Jul 10, 2010
Alzheimer's Memory Walk
Memory Walk Portsmouth 2010As part of our "Think Outside the Bag" initiative, G.Willikers! Toy Shop in Portsmouth,NH is donating a dime to the Alzheimer's Foundation every time a customer opts not to take a bag with their purchase. This program has been in effect for over two years now and has been a great success; saving literally thousands of bags from potentially going into landfills AND generating hundreds of dollars in donations to local non-profits and other organizations. We'll be supporting the Alzheimer's Memory Walk with this money and donating it at the local event on Saturday, September 11th at the South Mill Playground.
In addition to the donations made at the counter for saving a bag, G.Willikers! will also donate $2.00 of every "GO3801" t-shirt sale for Alzheimer's as well! SO SUPPORT OUR FAVORITE ZIP CODE (03801!!) AND PURCHASE A VERY LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRT AND HELP 
Limited Edition G03801 T-ShirtTHE CAUSE. Wear your passion for PORTSMOUTH!
Sizes currently available are
XS (2-4)/ Small (6-8)/ Med (10-12)/ Adult Small (34-36)/ Adult Med (38-40)
posted in: What's New
Jul 08, 2010
Who Really Invented Monopoly?
Strong Museum acquires rare early Monopoly Game
Strong Museum Rochester, NYPlaythings Staff -- Playthings, 7/1/2010 2:54:58 PM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - A rare and unique early version of Monopoly, used as evidence in a controversial, 10-year legal copyright battle over the iconic American game's true inventor, has been acquired by Strong National Museum of Play - home of the National Toy Hall of Fame.
The museum has announced that second oldest known version of the world's most popular board game ever has been added to its world-renowned collections of play-related objects: a folk-art Monopoly game created by a member of the Heap family between 1910 and 1917 when the family lived in Altoona, Penn.
The Heap board game also has the distinction of being the oldest Monopoly game with all its playing pieces intact including hand-made money, property cards in color groupings, and houses and other "improvement" buildings. The Heap game was an important piece of evidence in a Monopoly copyright dispute that began in 1974 and spanned a decade.
To briefly summarize the copyright disagreement: Pennsylvanian Charles Darrow claimed to have invented the game of Monopoly and in 1935 sold the rights to Parker Brothers. In 1973, Ralph Anspach, a professor of economics, invented a game called Anti-Monopoly; and, in 1974, became embroiled in a lawsuit for trademark infringement brought against him by the General Mills Fun Group.
posted in: What's New
Feb 01, 2010
February Games!
Let the Games begin! February is all about games at G.Willikers! The winter months bring us indoors, and what better way to have fun then playing games?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays @ Breaking New Grounds!
G.Willikers is partnering with Breaking New Grounds for their February Game Nights! Every Tuesday and Wednesday evening starting at 5:00, stop by Breaking New Grounds and enjoy a cup of coffee, hot chocolate and a treat while you play games for all ages DONATED by G.Willikers!
Eat Drink and Play Locally!
Saturday, February 20th 2:00-4:00
G.Willikers and the Portsmouth Public Library will be hosting a game day in the library children's room. These events have become very popular! Join G.Willikers! staff and play games for all ages!
February School Vacations!
From February 13th -28th G.willikers! will have games out for all ages to play! Come Check out Doodle Dice, Banangrams, Speed Stackers and many more!
games
posted in: Local Events
Apr 29, 2009
Jazzmouth Comes to G.Willikers!
Bruce Pingree reads poetry at G.Willikers!On Saturday, April 18th jazz and poetry collided at G.Willikers! Toy Shop as part of the city's Jazzmouth festival.
Local jazz master Larry Simon and friends entertained families with a live, interactive performance. Guest readers Bruce Pingree and Ayanna Gallant captured the perfect blend of prose and personality with rhythmic recitals for a one of a kind show.
Pint sized percussionsChildren were encouraged to keep the beat with egg-shaped maracas and a variety of drums and all guests received a free copy of the book JAZZ ABZ (generously provided by the NH Humanities Council).
It was the perfect family friendly kick-off to what has become one of the premier musical events in the seacoast....JAZZMOUTH!
Larry Simon on guitar.
posted in: Local Events
Apr 26, 2009
Clay Rice visits G.Willikers!
Clay Rice at work
CLICK to see pictures from this event.
Nationally known silhouette artist Clay Rice brought his rare skill of cutting silhouette portraits to Portsmouth, NH Wednesday, April 22 when he created over 70 of these heirloom memories for local residents. His scheduled day was packed full with fans of this simple art form.
The term derives from Etienne de Silhouette (1706-67), French Minister of Finance under Louis XV, who cut shadow portraits as a hobby. Until the end of the 18th century silhouette portraits were more commonly known in Britain as ‘profiles’ or ‘shades’. This form of portraiture, being relatively quick and inexpensive to produce, was very popular from the 1750s to the 1850s, when it was overtaken by photography.
Mr. Rice proved to be as interesting as his art. “I started cutting silhouettes at about age 6 when my grandfather showed me how to cut out simple shapes such as barnyard animals and trees.” In fact Carew Rice, Clay’s grandfather was hailed by Poet Carl Sandburg as “America’s Greatest Silhouettist”. His hauntingly beautiful landscapes of Southern life and lands are sought after by collectors worldwide. Rice’s first paying job as a silhouettist didn’t come until he was 20. “I was living in Nashville, TN, learning to write songs and commuting home to the South Carolina lowcountry in the summertime to make extra money cutting silhouettes at the Pawleys Island Hammock shops for vacationers from the upstate."
Clay Rice finishes a portrait
posted in: What's New
G.Willikers! blog is the place for parents and kids to go for all the latest news and events happening at our toy store in Portsmouth, NH and around the Seacoast area.
