Time’s running out to share stories of Nostalgic Treasures

By Antoinette Rahn

Are you thinking of participating in the 2016 Nostalgic Treasures Contest? The time to submit your story is now. The deadline for submitting stories is midnight Sept. 30. Sponsors of this contest and special autumn issue are Houstory Publishing, LLC and J Display Case.

As we’ve mentioned before, this contest and special issue replaces the Favorite Finds contest. After a number of people said they felt their ‘favorite find’ was not ‘good enough’, we changed the focus.

“For this contest, the winner will be selected based on how well they convey why an item is important to them. It’s the nostalgia that counts – the connection,” said Karen Knapstein, Antique Trader print editor.

We thought you might also appreciate a little ‘taste’ of a few story submissions.

• From Richard A. Selle, a dumpster-diving ‘boxer’ with a passion for lunchbox collecting, we discover how a chance encounter with a Partridge Family lunch box made his heart beat a little faster.
— You’ll learn about the lasting connection a coin and gardening have to a dear uncle for 16-year-old Hannah Sheedy.
• There is also a story about a miniature ceramic and wood pig that survived travel and time, both in substantial amount, and represents precious childhood experiences and lessons cherished by Tom Everingham.
— Leba Dawkins shares a soulful story about a delicate World War II silk blouse and the memories it brings to mind of two special Alabama uncles who were servicemen.
• Taking a page from his book of memories, John Marx surrounds himself with deco clocks, which remind him of special moments spent in his grandparents kitchen.

You can join these submitters to be considered for the grand prize and the runner up prize pack. The special issue (Nov. 9 cover date) will be published Oct. 27. If you are looking for more examples of inspiring stories, we invite you to check out the Readers’ Letters in the Aug. 17 issue of Antique Trader.

As for the prizes, a panel of judges will select one grand prize winning story from all submitted, and that person will receive: an acrylic display cover and base from J Display Case; a 10-pack of registration stickers for registering items with Houstory’s HeirloomRegistryTM — an online registry for recording, in words and photos, the stories and provenance of antique and collectible items; a set of microfiber cleaning cloths; an Antique Trader Picker’s Journal; and a personalized certificate of achievement. One runner-up will receive a Picker’s Pocket Guide library (eight books) produced by Antique Trader’s sister publishing group, Krause Publications; an Antique Trader Picker’s Journal; and a certificate of achievement. Plus, every person who submits an entry for the contest will receive a complimentary keepsake copy of this special issue. For full contest rules see page 52 of the August 17, 2016 edition of Antique Trader.

Send entries to Antique Trader Nostalgic Treasures Contest, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990 or to ATNews@fwcommunity.com. If sending by e-mail, include “2016 Nostalgic Treasures Contest Entry” in the subject line. Midnight on September 30, 2016 is the deadline for entries.