The Christmas Candy Cane

An amazing journey 

from Cologne, Germany to Wooster, Ohio

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market

      I never thought of the candy cane as having a Christian origin–no more than Rudolph or Frosty.  But, the truth may be that it all came about at the Cologne Cathedral as early as 1670.  That's when the choirmaster became frustrated with all

Antique Christmas at the Taft

A few of my favorite things

The Drawing Room Tree

      Bringing out the Christmas decorations is a little bit different at the Taft house than at many others we know.  There it consists of some of the finest antique trees and

A Mary Christmas

Mary J Blige heralds the season

     Yes, Kelly Clarkson has released a Christmas album and I know exactly what it will sound like song for song.  However, Mary J. Blige’s A Mary Christmas hauls out a number of surprises.  We’re a little prejudiced because MJB has been the little engine that could with talent to burn for two decades and her modesty is a beacon in our oversaturated celebrity

Christmas is Coming – Will It Ever Stop for Thanksgiving?

     When we lived in Panama, José Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” started playing on local and Armed Forces radio stations the week of Halloween and my family was so sick of

Why Restaurants Survive

Here’s our Nice ‘n’ Naughty List with a Fun Quiz

     Everything comes down to service in a restaurant whether patrons, bloggers, or critics wish to acknowledge this consciously or not.  How else to explain why some restaurants with dreary food stay in business for decades while others with creative, beautifully prepared menus close up shop sometimes within a year?  Yes, people will say they like or don’t like a restaurant because of a specific menu item, but

Our 22 Choices for Top Christmas Albums

Please Let Us Know Your Favorites Too!

      Every year the Holiday CD market is given a few more gifts of song.  The albums range from the singer-of-the-moment

Classic Holiday TV Specials Are Still The Best

Hey, Neil likes the same Christmas specials that I do!

Rudolph Shows Off
a New Animation Form

      I remember watching Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer the first time it was broadcast on Friday, December 6, 1964.  There had not been that many TV Christmas specials up to that point.  They had consisted mostly of weekly variety shows like Red Skelton, Lawrence Welk, or Judy Garland that had their holiday themed family programs.  Not that they weren’t memorable or entertaining, but Rudolph opened up

Christmas in Rockefeller Center With A Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber Duet

Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

      NBC’s annual salute to a big tree, a tall tower, and itself was its usual mixed bag.  Neil Diamond (never my favorite, though beloved by others) was in great voice, moved well, and struck the right contrast between traditional holiday pop singing and a more contemporary, jazzed rhythm.  Tony Bennett, who seems to be everywhere this season to sell his album, delivered the goods.  Carole King, a great songwriter, is past her prime vocally and was off-key.  I also don’t understand how Jewish performers can’t at least add “Happy Hanukkah” after getting all tearful and joyful over Christmas.  

Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber

The spectacular point had to be Justin Bieber singing a duet with his mother – I mean, Mariah Carey.  Yes, she has a hot body and she had to pay

Black Friday: A Homegrown Cincinnati Holiday

Dexter Determines His Shopping Strategy

      I grew up in a retail family and recall my Mom having to work the day after Thanksgiving at Lazarus Department Store.  (At that time it was never referred to as Black Friday.)  It wasn’t until years later that I came to realize the history behind the biggest shopping day of the year.

Fred Lazarus Jr.
1884-1973

      Fred Lazarus Jr. was the son of one of the brothers that started F. & R. Lazarus in Columbus, OH.  Working in the family business, he grew the retailer substantially and right before the stock market crash of 1929 they joined with Bloomingdale's of New York,