There’s something instilled in me since childhood. I’m sure my dear Dad had and has a great deal to do with this absolute passion I have for products (of virtually any sort) made in the USA.

My very first memories when I was 5 years old or so are watching my father craft handmade furniture from raw timber to framing and upholstering for my Mom and our living room. He drew out the designs, picked the colors and fabric, devised handmade tooling and built custom workbenches in order to facilitate his one-man operation in our basement. He mastered a sewing machine and self-taught his way through all of the giant hand-needle operations, perfecting piping, proper spring fluff and highly polished wood crafting and carving in order to satisfy my Mom’s desire for Italian Provincial with a giant dash of ’50s American Modern.

My brother and I still cherish some benches and wood-crafted gift boxes Dad made as a very young child and during his Army Air Corp. service days. He cherished his early years as an apprentice and journeyman, and finally master carpenter for a fine furniture establishment located in Brooklyn.

Dad drove American cars (mainly Chevys but one Ford Taurus he also loved). He used Craftsman tools from Sears whenever possible. His “big” gifts to me were American Flyer Toy Trains and (for my younger brother) Aurora Model Motoring sets for Christmas each year. He bought his (American-made) “Sunday” suits and shoes from Bond’s and Ripley’s. His work shoes where USA-made Knapps.

He helped build my grandfather’s house in Bethpage, N.Y. He used American woods and paints and laminates constructing attic bedrooms for me and my brother, and a completely revamped, modern kitchen for my Mom.

So many other impressions and life lessons were from my Dad, Joseph Spina, when it came to any and everything I hold dear. And… odd as it sounds… I consider anything made in America by craftsmen such as my Dad, near and dear. I just returned from observing the new State Optical factory in full operation in Chicago from the folks we know and love as Europa International. State eyewear and sunwear is being fully designed and crafted to perfection in America. My Dad would have loved being with me on this proud excursion. My story on this journey to witness what it takes to be Made in America will appear in the September 15 20/20 Seller’s Guide. You are going to love this reality tale, Dad.

James J. Spina
Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]