84-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 12, 1998 “Hi! My name is . . . and I’m the creator of the Furby!” A split-second of silence. And then, the sound of a gunshot. That’s one of the laugh-get ters being played during the goofy, early-morning show on the regional country radio sta tion that plays during milking hours here in our dairy barn. Having spent more time than usual helping with the milking chores lately, I’ve come to enjoy the wacky antics of the Group of DJs that host this particular show. They are some pretty off the-wall stuff, sometimes including the above, pretend, elimination of the creator of this year’s must-have Christmas toy. Though I abhor the violence -s > Wanted i ; Stevens double barrel shotguns, » model 311 D, all u gauges. Lancaster ", Farming A k R-73 ROB 609 \ ,t Ephrata, PA 17522 0 YANKEE CANDLES Best Selection Lowest Prices Shipping Available The Herb Merchant Carlisle, PA 1-800-404-4372 ISHAFER’SI , Close Out Covered Bridge Afghans* ’'Counties listed below • Bucks, Lehigh. Northampton Co • Berks, Lancaster Co • Adams, Franklin Co • Cumberland, Juniata, Perry, Schuylkill Co Woven patterns, all cotton throws or tapestries 529.00 At Shafer’s Of Millville Jet of Rts. 42 & 254 (717) 458-6379 Mon -Sat 9AM - 5 30 PM Nov & Dec Sundays 12-5 suggested by the gunshot, the sentiments behind that particu lar piece play right into my per sonal feelings about society’s obsession with the “hot holiday toy” that seems to crop up every year. Especially after reading that this year’s fuzzy lump of electronic conversation was cre ated specifically as chum bait for the annual toy-shopper frenzy. By the way, whatever hap pened to all the Cabbage Patch dolls people were getting into fist fights over just a few years ago? And, where are all the Elmo’s that giggled their way through the holidays last year? I grow wearier every year of the crass commercialization of the Christmas season and the behavior of adults battling in retail aisles. Over toys, no less. Still, one has to wryly envy the marketing strategies which send the purveyors of this mad ness laughing all the way to the bank. Thankfully, for the precious little people in our personal lives, holiday toy shopping is a far cry from battling crowds in the “grab at whatever cost” toy line madness. In fact, The Farmer does much of the toy shopping for two little guys spe cial to us. And loves every moment of it. That’s because, despite thp fact that they reside in suburbia of one of the Northwest’s largest cities, these two are happiest with all-time classics from the rural-kid-want-list. Toy farm machinery. (Which is not just for kids anymore, as evidenced by the number of “big kid” collectors). One recent message from their mother related how a prior gift, a toy grain drill, was being used to plant spaghetti. The Farmer hasn’t figured out how to do that. Yet. Since it takes packages sever al days to cross the country, especially pre-Christmas, I’ve had to reform from my usual last-minute shopping methods. And, by the time this column hits print, a box filled with good ies (including some farm equip ment), should be westbound with some of Santa's postal ser vice elves. With the first grandson hav ing a commendable line-up of miniature equipment, thanks to grandparents and parents with farming stuck in their blood, finding an lineup of different color for the second grandson has become The Farmer’s per sonal quest. Thus, you can understand his smug sense of satisfaction last week when he stumbled across a particular piece of toy machinery he’d been searching for. At an equipment dealer who specializes in a com petitive brand. And at several dollars cheap er than he had seen it at yet Most health problems are due to toxins in the body which hinder the immune system from fighting off diseases. Toxins are a result of food grown, processed and impaired by chemicals, insecticides, weed killers and many other poisons, detrimental to the body and cause diseases. But there is an alternative and safe way to remove toxins. These ALL NATURAL products cost less to help your body remove toxins and build up your immune systems to fight off diseases and health problems. It reduced cost for food. Introductory Offer . w For total program A3O day supply V-lIMLY plus $4.50 shipping You can also buy wholesale without monthy requirements What can you lose but your health problems To order special offer send a check for $53.50 Ivan & Esther Martin An Independent SuLin distributor 539 Hilltop Rd., Myerstown, PA 17067 Ph. 717-866-4928 or 800-668-7373 for credit card order More information & testimonials available upon request another country retailer. As a mother, now grandmoth er, toy buyer, I have always leaned toward classic, creativi ty/education-oriented stuff: books, games, artistic supplies like drawing materials, crayons, paints, clay. But, as part of a string of several generations of fanners, there was almost always some traditional toy farm equipment among our kids wrapped boxes. Some it it is still around, battered, bent and worn, but usually the first thing most visiting youngsters will grab to play with. When the Cabbage Patches, the Elmos, the Furby’s have been long forgotten, little kids will spend hours crawling around in piles of dirt, “farming” with toy tractors. And thank goodness for that.
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