Monthly Archives: January 2012

You Write, We Post, Together We Celebrate!

I was thinking about making a TT Patton postage stamp for a program in February.  I found a few websites where you can upload any image and create your own personal postage.  I did it for Christmas and loved it.  But with this new stamp released today, there’s no need to make our own, just yet.

In February, I will participate in The Month of Letters Challenge.  The challenge runs the entire month of February and requires you to mail at least one item through the post every day it runs.  You can write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch. You can also write back to everyone who writes to you, and that counts as a letter.  That’s it!

You can also participate in the challenge with me and TT Patton is here to help you!  The entire month of February, bring in your handwritten notes and we will add postage and mail them in our cute little mailbox.  (Our mail carrier LOVES that mailbox!)  Yes, we’ll pay your first class postage for each personal note; no bills!  As I mentioned, we contemplated making our own stamp, but instead we’ll dress your letters with the latest postage stamp released by the USPS recognizing publisher and entrepreneur, John H. Johnson.

Through the Black Heritage series, the Postal Service recognizes prominent African-Americans whose contributions have helped shape American culture. Learn more about the 2012 release in this video featuring an interview with Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman of Johnson Publishing Company and daughter of stamp honoree, John H. Johnson.

Johnson Stamp from Journey Group on Vimeo.

So for the month of February, YOU WRITE letters, WE POST them, TOGETHER WE CELEBRATE The Month of Letters and American history all during Black History Month.  I love it when things just fall into place.  Now I’m headed over to buy my new John H. Johnson stamps at the Barrington Post Office before they run out!

Again, what’s the The Month of Letters Challenge?
In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs.  Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items. That’s it!

Moving to Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Sometimes I think about opening another store.  Only because I think others should have access to wonderful writing instruments and fine papers.  But where?  At the moment I’d select Chagrin Falls, OH.  No I’ve never been there or even heard of it until a couple of days ago.  I read an article about how the entire town created what they termed a “Cash Mob” at the local hardware store.  Apparently it started with an email to 40 people asking them to spend $20 at Chagrin Hardware.  But the word got around and the sales jammed the cash registers as a line formed outside the store.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Rob Schwind shovels the sidewalk in front of the Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The Shutts family, which has owned the hardware for the last 72 years, was preparing for a community-driven "Cash Mob" of the store to happen that day. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

That’s a show of support for the little guy.  Wonder what would happen if Barrington retailers sent emails to Barrington residents to support our local businesses.  Oh yeah…we do that already!  Thank you Barrington for supporting your small local retailers; especially during this past holiday season.  With your continued support, word of mouth advertising and social networking I’m hoping to be here longer than the hardware store has been in Chagrin Falls, OH, over 155 years!  So no… I’m not moving to Chagrin Falls,….just proud of their residents that came out to support the local hardware store.

In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, Jack Shutts, front right, works the counter as throngs of people wait to make their purchases at Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The crowds came to support the family-owned business after an email from resident Jim Black looking for people to come Saturday and spend at least $20.00 at the store went viral. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, as Steve Shutts, left, and Rob Schwind tally the day's receipts, Steve's niece Megan Johnson and brother Jack Shutts celebrate the final sale at the Chagrin Hardware in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Hundreds of supporters of the family-owned business flocked to the store all day long, spending money in a veritable "Cash Mob". (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

John Ridley Writes Red Tails History

I love the movies!  My favorite show, the Academy Awards, airs just once a year and will be on in a few weeks.  What typically gets lost among best movie and best actress are the screenwriting awards for original and adapted screenplays. In my opinion, a good screenplay is in essence what makes a movie…well, a good movie.  And writing an original screenplay is rather challenging as it’s done just for the big screen.  Some of my favorite movies in the past few years with winners in this category are Crash, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Hurt Locker.  Just plain ol’ good story telling.

So tonight (or this afternoon if it keeps on snowing) I’m going to the opening of Red Tails.  I’m not typically a fan of movies based on war or history.  I like drama.  I’m really going to “hear the story” of the Tuskegee Airmen; our nation’s first African-American aerial combat unit; told by writer John Ridley. He was charged with pouring through tons of old flight records and logs and historically black newspapers to craft this story.

I think you have to be a pretty good writer and story-teller to tell the unwritten and untold story…directly for the big screen.  John Ridley might not be able to right history, but George Lucas has given him an opportunity to write it.  So I’m going to see it! WE FIGHT! WE FIGHT! WE FIGHT!