Jim Nolan's Blog

Bannerman Mermaid Cartoon

From King Features' Comics Kingdom. You can try a one-month subscription for $1.99 and get the cartoons sent to you via email every morning. Nice way to wake up.

Isabella Bannerman Grocery Shopping Cartoon

Personally, I've never met a potato chip I didn't like. Good one, Isy!

Paranormal Investigator Joe Nickell on Lily Dale Center for Spiritualism

Photo credit: blog.mysanantonio.com

Lily Dale is open to the public all year round. To hear Jim's interview with Joe Nickell about Lily Dale, click below. Thanks to my friend Ken Meyer for the audio engineering. And thanks to Joe Nickell for his fascinating story and insights. 

Joe Nickell and the Spirit of Friendship  

Moody Blues 2015 Tour

Photo credit: Moody Blues, USA Today

I just came across an article in USA Today that the "Moodies" are beginning a tour soon. I hope they make a packet. For tour dates, go here. You can listen to my appreciation of their song "Nights in White Satin" below. 

(K)nights in White Satin

William Shakespeare Bumper Sticker

You can buy this Literary Location sticker for $5.95 cheap, including shipping, here, and I will pop it in the mail today. It is drawn by Isabella Bannerman and designed by Kanad Banerjee.

William Shakespeare’s Literary Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

New Place, the second largest home in Stratford, was sold to the greatest writer in the English language in 1597. He died there in 1616. Stratford was also the Bard’s birthplace. A later owner, annoyed at the number of people visiting the house, had it torn down. He was run out of town.

Buffalo Forge Grill blower

Photo credit: Adam Gibson

The blower is what makes a Broil-Air unique, and as the company's former President David Newcomb told me, they are virtually indestructible.

Buffalo Forge Company, as you can guess by the name, made equipment for blacksmiths. The Broil-Air is really just a redesign of a forge they built for blacksmiths. It can get the fire hot enough to melt steel, if you wanted it to. So getting your charcoal cherry red in a hurry is not a problem. This is the blower from Adam Gibson's new find. It looks like it's practically new. The wood handle is in excellent shape, too.

Check out the page from a 1925 BFC catalog to see the Broil-Air's predecessor. Thanks to Phil Marino for sending.

Buffalo Forge Grill hubcap

Photo credit: Adam Gibson

It looks a little beat up right now, but the wheel to Adam Gibson's new (old) BFG is an all original beauty. It's hard to find a Broil-Air with hubcaps. 

Another Shot of Adam Gibson's new BFG

Pretty great shape for a grill that was notorious for rusting. Must've been indoors all those years. 

Isabella Bannerman St. Patrick's Day Cartoon

A side of St. Patrick you never hear about. 

Adam Gibson's latest find—a near perfect Buffalo Forge Grill

Photo credit: Adam Gibson

Boy, this Broil-Air hardly needs restoring. It's perfect just the way it is, and has both hubcaps. Adam was rightly psyched to find it:

"I got to tell ya Jim this one is a beauty and I have never seen an adjustable one yet in person and let alone own one. As of right now I have a total of four. My first one will never be for sale and this adjustable one will always be in my collection going forward. It has everything you need on it and nothing is missing!!!!!!"

Of course, Adam is going to make it look better than new. And he's promised to show us his handiwork when he's done. Way to go, Adam!