WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsThe Top Lady

BURLINGTON (WKOW)-- They have been popular toys for decades.

Chances are you had one as a kid or have at least played with one.

We're talking about spinning tops.

A Burlington, Wisconsin woman has quite the collection of the classic toy.

Judith Schulz is 'Someone You Should Know.'

One step into this building and it's obvious why Judith Schulz is known as the Top Lady.

Judith opened the Top and Yo-Yo Museum in Burlington, Wisconsin 22 years ago.

If it was made, you can just about find it here.

And, this isn't your typical museum. There are no do not touch signs. In fact, playing is strongly encouraged.

Judith demonstrates a number of tops for me during our visit.

"People would assume I started this when I was a child, but not so," said Judith.

Judith didn't own a top until she was an adult.

The first three of now 7,000 tops are proudly displayed.

I ask if they are all her's.

Judith says "all but 2, 2 items are lent to us."

But, Judith has now stopped counting. She said what difference does it make how many there are now.

Once a teacher, always a teacher.

So, Judith tries to teach me how to spin a top.

Judith says "Just grab the whole axel and then get it level and actually think in your mind level and then it's a hard twist, now I've been practicing of course a few more hours than you! See, excellent."

Judith has even traveled overseas to compete in a top spinning competition.

"I was flown into Verona, Italy to spin tops against 5 men from Sicily," said Judith. "And they're good at top spinning, but I kept up with them I am proud to say."

Judith is also very proud of her top collection and what it stands for.

"This museum, I believe, is a testament to human ingenuity because it shows you exactly how one, what seems like a simple idea can be expanded and interpreted and not just different colors and sizes, but truly different variations," said Judith.

To learn more about the Top and Yo-Yo Museum and next weekend's yo-yo contest as part of Chocolate Fest in Burlington visit: http://www.topmuseum.org/