Eva Long hasn't decided, she says. She'll definitely take three family treasures to the Antique Appraisal Weekend at Little Fort Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 30 and May 1; she's not sure she'll submit them for appraisal.
Eva's trio of keepsakes fits nicely in a small plastic bag. At 89, Eva has no trouble recalling where and when the three tiny items came into her family. The smallest, a finely detailed 1920s buttonhook - the tool needed to fasten up those high button shoes of the flapper era - belonged to her mother, a woman who loved to dance.
Only slightly bulkier is an eight-centemeter tall carved and painted amber doll. The doll is actually a sewing kit. Unscrew the head from the body and out slip a set of tiny spools of thread and a slender, silver pair of scissors. A set's needle has been lost along the way. The top of the figure's hat, slightly more than a centimeter across, is a tiny pincushion. That item is one of two that came from Eva's grandmother. The other is a hand-woven and fully lined lady's evening purse with a jeweled clasp.
All came into the family at Trail, B.C.; Eva was born and raised there. A long-time Barriere resident, Eva has made her mark on that community, notably as president of the Barriere and District Seniors Society during the years in which the Barriere Seniors Centre was constructed. She hasn't slowed down much since, just changed focus. She's now very much committed to the North Thompson Hospice House Society. That group has set out to establish a hospice facility at Little Fort to serve the entire valley.
Central to that drive, this season, is the hospice house society's spring fundraiser, the antique appraisal weekend. Individuals may reserve one or more 15-minute session with accredited respected appraiser Peter Blundell. During each session, Blundell will appraise up to three items for a fee of $35. Reservations may be made by contacting Pat at 250 672-5660 or Elsie at 250-677-4287 in advance of the event. Some space may remain for "walk-in" appraisals, but organizers make no promises.
Admission will be by donation; light refreshments will be available. Appraisals will be accessible to the audience via video and audio support services.