51^th Annual Antique Show Features Dealers from 4 States

OMAHA, NE  — The traditions of the St. Andrews Antique Show and Sale are almost as old as the antiques that will be featured at the two-day show April 5 & 6, 2013 at the Church at 84^th and Pacific in Omaha from the hot turkey salad at lunch to the art glass and silver in the dealer booths. Admission is $3 per person.

“This is our 51st year,” said Show Chair Mae Ahrendsen.  “Dealers are on a waiting list wanting to do this show – they say they love the attitude and the fun everyone has.”  The show features 22 dealers with antiques and collectibles ranging from vintage clothing and jewelry to furniture, glassware, silver and linens.

When the show started in 1963, the Beatles were singing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and gas was 29 cents per gallon.  A lot has changed over the years, but church traditions are strong.  The show brings out a majority of the congregation to help – with set-up, security and cooking, cooking, cooking.

The show runs from 10-7 on Friday with lunch and dinner served, and Saturday with lunch served through the middle of the day. “We’re known for our hot turkey salad which is really a casserole, and strawberry rhubarb pie.  We keep serving until we run out,” said Ahrendsen.

Men and women from the church come together to work at the sale.  “I love seeing the men in aprons running the dishwasher,” said Ahrendsen.  “We even put our priest to work. You may find Father John Schaefer bussing tables.”  Some families are now in the third generation of volunteers working on the show.

The dealer booths, lunch tables, aprons and signs all feature red geraniums which has been the traditional logo for the sale. “We always hold the sale the Friday and Saturday after Easter, and the flowers herald in spring.”

Father John sees the show as a community building event.  “We have four separate congregations for our weekly services.  I love to see everyone joining in one event that accomplishes so much – we have a great time, and in the end, the proceeds support some great causes.”

The proceeds from the show have benefited a wide variety of charities in Omaha, Nebraska, the U.S. and abroad including the Dean Fricke Food Pantry, Lydia House and the Open Door Mission in Omaha, the Episcopal Church at Pine Ridge and St. Monica’s House in Lincoln, and scholarships for children in the Dominican Republic. Over 50 years the church has raised about $250,000 for outreach and mission projects.

The Show and Sale generally attracts about 900 people. “We haven’t seen any drop because of the Internet or eBay,” said Hammond.  “There is something special about actually seeing and touching the antiques you are thinking of buying.”

Sidebar:

This recipe for the traditional Antique Show Hot Turkey Salad is from the St. Andrew’s Angels in Aprons cookbook.

Antique Show Hot Turkey Salad

2 c. cubed cooked turkey

2 c. diced celery

1/2 c. chopped, toasted almonds

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. grated onion

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1. c. Hellmann’s mayonnaise (no substitutions ONLY Hellmann’s)

1/2 c. grated American cheese

1 c. crushed potato chips

Combine all ingredients except for the cheese and chips.  Toss lightly.  Put in a 9 x 9 inch casserole dish.  Sprinkle with the cheese and potato chips.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.