One of my favorite things to do is going on “treasure hunts” at local antique shops, flea markets and thrift stores. It often brings back memories of my childhood when I find something that I grew up with in my home. Last year, my husband and I went to Holmes County (Amish country). We were walking through one of the many antique shops when I squealed with delight and, as my husband says, took off like a bear to honey.
Growing up on our little farm, we always had a cookie jar that looked like an apple and what did I find? That exact same cookie jar. It didn’t matter to me what the price was because it made me feel so happy and so I bought it. It now sits on my Hoosier Cabinet, another one of my treasure hunt finds.
As I get older, I find myself reminiscing more and more. Whether it is a photograph that brings back a memory or something like that cookie jar, I always enjoy the feeling. Many things that I used to take for granted when I was younger hold much more meaning to me now. I came across some old vinyl records recently and instantly remembered my record player and how my girlfriends and I would dance and sing using our hairbrushes as microphones whenever we had a slumber party.
We would also listen to WMVR radio on Friday nights when Gordy Price was the DJ. Sometimes we would set our cassette recorder next to the speaker and hit record when one of our favorite songs came on. Kids now just download it to their phones. They will never experience the thrill of getting it recorded WITHOUT the DJ talking over it at the beginning or end.
It seems that the younger generations don’t really have much interest in the “old fashioned” tradition of passing things down from one generation to another. I still adhere to this and when my grandson naps at my house I cover him with the blanket that I used for his daddy when he was little. It makes me smile to see my grandson sleeping so peacefully under it and it reminds me of my son at that age.
They say that change is good and for the most part I agree. I do still think that saving some of “yesteryear” is important even if it is something small like a cookie jar or baby blanket.
If you are like me and enjoy a good thrift sale, I invite you to stop by the Senior Center of Sidney-Shelby County, 304 South West Avenue, Sidney on Friday Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon for our Annual Fall Fundraiser.
It includes a thrift area and I have seen some of the wonderful items that have been donated for the sale. We also will have a lunch café, bake sale, book sale, craft sale and raffles. Come down and see if you can find a treasure that reminds you of yesteryear and brings a smile to your face!
Until I see you at the Center, Have a Blessed Day!
The writer is the executive director of the Senior Center of Sidney and Shelby County.
