Fruit cake - love it or hate it? It's one of those things that people don't seem to have neutral opinions about. Count me firmly in the "love it" camp. Growing up in Georgia, fruit cake always meant Claxton fruit cake, with the familiar red and white packaging. I still have to buy a fruit cake every year. It wouldn't seem like Christmas without it! (Pictured above, on a vintage postcard.) The Claxton Bakery first opened in Claxton, Georgia in 1910. It was owned by Italian immigrant Savino Tos who had experience as a master baker in Italy and New York. In 1927 a young boy named Albert Parker started working at the bakery. Eventually, when Savino Tos retired, Albert Parker purchased the business. It is still run by Albert Parker's sons and daughter. It was Albert Parker who started the focus on fruit cake. In the 1950's, the fruit cakes were marketed as civic group fundraisers. The Claxton Fruit Cake company had a booth at the New York World's Fair of 1964 - 1965, which helped build the brand popularity. They have also had brand floats at the Orange Bowl Jamboree Parade in Miami, Florida, and the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C. The company is still active and busy, and can be found at their website. Claxton, Georgia claims to be the fruit cake capitol of the world, with over four million fruit cakes sold each year.
Are you a fruit cake fan? Do you make your own or have a special brand? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" was on Billy Joel's The Stranger album (1977). It was never a '45, but it still got airplay back in the 1970's ... and I always have to turn it up when it comes on SiriusXM. The song has three parts: a gentle opening about two classmates meeting for a glass of wine, a jazz section with lots of brass, and then a rock section about Brenda and Eddie. It's a complex composition, and I think a pretty amazing song. Do you remember this one? What is your favorite Billy Joel song? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Please remember your favorite local and online small businesses today as you enjoy your holiday weekend.
I have a 25% off sale running all weekend, through midnight on Cyber Monday (November 30). I also have many new Christmas arrivals in my store ... with more Christmas items added the next couple of weeks. You will find all these unique gifts at Birdhouse Books on eBay. Children's Advent and Christmas is a rare 1966 vintage book by Vita Et Pax.
Wumpy's Christmas Gift is a vintage picture book for children by Nancy Nash, with illustrations by Richard Floethe (1956)
Mortimer's Christmas Manger is a picture book about a little mouse who discovers the real meaning of Christmas after he takes up residence in a manger. It was written by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.
Holiday Recipes Around the World for Electric Cooking and Baking is a cute 1960 vintage cookbook booklet.
The Little Drummer Boy is a DVD of the classic children's special by Rankin Bass.
This Christmas postcard features a little boy and girl discovering a tree with candles and fruit outdoors.
This Christmas postcard features a little boy and girl with a snowman who holds an umbrella. This looks like an Ellen Clapsaddle illustration.
This especially sweet Christmas postcard features a little girl with an old fashioned teddy bear.
Santa Claus wishes a village a Merry Christmas with the help of an old fashioned megaphone on this postcard.
A sweet little girl puts shamrocks on a snowman on this charming Christmas postcard.
This Coronation Collection vintage Christmas card features a mailbox full of wrapped gifts.
A sweet mother deer and her fawn rest in the woods on a snowy day on this vintage Christmas card.
I hope you've found some treasures here, and hope you'll visit my store as well: Birdhouse Books. Have a wonderful weekend!
Dear Friends, I hope you had an extra nice Thanksgiving! I had a fun day with company and treats, and am taking it easy today. Above you'll find a Calling All Girls magazine cover from 1960. I hope the doxie with the wishbone gets her wish! This day after Thanksgiving I would love to share a roundup of past posts with you ... things that I am thankful for.
