‘Road show’ becomes ‘show-and-tell’

    People didn’t get to find out how much their antiques were worth Sunday, but got to show off some interesting stuff all the same.
    What was billed as a Chase County Antiques Road Show became what Carol Maddux of the county Historical Society called a “Chase County Show-and-Tell” after appraiser Lloyd Michael, Jr. had to cancel due to an injury.
    The event was to be similar to television’s “Antiques Road Show,” where appraisers judge the worth of antiques brought in for the event.
    Instead, about 20 people showed everything from precious family heirlooms to surveying equipment at the Chase County Museum in Champion.
    Sometimes, the same person showed a variety of items.
    Marcia Elder of Imperial had World War II-vintage jewelry from her mother-in-law, a real-life Rosie the Riveter; a necklace and bracelet of the same vintage; stereoscope cards from the 1920s; and a Raggedy Ann doll of uncertain age, which she bought 15 or 20 years ago at an antique shop.
    Some of the items were quite a bit older. Carolyn Lee of Imperial brought a newspaper containing an obituary for George Washington, and another that came out April 15, 1865 — the day after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.
    Aside from the commentary from the owners, Historical Society President Charlie Colton was able to provide commentary on many of the items, talking about their origins, purposes and, in some cases, other local collectors.
    Some items had definite sentimental value — old family photos, luxuriously mounted, and family documents — but others were items the owner sort of picked up along the way.
    Donna and Robert Whiting of Wauneta brought a 1920s vintage phonograph, an old advertising sample book, a book of postcards and an oil lamp.
    They weren’t family heirlooms. “I don’t know that they have a story,” Donna Whiting said.
    Speaking after the event, Colton said despite the change in format he was happy with the turnout and the items shown.
    “It worked out real well, better than we thought it would,” he said.
    Maddux said it was uncertain whether the original event would be rescheduled.