huge wagon wheel. Why? I don’t know, just seemed to fit with horses. One is all metal; the other is wood with a flat metal tire. These are large wagon wheels at least 3 feet in diameter. Can you come up with a unique upcycle?

Stop in and think creatively. Whether you purchase one for your bouncing, active little one or you upcycle it in some way, we have a nice selection to choose from. Stop by and share your stories of playing on your bouncy, springy, rocking horse. Yessireeee… we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Father-in-Law Day

Always July 30th

Father-In-Law Day honors your loving, funny, and cheerful father-in-law. Okay, so perhaps sometimes he is a little grumpy and intimidating. Regardless of his personality and charms, this day is dedicated to your spouse’s Dad. And, he certainly deserves a little recognition.

Good ways to celebrate this day are to send him a card, spend a little time with him, or give him his favorite snack.

Important note: If you gave your Father-In-Law recognition on Father’s Day,  it’s okay to give him a little recognition and a show of appreciation today, too.

collectible Baltimore Colts thermos carrier and a B-more Orioles Bird at Bahoukas

To help you celebrate Father-in-Law Day, we thought we’d round up a couple items that may be of interest. Of course, we have plenty of other interesting ideas if our 9,000+ sq ft or retail space. 

beautiful pocket watches and wristwatches make a great gift for Father-in-Law Day - available at Bahoukas Antiques in Havre de Grace, MD

It’s also International Friendship Day!

The world is filled with too much hatred, too much fighting and too much mistrust of others. The International Day of Friendship is certainly an opportunity to stop, and to reverse, these worldwide problems.

According to the United Nations, the official sponsor of this special day, the International Day of Friendship is day set aside to promote friendship among peoples, cultures and countries. Today is a time to encourage efforts towards peace, and to build bridges among different people. It is a day of respect for others, and a day to celebrate diversity.

According to the United Nations, on this day people, groups and governments should hold events and activities to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation.

On an individual level, use this day to promote friendship in big and small ways. You can begin by “extending an olive branch” to a sibling or a family member, a neighbor, or an old friend who we’ve had a falling out with. If we all try just a little the world will be a friendlier, more peaceful place.

This was a bit trickier to find in our store. But when we thought of friendship, these pieces came to mind:

E.T. and Eilliott glass, Donald and Daisy Duck glass, Small bust of JFK, Jack and Jill book - collectibles at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace

The origin of International Day of Friendship has roots as far back as 1919 in the United States. The country of Paraguay  first celebrate this day on an national level on July 30, 1958.  Other countries with early celebrations include: several countries in South America, Bangladesh, India, and Malaysia. Different countries celebrated this day on varying dates in July, August and April.

In 2011, the United Nations declared this an official international day, to be celebrated annually on July 30th.

Finally, this month we celebrate MUTT’S DAY!

Mutts deserve their day in the spotlight, as much as a pure breed. If you own a mutt, or you are a mutt (reading this), then you know this day is for you.

By definition a mutt, sometimes called a “Half-breed”, is a dog that is of mixed breed.  They come from two to several breeds. Purebred owners, and sometimes the public in general, view them as lesser in many ways. Mutt owners know better. They value the diversity and uniqueness of their mutts. Sure, a mutt doesn’t carry the expensive price tag that a purebred with papers has on its head. To the mutt owner, however, the mutt is invaluable. In addition, mutts don’t walk around needing to prove anything. You won’t see them strutting around any dog shows trying to prove they are the best.

To all mutts and and mutt owners, we hope you thoroughly enjoy Mutt’s Day. Spend the day relaxing and doing all the things you and your dog like to do. Do so with both of your chins held high. For your mutt is worth a million bucks!

a variety of ideas to celebrate Mutt's Day - all this fun at Bahoukas Antique Mall

We have soapy’s and PEZ, a figurine and pull toy, and a large figurine to celebrate Mutt’s Day! 

This rounds out our month of unique and interesting holidays that are fun to celebrate. We enjoyed the search for both the holiday and the gift ideas! Of course, no one needs one of our silly reasons to stop in and check us out. It’s just 9,000 sq ft of treasure hunting. So stop in soon. Yes, we definitely will be watchin’ for ya!

Please note: all the quotes above are from Holiday Insights. 

Vanilla Ice Cream and Old Jokes

Makes a Rainy Day Much Better

Celebrate Vanilla Ice Cream and Oldl Joke Day at Bahoukas Antique Mall in Havre de Grace, MD

We have a variety of Ice Cream scoops and a few unique dishes for enjoying your ice cream. From HolidayHindsights we’ve learned:

 National Vanilla Ice Cream Day celebrates one of Americas favorite ice cream flavors.

Vanilla and chocolate ice cream vies for the taste buds ice cream lovers. Chocolate may win the popularity contest. But, vanilla is a close second. It is also more refreshing, and more versatile.

Its easy to celebrate Vanilla Ice Cream Day on a hot summer day like today. Enjoy it in a cone, a dish, a float, a shake, or in a cake. If you get it in a cone today, ask for extra scoops, and worry about the calories later. Just make sure to eat it quickly, before it melts.

We might add that a trip to Bomboy’s Ice Cream on Market Street just might make the day perfect.

To help with celebrating Old Joke Day on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, we share these thoughts from HolidayHindsights:

No doubt about it. Today, will be a fun-filled day, with lots of laughter. To fully participate and enjoy this day, just tell some jokes. You can do it in person, or pass along a few humorous emails. That’s easy enough to do. The more jokes you tell, the more fun this day will be. We also encourage you to listen to many jokes today. Everybody is getting into the act, and in order to tell a joke, someone has to be present to listen to the joke.

To celebrate Tell An Old Joke Day, we have 2 ‘adult jokes’, wonderful MAD Magazines, Jack & Jill Magazines (that always had fun jokes), and an 8mm film “Have Badge, Will Chase” with Abbott &* Costello!

… on Tell an Old Joke Day, you should tell old jokes. The logic behind this, is to keep old jokes from fading away. If they were once funny, they will still produce a laugh. On National Tell a Joke Day on August 16th, you can tell a new joke, or an old one.

So come on by and pick up an ice cream scoop, a pretty dish to enjoy your ice cream, and grab a magazine for a joke or two!  Hey, maybe you have an old joke you want to share with us. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

 

How Are The Moon, Ratcatchers, and Parents Connected?

We’ll Start with Moon Day – July 20!

On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 was launched from Cape Kennedy Space Center atop a huge Saturn V rocket. On July 20, 1969, the Lunar Module, nicknamed the “Eagle”, touched down on the surface of the moon at Tranquility Base. Upon landing, Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong reported “The Eagle Has Landed”. A few hours later, Neil Armstrong, stepped off of the Eagle’s ladder, placed one foot upon the moon’s surface and proclaimed: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”.  from Holiday Insights

There are always celebrations at Bahoukas including Moon Day, Ratcatchers Day and Parents Day - visit us in Havre de Grace

We offer a few items like a Life Magazine, A Little Golden Book, Exploring SpaceHot Wheels Armageddon toys, and more.

Then we just couldn’t resist a celebration titled “Ratcatchers Day” on July 22 – what possibly could that be?

One of the most well known German folklores is the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The town of Hamelin, Germany was infested by rats. The mayor promised to handsomely pay the Pied Piper, if he rid the town of rats.   from Holiday Insights

This is an interesting interpretation of “Ratcatchers Day” and you just might want to click on this link above and read the rest. In the meantime, we found a rat (well, mouse) trap and have Ratatouie Pez! ENJOY!

And then PARENTS DAY!

We have lots of things for Parents Day but were tickled by these “Maw and Paw” saucers.

Today is not a day of gift giving. That’s for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. The best way to mark this day is by spending time with your parents doing something fun. Its also important that you let them how how much they are loved and appreciated.

Show Mom and Dad you love ’em. Stop by Bahoukas Antique Mall and walk down “Nostalgia Lane” with them. Listen to their stories and give them a hug.

In 1994, President William (Bill) Clinton proclaimed the fourth Sunday in July as National Parents Day.

Quotes are from Holiday Insights. Of course, we’ll be watchin’ for ya! Remember, everything is 20% off during our CHRISTMAS in JULY SALE! 

 

Daiquiri and Anti-Boredom…

A unique solution to “I’m bored…”

Okay, we’re fooling with you. But seriously, July is Anti-Boredom Month.

July is Anti-Boredom Month and Bahoukas has some solutions, including a picture puzzle and wooden puzzles.

To help you with that boredom, we have some fun puzzles that include a wonderful frame puzzle for the younger set, and a 1,000 piece Big Ben puzzle. And for those who really like to s-t-r-e-t-c-h their brains, we have a number of intriguing and challenging wood puzzles.

Wondering about those Daiquiri Glasses?

Well, it’s Daiquiri Day on July 19th!

So if you’re still bored on Tuesday, maybe you’ll want to fill one of those Daiquiri Glasses and salute ‘life’ once again!

Here’s to getting out of the doldrums! Remember, summer will be gone before you know it. So, get up and get moving. Head to Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Snakes and Emojis?

Your reactions may vary!

World Snake Day on July 16 or World Emoji Day on Juy 17 - join us at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace

That’s right. Even though we’re celebrating our “CHRISTMAS in JULY” sale all month with 20% OFF EVERYTHING! We also share a few other special days this month.

JULY 16 is WORLD SNAKE DAY!

personally…..eeeeooouuuuuuuu

But we know there are snake lovers everywhere. Our local Ranger Bob has been trying to teach folks to love and appreciate snakes for decades. Some of us are tough to convince!

Here’s a bit of fun from Holiday Insights:

Snakes have been around since the Garden of Eden. So, it only fitting, that the world has a special day to celebrate snakes.

The Bible tells us that in the garden of Eden, Satan appeared to Eve in the form of a snake. That connection to Satan, gave snakes a bad reputation since the beginning of time. Perhaps that’s why so many people are afraid of snakes.

Did You Know? Earthworms were once believed to be a species of snakes. Gardeners killed every one they found, unaware of the beneficial effect of earthworms in gardens.

By the way, to those who just can’t be convinced to love a snake, you’ll need to move to Antarctica!!! The only place on earth that doesn’t have snakes!

But, it’s also WORLD EMOJI DAY on Tuesday, July 17!

According to Holiday Insights:

 Emojis were first used in Japan in the late 1990s on mobile phones. They are fun to use. As a result, their popularity and use has grown exponentially. Today, you couldn’t imagine a world without emojis.

Golly, did we have mobile phones in the 1990s! Do you know who created the first smiley face? The answer is on our facebook post today!

So hurry in…. there are a few ….errrr….snakes hangin’ round (um….I don’t think any are alive!). We also have some fun ’emojis’ for the collector! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Hot Dog Month?

Yep – and Teddy Bear Picnic Day!

hot dog month - Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile, Big Teddy Bear, Bear Honey Pot

We’re having a lot of fun celebrating our “CHRISTMAS in JULY” Sale with 20% off everything in the store!

Did you know that July celebrates HOT DOG MONTH? We have the cutest Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile Bank – a perfect gift for now or for Christmas! Along with Hot Dog Month, we celebrate TEDDY BEAR PICNIC DAY on Tuesday, July 10th! This amazing – probably 2 feet tall – 1950s bear is sure to please someone on your Christmas list. Or maybe mom would love the Bear with the Honey Pot.

Seriously, who can’t get into Hot Dogs, Honey, and Bears!

Don’t forget that this Saturday, July 14th is our Paranormal Investigation and Haunted Buildings Walking Tour. Call today to reserve your spot! A fun time, bring friends!

Paranormal Investigation and Haunted Buildings Walking Tour at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace

So we encourage you to stop by Bahoukas Antique Mall and Beer MuZeum for some great collectibles and a fun July Sale. Absolutely, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

oooOOOOoooo…Sunshine!

Time to get those kids outdoors!

Toys for inside and out, games - all for kids and family at Bahoukas in Havre de Grace, MD

Hula Hoops are a great way to have your children burn off that crazy, pent-up energy from the rainy days! We have them. We also have a variety of toys perfect for playing outdoors and others that make for a great time on a rainy day (goodness! Did I just say that out loud!?!?) We have metal trucks and cars, wonderful stuffed toys, doll houses, action figures, trading cards, dolls, and yes – games!

Do you know when the first Hula Hoop was marketed? Or the kind of ‘hoops’ different cultures used previously to the toy we are all familiar with now? Read below then click the link to Wikipedia for more information! Interesting!

The hula hoop gained international popularity in the late 1950s, when a plastic version was successfully marketed by California’s Wham-O toy company. In 1957, Richard Knerr and Arthur “Spud” Melin, starting with the idea of Australian bamboo “exercise hoops”, manufactured 1.06-metre (42 in) hoops with Marlex plastic. With giveaways and national marketing and retailing, a fad was started in July 1958; twenty-five million plastic hoops were sold in less than four months, and in two years, sales reached more than 100 million units. Carlon Products Corporation was one of the first manufacturers of the hula hoop. During the 1950s, when the hula hoop craze swept the country, Carlon was producing more than 50,000 hula hoops per day. The hoop was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame at The Strong in Rochester, New York, in 1999.

The hula hoop craze swept the world, dying out again in the 1980s, but not in China and Russia, where hula hooping and hoop manipulation were adopted by traditional circuses and rhythmic gymnasts.

__from Wikipedia

By the way, did you know there’s a NATIONAL TOY HALL of FAME? Check this out! CLICK HERE

Stop by today. It’s going to be a beautiful Monday! See what we have to offer that will make any day special for the kids in your family! We’ll be watchin’ for ya

Sun – Justify – Horse Lovers

Can we get another Triple Crown?

Baffert brought us American Pharoah and the Triple Crown, will he do it again with Justify? We can only excitedly wait and see.

Today, the sun is out and hopefully, our surroundings will dry up just a little! Everything is lush and green – a great day to get out and about.

In the meantime, we’d like to share a few items horse lovers may enjoy from our store. Stop in… we have other horse-y surprises as well.

Below is a unique print of Merry Monarch:

The Merry Monarch’s first race of 1846 was the Derby at Epsom. The build-up to the race was marred by reports of a plot to either lame or poison Old England, one of the favourites for the race, while another one of the leading contenders, The Libel, was allegedly drugged (“doctored”). Poor weather on the morning of the race did not deter the crowd, which was reported to be as large and unruly as ever. Ridden by the little-known Foster Bell, The Merry Monarch started at odds of 15/1 in a record field of thirty one runners. These official odds however, were offered jointly for The Merry Monarch and his stable companion Doleful: according to The Sporting Magazine, odds of 35/1 would have been more accurate reflection of the actual betting. The start of the race was delayed by almost an hour by a series of false starts and an incident in which one of the leading contenders, Alarm was kicked by The Libel. Alarm threw off his jockey, Nat Flatman, ran into a chain fence and then galloped loose down the course for several minutes before being caught. Both Alarm and Flatman were injured, but took part in the race when it eventually got under way. The Merry Monarch was among the leading group from the start, and was in fourth place at the turn into the straight, where one horse fell and several others were badly hampered. Approaching the final furlong, Bell sent The Merry Monarch to the front and he established a clear lead before staying on well to win “in clever style” by a length from Annandale, with Old England a neck away in third. The result was a major surprise to most observers, including, it was reported, the winner’s own connections, who had believed that their other runner, Doleful, had the better chance of winning.

 

—-from Wikipedia

Merry Monarch print 1845 won Derby at Epsom, England

Or maybe you just love collecting horse figures and such. Yep, stop in at Bahoukas Antique Mall.

horse collectibles and figures at Bahoukas Antique Mall

We have a  number of fun collectible horse figures. Stop in today and see what else you might discover as you browse our 9,000 sq. ft. of antiques and collectibles. You’ll love the hunt! Treasures are everywhere!

In the meantime, as Justify prepares to head to the Belmont Stakes, our excitement grows! And yes, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Finally time for outdoor fun!

Check Out These Games

Beautiful Croquet Set - wood - at Bahoukas

This beautiful, collectible croquet set is in wonderful condition. Nice wood and heavy. Don’t ignore this amazing set.

Sports Combination Games available at Bahoukas

1960s indoor/outdoor game set available at Bahoukas

This 6-in-1 Champion Sports Combination game set is for indoor AND outdoor play. Come check this out. It’s pretty darn awesome. Fun for everyone and all ages. Hurry, it’s perfect for the coming warm days!

1950s Badminton set at Bahoukas Antiques

This 1950s Badminton Set has seen a lot of years and can give you even more.

We love that it’s time to really start enjoying the great outdoors. All of these games are perfect for the entire family. Drop by Bahoukas and check them out. Yep, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

Noah’s Arks

Yes, we know there was only one!

A Wade figures Noah's Ark and one by ARCO

 

On the right is a porcelain Noah’s Ark with Wade figurines (circa 2002) by Red Rose Tea. It includes 7 pairs of ‘critters’ plus Noah and his wife. It’s an adorable set.

On the left is a plastic Noah’s Ark set by ARCO. In this set, all the critics can be kept inside the ark since the top comes off.

Franchised gas stations used to give out all kinds of premiums to lure in folks from their road trips to fill up with Gulf over ARCO, or Esso rather than Sinclair.

Some of those premiums were in the form of maps, but others went straight to the back seat, to keep the kids quiet. If you grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, you’ll probably remember these gas station premiums.

… from Bestride.com

Remembering these premiums kind of makes me miss those road trips when we stopped for gas and got a toy or a juice glass as a premium! Ah, yes, the good old days.

Well, stop in and see what we have at Bahoukas. You know that we’ll be watchin’ for ya!

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