Dreaming the Future, 2023

Valerie Keller and I are in discussion with a couple of different locations for a Paper Doll Party in May of 2023 – we're shooting for May 5-6 with a slightly expanded schedule by adding a few activities on Friday evening to the traditional Saturday salesroom and luncheon.

As soon as we know for sure, we will shout about it!

We'll post updates here and on our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/paperdollsinPA

Betty Anne, copy girl on The Flash, 1942

 I love the cast of characters in Brenda Starr, especially her newsroom cronies! 

Remembering Linda Hoerner

Linda Hoerner and Guido Odin at the 2011 convention in Philadelphia hosted by Jenny Taliadoros and David Wolfe.

The paper doll community lost a dear friend last month with the passing of Linda Hoerner. She was an enthusiastic collaborator, creating paper doll souvenirs and centerpieces for Morgantown luncheons as well as conventions that were held around the country. 

The fabulous logo Linda created for the 2017 convention that Val Keller and I hosted in Philadelphia.

Here's a sample of what she contributed toward the 2016 Morgantown luncheon:

Souvenir

Raffle table donations

Centerpieces

Later that same year she led a workshop at the Phoenix convention:

Here she is at the Chattanooga convention in 2015, where she also

contributed her talents (souvenirs, name-tags, etc.)

A first place finish in competition:

So many of us recall the surprise gifts and letters, or the uplifting message at just the right moment--the moment when we needed it most. In all the ways that mattered, Linda showed up.

Linda Ocasio: In addition to numerous paper dolls, Linda created other fun items. Two that I have in my collection include large paper snowman earrings to brighten a winter’s day, and a Shrinky Dink charm bracelet featuring a cat with different outfits, complete with tabs! On the bottom of the charm bracelet box she had printed: “Handmade by Linda Hoerner, the self-appointed ‘Queen of Whimsy.’” She was funny and never took herself too seriously. I’ll miss the emails she sent to me, “Linda of the O,” signed “Linda of the H.” 

Valerie Keller: To my surprise Linda sent me a Halloween gift one year: a jointed paper cat with a detachable mouse and a couple of costume hats and a big polka dot bowtie. Linda was like that; she would just send you something out of the blue. She seemed to have a boundless well of ideas, and her sales tables overflowed with paper dolls, greeting cards, bookmarks, earrings, mini paper dolls and much more, all in her signature playful style. She was incredibly humble about her talents. I remember her telling me that her approach was to make things that made her happy, and then to hope other people would like them too. And we did.

One more picture:

Ron Fong and Linda Hoerner at the 2017 convention.

 

 

Flurry Snow and her weekend clothes, 1942

 

Flurry Snow and her clothes for a thrilling weekend.

Wishing everyone a fashionable and thrilling weekend!

Decoration Day

"From the silence of sorrowful hours,

the desolate mourners go,

lovingly laden with flowers,

alike for the friend and the foe:

Under the sod and the dew,

waiting the judgment day,

under the roses the Blue

under the lilies the Gray."

Memorial Day has its origins in the Civil War era when it was known as Decoration Day, the day when North and South decorated the graves of those who died in the war between the states. This postcard was mailed on Feb. 22, ca. 1916, and was marked "Decoration Day Series No. 1."

 

Puss and her Family, Baltimore American, 1898

 I found this lovely cutout in a convention salesroom a long time ago. 

Jill Kaar Hanson has planned a wonderful event for this year's convention in Milwaukee, with the theme of "Tell Me A Story."

Unfortunately, I have to shift to absentee souvenirs. I'll be attending a family reunion that will pay tribute to my mother, who died Dec. 20, and her sister, who passed on April 20, exactly four months apart. It's been a tough six months. 

I'll miss seeing all my friends at the convention, but I hope to catch up with many of you next year at the Pennsylvania luncheon. 

Daphne in her Town Apartment, Brenda Starr comic 1942

 The great Dale Messick had a wonderful cast of characters in her Brenda Starr comic strip. I loved reading it in the NY Daily News as a kid, but I really learned about the special world of Brenda Starr in these older strips from the 1940s. I'd like to know when the last paper doll ran in the Brenda comic strip.

Don't forget to click on the picture to see more detail. The wardrobe is exquisite!