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April, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 3
SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE:
Design Trends of the Mid-20 Century
th
By Donald-Brian Johnson

Hoppin’ Down The Bunny Trail: America’s Easter Traditions

“Here Comes Peter Cottontail, Judy Garland/Fred Astaire movie new celebration supplanted the old.
Hoppin’ down the bunny trail, smash. No bunnies, just a tuneful The name remained (sort of); so,
Hippity, hoppity, tribute to a beloved Easter Sunday did “Eostre’s” earthly symbol: the
Easter’s on its way!” tradition: folks decked out in bandbox rabbit.
finery, strolling down Fifth Avenue. Lent was a period of penitence,
Steve Nelson & (Berlin was a master of re-invention. “Mardi Gras” the final fling leading
Jack Rollins, 1950 When an early composition “Smile, into it, Easter the grand celebration
That Gene Autry. First, the cowboy and Show Your Dimple” flopped, he of its close. Gradually, Easter’s
religious aspects were joined
crooner set his sights on Christmas, put it away until 1933, when “Easter and complemented by secular
giving us the lowdown on “Rudolph, Parade” – the same tune with new
The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and lyrics – debuted.) traditions, celebrating spring as a
season of rebirth and renewal. And,
offering the timely reminder, “Here Sprightly songs are one thing. But from the early 1900s onward, many “I could write a sonnet, about your Easter bonnet.”
Valerie” lady head vase by Betty Lou Nichols,
Comes Santa Claus”. Then, Gene marshmallow Peeps? Be-ribboned of those traditions have enjoyed their topped off with a seasonal floral array. 5-1/4”,
sidled on down the trail a-piece, bonnets? Frisky bunnies delivering greatest popularity in America: $150-175. $15-20 each; eggs $5-7 each.
until he found another holiday candy-stuffed baskets? Just how did
worth celebrating. The result: a major Christian holiday become Easter eggs. In medieval times, The Easter Bunny. In Germany,
1950’s bouncy ‘Here Comes Peter teamed up with such unlikely eggs, a symbol of new life, were the “Oschter Haws” (“Easter Hare”)
Cottontail”. springtime bedfellows? Well, blame not eaten during Lent. When Easter hides nests of brightly colored eggs.
Holiday-happy Irving Berlin it on that ancient Anglo-Saxon rolled around, exchanging Easter German immigrants brought the
put all his eggs in one basket, too. goddess “Eostre”. When Christianity tradition to America in the 1700s.
“Easter Parade” started off as a song, arrived, it meant easing converts out eggs seemed egg-zactly right. Back (Incidentally, says the National
then, the wealthy wrapped theirs in
then became the title of the 1948 of long-held pagan practices. Since Confectioner’s Association, 76% of
the spring observance of Christ’s gold leaf; the rest of the world settled Americans think chocolate bunnies
Resurrection roughly coincided with for eggs color-stained with flower should be eaten “ears first”!)
the timing of “Eostre’s” festival, a petals. Continued on Page 8

Visit Historic Downtown Antique Association
of Arcadia
ARCADIA www.ArcadiaFLAntiques.com

BARGAIN DAYS
Voted Best Antiquing Town in Florida
by Florida Monthly Magazine (2ND SATURDAY)

“Come Spend the Day With US” April 13

MONTHLY

MADDY'S ANTIQUES ANTIQUE FAIR
Which came first, the bunny or the egg? 4TH SATURDAY
5” ceramic bunny with carrot, and egg, 121 W. Oak St.
both unmarked. $10-15; $5-10. 863-494-2500 8am-3pm
APRIL 27
Specializing in:
Country, Primitives, MAY 25 • JUNE 22
Vintage Sports Booth Info 863-993-5105

Thur. & Fri. 12-4, Sat. 10-4 or by appt.
View our store at: ANTIQUE ASSOCIATION
maddysantiques.net 1
MEMBERS

Bizarre Bazaar - 863-456-5608
Corey’s Antiques - 863-494-5959
Maddy’s Antiques - 863-494-2500
OAK STREET POLK AVE DESOTO AVE Yellow Brick Road - 863-993-3000

Something for the fighting man: !
MONROE ST
ORANGE AVE
World War II Easter card. $10-15.