Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite Female Characters from Dynasty (1981-1989) & The Colbys (1985-1987)

1. Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan (Joan Collins)

2. Krystle Grant Jennings Carrington (Linda Evans)
3. Monica Scott Colby (Tracy Scoggins)
4. Fallon Carrington Colby Colby Colby Colby (Pamela Sue Martin/Emma Samms)
5. Amanda Bedford Carrington (Catherine Oxenberg/Karen Cellini)
6. Samantha Josephine "Sammy Jo" Dean Carrington Reece Fallmont (Heather Locklear)
7. Sabella "Sable " Scott Colby (Stephanie Beacham)
8. Francesca Scott Colby Hamilton Langdon (Katharine Ross)
9. Kirby Alicia Anders Colby (Kathleen Beller)
10. Dominique Deveraux Lloyd (Diahann Carroll)

Happy Birthday Mark!

Our resident Top Ten guru, Mark has a birthday coming up on February 27th. He will be turning 45. Happy Birthday, and we hope you have a great day!

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite Male Characters from Dynasty (1981-1989) & The Colbys (1985-1987)

1. Blake Carrington (John Forsythe)

2. Jason Colby (Charlton Heston)

3. Jeff  Broderick Colby (John James )

4. Steven Daniel Carrington (Al Corley/Jack Coleman)

5. Adam Alexander Carrington (Gordon Thomson/Robin Sachs)

6. Cecil Baldwin Colby (Lloyd Bochner)

7. Andrew Laird (Peter Mark Richman)

8. Farnsworth "Dex" Dexter (Michael Nader)

9. Zachery Powers (Ricardo Montalban)

10. Miles Colby (Maxwell Caulfield)

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite Batman Episodes

10. Hi Diddle Riddle/Smack In The Middle (1/12 & 1/13/66)

9. The Joker Is Wild/Batman Is Riled (1/26 & 1/27/66)

8. The Purrfect Crime/Better Luck Next Time (3/16 & 3/17/66)

7. The Sandman Cometh/The Catwoman Goeth (12/28 & 12/29/66)

6. The Zodiac Crimes/The Jokers Hard Times/The Penguin Declines (1/11, 1/12 & 1/18/67)

5. A Piece of the Action/Batman’s Satisfaction (3/1 & 3/2/67)

4. Enter Batgirl, Exit Penguin (9/14/67)

3. The Funny Feline Felonies/The Joke’s On Catwoman (12/28/67 & 1/4/68)

2. The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra (3/7/68)

1. Minerva, Mayhem And Millionaires (3/14/68) 

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

 

1. Candy or chocolates always a favorite. One of the best ways to the heart is through the stomach.

2. Balloons with a heartfelt message or even heart shaped are a whimsical way to express your love.

3. Flowers are a classic gift, but we have to pose the question: why don’t more men enjoy receiving flowers?

4. Baked goods: Cookies and cupcakes are a great way to show affection through your own love of baking. Another trendy item are hot chocolate bombs!

5. A homemade card is a wonderful way to show you care, and you can be sure to include something specific about your loved one. Like a quote or character from a favorite movie, a song lyric or even just by incorporating their favorite color.

6. Crafts or art are great ways to express your love and appreciation, all while showing off your creativity.

7. Random Acts of Kindness are little ways to show you care for your friends and family. Take out your sister’s trash or do the dishes for your mom. Tell your partner something meaningful about why you care for them.

8. Another way to get to your loved one’s stomach and heart is to make their favorite meal. Make it special with candlelight and fine china. You can even decorate the table with paper hearts.

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and we wanted to share some of the ways that we will be celebrating this year.

1. Watching movies and television shows that depict the Black experience, such as the first all-Black miniseries, Alex Haley’s Roots, which came out in 1977. You can check it out on HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video.

2. Reading books by Black authors is another great way to honor Black History. For example, our first Black president, Barack Obama wrote three books: Dreams from My Father (1995), The Audacity of Hope (2006) and A Promised Land (2020). Kids can check out picture book by Black authors, like The Snowy Day (1962) by Ezra Jack Keats.

3. Learning about Black history is also important. Read up on the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil Right Movement, read Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” Speech from 1963 or watch a documentary, like Eyes on the Prize (1987) narrated by Julian Bond. 

4. Keeping up with current events, like the Black Lives Matter movement and criminal justice reform. 

  

Valentine’s Day Favorites

Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly, and we wanted to share some of our favorite things about the holiday. Gifts are certainly one of those things! Crystal loves receiving flowers, especially roses, though any flowers are great. Mark loves heart shaped cookies for Valentine’s Day. Cupcakes are nice, too. Joseph likes to give out candy, especially to his sister. It’s always nice to receive a handmade card or a cute store bought valentine from a friend. Many include stickers, temporary tattoos and even lollipops. Everyone enjoys conversation hearts, and Crystal even likes to draw them with little arms and legs. She is working on a drawing of cupcakes with funny faces on them. Margaret likes to celebrate by sharing a nice dinner with her husband. Candice likes to spend quality time with loved ones. Self care and checking in with yourself is especially important this year as we celebrate Valentine’s Day during the pandemic. For example, taking a bubble bath (with a bath bomb), getting your nails done, watching a movie or doing craft projects. No matter how you celebrate, we’re wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day! 

Top Ten: Mark’s Favorite Masterpiece (Theater)/Mystery! Shows

1.  Downton Abbey

2.  Upstairs Downstairs

3.  The Duchess of Duke Street

4.  The Jewel in the Crown

5.  Rumpole of the Bailey

6.  Agatha Christie's Poirot

7.  Lillie

8.  The Six Wives of Henry VIII

9.  Victoria

10. The First Churchills