Spring Collection

Spring time happens at slightly different times of the year for different cultures. For most peoples in the Northern hemisphere, spring begins at the Vernal equinox, usually the 19 or 20 of March. This is the day in the Noon Sun's journey from the low point at the Winter Solstice to the high at the Summer Solstice where the time from sunrise to sunset are equal. The sunlight hours in the Southern Hemisphere are equal on this day as well, but since the seasons are reversed "down under", it is their Autumnal Equinox.

In the Chinese and Celtic cultures, Spring signifies the end of Winter and begins at the beginning of February (St. Brigid's Day, February 1, in Ireland). Whether Spring begins in February or March, the warmth signaled by the increasing hours of daylight signal that Winter is releasing its icy grip and the glory of summer is just around the corner.

In snowy climates, there may still be some white drifts in the hills, but we can be assured that the first fragile blossoms of springtime will soon be pushing up through the snow. As the sun becomes warmer, Momma can open the windows for the first time in months. As the musty air of winter is driven out by the fresh spring breeze, the need for Spring Cleaning is obvious. This means that there will be a thunderous crash as the closet door gets opened on Fibber McGee and Molly. Phil Harris and his sidekick Remley decide that it is time to get some spring cleaning accomplished, which has a less than positive effect on Alice Faye's living room on the Phil Harris and Alice Faye Program. The annual dusting does not improve the food at Duffy's Tavern but is it an excuse for Archie and Finnegan to schedule a double date. Live for everyone's favorite high school English teacher when spring cleaning means a visit from the vacuum cleaner salesman on Our Miss Brooks.

Spring is a time of hopefulness, and nowhere is there more hopefulness than the baseball diamond. Everyone from The Sports Answer Man to The United Press to Red Skelton on Avalon Time is anxious to see how the "boys of Summer" came through the winter and pay close attention to spring training camps. The 1949 film It Happens Every Spring was adapted by Lux Radio Theatre and The Screen Directors Playhouse, taking a look at the lengths some players will go to in order to make a good showing at spring training and ensure a great baseball season.

Easter is another important Springtime ritual, and for some, like Our Miss Brooks, getting a near spring outfit for Easter is even more important than baseball, so Miss Brooks volunteers to work through the Spring break so she can afford new duds.

An attractive new Spring outfit is doubly important because Spring is the time of new romance! Fred Allen and Portland Hoffa rediscover romance on Texaco Star Theater, and Andy gets a flowerpot dropped on his head on Amos 'n' Andy.

On Life With Luigi our favorite immigrant takes a springtime walk around the neighborhood and discovers even more wonderful things about his new home, and on The Great Gildersleeve, well, let’s face it, anytime of the year is a good time for Gildy to fall in love, but it seems more special in the Spring!  

See also: Easter Collection and Gardening Collection