ANTIQUING WITH SUSAN
By Susan Eberman Herald-Times Homes • homes@heraldt.com
I always enjoy checking on antique shops I’ve written
about and finding out that they’re still thriving. Eight years ago I told you about a great spring shopping event and I’m happy to
report that A Country Gathering Antiques Show and Sale is still going strong. This festive outdoor gathering of several dozen antique
dealers will be held on Saturday, June 14, at Nichols & Dimes Antiques in rural Bartholomew County.
“My husband, Bob, and I have
owned Nichols & Dimes Antiques since 1981,” Judy Nichols explains. “We’re located in Elizabethtown, a small community six miles
southeast of Columbus. In addition to our circa 1870 home, our four-acre homestead includes an antique shop, an herb house, and an
herb garden that measures 26 x 50 feet. Our latest addition is a 1930s bungalow which was once part of a roadside motel on Highway
31 in southern Indiana. It’s in the herb garden where it is used as a potting shed and a playhouse for our grandchildren.
“Our shop
inventory includes many items that fit in beautifully with the primitive and country styles of decorating including furniture in ready-to-use
condition and architectural garden antiques. We also have handmade quilts, vintage toys, kitchen utensils, pottery and much more.”
Nichols says. “On June 14 Bob and I will be surrounded by several dozen dealers who also offer a great selection of quality country
and primitive items. This year dealers will be coming from Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. And there’s still time for other dealers
to join us.”
Participating Hoosiers include Brenda Williams from Paoli who specializes in country furniture, quilts and folk art. Dave
and Mary Morton from New Albany offer great country furniture plus wonderful small accent pieces. Look for Pat Weeks, owner of The
Country Shop in Carmel, to find garden accent pieces, primitives and many smalls. Sandy Leckrone and Dave Burke own A Sense of Country
in Mentone and they’ll be bringing turquoise jewelry, quilts, stoneware, primitives and early glassware. Madison dealers Robert and
Laurie Zapp specialize in early home antiques including furniture, stoneware and garden items. Steve Cooper and Mike Reed from Marklesville
are bringing unusual garden and architectural pieces.
Kentucky is also well represented. Cindy and Jack Hubbard from Dunbar offer early
primitives and architectural pieces. Ginger James is coming from LaGrange with graniteware, pottery, kitchen utensils and textiles.
Sturgis dealers Dorris & Crystal Crowley will be bringing pie safes, cupboards and quilts. Kay Bender from Bowling Green specializes
in great country furnishings and primitives from New England.
Knoxville,
Tennessee dealers Pat and Gary Caldwell will offers
country and primitive furniture plus many smalls.
“This time of year we can’t forget the garden,” Nichols concludes. “Two other dealers
will be offering perennials, potted plants, annuals and hanging baskets. Cheryl Gilbert of Old Thyme Loghouse Greenhouse and Cindy
Waters of C&J Greenhouse will also be happy to answer your gardening questions. Tours of our herb garden will also be available.
And we’ll have plenty of good food and fellowship.”
Country Gathering at Nichols & Dimes Antiques will be held June 14 from 9:00
am to 4:00 pm at Washington & Pennsylvania Streets in Elizabethtown, IN 47232. Admission is free. For more information contact
Judy and Bob Nichols at 812-579-5267 or see nicholsndimesantiques.com.
Antiques writer Susan Eberman can be contacted at eberman.susan@gmail.com.