by Nancy Linenkugel
Contributor
“An antique show? Why would I want to go to that?”
“Because it will be fun. There are so many vendors. And besides, this show comes to the fairgrounds only on certain weekends and this is one. I’m going and I need a partner. I pick you.”
Against my nature to enjoy shopping but within my nature for adventure, I tag along. Of course we have to be one of the first cars in the parking lot – and we are. Why? If you park close, it’s not so far to carry your purchases back to the car multiple times.
Ah, yes – purchases. While it’s enjoyable to look around at the literally hundreds of booths before us, this is about more than looking around.
“Is there something in particular you’re looking for, Brenda?” I ask.
“Oh no, not really. I have eclectic tastes. I like vintage furniture pieces. But I also like 1960s items, too. And maybe a cute little tea pot will catch my eye. So no, I’m not looking for just one thing.”
We make our way through the booths. Brenda stops at each booth examining items close-up, but I stay a middle course down the aisles so I can take in the sights – and people – all around. Our eyes feast on a truly unbelievable array of antiques. Think wicker items, china, glassware, vintage typewriters, silver sets, lamps, pop bottles, train cases, feed sacks, quilts, framed pictures, linens, books, records, product signs, metal toys, clocks, farm implements and much more.
While Brenda is zeroing-in on items up-close to check out every detail, I focus my long distance vision to let items take me down memory lane. There’s a runner desk – just like I used in the first grade at Little Flower School. Look – there’s a large metal doll house just like I got for Christmas one year. And over there’s a red Schwinn bike with balloon tires – just like my mom had as a kid and she passed it on to me when I was in grade school. Wow – there’s even a genuine Vornado circular fan – that was the only air conditioner we had in our house back in the 1950s.
Look over there, could it be? Yes, yes, that’s exactly the domed orange juicer grandma had sitting on her kitchen counter. And a vice grip meat grinder, too? I remember that well also from grandma’s kitchen. And don’t miss those clamp-on roller skates just like ones I had that carried me miles around the neighborhood streets. I had perpetual skinned knees from age 7 through 11 because of those skates coming loose at the most inopportune times.
I check-in with Brenda who doesn’t seem to be buying anything. “Are you having a good time?” she asks me.
“Absolutely. This is a trip down memory lane for me.”
We then end up at a booth offering dishes and kitchen items. A merchandise grouping of the Franciscan “Apple Pattern” dinnerware catches my eye, so I look closer.
“I can do a better price the more you buy, and I’ll work with you on single pieces, too,” the booth owner calls out to me.
The Franciscan Apple Pattern was the exact dinnerware that my paternal grandma had; she lived four hours away, so we didn’t get to visit her that frequently, but when we did, sumptuous meals were served on the Franciscanware. Since we six children were growing up with unbreakable Melmac plates and sturdy jelly glasses, grandma’s colorful and real ceramic dinnerware made us feel special. I talk with booth owner Linda and learn that Franciscan dinnerware was first made in 1938 but the company was sold in the 1970s. I don’t buy anything except Linda’s interest.
Brenda and I exit to our front-row car. “I didn’t find one thing I couldn’t live without,” Brenda says disappointedly. “How about you – what did you buy?”
“Lots of ideas and memories. Thanks for inviting me.”
[Sr. Nancy Linenkugel is a Sylvania Franciscan sister and chair of the department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.]