Alexander Mcdonald
Aluminum Christmas Trees and a Stroll Down Memory Lane!
Now that I’m officially a senior citizen, I find myself strolling down memory lane more than ever before. I’m also more aware of just how much our world has changed since we were kids dashing to the first McDonalds in our town. You could buy a hamburger for just 15 cents! Like those burgers, many of the things we enjoyed years ago are no longer with us.
In high school, my friends and I would anxiously await Friday nights. Four of us boys, with our crew cuts and Jimmy Smith’s duck tail, would pile into Jimmy’s 1957 Chevrolet and go to the local drive-in movie.
We would park 3 rows to the right and 4 to the back of the concession stand so we could see any unattached girls as they went to get popcorn and a Coke. We thought we were slick back then as we would race to the concession stand to try and meet girls that we thought were worthy of our attention.
Sometimes during my late teen years, Aluminum Christmas Trees became a trend that my parents thought would solve the problem of dry evergreen needles on the floor. Until that time we had always cut our Christmas tree from the woods that was only a mile from our house.
My first year in college, I remember returning home for the Christmas holiday, horrified to see a glistening gigantic shredded roll of aluminum foil shaped into a tree, standing in a corner of the living room. I was shocked when I saw it occupying the space that had been dedicated to a freshly cut aromatic cedar trees.
Thankfully that fad came and went in just a couple of years, then we moved on to fake green trees with little bottles of aerosol spray that was guaranteed to smell like a fresh cut cedar or spruce tree.
Whatever happened to television test patterns that would suddenly appear on the screen at the stroke of midnight? As strange as it seems, there was something comforting to us insomniacs about staring at that immovable page emanating from the picture tube as if it held the secret to the universe! It’s quite possible it did, but whatever its message, it went over my head.
There were some things that were so far ahead of their time, that it seems incomprehensible that they’re gone. In an era in which people really loved their cars, the Studebaker was in a class of its own.
While my friends proclaimed the delight of owning their ’57 Chevys and Fords, my 1953 Studebaker Starliner was my pride and joy! That car looked like it was going fast even when it was standing still! Besides being a great automobile, it set you apart from the rest of the crowd. Not everyone owned a Studebaker!
Do you remember the 5 cent Coca-Cola? When I was a kid in the summertime, I’d walk to the small grocery store about a mile from the house, pulling my red Radio Flyer behind me. I would buy a case of Cokes and a half block of ice.
I had extended the sides of the wagon 6 inches taller so I could chip up the ice and pour it in the wagon; then I would lay the bottles of Coke on the bed of ice. I walked another mile to a housing development being built close to town. There, in the Alabama heat I would sell that case of Coca-Colas to weary carpenters, masons and painters for 15 cents each, or two for a quarter. I sold out every day.
Many of us thought that 25 cents a gallon gasoline was far too much to spend for fuel. There’s a country song somewhere which was written by someone who was obviously a philosophical genius. The line that I’ll always remember is “When gas was 25 cents a gallon, love was only 50 cents away.”
Whatever happened to flashbulbs, Timmy and Lassie, Bryllcreme, The Ozzie and Harriet Show and metal ice cube trays that either made the ice break free or cause the lever to bend. Everyone remembers the Burma Shave signs on the side of a two-lane road. Where have all these things gone? Where ever they are, I miss them!
About the Author
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:
http://www.redfishbob.com
http://www.bluemarlinbob.com
I am trying to find the Madame Alexander Mini Dolls from McDonalds but none have them. Any tips/Advice?
I live in San Jose and can only find 5 and 6 of the Dolls from the Wizard of Oz series. Anyone have tips or advice for locating them? Does calling the individual stores work well? Is there a website that keeps track of which places have how many? The promotion ends April 19th one of the workers told me, so maybe I just waited too long. Anyways, my wife loves them and I’m trying to get them all for her. No luck on craigslist; I know ebay is one option. Thanks for your help!
I have numbers 5 Red Witch and 6 Tin Man. I don’t have any of the others though.
It’s starting to look like ebay might be the only way. thankx!
which one do you need that would help! i have the cowardly lion–grrroowwwlll!!!! is that the one you need?
80s Commercials – McDLT [Jason Alexander]
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McDonald’s Madame Alexander Dolls 2002 Complete Set Lot of 8 Bride Groom $275.00 |
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18″ Madame Alexander Dorothy Doll & McDonalds Wizard of Oz 2008 complete set $179.99 |
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Madame Alexander Doll 30785 Old McDonald 2001 RARE $179.99 |
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WIZARD of OZ 2008 McDONALDS SET of 12 MADAME ALEXANDER Mint Condition Rare $149.95 |
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7 Complete McDonalds Madame Alexander Doll Sets 2002 Thru 2010 * 66 Dolls $135.00 |
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NIB McDonald’s 2007 Mme Alexander Wizard Of Oz Dolls – Complete Set of 8 $125.00 |
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Madame Alexander McDonald’s doll NEW NIP 2008 Wizard of OZ COMPLETE SET ALL 12 $124.99 |
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18″ Madame Alexander Dorothy Doll & 8 McDonalds Wizard of Oz 2007 complete set $99.99 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER WIZARD OF OZ MCDONALDS DOLL 2002,2003,2004,2005,2007 + 2 STANDS $89.99 |
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2001 Madame Alexander- Old McDonald #30785 $89.99 |
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HUGE LOT MCDONALDS MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS WIZARD OF OZ RED RIDING HOOD DISNEY+ $59.99 |
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Minniature MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS LOT By Mc Donalds 20 DOLLS !!! $55.00 |
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2007 McDonald’s Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Collection Complete Set of 8 $60.00 |
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NIB McDonald’s 2005 Madame Alexander Dolls – Complete Set of 10 $60.00 |
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Madame Alexander 2008 McDonalds dolls Wizard of Oz Complete $49.99 |
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McDonald’s Madame Alexander Dolls 2007 Complete Set Lot 8 Wizard of Oz Dorothy $55.00 |
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25 McDonalds Madame Alexander mini doll lot Wizard of Oz Storybook all different $55.99 |
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Huge 15 Lot of McDonald’s Madame Alexander Dolls Mickey Wizard Of Oz Cinderella $49.99 |
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complete set of Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Doll 2007 McDonald $50.00 |
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McDonalds Madame Alexander 6 Dolls ~ 2002 $42.99 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER 2003 McDonald’s Happy Meal Collection in a RARE display box set $39.95 |
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2008 Madame Alexander McDonalds Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch of the West Doll $50.00 |
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LARGE LOT OF 70 MC DONALDS MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS 11 NIP $49.99 |
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Madame Alexander 2007 McDonalds dolls Wizard of Oz Complete $39.99 |
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MCDONALDS MADAME ALEXANDER 2010 SET 8 STORY BOOK DOLLS $49.99 |
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Lot of 15 Madame Alexander McDonalds Collectable Dolls w/ Display Set 5684 $49.99 |
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WIZARD OF OZ MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS COMPLETE SET OF 8 McDONALD’S 2007 $49.99 |
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Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz McDonald’s 2008 New Complete Set $39.99 |
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TINY DOLLS ASSORT – AMERICAN GIRL/MADAM ALEXANDER/ & MCDONALD’S BRANDS- VINTAGE $49.00 |
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Set of Madame Alexander Dolls made for McDonald’s with original Display Box $39.95 |
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10 Wizard of Oz Madame Alexander miniature dolls MCDONALDS-excellent condition $45.00 |
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NIB McDonald’s 2004 Mme Alexander Dolls – Complete Set of 8 $45.00 |
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COMPLETE SET 2003 MCDONALDS’ MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS NIP $34.99 |
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2003 COMPLETE McDonalds Happy Meal Madame Alexander Doll Set Lot of 10 MINT $44.95 |
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2005 COMPLETE McDonalds Happy Meal Madame Alexander Doll Set Lot SPORTS Theme $44.95 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER MCDONALDS WIZARD OF OZ DOLL COMPLETE SET OF 8 2007 MIP DOROTHY $29.99 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER 2004 McDonald’s Happy Meal Collection in a RARE display box set $29.95 |
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24 Different McDonalds Madame Alexander Dolls $41.99 |
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WIZARD of OZ-MADAME ALEXANDER 2007 MCDONALDS SET OF 8 with tags $35.00 |
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McDonalds Come Play 2005, by Madame Alexander, complete 10. Nice $24.99 |
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2007 McDonald’s Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Dolls – Complete Set of 8 NIP $32.00 |
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2010 McDonalds Madame Alexander Set of 8-MIP+Stands $39.99 |
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Madame Alexander 2010 McDonalds Storybook dolls Complete $29.99 |
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McDonalds Wizard of Oz Madame Alexander Dolls Lot of 6 $39.99 |
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Set (10) MADAME ALEXANDER McDonalds Happy Meal Dolls Toys 2003 $29.99 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER MCDONALDS DOLLS STORYBOOK COMPLETE SET OF 12 2003 MIP $24.99 |
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2004- McDONALD’S MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS, FULL SET WITH BOX, NEW IN PACKAGE $29.95 |
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2008 Madame Alexander WIZARD OF OZ 12 Dolls Complete SET w/ Toto McDonalds NEW $31.00 |
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26 McDonald’s Madame Alexander dolls 9 Barbies OZ Mickey Mouse ballet tennis + $25.00 |
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8 COLLECTABLE MADAME ALEXANDER 2003 MCDONALD’S DOLLS NIP LOT $36.99 |
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LOT 10 McDonalds Madame Alexander Mini Toy Dolls Figures NIP & Loose $36.95 |
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Madame Alexander 4 dolls Bride+ Groom +Flower Girl, Ring boy McDonald 2002-3 HTF $19.99 |
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Lot of McDonalds Madame Alexander Dolls Wizard Disney Alice Peter $28.00 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER MCDONALDS DOLLS GO ACTIVE COMPLETE SET OF 10 2005 MIP $19.99 |
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McDonald’s Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Set of 8. Never removed from pkgs. 2007 $25.00 |
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McDonald’s Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Set of 8. Never removed from pkgs. 2007 $25.00 |
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LOT MADAME ALEXANDER WIZARD OF OZ DOLLS LUCY DOLLS MCDONALD HAPPY MEALS TOYS $24.99 |
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2010 McDonalds Madame Alexander FULL Set of 8!! BRAND NEW!! UNOPENED! $32.99 |
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Lot of 23 Madame Alexander Dolls McDonald Oz dolls $23.99 |
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6 McDonalds Madame Alexander Dolls Minnie Dorothy Tin Man Scarecrow Witch Plus $29.99 |
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NEW!! Lot-15 WIZARD of OZ Dolls~SET MADAME ALEXANDER~McDONALDS Toy 2007~2008 $24.99 |
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2010 SET Madame Alexander CINDERELLA ALICE and More 8 McDonalds New in PKG $24.88 |
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MCDONALDS 2010 MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS HAPPY/KIDS MEAL STORY BOOK TOYS LOT 8/SET $23.95 |
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Madame Alexander Bride + Groom, McDonalds 2002, brown complexion, HTF $19.99 |
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Lot of 5 McDonald’s Wizard of Oz Toy Dolls Madame Alexander Dorothy Lion Toto $24.99 |
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MINT 03′ Madame Alexander McDonalds Doll Set – 10 (All in Package Still) $30.00 |
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3 McDONALDS DOLLS GREAT SHAPE MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS $29.99 |
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Cute Madame Alexander Dolls Ring Bearer and Flower Girl McDonalds 5″ Tall $19.99 |
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LOT 7 McDonalds Madame Alexander Mini Toy Dolls Figures Loose Wizard of Oz $29.50 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER MCDONALDS DOLLS DISNEY COMPLETE SET OF 8 2004 MIP MICKEY FAIRY $14.99 |
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Mcdonalds Madame Alexander Doll Happy Meal Disney Theme Lot Set NICE $28.99 |
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LOT SMALL MADAM ALEXANDER DOLLS McDONALDS $24.99 |
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Lot of 9 McDonalds MADAME ALEXANDER Dolls Various Years ~~L@@K~~ 3 Sealed $22.00 |
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Madame Alexander Black Groom Doll 2002 Mcdonalds Bag #2 $24.99 |
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Madame Alexander Black Bride Doll 2002 Mcdonalds Bag #1 $24.99 |
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Set of 6 Disney Madame Alexander McDonald’s 4-5 inch dolls – Cruella, Blue Fairy $24.00 |
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Madame Alexander 2005 McDonalds dolls $16.99 |
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2007: Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz McDonalds Happy Meals Toys COMPLETE set of 8 $14.99 |
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2010 Mcdonalds Happy Meal Madame Alexander Doll Set Lot STORYBOOK Complete $26.95 |
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Mcdonalds Madame Alexander Tennis Equestrian Girl Dolls $22.99 |
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MADAME ALEXANDER McDonalds Dolls Lot Of 29 Some In Package $16.00 |
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McDonalds Famous Characters 2004 by Madame Alexander w/ brown mice $14.99 |
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MCDONALDS MADAME ALEXANDER 2003, #8, #9,#10, NEW IN PKG $20.00 |
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MC DONALD’S MADAM ALEXANDER & BARBIES WITH TIN CASE $25.00 |
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Madame Alexander 2002 McDonalds dolls $19.99 |
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Madame Alexander McDonalds Dolls Set 2 It’s Raining Mickey Mouse Boy Bags Tags $24.95 |
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Madame Alexander McDonalds Dolls Set of 3 Pumpkin Costume It’s Raining Dog EUC $24.95 |
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Madame Alexander McDonalds Dolls Set 3 Kick It Jumping Rope Setting Sail 5″ EUC $24.95 |
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Madame Alexander McDonalds Dolls Wizard Of Oz Glenda Daisy Witch East & West EUC $24.95 |
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2007 Complete Set Wizard of Oz 8 Dolls Madame Alexander McDonalds NIP $18.00 |
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mcdonalds madame alexander wizard of oz dolls set of 8 $15.00 |
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6 Madame Alexander Miniature Dolls by MCDONALDs $18.99 |
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McDonalds Madame Alexander dolls Wizard of Oz lot $17.99 |
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COMPLETE FIRST SET OF MCDONALD’S MADAME ALEXANDER DOLLS. RARE AA BRIDE & GROOM! $15.00 |
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MAdame Alexander Wizard of Oz Dolls NIP McDonalds Glinda Wicked Witch of West $19.99 |
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Mcdonalds Madame Alexander Dolls Lot of 8 Unopened $9.81 |
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VINTAGE Madame Alexander Doll McDonald Toy 2003 Collectible Lady Bug Girl MINI $19.99 |
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Madame Alexander White Bride Doll 2002 Mcdonalds Bag #1 $19.99 |
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Madame Alexander McDonalds Dolls 20005 # 1, 2, 3, 7, & 8 Lot of 5 dolls $12.00 |
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McDonald’s Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Dorothy & Toto Dolls New in Package! $21.99 |
