People who lived in The Pines 50 and more years ago classified themselves as either “Haves” or “Have Nots.” There was none of that “Rich” or “Poor” stuff: No “Upper” or “Lower” “Middle Class” — just “Haves” and “Have Nots.” period. The “Haves” were considered “wealthy.” In general, they owned stores or businesses of some kind, or they were “professional people” — doctors, dentists, lawyers, etc. Although there were exceptions, generally speaking, no one fell prey to “rampant consumerism.”
The “Haves” kids may have had a swingset and one of those Schwinn bicycles with a horn, or even a three–speed “English Racer” and newer clothes, but that was it. The “Have Nots” kids generally had a rope hanging from a big tree with an old truck tire or a piece of board tied to it: That was their “swing.” If they had a swingset, it was usually a “junker” off of the “Haves” trash heap. Piney “Pops” were good at fixin’ things. A few ring bolts, some chain, a couple of pieces of wood, perhaps a little weldin’, a good coat of paint, and some cement, and the kid(s) in a “Have Not” family had a “new” swingset — probably better than from the hardware store. The “Have Not” kid(s) couldn’t be any more proud of their fathers! The “Have Nots’” bicycles came off of the “Haves” trash heaps, too. With a little fixen’, they were like “new,” but decidedly “different,” which made them very special.
Of course the “Have Nots” could always play with bark and pine cones. There was plenty of that around, but they had “real” toys, too. ...maybe not a lot of “real” toys, but “real” toys nonetheless. “Real” toys like “Slinky,” “Bill Ding,” “Lincoln Logs,” “Tinker Toys,” “Erector Sets,” and maybe even a Gilbert Chemistry Set or even a microscope. WOW!!!
Today, a lot of those items are just faded memories from the past. ...or, are they? A couple of weeks ago, I received a fantastic mail order catalogue from a company in Wisconsin. If you’re so inclined, you can still order a Collector’s Edition Slinky in a 1945 replica cardboard box (no plastic!), genuine toy gyroscopes in a “cool retro box” (no plastic!), “Frontier [Lincoln] Logs” (160 solid hardwood interlocking logs with green roof planks and red “chimleys”) — in a canvas storage bag (no plastic!), Jacks, Marbles, a “pedal” version of a Ford tractor, a 60–piece Building Block Set in real hardwood, “Fabulous Fiddlestix” (“Tinker Toys”) --- 144 pieces in a “Vintage canvas carry bag,” and a 9–piece set of “Bill Ding” (nontoxic paint!) —among other things. There are some other great gifts for the older generation, too, like the Crosley Rebound Shuffleboard.
However, the Wisconsin company is probably best noted for its unique line of clothing. Their “duds” are “Piney Quality:” Tough, roomy, and made to last. Got “Plumber’s Butt”? Try their “Longtail Ts” in long sleeve, short sleeve or V-neck in a wide variety of colors. Need “reach,” and wanna stay warm? Then try their F.O.M. (Freedom OF Movement)–cut, 100% cotton (5.5 oz. per sq. yd.) “hearty,” flannel shirts.
How about something to keep the “dome” warm in wind and weather? They’ve got an “Oil Cloth” Baseball Cap made of 12-1/2 oz. cotton with an oil--based wax finish...
I’ve seen some kids with “droopy drawers” (one guy even had his trousers on backwards — must be built different
): the cure? Two–inch wide, side clip suspenders: They “Give you more ease on the job, and won’t sag like overcooked spaghetti noodles.” — available in a variety of colors. Want that “military” look? Fatigue Jackets, 38th Parallel Combat Pants and U.S. Military Issue Sunglasses can be bought here, too!
For Guy, there’s a genuine, “Field–Quality Lensatic Compass” in a brown, leather case that clips to your belt — just in case the batteries in his GPS run–down somewhere along the Lawrence Line. Also, a genuine, “U.S. Army Map reading Handbook” [training manual] (soft cover, 164 pp. — made in the U.S.!) is available. Or, maybe he’d like a “Cab Commander” to hold his maps, laptop computer, binder, pens, pencils, tape measure, cell phone and water or Thermos bottle?
Souped–Up Sweatpants, with webbing belt and buckle (and cargo pockets), and Sweatshirts; “Fire Hose Presentation Jackets” (13 pockets); Moleskin F.O.M. shirts; “Force Nine Work Jackets and Vests” are just a few of the “Piney Quality” clothes they have in their catalog.
Many Pineys had huntin’ dogs. Most of ‘em road up--front with “the Boss.” Whereas the old pickups usually had genuine naugahide (made from naugas:eng101
seats, the newer versions (and the SUVs) are more luxurious in their choice of materials for their seating accoutrements. They offer dog beds and seat savers made of liquid–resistant, 1000 denier nylon for “Phydeaux.”
Oh, yeah, the "Company:" Duluth Trading Co., 170 Countryside Drive, P.O. Box 409, Belleville, WI 53508; Tel.: 1.800.505.8888; <www.duluthtrading.com>. Ask for catalog Vol. T26, No. 27 (Prices effective through 31 DEC 2006).
ebsi
The “Haves” kids may have had a swingset and one of those Schwinn bicycles with a horn, or even a three–speed “English Racer” and newer clothes, but that was it. The “Have Nots” kids generally had a rope hanging from a big tree with an old truck tire or a piece of board tied to it: That was their “swing.” If they had a swingset, it was usually a “junker” off of the “Haves” trash heap. Piney “Pops” were good at fixin’ things. A few ring bolts, some chain, a couple of pieces of wood, perhaps a little weldin’, a good coat of paint, and some cement, and the kid(s) in a “Have Not” family had a “new” swingset — probably better than from the hardware store. The “Have Not” kid(s) couldn’t be any more proud of their fathers! The “Have Nots’” bicycles came off of the “Haves” trash heaps, too. With a little fixen’, they were like “new,” but decidedly “different,” which made them very special.
Of course the “Have Nots” could always play with bark and pine cones. There was plenty of that around, but they had “real” toys, too. ...maybe not a lot of “real” toys, but “real” toys nonetheless. “Real” toys like “Slinky,” “Bill Ding,” “Lincoln Logs,” “Tinker Toys,” “Erector Sets,” and maybe even a Gilbert Chemistry Set or even a microscope. WOW!!!
Today, a lot of those items are just faded memories from the past. ...or, are they? A couple of weeks ago, I received a fantastic mail order catalogue from a company in Wisconsin. If you’re so inclined, you can still order a Collector’s Edition Slinky in a 1945 replica cardboard box (no plastic!), genuine toy gyroscopes in a “cool retro box” (no plastic!), “Frontier [Lincoln] Logs” (160 solid hardwood interlocking logs with green roof planks and red “chimleys”) — in a canvas storage bag (no plastic!), Jacks, Marbles, a “pedal” version of a Ford tractor, a 60–piece Building Block Set in real hardwood, “Fabulous Fiddlestix” (“Tinker Toys”) --- 144 pieces in a “Vintage canvas carry bag,” and a 9–piece set of “Bill Ding” (nontoxic paint!) —among other things. There are some other great gifts for the older generation, too, like the Crosley Rebound Shuffleboard.
However, the Wisconsin company is probably best noted for its unique line of clothing. Their “duds” are “Piney Quality:” Tough, roomy, and made to last. Got “Plumber’s Butt”? Try their “Longtail Ts” in long sleeve, short sleeve or V-neck in a wide variety of colors. Need “reach,” and wanna stay warm? Then try their F.O.M. (Freedom OF Movement)–cut, 100% cotton (5.5 oz. per sq. yd.) “hearty,” flannel shirts.
How about something to keep the “dome” warm in wind and weather? They’ve got an “Oil Cloth” Baseball Cap made of 12-1/2 oz. cotton with an oil--based wax finish...
I’ve seen some kids with “droopy drawers” (one guy even had his trousers on backwards — must be built different
): the cure? Two–inch wide, side clip suspenders: They “Give you more ease on the job, and won’t sag like overcooked spaghetti noodles.” — available in a variety of colors. Want that “military” look? Fatigue Jackets, 38th Parallel Combat Pants and U.S. Military Issue Sunglasses can be bought here, too!For Guy, there’s a genuine, “Field–Quality Lensatic Compass” in a brown, leather case that clips to your belt — just in case the batteries in his GPS run–down somewhere along the Lawrence Line. Also, a genuine, “U.S. Army Map reading Handbook” [training manual] (soft cover, 164 pp. — made in the U.S.!) is available. Or, maybe he’d like a “Cab Commander” to hold his maps, laptop computer, binder, pens, pencils, tape measure, cell phone and water or Thermos bottle?
Souped–Up Sweatpants, with webbing belt and buckle (and cargo pockets), and Sweatshirts; “Fire Hose Presentation Jackets” (13 pockets); Moleskin F.O.M. shirts; “Force Nine Work Jackets and Vests” are just a few of the “Piney Quality” clothes they have in their catalog.
Many Pineys had huntin’ dogs. Most of ‘em road up--front with “the Boss.” Whereas the old pickups usually had genuine naugahide (made from naugas:eng101
seats, the newer versions (and the SUVs) are more luxurious in their choice of materials for their seating accoutrements. They offer dog beds and seat savers made of liquid–resistant, 1000 denier nylon for “Phydeaux.”Oh, yeah, the "Company:" Duluth Trading Co., 170 Countryside Drive, P.O. Box 409, Belleville, WI 53508; Tel.: 1.800.505.8888; <www.duluthtrading.com>. Ask for catalog Vol. T26, No. 27 (Prices effective through 31 DEC 2006).
ebsi
