Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Depression Glass From A-Z, Part III



Lorain
In the 1950’s, the footed sherbet with an open lace edge was produced in milk glass and avocado for use as a florist bowl - colors never made during the depression. These were probably made by anchor hocking instead of indiana - who produced lorain originally - as some have been found with hocking’s paper labels.

Madrid
In 1976, federal reissued this pattern for the bicentennial under the name “recollection”. Pieces were made in amber, but marked with a 76 in the design to distinguish old from new. Indiana glass bought the molds when federal closed, removed the 76 and made crystal. Since then, pieces have been made in blue, pink and a light ‘coke bottle green-blue’ color. The new blue is brighter than the original color, the new pink is too light. Many pieces have been made, some by combining two old items into a new one: the candlestick on a 10 inch plate became the pedestal cake stand; a tumbler on the candlestick base is sold as a hurricane lamp/vase, and the butter dish on the candlestick makes the footed candy dish. Reproductions of old pieces tend to be too heavy, the wrong color and sloppily molded. Study your depression glass encyclopedia so you know what’s original and what’s not.

Manhattan
Similar to manhattan, anchor hocking produced ‘park avenue’ from 1987-93 and then again in the late 1990’s in crystal and light ’sapphire blue.’ light blue was never made, and shapes were changed so as to maintain the integrity of the original crystal pieces. If you find something that’s not listed in the depression glass encyclopedias, it’s part of the park avenue line not manhattan.

Mayfair (open rose)
Cookie jars, shot glasses, small juice pitchers and salt/pepper shakers have been reproduced in pink (more orange than the original, green (both too dark and the wrong shade), cobalt, amethyst, red, amberina, and pink slag. The pattern is very weak on all items; pitcher and cookie bottoms lack the circular mold mark on the bottom, the shots have too much glass in the bottom.

Miss America
Reproduced in pink, green( wrong shade) red amberina, cobalt, crystal and ice blue as follows: repro flat tumblers have 2 mold seams instead of 4. Repro pitchers are missing the ice lip and the ‘hump’ in the top edge that old pitchers have by the handle to help grasp when pouring. New shakers are 3 1/4 inch tall and have too much glass on the inside - old are 3 3/8 inch tall and fill all the way to the bottom with salt. New butter dishes have a lump of glass sticking out (convex) under the knob; old are concave (curved in). To be continued.

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Pictured above: Anchor Hocking Depression Glass Ruby Red Ivy Vase available at our CHShops.com Online Mall Store at: Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws -- the first growing out of the last. ... A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government." --Alexander Hamilton, Essay in the American Daily Advertiser, 1794

Monday, March 29, 2010

Tuesday's Twitters



Here are some more Tuesday's Twitters--some funny, some not so!

Lessons for the tea party. What went right & what didn't during the HCR fight Right & Wrong Don't give up. We will remember in Nov.

Do States Hold the Answer to a Runaway Congress? Recall 9 states have laws providing for recall.

Visit OneNationPAC's Spring Forward campaign center Support Conservatives Four special elections coming soon.

Lets do it again! Apr.13 special election in FL19. Support Edward Lynch. His polling shows very close in a Dem district. Edward Lynch

Aerial footage the media ignores. The largest Tea Party gathering of a couple dozen people EVAH! Showdown

Obama 2005: Recess appointees are “damaged goods;” Obama 2010: Recess appointments are “critical” need Recess

Video: When Mattera Met Harkin--GREAT AMERICANS HAVE TO LOVE THE WAY Mattera TAKES ON THESE FRAUDS! Mattera & Harkin

The Score: First Amendment Two – Book Banners Zero Free SpeechA big win for political speech.

The reason for the people to retain the right to bear arms is to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson

Supporting Barletta vs Kanjorski Lou Barletta Taking back congress,one seat at a time. Kanjorski was YES on HCR. We will remember in November.

"When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat"-- Ronald Reagan

If male suicide bombers get 72 virgins, then what do female suicide bombers get?

Taking back the Senate--one seat at a time Hostettler Primary is May 4. Support Hostettler. We will remember in November.

Rob Simmons for US Senate from CT Rob Simmons He won in DEM territory before. Help him do it again.

Ted Nugent: We got to vote the pigs out of office! Ted Nugent

DIVORCE AGREEMENT Dear American liberals,leftists,social progressives,socialists, Marxists & Obama supporters: Divorce Agreement

I poured Spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.

"It takes a long time to do the necessary administrative steps..to CONTROL the people" Rep Dingbat We will remember in November.

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one." --James Madison

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

10 Things You Shouldn't Buy New



Why waste money on shiny packaging and a fancy store when you can find it online and 'pre-owned' for a fraction of the cost? Here are your best buys.

By Liz Pulliam Weston

Few people really enjoy wasting their hard-earned money, but many of us do it every day by buying new. We could do our pocketbooks, and the environment, a big favor by opting to be the second owner of some of the stuff we buy.

Obviously, some things are best purchased new; lingerie pops to mind (see my companion piece, "10 things you should never buy used" for more). But lots of other stuff depreciates quickly while still having plenty of useable life left. Here are 10items where the cost vs. use equation strongly tilts toward buying used.

Article continued here: 10 Things You Shouldn't Buy New

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first." Thomas Jefferson

Monday, March 22, 2010

2nd Amendment Updates



2nd Amendment Updates from the NRA:

Second Amendment March On Washington Scheduled For April: There will be a Second Amendment March in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will gather on the northeast corner of the Washington Monument grounds at 10:00 a.m., and the entire event will take place there (due to logistics, the event will be more of a "rally" than an actual march).

Indiana Governor Signs Legislation Protecting Workers' Right to Self-Defense: This week, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed NRA-backed legislation allowing employees to store legally-owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots.

Indiana Governor Signs Monumental Pro-Gun Reform! On Thursday, March 18, Governor Mitch Daniels (R) signed House Bill 1065 into law. This vital piece of legislation will protect Hoosiers against firearm confiscation during natural disasters, such as occurred in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. HB1065 also prevents law-abiding gun owners from being wrongfully terminated from their jobs for having locked firearms in their vehicles while at work.

Alabama Governor Signs Important Pro-Hunting Bill into Law! On Monday, March 22, Governor Bob Riley (R) signed House Bill 330 into law. HB330, authored by State Representative Craig Ford (D-28), will require that the state maintain at least the same level of available public hunting land that currently exists. It will also require that additional lands be opened to hunting if land that is currently open to hunting is closed. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call in support of HB330. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

FLORIDA: REPORT -- ROUND 10: The Florida House Passed the CW Trust Fund BiIl 115-0 On Tuesday, March 23, the Florida House passed the Concealed Weapons Licensing Trust Fund Bill by a unanimous vote of 115-0. Rep. David Rivera (R) steered the bill smoothly to passage and sent it on it's way to Governor Charlie Crist, who is expected to sign it. Sen. Charlie Dean (R) and Rep. David Rivera (R) did masterful jobs with the bill. SB-1158 is a bill to STOP legislative raids to remove (confiscate) gun owner money from the Division of Licensing Trust Fund -- that holds funding to administer the Concealed Weapons & Firearms Licensing program.

PENNSYLVANIA: Please Attend the 5th Annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally! Please join Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President, other Second Amendment activists, and countless patriots for the opportunity to voice your support for our cherished firearm freedoms. On Tuesday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Second Amendment supporters will gather in solidarity for our gun rights. Don't miss this great opportunity to meet with legislators and urge them to stand up and support the Second Amendment by passing pro-gun advancements currently pending action in the legislature. For more information and to register, please visit at:Harrisburg Rally Note: attendees must pre-register.

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one." --James Madison

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Depression Glass From A-Z, Part II



Floral Poinsettia
These shakers can be found in colbalt blue, red and deep green, which are all reproductions as none of those colors were made. The pink however was made originally and the pink reproduction is very close to that original color.
The reproduction shakers will give you a continuous threading on the screw on top, while the older one will have a pair of threads that will end prior to the mold seams.

Additionally, you will find that the pattern is on top of the base on the new shakers and under the base on the old ones, so that you have to turn them over to see the base pattern.

Florentine 1
Shakers have been found in pink, red, and cobalt. The pattern is very badly done, red & cobalt are not original colors.

Florentine 2
Pitcher & tumbler sets in red, dark green, cobalt, and two different pinks have been made. None of these colors were originally made.

Iris & herringbone
The reproduction iris & herringbone, 6 inch, crystal, water tumblers, and the originals are both the exact same size. They both have the smooth rays on the foot. Although the repro’s ray edges may be just slightly sharper than on the originals, but it’s probably way too close for the novice collector to tell the difference. The herringbone pattern is one key. It’s not even near as clear, sharp and vivid as on the originals. But still close enough to fool even a good eye.
Now…just like on the 6 1/2 inch ice tea tumbler, one quick way to tell the difference is, flip your tumbler upside down. Can you see the “mold” line at all on the foot? On the originals, the “mold” line is “very” visible when you look at it from this perspective. However, with the reproduction tumbler, if you have a very good eye and or an magnifying glass, you might could see the “mold” line when looking at it from the bottom side. If you have to look that hard to see it, it’s probably a reproduction.

One other way to tell is, on the original 6 inch water tumbler, just like on the original 6 1/2 inch ice tea tumbler, there are (4) sides to each of these tumblers. Let me explain. There are (4) iris flower designs. The two opposite each other should be exactly the same identical design, matching each other perfectly. If there’s any difference at all, then it’s probably a reproduction.

You can’t tell the difference between the two by feeling the hole in the bottom of the tumbler foot. They both have the exact same type and style of hole in them both, with the exact same number of rays on the foot as well.

One sure fire way to tell if your 6 inch water tumbler is the “real deal” or not is, just to the right of the iris flower design, you have a very long stem, kind of thick one, coming from the bottom of the tumbler to the top edge of the flower on the right side of the flower, curving slightly to the left at the top as it ends. It has been crossed, or x ‘ed towards the top of the stem, with a partial stem. If you turn the tumbler to the exact opposite side it should match exactly. If it doesn’t and it’s only half x’ed, or not x’ed at all, it’s an reproduction. The opposing sides will not match this side, the pattern is different, but should match each other exactly perfectly as well. To be continued
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See our selection of Depression Glass at our CHShops Online Mall Store at: Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"[G]iving [Congress] a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely useless. It would reduce the whole [Constitution] to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please. Certainly, no such universal power was meant to be given them." --Thomas Jefferson

Saturday, March 20, 2010

March Sale At Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry




For the entire month of March, 2010, all of our Pottery, Glass, & Collectibles are 10% off the catalogue price.

Get your bargains now!

Pictured here: Indiana Glass Company Ivy Bowls

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Tobacciana




Here is an interesting article about Tobacciana:

Kovel: "'Tobacciana' Are Smoking-Hot Collectibles"

I'm sure collectibles expert, Terry Kovel, is correct about that trend.

Also, the wide variety, availability, & low cost of smoking-related items -- tobacciana -- makes them easily within reach.

Kovel provides helpful history about these collectibles:

"Smoking was an important part of the life of a well-to-do gentleman in the 19th century. A cigar after dinner was routine. Smoking paraphernalia was created not only to be useful but also to show off wealth.

"Collectors today still search for all kinds of tobacco-related items, although smoking has lost favor. Pipes, ashtrays, cigar holders, lighters, cigarette or cigar cases, cigarette or cigar boxes, cigarette dispensers and smoking stands are collected.

See entire article at: The Collecting Gene

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Pictured above: Aztec Cigar Humidor Brushed Bronze And Brass available at our online store at: Aztec Cigar Humidor

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12

Sunday, March 14, 2010

All About Timeshare Vacations



TIME SHARE USERS GROUPS AND OTHER TS WEBSITES
If you are serious about time-sharing, you will want to join some of the many time-share users Groups on the internet. There is a wealth of helpful information on these sites, both for new and experienced time-share owners.

Here are a few to check out:

Diamond Resorts
Wyndham Owners
Starwood Vacation Ownership
WorldMark Owners
TUG Timeshare Users Group

Looking to buy or sell a time-share? Looking to rent a time-share? Here are a few websites to check out:

Petit Crest Villas At Big Canoe
RAL Vacation Resorts
RedWeek
Resortime
BidShares
My Resort Network

Time-sharing is like any other property investment. Keep up with the latest issues on these websites to better enjoy your vacation time and maintain your investment.

Pictured Here: Petit Crest Villas At Big Canoe, Georgia

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"Your love of liberty -- your respect for the laws -- your habits of industry -- and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness." --George Washington, letter to the residents of Boston, 1789

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Turquoise Jewelry



Turquoise Necklaces

Necklaces are one of the oldest forms of jewelry, rivaled in age and popularity only by the bracelet. With the workability and availability of turquoise, it is no surprise it was used frequently for necklace decoration. The turquoise necklace became a fashion success with the different styles and its excellent complexion compatibility. The necklace is one of the most artistically functional articles, complementing the wearer's face, body shape, height, and age. To suit many fashion requirements and tastes, the turquoise necklace has taken on many forms, all of which fit broadly into the pendant, beaded, or the squash blossom categories.

Turquoise Pendant Necklace
Taking advantage of the relative softness of turquoise, ancient peoples easily fashioned it into pendants. The inlaid turquoise pendant necklace style became more common and popular as people became more versed in the metalworking trade. The inlay process allows for greater creative reign with turquoise pendant necklace designs, providing a setting for individual stones and detailed stone mosaics. Whether inlaid or stone, turquoise pendants harmonize with leather cord, leather strips, and chain. The pendant throughout history has been a very popular type of turquoise necklace. As attractive and well-crafted as a pendant necklace may be, its true beauty and character shines while being worn. Those with youthful necklines should wear smaller pendants to subtly show off their smooth skin; while larger pendants should be worn, when desired, as a featured fashion item.

Turquoise Beaded Necklace
The soft nature of turquoise allows it to be cut into many sizes and shapes, from nugget, to chip, to heishi, which opens up myriad and beautiful turquoise necklace designs. Because there are so many turquoise-compatible gemstones, wood, and metal beads, the only limitations are the imagination and skill of the designer. They are available in various lengths and are available in single and multi-strand versions. As fashion trends steer towards chunky turquoise necklaces, large turquoise nugget necklaces are becoming more popular. Though, it is important to remember, the larger the stone, the less real it can look. If the chunky look is not for you, there are more subtle designs; graduated chip, pebble, and heishi offer a more simple and still elegant look.

Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
A relative newcomer to the turquoise necklace scene, the squash blossom necklace was popularized in the mid-19th century by Navajo and Zuni silversmiths. Since then it has become synonymous with American Indian art and jewelry. No Indian jewelry collection can be complete without a squash blossom necklace. It features a crescent shaped pendant called a "naja", which is "crescent" in Navajo, and beads resembling a squash or pomegranate blossom. The squash blossom is famous for its bold features - while this may deter some, it should be noted there are many versions of the necklace with more subtle and streamlined features.

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See our selection of Turquoise jewelry at: Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send 150 lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, & talk by the hour? That 150 lawyers should do business together ought not to be expected." --Thomas Jefferson, autobiography, 1821

March Sale At Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry




For the entire month of March, 2010, all of our Pottery, Glass, & Collectibles are 10% off the catalogue price.

Get your bargains now!

Pictured here: Indiana Glass Company Ivy Bowls

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Women pilots of WWII inspire generations


by Carol L. Bowers
American Forces Press Service

3/10/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFRNS) -- Under a clear blue sky, beneath the spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial here, military aviators gathered March 9 to pay homage to the achievements of the first women to fly military aircraft during World War II.

The memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, with a reception afterward, was a prelude to the March 10 presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to the 1,102 pilots who served as Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II.

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Vivien Crea, the keynote speaker at the service, told those assembled that by answering America's call to duty in 1942, they gave birth to a fledgling service that would become the WASPs with achievements that would go on to inspire another generation of women in the military.

"As aviators, you possessed an invaluable capability that our nation desperately wanted," Admiral Crea said. "You joined not because you were great pioneers, but because of your great sense of duty. You served America in its time of peril."

Nearly 200 of the surviving women pilots attended the ceremonies with family and friends, and family members represented other pilots.

Article continues here: Military News

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in the happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm and solid foundations shall enable us to return to our Private Stations in the bosom of a free, peacefully and happy Country." --George Washington, address to the New York legislature, 1775

Depression Glass A-Z, Part I



Depression Glass

For many years depression glass has been reproduced by companies all over the world. Some of the patterns and things you may see from those companies are listed below. (We gratefully acknowledge the research work of the Glass Reproduction website, as well as About.com for some of this information).

Adam
Butter dish- on the green reproduction you will see that the veins in the leaves on lid do not join or touch in center of leaf, bottom: on the old, large leaves point to center of each side (north, south, east, west) on the reproduction, they point off center (northeast, etc) very poor mold quality will show up on both top and bottom.

Avocado
Avocado was originally made in pink, green and crystal: white pitcher & tumbler sets were made by Indiana Glass in the 1950’s. Yellow, red, blue, amethyst and frosted colors are all reproductions which were made by Tiara from 1974 through the 1980’s. Pink and green were also made by Tiara but are different from the original colors as follows: new pink has an orange-ish tint rather than the soft pink of the old color. The newer green is darker than the original one was.

Baltimore pear
Compote, marked with a paper label on the base, made in France.

Cameo
The Shakers have been made in green, pink and cobalt. On the reproductions the patternis weak, with a little too much glass in the bottom of shaker, and additionally the cobalt was never originally made. Above the foot is filled in with about 1/4-1/2 of glass. Mosser company has made a line of children’s miniature sets (called ‘the Jennifer line’) with the cameo pattern. As children’s dishes were never made, these miniatures don’t present a problem telling reproductions from originals.

Cherry blossom
The following pieces have been reproduced in any or all of these colors: pink, green, light blue, delphite, cobalt, red and iridized colors. The only original colors that were made were the pink, green and delphite, and some of these reproductions are quite good so they may fool you. The round 2 handled tray, footed cake plate, cereal bowl, footed tumbler, butter dish and a divided platter are among those things that have been reproduced. As a general rule you’re going to find that the reproduction pieces are less carefully molded, with the pattern more crudely in place, branches and leaves on the blossom pattern will lack the original serrated texture of the leaves and the bark of the branch. The flowers will not look as detailed to you. The pieces are also somewhat heavier in glass than the originals.

Columbia
Juice glasses will be marked “France”

To be Continued
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See our available Depression Glass at: Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry

Pictured here: Ruby Red Depression Glass Tidbit Bowl

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"On every question of construction, carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." --Thomas Jefferson

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

SPI's ARES Magazine



SPI's ARES Magazine

Ares was a science fiction wargame magazine published by Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI), and then TSR, Inc., between 1980 and 1984. In addition to the articles, each issue contained a wargame, complete with a foldout stiff paper map, a set of cardboard counters, and the rules.

There were a total of seventeen issues printed, plus two special issues. The SPI company published the first eleven bimonthly issues (and had prepared a twelfth) before financial difficulties led to the company being bought out by TSR in 1982. A further six issues, published quarterly, were put out by TSR and then publication of the magazine was ceased. However, the Ares legacy lived on for another couple of years; a large new section called the Ares Section was added to Dragon Magazine starting with issue #84 (April 1984) and was treated as almost a magazine within a magazine. This special section provided support for science fantasy and superhero roleplaying games such as Gamma World, Marvel Super Heroes and Star Frontiers.The Ares Section ran through Dragon issue #111 (July 1986) after which it too was discontinued.

See our ARES Magazine listings at our CHShops Mall Store at:Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry.

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"[T]he Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and that wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give place to the Constitution." --Alexander Hamilton

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Pastor Welcomes Gun Owners


Pastor Welcomes Gun Owners to Bring Their Handguns to Church
Saturday , June 27, 2009

A gun-toting Kentucky pastor says it's OK to bring weapons to church — at least for one day.

Ken Pagano asked his flock to bring their unloaded handguns — in holsters — to New Bethel Church in Louisville for a celebration of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Consitution that guarantees the right to bear arms.

When the event got under way Saturday, about 200 people — many carrying small firearms — sat in the Pentecostal church sanctuary.

"We are wanting to send a message that there are legal, civil, intelligent and law-abiding citizens who also own guns," Pagano said in greeting the audience, which included people who do not belong to his church.

"If it were not for a deep-seated belief in the right to bear arms, this country would not be here today," he said, drawing hearty applause and exclamations of "amen!"

Pagano says he got the idea for the event after some of his church members expressed concern about the Obama administration's views on gun control, though the president hasn't moved to put new restrictions on gun ownership. He says the gathering was meant to promote safe gun ownership.

The "Open Carry Celebration" included a handgun raffle, patriotic music and screening of videos on gun safety. The church hung patriotic banners on the wall that read "In God We Trust."

The pastor said that he himself did not carry a gun at the event.

Pagano's Protestant church, which attracts up to 150 people to Sunday services, is a member of the Assemblies of God and is in a conservative part of southwest Louisville.

A coalition of peace and church groups staged a gun-free event across town at the same time.

Penny and Doug
cupenny@tds.net
Penny's Antiques & Wedgwood Pantry





Quote of the Day:
"Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of." --James Madison, Federalist No. 46