Ironing Boards

So, walking around Brimfield (or actually any multi-dealer antique store) I usually find that there are one or two items that I keep seeing. I don't mean something like teacups, or figurines, but one particular item that seems to be something that obviously is an item du jour so-to-speak.

What was that item at Brimfield? Well it was ironing boards. My guess is no one wants the ironing board when an estate is sold or a house is down sized as I hear that nobody actually irons these days (sorry Jill, I know you do!).

I would say that every fifth booth had an ironing board of some description for sale. I say some description, because some of them had seen way better days and really were not suitable for taking the time to add padding and a new cover. Tell me, what would someone do with an old ironing board?

(Okay, had a flash back to a quilt shop in Buellton, California and the owner there uses old ironing boards to hook items for sale onto and also in her displays of quilt fabrics, so take that back. That is one use).

 So those were just a few of the ones I saw in half a day and believe me there were more!

There were also a few old irons, but not ones I would want to use!

 

Any Od Iron?

The title of the Blog post is a line from a music hall song (written by Charles Collins, Fred E. Terry and E.A. Sheppard). It is also the cry from the rag and bone man that used to travel the streets with his horse and cart collecting items no one wanted and giving them a cheap cup and saucer in return.

History lesson over, the reason for the blog title is once again one of my chapter members came to a meeting with collection of old irons she had found at various local auctions.

The first one she shared is a fluter, used to make the ruffles on maids caps; blouse collars etc.

The second is one really heavy iron that was heated on top of the stove and used.

 

The third one looks like a more modern iron in shape, but the lever at the back lifts up to reveal an opening that contains a piece of metal. The metal piece would have been heated in the coals and placed into the body of the iron.

 

So do you have any old iron?

Wild and Wacky Continues......

Today Jane takes us down Interstate 95 for a few Wild and Wacky adventures!

                        From North Carolina on I-95 S to Orlando

                                             NORTH CAROLINA

Rocky Mount, NC is the first large city on I 95 S in North Carolina. (9.75 hr. to Orlando)

The North Carolina I 95 highway from Virginia to South Carolina is 182 miles long and offers little to see or experience.  But i t is very important when you are in North Carolina that you are familiar with some of the wacky laws that are still on the legal books there…                                                                                                          

~ Elephants are not allowed to plow cotton fields.

~ Singing off key can get you arrested.

 

Smithfield, NC (9.25hrs. to Orlando)

Do you need a stop?  Do you have a designated driver or room in your trunk for some beverages? The Hinnant Family Vineyards is the only winery from Maine to Miami that has official sign posts along I 95.  It is the largest Muscadine vineyard in NC.  It is located five minutes from Smithfield in Pine Level, NC.   You can take a free tour of the vineyard. (919-965-3350 / info@hinnantvineyards.com)

                                                                                       Internationally acclaimed wine

 

Travelling off of I 95

                There is more variety and things to do, see and discover off of I 95...if you decide to take the time…

·         Charlotte, NC (9.75hrs to Orlando)

o   If you do take a detour to Charlotte, once again it is necessary to know the local laws.  Charlotte has an ordinance that requires women to cover their bodies with at least 16 yards of cloth at all times.  Make sure you pack some of your stash…maybe this could be a compliance challenge contest In Orlando… how would you wear all of that cloth?

o   While there, try the chocolate afternoon tea at the Bar Cocoa inside the Ritz Carleton. Sounds yummy!

 

·         Asheville, NC  (9hrs to Orlando) This is a detour that will take you four hours to get there!  There is a giant flat iron that was originally designed by a local Asheville artist, Reed Todd. It directs visitors to the 1926 Flat Iron Building, an Asheville landmark with an unusual wedge shape that houses shops and businesses.  It would be a great photo shoot! Four hours there then another nine hours to Orlando?  You would REALLY want a picture!  Save it for another trip!

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina has 207 miles of Interstate 95.   

Dillon, SC (7.25 hr to Orlando)

·         When you arrive in SOUTH CAROLINA, just over the border you finally arrive at South of the Border in Dillon, SC!  It can be seen from the highway.  Depending when you got on I-95, you could have seen 120 billboards in the past 200 miles.  So what is South of the Border?

 

 

In 1949, South of the Border started out as a beer stand to service people in the surrounding
counties that were dry.   The rest area contains restaurants, gas stations, and a motel, as well as a
small amusement park, shopping, and fireworks all with plentiful neon lights. Its mascot is Pedro, a
Mexican bandido.
 
Some of the billboards you may see advertising South of the Border are:

 

Have you ever seen or purchased a “sombrero needle”?   Maybe you will find one at SAGA Market……  

Don’t worry of you didn’t see all of the signs.  After you pass SOB, there will be more signs telling you to turn around cause you missed it!      

·          Are you saving money for market, you don’t want to spend any money, but you’re thirsty?  South of the Border too cheesy and expensive?  One option is to tour the Blenheim Ginger Ale Factory which is actually on the South of the Border property.  How do they make ginger ale? Stop and find out! It is a small bottling company that offers a free tour and sampling of all flavors.  An easy way to quench your thirst. (on the east side of Hwy 301, behind the South of the Border motel, next to the dirt bike track-advance reservations-843.774.0322)

·         Dillon Fence

Across from the high school is a fence that is decorated artistically with debris from an adjacent

junkyard.  It was actually a man's yard and he hung baby dolls from all the trees.  It has become

overgrown, but still a conversation piece.

 

The band, Dillon Fence, was supposedly named after it.  They were popular in the area during the mid 80’s to 1995.

 

Interstate 95 bridge over Lake Marion, Santee, SC; the old bridge (on the left) is now a fishing pier (6 hrs to Orlando)