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- Travels with
- Vera and Jan
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- Hello again, everyone. Now you
can put a face to our names - so grab that cuppa and sit for
a minute to travel with us.
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- June 12 - a perfect day to drive to North Bay. Cloudy,
raining off and on all the way up Hwy 11 to Restoule which is
45 minutes southwest of the Bay. I picked up my Aunt Phyllis
and we headed into Powasson for supplies, and lo and behold there
was a sign on the main street advertising The Treasure Mill.
Of course, this meant a slight detour and delay of our birthday
dinner plans at the Rams Head restaurant in Callendar for fresh
pickerel and the best bread pudding I've ever eaten. About a
mile down the road we came to a long one-storey building in two
sections - oh goody - lots of stuff to look at. There were vintage
pictures, books, jewellery, hats and a few vintage dresses, lots
of china and lamps - and of course, some furniture. We ended
up choosing a pink chenille double bedspread for $12, a large
gold arch wall decor for $2 (looks lovely now hanging over a
gold-framed antique tapestry), and a steamer trunk which would
make a fantastic coffee table for $25. If you want to see a magnificent
display of colourful lupines in the late spring, be sure to take
the drive north some day. There are hundreds of them along the
Highway 11 roadside at Powasson - they're just beautiful.
July 5 - a day we had planned since May. We were headed
to Hastings to have lunch with Editor Sandy and her husband,
Peter. My niece, Britney, came along for the ride and Vera and
I have high hopes of instilling our love and appreciation for
"old stuff" in her. First stop is, surprisingly enough,
not at Tim's. Today is far too hot for coffee, so we head straight
to Tweed and arrive at Gaylord Antiques. Fitz and Nancy Gaylord
have a great assortment of items both in their garage as well
as in their home. We started in the garage where we found a range
of items including cedar chests, china cabinets and dining room
chairs all in beautiful condition and well priced. We fell in
love with a little secretary desk, but unfortunately it wasn't
priced as it was getting some tlc. All the more reason to return.
We moved inside where we found a mix of china (with almost a
whole set of Bridalwreath) and beautiful glassware as well as
a wonderful display of clocks at very affordable prices. Mantle
clocks were approximately $250, and I fell in love with all of
them. Quilts ranged from $95 up, and there was a seldom-seen
velvet crazy quilt; all were in perfect condition. We move on
to Hidden Treasures on the main street. Time is ticking, so we
scour the store to find our own treasures and have great luck.
Vera found a whole bolt of fringe trim for future projects $5,
a life-like silk fern in a white wicker basket $5, and two books
glued together and nicely decorated for $5. Turned out upon separating
the books that one is a first edition from 1934. Britney (who
loves to bake) bought two gingerbread men cookie cutters at 25
cents each, and I found a round glass table top for $5. We're
disappointed to find Bridgewater Antiques closed on Mondays,
but will save that for another day - something to look forward
to. At this point we need to get moving on our way to our lunch
date, so it's goodbye Tweed and hello Hastings. After a relaxing
visit and lunch on their screened-in porch, we visited the Neilly’s
old barn and found an old hoosier style cupboard that the they
were willing to part with. This is purchased for Lauri, who keeps
my salon sparkling clean, and has been looking for a hoosier
cabinet. My purchase of the day is a lightning rod. Our house
has already been hit by lightning three times - am I crazy for
buying this? Britney spots it first and suggest we buy it as
I am always teasing her about helping me retrieve one from her
family’s barn. Buying this one is so much easier - and far
less dangerous. Our last stop is at Peacock Antiques in Marmora.
Britney is off to a good start here as she spots a round oak
table with a good solid base that her parents are on the lookout
for. At just $100, we feel it was a great deal. There is a lot
of furniture here including a Victorian dollhouse for $75, a
rolltop desk, and a spinning wheel. The furniture is located
outside in the drive shed, and the glassware is located in the
house. There is an incredible amount of china and crystal pieces
as well as vintage lamps and costume jewellery. We will have
to return to this wonderful shop as there is so much to see and
just not enough time left. Two stops for ice-cream (it was a
hot day) and home we go. We had a wonderful day of exploring,
visiting and sharing with Britney what Travels with Vera and
Jan is all about. (I think we have her hooked.)
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- July 11 - after an unusual mix-up about where we were
meeting - Jan and I got off to a later-than-usual start to go
to the 40th Annual Antique Show in Lindsay in the arena at the
Fairgrounds. We didn't even stop for our mandatory coffee - can
you believe it? The parking lots had ample parking and were about
3/4 full. We parked as close as we could to the door in case
we bought anything (that's an understatement isn't it?) The show
was very well laid out - large booth areas made it easy to see
everyone's wares. The aisles were wide and spacious, and the
dealers were very pleased at the volume of sales the day before.
We purchased a charming Victorian parlour table, about 30 inches
square, with a marble top for $195, and we missed out on a chenille
bedspread with bright purple design on it - most unusual and
only $35. Jan got a pair of large walnut corbiels at $95, and
it will be interesting to see what she does with them. We made
a few more small purchases - sleigh bells, a Wedgwood bell, earrings,
and then headed homeward. We had promised to be home in time
for supper, so we made only two other stops. We found a large
farm wagon roadside display with unique carved whole-tree pieces
that caught our eye. This was just east of the 4-way stop towards
Lakefield on the south side. Two brothers recently opened this
business to sell their own hand carved pieces, and were actually
just putting up their new sign as we arrived. I could picture
the large bench they had displayed in front of any business -
what a statement it would make with bears on either side, for
only $2000. A very lifelike and colourful heron about 4' high
was only $225, and there were several shorter "face"
stumps for planters or whatever for $40 to $75. We purchased
a one-of-a-kind 40" high log carved with a different face
on each side. It had a very attractive grain, was signed and
dated, and finished with a clear coat of Sikkens to help it weather
well outside. It was absolutely gorgeous. These talented gentlemen
will soon be one of the most popular stops in the area, I'm sure.
Our next stop was at McDonalds to pick up a bite to go, which
we ate in the shade at the ever popular Lakefield Flea Market.
You can't miss it if you're going through Lakefield. The signs
indicating the turn are right at the stop lights. At the Flea
Market we completely filled the truck with a set of four extra
large dining room chairs for $75, a dresser which we plan to
paint for $40, an Art Deco style lamp for $20, and an extra tall
quilt rack. There were lots of bargains to be had at this stop
- and anything you can imagine is there for sale - check it out
any Sunday of the year all year around.
August 8 - Jan had family commitments, so Beryl and I
headed out at 8 a.m. with our umbrellas and rubber boots, so
you know where we were going of course - the Odessa Antique show.
It was a lovely morning, but those Odessa clouds were forming.
We took the 401 towards Kingston, but turned off at Palace Road
to have our hearty breakfast at the Smiling Wilderness Restaurant
- delicious. When we arrived at Odessa, the lot was about half
full at 10:30, so we were able to park fairly close. It seemed
that there were not as many dealers as last year, but the ones
that were there had LOTS to choose from. It was a great show.
We took our time looking at the many smalls, furniture, jewellery,
and oddities. I found the best bargains ever this year. Two very
old but pristine condition ladder back chairs with brand new
seats went home with me. The price was less than the cost of
redoing one seat - only $35 for both chairs!.We couldn't resist
the most beautiful double-pressback chair at $50. A cut-out German
dish with two Victorian ladies painted on the bottom for $12
also left with us, as well as 10 more marbles ($1) for my marble
collection. Just as we got the the last booth - you guessed it
- down came the rain. Hopefully the vendors don't get too discouraged
because it really is a wonderful show, and we look forward to
it every year. We had intended to head into Prince Edward County
to load up on fresh produce, but the downpour changed our direction
and we headed north for home instead.
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- August 14 - got a day off work and guess what?
There was no one to wander with. I headed north to Maynooth to
check out the new antique shop there called the Old Peterson
Road Gallery. It is on the main street of Maynooth, on the south
side. Out front on the porch were some very good bargains such
as a wall decor fancy iron piece for only $10, and some old wooden
chairs less than $20, which made me want to check out the inside.
There were shelves and shelves of intriguing smalls of every
description - and prices were very fair. I purchased a replica
gas pump at $20, but it was the only piece there that wasn't
an antique - I just happened to like it. Furniture was also available
for sale at reasonable prices. The other half of the store housed
the art studio - the owner of the Peterson Road Gallery is Nancy
Brooks, a very accomplished and well known artist in the area.
From there I headed to their Farmers Market, and what a treat
that was. Not only was there fresh local produce, home made jams
and preserves, baked goods (including the giant cookies), but
there were also hand made quilts for only $35 and up, other knitted
items, used books, perennials, fresh cut gladiolas, and even
some antiques. Ibought an old old glass bowl that had that bluish
colour to it for $1 - no chips or cracks. The Farmers Market
is every Saturday morning so I plan to make it there more often.
From there, I headed up to Hwy 127 to Lake St Peter to my first
yard sale of the year. I bought an antique high boy dresser for
$25, a solid oak (and very heavy) desk for $10, and a retro chrome
table and eight chairs for $50. It was the kind of yard sale
that doesn't happen often. There was a fabulous oak dining room
set there that I just might have to go back and buy if we can
agree on a price. They are asking a reasonable $2,000, but I
only want to pay half that, so for now it remains in Lake St
Peter.
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- August 15 - rain, rain, rain. I headed down Hwy
62 south to Hwy 620. About 4 km in, I came to the Old Hastings
Gallery, which used to be the Ormsby General Store. I'm sure
people can't just pass it by. The colourful arm chairs out front,
the huge moose and other exterior artifacts just add such charm,
you can't resist stopping to see what else is inside. As you
enter, the smell of the old wooden floors is calming, and your
eyes are delighted to find things you would never see anywhere
else! The gentlemen can relax in the back room by the wood stove
and watch vintage movies, while the ladies shop. Such a selection
of antique jewellery, and more antique items in the small attached
shed - you can spend quite a lot of time there. Across the road
is the Old Schoolhouse Tea Room. It was actually the school at
Ormsby, and is pretty much in original condition except for a
new exterior paint job. The wooden floors creak now and then,
and the tin walls reflect the coal oil lamps. The room is so
cozy with the ornate wood stove. You are seated on antique chairs
at antique tables and are served on antique dishes. The food
is home made, delicious and very reasonable. As I carried on
towards Hwy 28, I came to the Chapel in The Woods - a perfect
tiny little white church which seats about four people. I was
told that weddings are sometimes actually held there. Fascinating.
I wonder how old it is? I finally arrived at the Lakefield Flea
Market where it wasn't raining. There were some outside vendors,
and the new roofed structure was full as well as the usual inside
vendors. I ended up filling my truck with three dressers, one
sofa table, and a chandelier - all for under $400. It was a great
day.
Well folks, looks like that's it for now. Hope you can join us
next issue, so until then, Happy Trails.
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- Jan & Vera, both Bancroft
residents, are living proof that enjoying antiques is a whole
lot of fun and doesn't have to cost a fortune. So, get on out
there and make your own adventure.
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