From the readers: Sock monkeys, film posters, Phillies hex sign & more

As we barrel headlong into the final six weeks of 2024, here's the latest roundup of contributions from Papergreat's readers. Thank you, as always, for sharing your thoughts!

Obscure and fabulous movie poster: Betty Bruce writes: "I have this Lake of Tears movie poster. I received it from a Canadian Consulat serving in Cuba from 1966-7 to 1970. I have many original posters from that time period. They are beautiful."

How to make the Red Heel Sock Monkey and Sock Elephant: Anonymous writes: "Edna Clapper published instructions for the Sock Monkey (with permission from Nelson Knitting) in Pack-O-Fun magazine. She subsequently created the Sock Elephant. Nelson Knitting bought instruction sheets for both and included them in every package of red heel socks. She also created the book, 'How to Make Sock Toys,' which Nelson Knitting packaged with a dozen Red Heel socks and sold in the Sears catalog."

I received a related email from author Dee Lindner, who writes: "Hi Chris, I saw on your website that you like history, folklore, etc. I have been interested in sock monkey minutia for decades and have great news! Red Heel Sock Monkeys: Pop Culture Icons is now available in the marketplace. Individuals can purchase this book on Amazon. If you can help spread the word that this book is now available, I would appreciate it."

Scholastic book: "Chilling Ghost Stories": Tom from the Garage Sale Finds blog, which just finished an amazing run of Halloween-themed October posts, writes: "I loved Scholastic, and their ghost story collections in particular. I never had this one, but definitely would pick it up if I came across it. I had 13 Ghostly Tales and Arrow Book of Ghost Stories."

A neat piece of Phillies history: Anonymous writes: "Great to finally see something online about this bizarre little chapter in Phillies history! I attended that doubleheader as a 12-year-old with my father & two of my brothers. This being Philadelphia, many of those hex signs were frisbeed onto the field between games. But not by us — in fact, mine has accompanied me to every place I’ve lived over the past 54 years."

1978 Halloween movie marathon at MacArthur Drive-In in Orange, Texas: Wendyvee writes: "I'm not much of a horror fan. I think that is due to the fact that my first exposure to them was when I was probably too young and I had friends with cable TV. The films that stick out to me from that era would be the weird Chuck Connors Tourist Trap (go figure), Harvest Home, Carrie (original), and The Sentinel (Burgess Meredith)."

Advertisements in the final 1960s issue of "Horror Monsters" magazine: Tom quips, "Why do I think you would just receive a pair of those plastic fangs for both the Vampire and Werewolf kits?"

Many great memories of Wintrode's Garage in Littlestown: Mary Wildasin Staub writes: "My dad was the Leroy Wildasin you mentioned in your post! I tagged along with Dad on occasion and he would buy me an ice cream as a treat. Do you have any idea where I could find employee records, as I am researching the time he worked for A.W. Feeder in Silver Run, Maryland, and then the Buick dealership. staubmk@gmail.com would love to hear from you."

It would be great if someone out there could help Mary with some leads!

Triad and Stevie and witches, oh my: Wendyvee writes: "Much like 'Edge of Seventeen,' the origin story [for 'Rhiannon'] does change a little bit over the years; but remains essentially the same."

1967 advertisement for a flying saucer lamp in Saucer News: Tom, who has found some amazing rare pieces at garage sales and estate sales over the decades, writes: "That is one cool lamp. I have never seen anything like it in all my travels."

I'd be stunned if an original one even exists in the wild, given how few were produced and how flimsy they probably were. But there's always hope in someone's attic or basement.

Cheerful Card Company can help you earn extra money for the holidays: Anonymous writes: "I, too, sold cards for the Cheerful Card Company when I was 10 and it was a wonderful and huge growing experience. I am 83 now and vividly remember my excitement when I received my sales kit in the mail! The whole experience gave me independence and confidence to achieve more — and I did! Thank you Cheerful Card Company!"

And, finally, Sallie Ann O'Neill writes: "My mother's uncle, Thomas Doran, was the owner of the Cheerful Card Company. When she was a little girl he use to take her door to door with him selling his cards when he first started out. He was a big man, and he thought people would be more likely to answer the door if they saw the cute little girl beside him, and it worked. He was a hard worker and very driven. We miss him dearly."

Thank you, Sallie Ann, and to everyone who comments and shares stories on Papergreat.