Dateline Dayton — The past two weekends have been busy ones for our family. The prior weekend was the Learning Tree Farms Antiques Appraisal Event, which I chaired, and Pauline handled the Postcard Swap.

Friday afternoon, while setting up, it began to snow. This did not look promising. Some people will drive when it’s snowing, but many will not take their “treasures” out in inclement weather. On Friday night I didn’t sleep well, worrying about something over which I had no control.

On Saturday I was up early, taking care of a few last- minute details. Fortunately it wasn’t snowing, although there were probably two inches of snow on the ground. I shoveled the driveway and the walk prior to leaving for the shopping center where the appraisal event was being held.

Snow still covered the side streets, and the main streets were slushy. As it neared 10 o’clock, our starting time, conditions were improving.

Although we didn’t have a line waiting, as we have in the past, there was a steady stream of people. Shortly after getting under way, I was told we had a problem in the General Category area. Many individuals who had shown up with art were being directed to one appraiser, which caused a backup.

After checking with the other appraisers, I solved the problem even though it took more than an hour to get the backlog resolved.

We have a great group of appraisers. Many have been volunteering from the start, ten years ago. When we spoke afterward, most of the appraisers were enthusiastic about and amazed by items they saw. The best part was, all are willing to help us again next year, and we added one new appraiser.

Rounding Out the Weekend

Although we don’t yet have the final figures, the weekend was our best event yet. We raised the most money and registered the highest number of appraisals. In addition to appraisals, we have a raffle and silent auction. Next year’s event will be on Feb. 26, and I will again be the chair. (I thought I had gotten it right this year.)

Saturday evening when we babysat for our son’s two girls, we took them to church and later out to eat.

On Sunday, we spent most of the day at our son’s home in Cincinnati. On our way home, we stopped in Middletown to visit our daughter. By the time we got back to our house, it was supper time, so we fixed a pizza.

Last Saturday, Pauline, my sister and brother-in-law spent the day doing what we refer to as a road trip. We started at a Postcard Show in Cincinnati. We all have some interest in Postcards, although I was the only one who did any purchasing. From there we went to the Hollywood Casino, in Indiana, where we ate and spent a few dollars. Pauline won a little. I only lost $15. Between us we actually came out ahead. My sister and brother-in-law had no luck that day.

Since we didn’t have player’s cards for this casino, Pauline and I signed up for the cards, which was my main reason for going. As a result, we received a two-for-one bonus at the buffet. Since we got home, Pauline has been notified that she won $100 in free play, in a drawing for new members who provided their email addresses.

On the way home from the casino, we stopped at Jungle Jim’s, a local grocery that carries just about anything you could want. From there, we dropped by to see our daughter, while she was working at the hobby store.

We got home just in time to attend our granddaughter’s birthday party at a local skating rink. Madison turned eight years old during the week. Time sure does fly.

We started Sunday with church, and then went to breakfast with friends at Aullwood Audubon Farm. Aullwood was having a pancake breakfast, which was delicious. After breakfast you could take a tour to see them gathering sap from the maple trees and watch the processing of the sap to make maple syrup.

We napped after returning home so we could watch the Academy Awards on Sunday night. The local entry, “The Last Truck,” didn’t win. However, the competition was strong.

This weekend, we are heading for Florida, for a week’s vacation with friends who are spending February and March in Venice (Florida).

Why do weekends pass so quickly?

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net