American Scene: Affirmative action ban struck down by Michigan court

NEW YORK

‘Star Wars’ figures, dominoes in Hall of Fame

ROCHESTER — Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia outmuscled little green army men for a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame. “Star Wars” action figures join centuries-old dominoes in the class of 2012, which was announced by the Rochester hall Thursday.

A national selection committee chose them from among 12 finalists, plucking the most ancient and most modern toys from the list.

“Star Wars” action figures went on the market in 1978, following the 1977 release of the 20th Century Fox movie. The 33/4-inch figures of Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and company were sold until 1985 and again from the mid-1990s to today.

Museum officials say their phenomenal popularity inspired other toy makers to tie their products to movies and television series, and they note that the toys’ appeal extends to adults, who continue to collect them.

Dominoes originated in China in the 1300s and appeared later in Europe in a slightly different form.

NEW JERSEY

WWII-era love letters wash ashore in post Sandy

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — World War II-era love letters written by a New Jersey woman to her boyfriend washed ashore during Superstorm Sandy.

A 14-year-old found the 57 letters inside a box while walking along a beach in Atlantic Highlands the day after Sandy struck. They chronicled life for Dorothy Fallon and Lynn Farnham from 1942 until the week before they married in 1948. The Vermont native served in the Pacific during the war.

Katheleen Chaney told WNBC-TV in New York she started playing amateur detective as her son dried the letters.

She left a message on a website where she learned Mr. Farnham had died in 1991. A niece contacted her to say Dorothy Fallon Farnham, 91, is in frail health in Asbury Park.

It’s thought the letters floated from the Rumson area, down a river and into Sandy Hook Bay.

• From wire dispatches and staff reports