Florence, Colorado: New Vintage Book Dealer

Don't tell anyone. When I see books, I'm like a kid in a candy store. So I was delighted to see a new vendor at The Loralie Antique Mall, that specializes in vintage and books on history and Colorado.

Ah, pull up a chair and browse all the tomes. Everything is organized by category.

And the newest dealer at The Loralie Antique Mall also has a few Oriental antiquities for sale, as well as some other varieties, such as the lyre table, pottery, cameras and a bit of lighting.

It's always fun to see what's old (and new) in Florence, the antiques capital of Colorado.

The Loralie Antique Mall is located at 109 W. Main St. and is open seven days a week.

Florence, Colorado: All I Want For Valentine's Day Is Lamb Livers

Are you totally stumped about what to get your Valentine? You know, the person who has everything? Never fear, I have found the PERFECT gift. Lamb Livers.

More accurately,--a vintage tin that used to hold lamb livers.

No, no. I am not suggesting you give your Valentine anything gruesome that would remind them of the Valentine's Day Massacre.

I'm suggesting that you can purchase the weirdest, I mean, um the most unique Valentine's gift ever in Florence, which is the antiques capital of Colorado. Now we might be able to dub Florence as the epicenter of the most tasty and funky Valentine's gifts ever.

I've never been probed by aliens and I've passed all my mental health exams, but I am convinced there are hidden messages in some of the window displays in Florence.

IF you have the courage, continue reading this blog to see what I mean. Or better yet, next time you are in Florence--see for yourself.

Yes, this tasty vintage item is actually in the Valentine's window display at The Loralie Antique Mall, located at 109 W. Main St.

Read on--we'll have some more interesting views of what happens in Florence.

And always remember: What happens in Florence, doesn't stay in Florence.

Florence, Colorado: It's A Good Year For Tomatoes & The Rialto Theater

It's always a good year for the 1923 Rialto Theater on Florence's Main Street. Because each year that passes, the old beauty (one of the last opera houses built in Colorado) is closer to being restored to its former glory.

It's always good to support the Rialto and all the fundraising efforts. But now is your chance to give to a good cause and have some fun.

OK, it's not a good year for tomatoes at all. But it's a great time to attend the play: It's A Bad Year For Tomatoes, being performed at the Rialto to raise money for the restoration.

The tomatoey play is being brought to Florence by the Fremont Civic Theater. Did you know that the FCT is Colorado's oldest continuously active theater organization? I did not know. But I do now. So I've redeemed myself. You'd know that interesting tidbit and much more though if you visited the group's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/FremontCivicTheater/

Oh, the poster is a bit chopped. Sorry. I notice the play is rated PG-13, so I'm going to guess that perhaps a tomato or two might also get chopped. Perhaps made into ketchup or something.

I have no idea what the play is about. Tomatoes maybe? But I do know I am going.

This will be the first performance held at the Rialto for decades and buying a ticket or two is one step closer to seeing the total restoration of the Rialto, located at 209 W. Main St.

Tickets are available by calling 719-275-8989 or at Absolute Accounting and City Market in Canon City. Or at Heartland Antiques and the Fox Den in Florence.

And while you in town gawking at the beauty of the Rialto and planning to see the tomato play, you might as well come a little early and browse the town's many antiques shops and art galleries. And of course, have a morsel or two to eat at some of Florence's great restaurants.

I was just stuffing my cakehole at Ito's Japanese Restaurant and Steakhouse the other night, thinking it was totally cool that I don't have to leave our tiny burg to get some of the most awesome food ever.

And now I don't have to leave town to have a fun night at the theater!

The CellHouse In Canon City, Colorado: Fun Shopping Experience Bar None

When I close my eyes and imagine a fun shopping experience, I imagine a shop where I can buy a motorcycle, a cutting board, some office furniture and perhaps pick up a bit of salmon or goat cheese for my next soiree, all at one store.

Actually I've never imagined that. But now that is possible to buy all those things in one place at The CellHouse in Canon City, Colorado.

This unique shop, located at 602 Main St. offers a huge selection of prisoner-produced items in conjunction with the Colorado Correctional Industries.

And the shop also has many items that are not produced by inmates, such as surplus office furniture at low prices.

So far, on my one visit to this semi-new business I purchased a big jar of honey and will probably return for more.

It's worth a visit to The CellHouse just to see the quality and diversity of the inmates' work.

More information on this fascinating business can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/thecellhouse/

Antiques Store Humor: Seeded, Please Keep Off

I never knew there was such a thing as antiques store humor. And God help me, I wish I'd never found out.

Not really. I enjoy a good joke as much as anyone.

The other day a customer came into ye olde antiques mall and told me he had purchased a sign many moons ago, similar to the one pictured below, in the store I work in.

I wondered where this was going.

The customer, an older man, proclaimed,"The first one of my daughters that gets pregnant, I'm going to post my sign on her lawn: SEEDED, PLEASE KEEP OFF."

I chuckled, then replied, "Oh, dad!"

He admitted his girls might have reason to say "oh dad" but I could tell he was going to do it anyway.

Hmm, I was thinking his proposed public use of his antique "seeded" sign might be one of the most ingenious methods of birth control devised.

Florence, Colorado: I Want To Know Something

If you've browsed this blog even surfacely, you know Florence is the antiques capital of Colorado. It's also a fun, friendly, quirky place to visit.

Here's what I want to know. Have you made a visit to Florence based on something you read on this blog? If so, please leave a comment saying so.

Your comment doesn't have to be long. But I'd be interested to know what made you want to visit, where you are from and what you liked best about your visit.

I'm not gathering or mining information. This blog is just for fun and is in no way associated to any chamber of commerce, merchants association, etc.

I'm just curious...

Florence,Colorado: What Is The True Story Club Blog?

What is the True Story Club blog? Actually it's a covert mission.

You think I jest, but that's partially true.

I'm a very private person, but I'll share a little backstory.

Ever since I was little, I was nosy--I mean curious. About people. What they were doing and why they were doing it.

I accidentally stumbled into the journalism game when I was young with little training on a small town newspaper in another state. The highlight of my career, at that newspaper, was either taking a picture of the county's biggest squash or being shocked when I called famed attorney Melvin Belli's house and he actually answered and talked to me.

Shyness and journalism don't work together that well. I find it hard to speak in public, but somehow I managed to muddle through.

I only had a year of formal journalism training in school. So, I didn't know what I was doing. And still don't. But I managed to score a few freelance newspaper and magazine gigs. Yes, one was writing for True Story magazine.

So, why not name a blog, True Story Club? Everyone has a story. And some people don't feel comfortable sharing their stories with people knowing who they are.

This is as close to revealing who I am, as I will get on this blog. That's me at a gathering in Florence, Colorado where someone painted my face to look like a cat. Meow!

Why am I so shy? You'd probably not know it if you met me. One reason is, even in minor writing, one does receive not-very-pleasant communications at times. And sometimes one receives very nice communications. It all depends on if people like what you are writing. If they don't--it can get ugly at times.

So, this blog is a semi-covert operation. I usually sneak up on people in Florence, Colorado (the antiques capital of Colorado) and write something about them on my blog. It's all with good intent. And it's all free. My main goal is to give people a glimpse of fun and quirky things in southern Colorado, especially Florence. And a taste of small town living.

There is never a charge for what I write, even if it's about a business or commercial operation. I do it for fun and to give this area a little boost.

I have a theory that Florence is harboring some of the most famous and talented people in Colorado. And I think if you browse this blog, you'll find that my speculation when I moved here a few years ago is true. And I have yet to even scratch the surface of all the interesting people living here and all the activities and pursuits in Fremont County.

Many people behind the businesses and activities I highlight on this blog aren't even aware they are being showcased until they come across it on the Internet or a friend tells them. And the people I do tell, they have no idea who I am and what my blog is about--and surprisingly enough NOT one person has refused to share a little of their story with me on the spot without knowing many details. That proves to me that most people are wonderful and that EVERYONE has a true story to share.

It also helps that I work in the heart of Florence's antiques district and most people might not know my name, but know I work in Florence and work hard to make sure that everyone who passes through Florence has a wonderful and welcoming experience.

Do you have a true story you'd like to share for possible inclusion on this blog? For businesses and commercial and artistic ventures, I prefer to stick to southern Colorado. But if you have a personal story of general interest about your family roots, political opinions or experiences, etc.--that is fine too. Anonymous is fine also, if the story is very personal or controversial.

Submit to: FlorenceColorado@yahoo.com

Because everyone has a true story to tell.