search articles:     from the issue of April 28, 2005         Childhood toys spur collection  BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Descending into Wayne Babchuk's basement is to take a step back in time.     Wayne Babchuk has collected a basement full of cowboy memorabilia. The collection includes numerous items from the 1940s to 1960s, many of which were given to Babchuk by friends. He said the collection started with just a few toys he had as a youth. Items pictured below are a Roy Rogers toy guitar and a plastic figure painted by a friend of Babchuk. Photo by Troy Fedderson, University Communications. Spurred by his memories, Babchuk - program director for academic conferences at UNL - has gathered a cowboy collection that mirrors Wild West cinema and television trends of the 1950s and 1960s. "I had quite a few cowboy items from my childhood and I decided to put them up in my stereo room," Babchuk said, recounting the start of his collection. "I collected a few more items after that. Then, everyone started giving me cowboy stuff and my collection grew from there." Among the items on display in his home are childhood toys, including a 1950s barnyard, a rocking horse he received as a 3-year old, and a Roy Rogers gun he's had since he was 6. The collection also includes an actual knife used by the actor who played Tonto in the Lone Ranger television show, a series of classic movie posters, toy guitars (which are counted among another of his collections), hundreds of figurines, a bull-shaped lamp, and three toy ranch phones. And, just when you think you've seen it all (which you can't as some items remain packed away due to limited space), Babchuk gallops forth with the book, "Cow Dog," about a canine that sticks by his master through thick and thin (purchased at a thrift store for 35 cents) and a gun-shaped toothbrush. "It's just really fun and interesting to collect this stuff," Babchuk said. "I guess what I really enjoy about it is that it represents the whole naivete of the era. It just seems more pure than what you see today." While many of the items were procured as gifts from friends, Babchuk also uses a side business in antiques to collect hard-to-find, show pieces. "I own Burlington Antiques in the Haymarket with my mom," Babchuk said. "I'm always looking (to buy) for it when we go to shows. But, I have to be pretty selective because I could come home with so much stuff it would be horrific." Through the antique business, he also sells some of the items he has collected, allowing new pieces to come on display. Babchuk's collection has even become its own legend.   Two pieces in Wayne Babchuk's cowboy collection include a toy ranch phone and a gun toothbrush. Babchuk found the toothbrush at an antique sale. Other items, such as the ranch phone, have been given to him as gifts. Photo by Troy Fedderson, University Communications.   "Friends of mine bring people over to see it all the time," Babchuk said. "And, when I have people stay with me, they want to sleep in the Cowboy room. I'm really surprised at how it enthusiastic people are about this." One of the top draws of the year is the annual party Babchuk holds for international students working in his program. Now, with his collection expanding like a stampede, Babchuk has turned his desires to harder to find pieces, mainly from the 1920s and 1930s. While some ask Babchuk about the value of such a collection, he's quick to point out that it is worth more than money. "This collection is not a way for me to invest my money," Babchuk said. "It's not for my retirement. It's just something I love. It's somewhere I can go after work and relax. "I had a happy childhood and this reminds me of it. And, I'm just glad I can allow other people to be a part of it." GO TO: ISSUE OF APRIL 28 NEWS HEADLINES FOR APRIL 28 Childhood toys spur collection Harrassment training goes online at UNL New site lists 'Great Books of the Great Plains' A Piece of University History Hubble Images at Mueller Planetarium Term life program outlines benefit boost 732064S34593X