Stephanie Finnegan

In Memoriam: Lisa Wooding, 1964-2018

April 18, 2018 by Stephanie Finnegan

Lisa Wooding, owner of Bears 'N Friends — Lisa Wooding, owner of Bears ‘N Friends

Bears ‘N Friends owner Lisa Wooding died April 6 after fighting a long, lingering infection. A memorial was held April 21 in her home town of Anacortes, Washington. In lieu of flowers, her family asked for donations to the Anacortes Relay for Life’s Team Malson/Wooding, which Wooding had started with her mother, Kaaren Wooding Malson. Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society, and according to Lisa Wooding’s obituary, published in the Skagit Valley Herald, she was a top fundraiser in the event for many years.

Bearington Collection Multiplies Joy With Spring Bunnies

April 17, 2018 by Stephanie Finnegan

If you’ve been living anywhere in the United States, you have to agree on one thing: spring is sure taking a long and leisurely route for its arrival. With snow alternating with gusty storms, and sunshine playing hide-and-seek with clouds, it’s hard to believe that we are in the month of April. (However, I know that the looming IRS deadline for tax payments will work as a brisk wake-up reminder.) With the weatherman not cooperating, and the taxman as our only signal that mid-April is upon us, I have to say “thank goodness” for Bearington Collection and its spring bunnies.

Spacing Out: The truth behind ‘Star Trek’ and its plush connections

April 9, 2018 by Stephanie Finnegan

Vermont Teddy Bear Kirk and Spock from "Star Trek" — Vermont Teddy Bear changed the shape of its bear pattern to reflect Spock’s Vulcan heritage.

It’s hard to believe, but it was a little over 50 years ago that the term “tribble” entered the American lexicon. Now, most people of a certain age, as well as many people who adore science-fiction screenplays, know that a tribble is a round ball of twittering and vibrating fur that invaded the starship Enterprise. These at-first-adorable houseguests are a precursor to the horror-film “Gremlins,” which also begin life as cute and sweet-natured before becoming overbearing and domineering. No wonder that the fan-favorite “Star Trek” episode was called “The Trouble with Tribbles,” because that’s what these furry folks brought with them—loads of trouble, mayhem, and laughter! It also explains why “Star Trek” has continued to be a vehicle that begs to be made into different collectible figures, plush toys, and even teddy bears.