Page 23 - November 2019 proof 7 Castle Pines Connection

Veterans helping veterans
Photo and article by Lynn Zahorik
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The Next Chapter
Veterans Ron Amsberry and Michael Tarby along with Tarby’s service dog Kinglsey, greeted local shoppers with American ags and Buddy Poppys as they collected donations for fellow veterans at Castle Pines King Soopers over Veterans Day weekend.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) only post for Douglas County veterans is the Parker VFW Post 4266. Their membership is made up of war veterans from Parker, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Centennial.
Unique to the VFW, their members must have served in a combat zone or area of con ict that has earned them a campaign ribbon or an expeditionary service medal. With the moto, “veterans helping veterans, nobody does more for veterans,” Post 4266 works hard to raise funds for veterans relief. Some of the programs receiving funds from their e orts include the Colorado State Veterans home at Fitzsimmons, programs bene ting veteran widows and orphans, veteran honor ights, programs for veteran service dogs and the Wounded Warriors Project.
Parker Post 4266 is eager to welcome new members to their group. They hold their meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the community room at the Stroh Ranch South Metro Firehouse Station 46. For more information, visit vfwpost4266.org.
Building generational connections with toys By Bryan Goodland
Christmas is coming fast upon us. If you haven’t nished or even started shopping, it is time to roll up your sleeves and get to it – especially if there are kids on your list.
What should you buy the kids in your life? Keeping up with the latest trends in toys and games is almost impossible. If you want to make Christmas special, focus on the memories and giving something that is unique and personal.
Instead of jumping online and searching for the top 20 toys, why not give something you loved as a child? Fun doesn’t come with an expiration date, so give them something from your own memories.
For some ideas, look at toys that were popular when you were young. Here are some toys, for both boys and girls from the 1960s and 1970s.
• Barbie was already a perennial favorite for girls, and then in 1961 the Ken doll was introduced. Resplendent in surf attire, Ken was an almost instantaneous success and continues to sell to this day.
• On almost every Christmas list was
the Duncan Butter y yo-yo. Duncan has been in business for more than 85 years and has several varieties of yo-yos and accessories. A portable toy, this is an easy nd that almost every kid has wanted at one time or another.
• In 1963, Kenner burst onto the toy scene with the Easy-Bake Oven, giving children everywhere the power to bake tiny cakes with just the power of a light bulb. The toy sold 500,000 units in its rst year and has gone on to sell millions. In recent years, the oven is now manufactured by Hasbro, who bought out Kenner.
• Moving ahead a couple years, the 1965 season brought us Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. This simple game of
two robots battling it out in a ring has remained popular. The version today is currently made by Mattel and is available in stores and online.
• In 1966, people started to get a little closer, with the introduction of the
game Twister. Sold by Milton Bradley, the original game was somewhat controversial. However, it has remained a game closet staple for more than 40 years.
• Before the decade ended, in 1969 the Hot Wheels line of toys was introduced to the world.
The 1960s o ered a variety of toy choices for the buying public. The next decade ushered
in Nerf toys, the game Dungeons and Dragons and “Star Wars” action gures.
Whatever toys you choose, any of these would make a ne and nostalgic gift. They have all stood the test of time and continue to sell successfully even in today’s competitive electronic-centric market. The best part is that you can introduce a whole new generation to a classic toy they might not have otherwise received. Plus, you will be creating Christmas memories you both can share for years to come.