Renninger’s

On Friday February 14th I joined my wife Terry and her friend Elaine Pasekoff as they explored Renningers Antiques Fair. This is an Annual pilgrimage that has been going on for decades. Usually Bob Newlin would fly in from Washington DC, but he was snowed in by an intense snowstorm. We stayed in a Best Western the night before and got up at the break of dawn to hit Renningers. Elaine always makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch and she used the hotel jelly packets to complete the task at breakfast.

We parked in the grass being directed by two attendants who were arguing with each other. There was a small entry fee and our hands were stamped. I immediately started hunting for a sketch while Terry and Elaine shopped. I settled on this antique sign dealer. His name was Rick Shields and the company was called Southern Pickers. The company slogan was “we buy rust.” This lot was in the valley just as you entered. Up the hill were all the food vendors with an ice cream cone being the most obvious landmark. Elaine and Terry found me and they left their purchases next to my chair so they didn’t have to carry them around.

I was seated in front of “Rustic Stuff of the South“. Jerry Douthit was building wooden cases that could encase snugly fit coolers. The hammering attracted costumers and the rustic looking cooler stands were quite attractive and functional. The hot sellers had Gator and Seminole football logos. Since I was sitting in the direct sun, I rushed the sketch so I could find some shade. With the sketch done, I approached Rick and asked him if he had a business card. He said he had handed them all out. I then showed him the sketch and he reached into his pocked and pulled out a card. He explained that he had to ration them. He asked me for my card an I told him that I had handed them all out. Later in the day, I discovered a bunch of business cards in my wallet.