26 APRIL 2019 By Jeff Pearson and Tom Helms We know spring lies just around the corner when eggs, rabbits, baskets, candy containers, small porcelain figures and other Easter collectibles start hitting shelves. For the curious, the word “Easter” comes from “Eostre,” a goddess of spring whose festival was celebrated in April. It wasn’t until 325 A.D. that the Council of Nicaea set the first Sunday after the full moon appearing on or after March 21 as the date to celebrate Easter. This year it falls on April 21. European immigrants brought traditions with them to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the concept of an egg-laying rabbit. By the late 1800s, the tradition of children hunting for hidden Easter eggs had taken root – 19th President Rutherford B. Hayes hosted the first official White House egg roll in 1878 – and American companies made all kinds of Easter keepsakes to profit from the holiday. Easter items such as vases, plates, candy containers, toys, baskets, puzzles and decorative eggs typically featured images of children, rabbits, chicks, flowers, and other themes of springtime. These objects often depicted animals celebrating the holiday as any middle-class American might: shopping for eggs, eating a meal or sending packages to their loved ones. The most popular Easter items are from Germany, made during the Victorian period through the 1950s. Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom have also produced collectible items dating prior to 1960 that are of interest to many collectors. Items such as toy rabbits or “hares,” celluloid candy containers and small porcelain figurines that feature Easter themes and are well-marked with the country of origin are popular. Most value-conscious collectors are looking for items produced after 1930 that are cute and affordable. The early German pieces dating from the turn of the last century are difficult to find. If you have a paper mâché rabbit container with a removable head, it could easily sell for $100. If your rabbit happens to be standing on four legs pulling a cart filled with vintage eggs, you could triple that figure. Most people have a plastic Japanese rabbit or bunny or a tin egg left over from their childhood stashed away in a collectible memory box. Others have mid-century glass rabbit candy containers, eggs, post cards, or even a special pamphlet from Sunday school that might be worth a few dollars. However, the most popular and plentiful item on a collector’s shelf is the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life. There are literally thousands of dyed, etched, painted, carved, wax, glass, metal, jeweled and crystal eggs for a collector. The egg wins hands down as the most popular item on a collector’s shelf. I bet you have at least one lying around that is special to you. — Email me at damshill@yahoo.com or write Ask the Appraisers, c/o Jeffrey Pearson; 5525 North 12th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. ASK THE APPRAISERS Eggs: The most plentiful – and valuable – Easter collectible Russian Easter postcard circa 1917. Religious Instruction • Strong Academics • Cutting Edge Technology • Service Learning • Leadership Programs PE and Interscholastic Sports • Instrumental and Vocal Music • “Arts Attack” Program • School Nurse • Bus Transportation Available We’re proud of our gr aduating 8th gr aders! 95% OF THOSE THAT APPLIED TO PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS WERE ACCEPTED! CONGR ATULATIONS! 3901 East Indian School Road • 602-957-7010 • www.clsphx.org CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL CHRISTIAN VALUES. QUALITY EDUCATION. Preschool through Grade 8

27 APRIL 2019 By Kaylee McClaine Tavan Elementary recently hosted its annual March Madness basketball game on March 6. The event is more than simply a game for the fifth graders who play in it. It is also designed to connect Tavan students with Arcadia High School – whose students also participate in the event – in hopes of inspiring students to be excited about athletics when they reach high school. Former Tavan physical education teacher Mike Naderer helped create the basketball event six years ago after the school decided it wanted to emulate its successful Turkey Bowl played in November, which is a flag football game for teams of Tavan fifth graders played on the AHS football field. The March Madness game uses a unique sequence to maximize participation. The game consists of four 5-minute quarters, with Arcadia High students serving as coaches and referees. This year’s teams were the Suns and Sun Devils, each consisting of 10 boys and 10 girls. During the first and third quarters, the boys play the boys. In the second and fourth quarters, the girls play the girls, with the players rotating for each quarter. To provide some additional excitement to the festivities, Tavan students sang the National Anthem before the start of play and team line-ups were introduced prior to the start of each quarter. A lot of planning and collaboration goes into hosting the event each year. This year’s event c o o r d i n a t o r s , Tavan physical education teachers Sharon Reed and Michael Ger main, started by enlisting fifth graders to sign up for event. After interested students sign up, they verify each student’s academic status with their teachers and then get a final authorization from the administration. Once the students are signed up to play, Reed and Germain work with AHS to secure the gymnasium, student “coaches” and “referees.” “The students from the boys’ and girls’ Arcadia basketball team were a tremendous help. During quarter breaks and halftime, they provided entertainment trying to make a half-court shot, slam dunking and dancing at center court. They also were leading cheers during the game, which created a very genuine game time feeling,” Germain said. “We really enjoyed the energy in the gymnasium created by the student body from Tavan, and our students/faculty had a wonderf ul experience. The Arcadia High basketball team did a great job adding to the atmosphere and the enjoyment of the event,” Germain said. The Sun Devils won by a score of 14-13, with a last-second basket made by Tavan’s Selena Ariza. Tavan Elementary brings March Madness to Arcadia Arcadia High and Tavan Elementary worked together to create this year’s March Madness basketball event, where each school had its own part in the festivities. The students from the boys’ and girls’ Arcadia basketball team were a tremendous help.” PHOTOS COURTESY OF MIKE GERMAIN Daniel J. Siegel divorce, paternity, family law Daniel J. Siegel, P.C. Attorney at Law 1617 E. Pinchot, Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-274-1099 • dan@danieljsiegelpc.com www.ARIZONADIVORCELAWYER.com Arizona State Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law Follow me on: T H E M A R I LY N