Bad postcard of the week:

'Come to my house and buy stuff'
From:  The Grand Rapid Press

One can only imagine the mayhem that broke out shortly after this photograph was snapped.

That’s what appears to be going on in this week’s bad postcard. And, after a nonscientific poll of coworkers, no one likes attending such functions. They feel obligated to buy stuff that they wouldn't buy otherwise for fear of upsetting the host.

Tri-Chem is a craft paint company based in New Jersey. Our hostess in red has her guests in rapt attention.

And, look, someone’s mom is crashing the party. Or, she’s a chaperon, because this group is clearly about to get completely out of control.

According to the back, Mrs. Schenek of Perryville, Mo. invited folks to her home for this special party. And there’s a poem!

“A Tri-Chem party there’s to beOf course you are invitedSo note the time, the place and datePlease come, I’d be delightedYou’ll see how Tri-Chem colors are usedAnd before the evening’s throughYou’ll have a design to decorateWhich you may take home with you.”

OK, not quite “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” But it’s better than “The Red Wheelbarrow.” (That's going to get me in trouble.)

Curious, I discovered that Tri-Chem is still very much with us. I contacted the company to see if it was still sending out such postcards.

Manager Rick Keegan was a good sport and responded.

“We are the same company. There have been countless changes in ownership, management and many other aspects of the company but there is a direct link from the Tri Chem of say fifty years ago to the one of today.
We still sell craft products, primarily one ounce tubes of paint but most of our sales today are directly from us to the customer. Party plan sales are virtually nonexistent and it was at the in-home demonstrations that the postcards were distributed.
The postcards themselves went the way of the saber toothed tiger probably fifteen or more years ago.
You can see what we are about today by visiting our web site at www.trichem.com.”

OK, bad postcard fans. Our question for you: Do you attend such gatherings – and do you like them?