Collector’s Fair held in Gladbrook

Harold McKinney may have retired from the insurance business, but at 90 years young he keeps busy with his woodworking. His use of woods to create visual dimension is phenomenal. One item of interest was a tall box that was adorned with two hearts. When asked for more information, Harold quipped, "That's an urn. And that is where RoseMary (his wife) and I will be." Harold is pictured with Cooper Murty trying out his bubble gum machine. PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN

Kathy Anderson can nearly always be found with a pair of knitting needles or an afghan hook in her hands. She is pictured with an array of her creations that range from afghans, slippers and clothing items. Kathy was wearing a fashionable 2 piece skirt and top that she had made. A very creative lady! PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN

Audra Swangel Siddell "Grew up dairy." and may have left the dairy farm east of Gladbrook that she grew up on, but you can't take the love of cows and dairy farming out of her. Audra had a delightful collection of Holstein cows and all kinds of dairy related items on display at the Collector's Fair held recently in Gladbrook. Audra lived in Minnesota with her husband, Everett Siddell, until they moved back to Gladbrook to live with her mom Joyce Swangel. PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN

: Harold McKinney may have retired from the insurance business, but at 90 years young he keeps busy with his woodworking. His use of woods to create visual dimension is phenomenal. One item of interest was a tall box that was adorned with two hearts. When asked for more information, Harold quipped, “That’s an urn. And that is where RoseMary (his wife) and I will be.” Harold is pictured with Cooper Murty trying out his bubble gum machine. PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN

: Kathy Anderson can nearly always be found with a pair of knitting needles or an afghan hook in her hands. She is pictured with an array of her creations that range from afghans, slippers and clothing items. Kathy was wearing a fashionable 2 piece skirt and top that she had made. A very creative lady! PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN

: Audra Swangel Siddell “Grew up dairy.” and may have left the dairy farm east of Gladbrook that she grew up on, but you can’t take the love of cows and dairy farming out of her. Audra had a delightful collection of Holstein cows and all kinds of dairy related items on display at the Collector’s Fair held recently in Gladbrook. Audra lived in Minnesota with her husband, Everett Siddell, until they moved back to Gladbrook to live with her mom Joyce Swangel. PHOTO BY MARGARET THOMSEN

GLADBROOK – The annual Collector’s Fair was held recently at the Memorial Building in Gladbrook. The room was overflowing with interesting memorabilia that ranged from wartime cookbooks to electric football men. It truly was a display for everyone to enjoy.

The list of those participating included: Mirrors from Eleanor Lott; Cats from Linda Haack; “lifetime hobby” of knitting and crocheting from Kathy Anderson; Church Memorabilia from the Gladbrook Methodist Women; Deb Koester brought Corn Carnival Shirts and painted gourds by Teresa Flatness. Audra Siddell showed off her Happy Holsteins; Everett Siddell displayed nostalgic shadow boxes; Ward Ingham showed electric football men; Melanie Wagner brought hairdresser memorabilia; April Bruene showed a collection of 37 years of teaching and coaching in the form of T-shirts; Harold McKinney displayed 60 years of woodworking; Dale Haack brought his John Deere toys; Doris Gienger brought Coca Cola items and shells; Steve Miell showed that he is a Chicago Bears fan; Katie Grimmius displayed perfume bottles. Jodee Stoakes showed the letter “S” and Frier Tuck items; Kelly Schott brought cookbooks; Rachel Knaack presented Jello molds; Matt Kemp brought us up to date with Star Wars; David Brown had a huge variety of caps; Lynne Sash displayed wartime cookbooks while Dad Keith Sash showed off dealer model cars and Mom JoAnne Sash focused on unusual plants. Mo Brown had a huge inventory of vinyl records; and toys were displayed in memory of Hollis Sievers.

And a very unusual display of bottles was brought by Kevin Williams. Now, the interesting part is Kevin obtained these by going “outhouse diving”. Seems that years ago if a family wanted to get rid of something they took it to the outhouse in the back yard and tossed it out of sight. One bottle was inscribed in raised lettering, “Foley’s Bladder Kidney Cure”. Some bottles were traced back to John Ball, a pharmacist.

Three generations of collecting beer cans was brought by Brad Wagner. The collection goes back 53 years ago and includes family members, Dad and Mom Ron and Betty Wagner, Brad Wagner and Brady Wagner.

According to Co-chairs Jeanne Paustian and Karen Handorf door prizes went to Dan Heise with a 2022 Corn Carnival Cookbook and Lola Ablaberdieva winning a Corn Carnival Tumbler. Her mom is the former Angela Wrage.