Let’s Get Acquainted
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 Cathy and Snoopy
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COLLECTING SMILES
While living in Southern California, she and her girlfriend would go to the Hallmark Card shop to look at cards. In the early 60's and 70's, the characters created by Charles Schultz were very popular. Snoopy was at the head of the pack and they always looked for cards featuring the beagle. We think the popularity of the Peanuts cartoons was because of the way the characters mirrored things going on in the world around us, an innocent world without adults. What started out as a purchase of an item here and there began to grow over time. Cathy felt since she and her friend shared this interest and were constantly buying things not only for themselves but for each other, the collection grew quickly.
The collection started out with a few shelves and over the years has grown to a room of its own. Cathy said her friends tease her about changing bedrooms with Snoopy and giving him the master bedroom. Over the years, Cathy has added plush figures of Snoopy, ceramic figures of Snoopy including a very large bank she bought at Bloomingdales. She also has coffee mugs, plates, appliances, figurines, and so much more that the room that has been dedicated to Snoopy and his pals stretches from floor to ceiling defying any description we can give. It is one of those situations where you have to see it for yourself to truly appreciate the extent of her collection. It is easy to see that when you fall in love with Snoopy, it lasts forever.
She is a member of the Peanuts Collectors Club. She and her husband attend conventions every other year held in Santa Rosa, California which is called the Beagle Fest because most of the members collect Snoopy. Collectors from all over donate pieces to be auctioned. The proceeds all go to Charles Schultz’ favorite charity, Canine Companions for Independence. Snoopy is very big in Japan and many of the new products come from there. Cathy said one of the licencees (Lenox) that makes these products calls her and she is given an opportunity to add these items to her collection. She said there are malls dedicated to Snoopy in Japan and she can never go there. The temptations would be too great. Snoopy is more popular than Mickey Mouse in Japan.
As we looked around her home, we saw evidence of Snoopy and her interest in him in such places as on the couch, bookcases, on top of cabinetry, and a very nice floor collection that she left in place for us to see held over from Easter. She also showed us photos of table runners that a friend of hers makes in every theme such as Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, and more. She buys the fabric and her friend puts the piece together. She also decorates a nine foot tree for Christmas with about 260 ornaments (all Snoopy of course).
Cathy has the last cartoon Charles Schultz drew announcing his retirement and ironically he died the day before it was in print. She has record albums, charm bracelets, and small objects scattered here and there. She said that Snoopy always makes her smile. The obvious question after seeing the vastness of her collection is how she keeps it clean. With a smile she told us she starts by dusting what is at eye level and does a small portion of a shelf at a time so she knows exactly where things must be put back. All the figurines are cleaned with an artist’s brush at least twice a year.
Of course we could not help but ask if there was any facet of her life that Snoopy had not touched. She told us about the Snoopy pajama parties held during the Beagle Fest and how her husband, Bill, has come over to the Snoopy club. On occasions when he wears a tie, she informd us that all his ties have a Snoopy theme. Not only does he support her in her quest to add more to her collection by taking her to conventions and other activities associated with her interest, he has made a beautiful stained glass piece that we all know and have become fond of over the years of Snoopy on top of his doghouse that hangs in a large window facing their back patio. This particular piece he took to a Beagle Fest and once it was approved, was auctioned off bringing in the highest amount of any auctioned item. The Beagle Fest features more than just memorabilia. They have guest speakers and activities and one of the guest speakers last year was Steve Benson whose political cartoons appear in the Arizona Republic. He was greatly inspired by Charles Schultz.
Beyond her desire to collect everything she can that deals with Snoopy, she and her husband play golf. She is retiring as the Tournament Chairman of the Ironwood Ladies League. This position afforded her the opportunity to meet all the women in the League, and also during social times after a day’s play. She said she will miss this the most. Even though she is no longer going to serve as the organizer, she intends to show up at the clubhouse for the social contact. They also play in a couple’s golf league. Cathy says she also loves scrapbooking and this is a good hobby for the hot days of summer.
Although they call Sun Lakes their home all year round, they take the opportunity to travel. They love the beautiful beaches of Cancun, Mexico where they have a time share which they use every year. After visiting other world renowned beaches such as Nice, France, she declared Cancun’s beaches the best in the world.
Like so many people that move to Sun Lakes, they either arrive with hobbies in tow or develop interests after settling in. Her husband is a good example of just that. He had never worked in the area of stained glass or jewelry making, but has become very much involved in both areas. A beautiful kaleidoscope was on display along with other pieces Bill has created. He was working on a piece for one of his sons on the back patio while we were there.
We asked her the question we have asked everyone we interview. Why do you like living in Sun Lakes? She said she has never lost sight that they live in a resort and that the sun shines nearly every day which makes you feel good. When it is hot, you simply reorganize your schedule and change the pattern of your daily activities. She said she thought having lived in Southern California for many years she would miss the ocean, but she does not like the haze and cold.
Another question we like to ask is how she and Bill met. Like so many people, chance played a part. Bill’s job was to organize events for the employees of his company, such as play tickets, etc. Cathy just happened to be selling tickets for Queen Mary tours. Their paths crossed and the rest is history.
Once again, we were pleased to find another resident of Sun Lakes with an unusual and interesting hobby. Please see the photos below. Below are some photos that we would like to share with you.
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