Father-Husband-Marketer-Geek

A reader recently commented: "Rich, I took your poll on licensed products and possible villages (even though I realize this isn't a D56 corporate poll), but why list the Americn Revolution and American Civil War under "licensed"? I could see that if they were based on a specific movie or book, like "Saving Private Ryan" is, or if they were to partially benefit a specific organization, but otherwise I don't think "licensing" is needed for those two. I also would have preferred a DC Comics -based village as opposed to a Marvel themed series, but that's just me. And I STILL wish Dept 56 hadn't ended their "American Pride Collection" for historical, non-Christmas landmark buildings and such!" Thanks - good point...I think my original intent was to base the licensed series on the "Civil War" tv series by Ken Burns, and the "American Revolution" series based on HBO's recent "John Adams", whi...

I recently struck up a message thread about new ideas for D56 with the good people over at the Original Department 56 Yahoo! Group, asking them: "I was thinking about this today, especially with the 4th of July coming, as I usually find myself drinking margaritas with friends on the deck of the National Hotel on Block Island. What a great idea for a New EnglandVillage sub-series. Several of the island's hotels: the National, the Harborside, the Surf Hotel, would be perfect buildings for a set. You could even have the ferry landing and the Block Island Ferry accessory. Around noon on Wednesday, there will be 100s of people standing on the deck of the National Hotel as the annual 4th of July parade goes down the main street, in front of the ferry landing. What other ideas do you have for buildings/pieces/sets that D56 could make?" Several people from the group stepped up with the following responses and some wonderful ideas. Victorian Resort Village: "I really like my...