Shop At Sullivan Blog

The longevity of any publication has surprisingly little to do with the quality of the writing, or the believability of the characters. Countless books with well-crafted and lucid prose and with very life like characters get lost in piles of other novels and never see the light of day. So why is Anne of Green Gables so different? It has endured a lot in its 104 years, Canada and the world as a whole has completely changed, but this book still speaks to millions of readers around the world and is as relevant today as it was in 1908. At their very core, the Anne novels are about living life, and loving family. These themes are timeless, and were considered so when the book was written, but they were perfected in the pages of Anne. So how did this little Canadian book find itself in the hands and hearts of readers all over the world?

Mothers.

For almost a century mothers and their children have been reading, watching, and enjoying Anne, and passing on those themes of life and family down through the generations. This may come as no surprise to you, as you were probably introduced to Anne by your mother, who may have read it with her mother. Experiencing together a story about a child’s wish for a loving home, and getting that wish fulfilled is an easy way to say you care. Both Anne and Marilla were missing that very important mother-child relationship, and they could both feel the absence even though both never really had it. As the novels progress and Anne becomes a mother herself, she has that same loving relationship she had with Marilla with her own children. It almost mirrors how we are introduced to Anne, one generation saying to the other “This is how I feel about you”.

Mother’s day is coming up (May 13^th for the unsure), and many people are wondering what the appropriate gift is. Many will get flowers or a card or a gift certificate, but none of those really convey the appreciation you may have for your mom. However you were introduced to Anne, the books or the films, maybe the best thing you can do is give that gift back to her, and say “This is how I still feel about you”.   

There are a few weeks in late march or early April, where the weather gets a little warmer, the sun shines a little more, and you start thinking about getting that spring jacket out of the closest. But you often can’t trust the first signs of Spring, sometimes-and fairly often here in Canada- there is the dreaded cold snap waiting for you at any moment. It’s a gamble really; you could break out that windbreaker and be freezing in a  surprise resurgence of winter, or keep on the winter coat, and not really be able to enjoy the nice warm weather.

Over the past few days of pleasant sunny mornings, and mild nights it looks like Spring may be here to stay. So, to kick off the new season, we’re celebrating by putting all our spring products on sale. The Home and Garden section of ShopatSullivan is filled with little unique items you just can’t find anywhere else.

Growing your own garden with your very own herbs and spices is not only easy, but very cost effective and convenient. Who wouldn’t want their own supply of their favorite tea? Or items like pesto, which add a lot to any dish but how often does it make the grocery list? We are doing some spring cleaning here at the store, so all kinds of items are on sale. There are also some great movies for as low as 50 cents, for when those April showers eventually arrive. The sale spans most of the ShopatSullivan store, so DVDs, books, prints, toys, music are also greatly reduced. Some items are as low as 30 cents! You can see all the on sale products here.

Whether you’re going to be digging in the garden or through the closest this season, or curled up on the couch during a sun shower, we hope you enjoy the start of Spring.

It looks like no matter which side of the border you live on, Canadian or American, we all seem to be getting a long weekend this week. Family Day (as we call it here in Canada) is a relatively new holiday here in Ontario, only starting in 2008, and because of its relatively young age as a holiday, it tends to be forgotten or dismissed quite quickly by us Canadians. This, I feel is a shame because the intentions of the new holiday are very noble. Take a day off and spend it with your family, whatever that family may be. As if our own governments were saying “Hey, grab the people you love, and stop and smell the roses for a while”. This is a sentiment I think we can all get behind.

There is no activity I find more enjoyable or more relaxing then watching a movie with my family. It’s almost something of a tradition in my household, and after years of doing this I have become something of an expect in the matter. The rules are fairly simple; however they are imperative to the success of your Family movie night.

RULE 1: Seating: I have two older brothers, and fighting over the good chair would always occur. It is inevitable. You want to make sure that seating not only available, but comfy too. No one will sit awkwardly on the floor while their brother or sister sits on the sofa like a king.

RULE 2: Snacks: Whichever your snack of choice is, make sure there is plenty of it. Be it popcorn, carrot sticks, or PB&J Sandwiches; make sure you have more then enough.

RULE 3: Movie: This is the most important of all. A family consists of many different opinions, age ranges, and interests, and with that many conflicting personalities choosing a movie will be difficult. Difficult, but not impossible.

Sullivan has many movies suited for just this purpose. Films designed to entertain and be enjoyed by family members of all ages. To further help you out on your road to planning the perfect family long weekend, I will include my Top 5 picks for the best family friendly movies to bring everyone together this long weekend to enjoy some great films.

5 – Rupert Patterson Wants to be a Superhero: This movie comes in at number 5, because it is more for younger children, but adults secretly like it as well. While it is set in modern times, the feel of the film and the interaction of the children has an older mentality. Kids are not depicted playing X-Box or surfing the web, they’re out side playing, getting dirty, and sometimes, in trouble. It is the kind of film that children get inspired by, and parents reminisce too.

4 – Promise the Moon: If you’re looking for something a little more grown up, but still holding on to those family values, this might be the movie you need. Promise the Moon is a Western about a ranch hand who tires to fulfill his employer’s dying wish to find his long lost son, and bring him home and groom him to run the family’s failing cattle ranch.

3 – Anne: The Journey to Green Gables: This film serves as a prequel of sorts to the original Anne movies. It depicts Anne as an Orphan shortly before she starts her new life in Green Gables, and has her still longing to be part of a family. And it features characters from both Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea.

2 - The Family Classic Collection: This one comes in at number two because you get 3 movies for a low price. The Wild Pony, Road to Avonlea: The Movie, and Lantern Hill. All great family movies and all three films deal with the death of a parent, and teaches the viewer the importance of loving your family, no matter what form that family takes.

1 – By way of the Stars: It was hard choosing a number 1 pick, but I think this is the clear winner. By Way of the Stars is a classic adventure film. It takes place in the 19^th century Prussia and from there journeys its way to Canada. It also boasts an amazing cast of characters that features a plucky young hero, an evil count and a damsel in distress, this is truly classic story telling, that the entire family will enjoy.

There you have it, the perfect formula for quality family entertainment, so whether you’re celebrating something presidential or paternal, take this opportunity to spend some time with your loved ones and unwind with some classic films.

Have a great long weekend!

It’s been 26 years since Anne of Green Gables first aired in the United States and Sullivan Entertainment wants to show their appreciation to all of Anne’s loyal fans!

To celebrate the 26th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables in the United States, Sullivan Entertainment is giving away prizes, downloads and amazing deals while posting new information about the Anne of Green Gables series.

On February 17th only, look for these great savings and contests:

·    shopatsullivan.com will be offering huge discounts on a great range of Anne of Green Gables products. Items will be discounted up to an additional 50% when you make multiple purchases!
·    An exclusive, time limited coupon code for 50% off any regularly priced Anne of Green Gables DVD box set will be posted on the Anne of Green Gables Facebook page!
·    Relive your favourite moments, and fall in love all over again watching clips from the Anne of Green Gables series that will be posted throughout the day on Anneofgreengables.com!
·    Great prizes can be won answering trivia questions on Facebook and posting your comments about Anne on twitter!
·    Previously unseen photos will be available to the public for the first time ever!
It’ll be a day full of “scope for the imagination” as we thank everyone who has fallen in love with Anne Shirley over the past 26 years.

Be sure to check out anneofgreengables.com and facebook.com/anneofgg to catch the festivities!

Every so often we here at Sullivan get customers who are more inclined to purchase items from us over the phone. Some prefer the personal touch of talking to an actual human being, others are just not the most comfortable with (or trust worthy of) computers. Whichever the reason in the end they wind up with me on the other end of the line. Most of the time the topic of Wind at my Back comes up – one of our most popular series’ – and they wish to order the entire set. It’s at this point where I mention, trying my best to not sound like a sales person, the Wind at my Back Christmas Movie.

As a lot of our readers may know, and some of you may not know, Wind at my Back Season 5 leaves off on not one, but several cliffhangers that leave most of our customers searching hopelessly for a fifth disc in their season 5 DVD. Almost all the main characters are deep in story lines that do not get resolved in the series. I will avoid going into details on those plot points so we can preserve the surprise for new viewers, but I assure you, they are significant to say the least.

So with the fate of Grace, Hub, Fat, Honey and the Rest of New Bedford completely ambiguous, fans started a write-in campaign to the CBC to show support for the show and try and keep it on the air. While the attempt was unsuccessful and the show did end at season 5, Wind at my Back did get its encore and the final bow it deserved in the form of The Wind at my Back Christmas special, which aired a whole 9 months after the end of the series. Knowing this will probably be the final goodbye for the show, it is filled with bitter sweet moments that come with any fond farewell and wound up being one of the best Wind at my Back episodes, and it still holds true to the themes and values that made Wind at my Back what it is.

So with this knowledge, still trying not to sound likes a sales person I sheepishly say “I really recommend the Wind at my Back Christmas special” At this point there is usually a long pause on the other end of the line, probably trying to decide if I’m trying to just squeeze more money out of them, or if my intentions are actually honest. At which point I usually break the silence with: “And when you buy it with the complete series, it comes with a 5% discount on the series which pretty much covers the cost of the extra DVD.” That usually does the trick.

To see more on the Wind at my Back Christmas click here