I quickly saw something else. Mr. Milliken died exactly 1 year ago today, December 30, 2010. He was aged 95 when he passed, meaning he was already age 68 when he invented the "Crafted With Pride" campaign. His accolades were legendary. He was a much loved and respected businessman and humanitarian.

I think this particular old blanket on my bed was purchased in a JP Stevens outlet store in Smithfield, NC on I-95 in 1983-1984. That means that Ruby was most likely employed at either the JP Stevens Roanoke Rapids, NC location down the road from Chantilly Speedway where our new member Joe Dean Huss battled Nathan Wright and company on Saturday nights through the 70s. Or, Ruby may have made it at the JP Stevens plant in Eden, NC, where lots of us always stayed when racing at Martinsville.

As I have noted before, I don't keep any racing memorabilia in my home except for a picture of my late dad with a 1982 Bud Moore T-bird. But, somehow, my home continues to be full of racing memories in the most unusual places. Thank you Ruby A. and thank you Roger Milliken. We sure do need to see that Crafted With Pride logo on the stuff we buy again.