Being a thrifting expert has its responsibilities and notable conclusions. Over the years, I have interviewed and asked a zillion questions. You know what most people said? “The kids don’t want it.” Everyone has heard that statement. My favorite is, “The sales tag … read more

On this day, husband Earl and I were headed to the Mason County Historical Museum in Shelton. Earl grew up in the Tahuya, North Mason area, where kids were always finding old arrowheads and carving implements on the beaches. He had four of … read more

  Minder Meats, a meat market in Bremerton, was first opened in Kitsap County in 1943 during World War II. It has gone through four generations of family management, with James Minder Carlson as the current owner. He explains that it was his … read more

Twenty years ago, it was commonplace to see Pyrex as the dog’s outside drinking bowl. A decade later, that same Pyrex bowl might have been on the auction block for hundreds. Today, it’s still collectible, but the Pyrex trend peak has diminished as … read more

Washington state is gifted with almost 45,000 registered and legit non-for-profit organizations. Their missions are wide ranging, but all attempt to address a significant community need, often relying completely on donor funding and an active cadre of community volunteers to do so. For … read more

When people think of the holiday season, Christmas or New Year may come to mind. Many overlook the glorious holiday of Hanukkah — but this holiday is “not a substitute for Christmas,” says a local resident who has researched Hanukkah. “It’s a joyous … read more

Dana’s on Bainbridge is a legacy and a fun store. The business has been around since 1977 and has been owned by three community-oriented people for 46 years, including current owner John Carson. He describes Dana’s as “what you would consider a traditional … read more

Availability, trend, need and definition will determine the future of “thrifting,” which is primarily looking for used items. Today, the activity is enormous in many directions, but tomorrow may be a different story. My expertise began in the ’70s, when I was teaching … read more

Late-night talk show hosts Johnny Carson and Jay Leno called it the worst Christmas gift ever. NASA thought it was good enough for astronauts. Emily Dickinson packed it with half a pint of brandy (and 19 eggs) and gifted it to her delighted … read more