August 6, 2014

Enter to win a fantastic Wind at My Back prize pack


In John Steinbeck's unendingly classic book The Grapes of Wrath, which delves into the heart of life and all its hardships during the Great Depression, there is a line that always springs to mind for me when I think of the excellent Canadian television series Wind at My Back, itself also set during the heartbreakingly hard years of the dirty thirties: "How can we live without our lives? How will we know it’s us without our past?"

For those who are not acquainted with this show from Sullivan Entertainment (the same production company that created the beloved Anne of Green Gables movies and the Road to Avonlea TV series, amongst other excellent works), it was a wholesome Canadian television series that focused on the lives of the fictional Bailey family, who were indeed struggling to keep their lives, memories, and the family itself intact despite the overwhelming odds against them.

The series was set in the (also fictional) little town of New Bedford, Ontario and has at times been likened to a Canadian version of The Waltons, though there are a good many differences between the two shows.



{Many of the key characters from Wind at My Back, some more lovable than others certainly, but all equally important to the dynamics of this wonderful Canadian period drama series.}



Loss and hardship, death and separation, sorrow and triumph all ring loudly through this family friendly show, which followed on the heels of (but wasn't tied to) Sullivan Entertainment's beloved Road to Avonlea, which wrapped up regular series filming the same year (1996) that Wind at My Back was launched. Running for five seasons of thirteen episodes a piece (followed by a made-for-TV Christmas themed movie), this series, like everything Sullivan Entertainment creates, was incredibly endearing, enjoyable and beautifully done.

From the period appropriate vintage and vintage reproduction clothing that was used throughout all five seasons (some of which, worn by cast members themselves, is now available to buy in Sullivan Entertainment's terrific online store called Shop at Sullivan, along with pieces from some of the company's other movies and TV series) to the soulful, gripping acting of the characters, especially the character Honey Bailey who endears more than her fair share of hardship right off the bat, Wind at My Back speaks to history fans and admirers of great family programming alike.

If we take whodunit mystery series out the equation, objectively, there haven't been a huge number of 1930s themed TV shows over the years, let alone ones set in Canada, and that element too is sure to appeal to many. Though Wind at My Back ceased production thirteen years ago now, its stories and themes are as a timeless as the day is long and filled with the sort of hard hitting, earnest struggles that Steinbeck himself would have instantly been drawn to.

Today, on what just happens to be my darling husband's 34th birthday, I'm immensely happy to let you know that I've teamed up with Sullivan Entertainment for a second (the first, which took place last October, was Road to Avonlea themed) stellar prize pack giveaway for one lucky North American winner. The winner will receive all four of the following items from Sullivan Entertainment's online shop:


-Season 1 of Wind at My Back



-
The Wind at My Back soundtrack


-Wind at My Back cast photographed signed by series creator and producer Kevin Sullivan himself!


-Edwardian Style Clear Rhinestone Necklace and Earrings Set



How to enter:

There are five ways to enter this great giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each way in which you enter so as to increase your chances of winning (five comments, for example, give you five times the odds that just one comment would).


1. Leave a comment on this post letting me know about one the things you most love or admire about the 1930s.


2. Like Sullivan Entertainment on Facebook and share about this giveaway there.


3. Follow Sullivan Entertainment on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including including @sullivanent in your tweet.


4. Pin any image you'd like from SE's shop to any of your Pinterest boards. Leave a comment here with a link to your pin.


5. Subscribe to Shop at Sullivan Entertainment's newsletter.



Giveaway details


This giveaway is open to participants from North America. It will run from today's date, August 6th, until Wednesday August 13, 2014 at 11:59 PST. The winner will be selected using a random number generator and announced on Facebook and/or Twitter, as well as contacted directly by email or Facebook private message, if such contact information is available to me.

Once I've been in contact with the winner, I will pass along your information to the lovely folks at Sullivan Entertainment who will then mail out your prize package consisting of the four items detailed above. If you have any questions about this Wind at My Back giveaway, please don't hesitate to email me.



♥ ♥ ♥



Whether you've seen every episode of Wind at My Back, have never so much as even heard of it before, or fall anywhere in between, this giveaway is for you. As lovers of all things mid-twentieth century, Wind at My Back speaks to us on so many levels and warrants watching time and again, including with your children (youngsters who are fans of the 1930s themed American Girl dolls Kit and Ruthie are bound to especially adore this series).

From the Depression era fashions and hairstyles to portrayal of the kind of difficulties so many of our own relatives faced during these harrowing years to the heartwarming relationships between the Bailey family members and their ability to ultimately make it through no matter what, this series is ideal for vintage fans fan everywhere.

It is a sincere pleasure and honour to be collaborating with Sullivan Entertainment again for another wonderful giveaway and I want to sincerely thank for the opportunity to do so this month. Many thanks as well to everyone who enters. Best of luck to one and all!

59 comments:

  1. How marvelous! I've just decided that I need some more 30s fashions in my life so this is so timely. My favorite thing about the 1930s is the hats! *swoon*

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  2. I love love love the movies, music and fashion from the 1930s. The music was fun to dance to, the movies helped keep spirits alive during a hard and trying time and the fashion, well what can one say? Just look at it and how awesome it is!

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  3. I love the family unity that was still prevalent back in the 30s. Children worked with their families, fathers were involved in bringing up the sons in their footsteps, girls helped their mothers with the housework....

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  4. here's my link to my pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/kerstilou/sullivan-entertainment-stuff/

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  5. i also signed up for the newsletter! :)

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  6. I think what I love the very most about the 1930s (besides the wonderful clothes) is the sense of perseverance that seemed to be a part of peoples lives. The strength and resolve to move forward was inspiring.

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  7. leslie:
    I love quilts from the 30s. They are very often skillfully designed. The fabrics were originally beautiful and bright, but have aged to soft,restful, and lovely colors.
    leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com

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  8. Simpler times, people were genuine.

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  9. I love everything about the 1930's...the clothes, the make-up, the 48-hour dance marathons! But I also love how even though it was a difficult time for many people, there was also a strong sense of creativity (recycling!), community, and family ties.

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  10. I love Wind At My Back., Even though times were hard back then, it just takes me back to days of my childhood!

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  11. They were happy without all the entertainments we have nowadays.

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  12. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/78953799692556039/

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  13. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/78953799692556108/

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  14. What I admire about the 1930's are the heartwarming stories of sacrifice in helping a sibling, friend , or family overcome a situation. The effort it took to keep food on the table. The time when most had so little before the prosperity war would later bring. Making do with what you had and making sure others shared in what little there was. This generation never forgot what was really important in life and never forgot it.

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    1. I love the nostagia of the the 1930's. Making do with less , sharing what you do have, kids entertaining themselves, communities with strong bonds, etc It was a difficult time period before war brought greater prosperity, but we've lost some wonderful lessons of fortitude, gratitude, dignity,and perserverance

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  15. I think that the 1930's was a very difficult era in our history. Many people had to endure amazing hardships and sacrifice. Those difficulties brought families and neighbors together. There was more of a sense of neighbor helping neighbor instead of people only out for themselves. People valued and got satisfaction our of hard work.

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  16. I love... the dresses.
    Oh, and the shoes.
    And the hats.
    Oops, that was three things. ;)

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  17. https://www.facebook.com/ThePandP95ForeverClub/posts/530932763674115

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/355291858076620699/

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  20. I subscribed to the newsletter.

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  21. I love the slower-paced life. No cellphones, televisions, or computers to distract. People were more of a community, then.

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  22. http://pinterest.com/pin/91620173643480847/

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  23. I admire the 1930's because the people were determined to overcome the troubled times they lived in during the depression. They became the greatest generation who overcame the Great Depression and went on to Victory during WW II!

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  24. http://www.pinterest.com/chaqueen/stuff-to-buy/

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  25. Wind at My Back is one of my favorite shows. I love the closeness of family, the extraordinary cast and beautiful costumes. It's an overall brilliant production. My Pinterest link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/255860822555224403/

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  26. (looks like Blogger ate my comment, hopefully this doesn't show up twice!)

    Oooooh! I've never heard of this show but definitely want to check it out now. :) My Dad was born into and grew up in the Depression and I love hearing stories about how they made do. He says he and his siblings never knew they were "poor".

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  27. What I love about the 30's is the tenacity of the people. Strong people in the face of the depression coming off of one war and soon to enter another.

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  28. I already like Sullivan Entertainment. I shared on Facebook!

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  29. Retweeted! https://twitter.com/sullivanent/status/497035204532252674

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  30. Pinned this adorable hand bag! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/149322543870440269/

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  31. And I already subscribe to their newsletter at ispy11461@yahoo.com

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  32. I love the fashion and hairstyles of the 1930's and the stories of persevering through hardships, like the characters do in Wind at my Back.

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  33. What I admire during the 1930's is that people worked hard, were strong in their faith, family was very important, people took care of and looked out for each other as best they could.

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  34. I love the clothes from this era.

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  35. I already follow on Twitter

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  36. Looks like it's a fun giveaway!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  37. I love the antique jewelry of 1930s because I am an antiques collector.

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  38. William Powell movies, Fred and Ginger's RKO musicals, Jimmy Cagney's Warner Bros flicks. the movies of the 30's had the best story lines, directors, designers, dancers, actors, script writers, inventive styles, stories and airs.

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  39. Thank you for introducing me to this series my dear, must be fascinating to watch. Will definitely keep an eye out if it ever appears on telly here in the UK. And good luck to everyone who is entering!
    May x
    www.walkinginmay.com

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  40. As a fellow Canadian lass, I ADORE this post. Sullivan Entertainment was a staple growing up (and still is) in my household. Way to go Jessica! Erin xx

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  41. Oops, my Tweet went wrong before! Here's the corrected one and I'll delete my other comment. https://twitter.com/Melody_Rose9/status/497477138564800512

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  42. I admire how the people during the depression years came together to support one another, and how the simplest things in life brought them the greatest pleasures

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  43. I entered my info for the newsletter but I don't think the Subscribe button is working?!

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  44. Here's my Pinterest Pin link for my Sullivan Entertainment pin on my board Favorites Mix Pinterest / Pin it.
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fshopatsullivan.com%2Fwind-at-my-back-box-set.html&media=http%3A%2F%2Fshopatsullivan.com%2Fmedia%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fcache%2F1%2Fimage%2F800x800%2F9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95%2Fw%2Fa%2Fwamb-box-set_1_1.jpg&description=Wind%20at%20My%20Back%3A%20Ultimate%20Box%20Set%20Collection

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  45. I "liked" Sullivan Entertainment, and posted this offer on their wall page

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  46. Here is my correct link! to Pinterest, where I pinned from Sullivan Entertainment, to my board Favorites Mix Pin by Sandie Schwarz on ~Favorites Mix~ | Pinterest
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/170855379588706682/

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  47. Oh, you're bringing back memories with this one...

    I remember the first time I've seen "The wind at my back" - it warmed my heart. Oh, yes, even over here we've had the chance at seeing it. And I'm glad we did.
    It's an honest story of a family at it's worst moments in life. And, it gives out such strenght to people, don't you think? When I was watching it, I was about as old as Hub was. I grew with him, so to say. :)

    A wonderful giveaway, Jessica.
    I hope the one who wins enjoys the wonderful drama..

    Many hugs
    Marija

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  48. Only one comment - what's NOT to love about the 1930s?? *lol* Well, I admit that I much prefer the hospital standards and practices of today, but other than that... :)

    And a very Happy (but belated) Birthday to the Hubby!! :)

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  49. I love the men's fashion of the 30's-- for women it isn't my favorite era, but the dresses and hats are often quite cute too!

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  50. Like Sullivan Entertainment on Facebook!

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  51. Pinned on my Pinterest board! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/293226625712158438/

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  52. I don't know the show but I was in love with Mad Man serie...a perfect reconstruction of 60s' style of life!

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  53. I love that almost everything was handmade in the '30s!

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  54. I love the resiliency of the 1930s, where there was so much hardship and struggle, yet people were able to make it through.

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  55. Pinned this jacket from Wind at My Back from the SE Shop!
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/188799409354044052/

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  56. I especially love the fabrics of the summer dresses. Even though I'm primarily a 40's girl, I have some and I wear them.

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  57. I just have to add as much as I love each and every memeber of the entire cast Grace holds a special place in my heart!

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