Sticks and Stones…
The stick was recently inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.
I didn’t even know there was a toy hall of fame, let alone that an ordinary stick would end up in it. Well, there is, and it’s in The Strong National Museum of Play.
Chris Bensch is the rather excited fellow in the picture below, holding the stick. He is the museum Curator of Collections. His enthusiasm is understood, when you consider that his job is to collect toys and put them in a museum. What kid wouldn’t want that job??? It reminds me of the movie Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium…
This induction business reminded me of some of my favorite things to play with as a young lad… The trusty rock - for skipping, fer example…..
Other favorites from my childhood that were ordinary objects turned into toys that I nominate for entry into the toy h.o.f……
-The cardboard box, which became the spaceship, race car, secret hideout, and when flattened - the perfect grass sled!!
-lawn furniture - especially the folding lawn chair… When placed on their side, and used in conjunction with other side-situated lawn chairs, one had a house of sorts…
-the cigarette lighter in my dad’s County Squire station wagon. great amusement pushing it in and watching it pop out while waiting for the folks to finish up their shopping…
-A table vice: For holding Estes model rocket engines so they could be hacksawed in half, their contents dumped into an ashtray and…
…Never mind. I did some DUMB things as a kid. Amazing I ever made it outta childhood.