Treasures for Sale

Two television programs that are watched religiously by many viewers include the search for elusive treasures thought to be buried on a small island off the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Another one which has many viewers transfixed on a weekly basis is the popular PBS program Antiques Roadshow. Here you may bring what you consider to be a possible treasure left undiscovered in your attic or garage which may be worth thousands if not more.

You probably have more of a chance on the PBS program than digging an exploration shaft on Oak Island searching for treasures such as the Holy Grail or the long-lost treasures of the Knight Templar.

Just a few years ago one or two of the celebrities from the Antiques Roadshow visited the Marco Island Historical Society. It was part of a well-planned fund raiser event sponsored by members of the Historical Society’s Fund-Raising Committee.

Not long afterwards, FGCU would host a similar type of day where you could bring your special treasures to the University’s gymnasium for a quick inspection by experts in specific fields such as jewelry, art and other collectibles. A fun day to determine a chance to turn a simple item into unexpected value. It certainly made for an interesting day of conversations and anticipation.

On Saturday, November 12 the Columbiettes, assisted by the Knights of Columbus, hosted one of their popular “Treasures in the Trunk” Saturday morning opportunities for locals to unload their overloaded closets and garage storage areas. This provides residents an opportunity to get out and look for a great buy at the San Marco Catholic Church parking lot, adjacent to their Parish Hall, while making a few dollars for charity for those sponsoring it and for those looking to clean out those closets.

Starting at 7:00 AM sellers of their treasures would begin filling up the empty spaces near the parish hall while paying for their space and registering for the event. Like a well-executed military maneuver, chairs and tables would be quickly deployed behind the cars, SUVs and trucks. Simultaneously the assorted valuables would assume their positions and assemble to allow for maximum visibility by those seeking that special deal of the day.

At 8:00 AM potential customers start filling up the lot in front of the church and the first wave of dedicated shoppers would arrive. Soon sellers would be overrun with the first wave of buyers, eagerly seeking out the deal of the day.

This was the day both sellers and buyers had waited for over the long hot summer, as did the eager members of the support staff who sold their assorted fresh baked goods, coffee and soft drinks to those that ventured out for the first of many stops.