| Late Bloomer: Sam McMillan worked a lot of different jobs before he discovered that he had a gift
When Sam McMillan turned 65, the age when many Americans retire, he was in the early stages of a promising new career. Until the late 1980s he had been employed as a farmer, machinist, tobacco-warehouse worker, bartender, chauffeur, security guard, groundskeeper and furniture craftsman. Then, in response to a suggestion from an employer, he tried his hand at painting. Although he had never taken an art course, McMillan began to paint fanciful scenes of animals, people and landscapes on tables, chairs, desks, lampshades, clothing and other secondhand objects. The style was loose and rudimentary, almost childlike, and the colors were usually bright. Within a few years, McMillan's decorated furniture and other hand-painted objects were eagerly bought by folk-art collectors from all over the country.
Auctions provide a chance to strike it rich
It contained a series of photographs of San Francisco city views taken in 1856. They were the first, or among the first, such photos ever taken. Seven years ago, a family in San Mateo County wanted to sell the album to help pay for property improvements. Johns, manager of Johns' Western Gallery in San Francisco, thought the album would fetch $15,000 to $25,000 at auction. He hadn't realized that the photographs, by George Robinson Fardon, were quite so rare and sought after. He put the album up for auction and after the dust cleared, the sale price had reached $180,000. "That's the kind of sale everyone dreams about," he said. "That's what they like about the 'Antiques Roadshow.' They're hoping their ship will come in with the sale of one item." The auction world was abuzz this week with the news of an auction on Super Bowl Sunday at Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, Calif., where a painting owned by a Southern California woman was sold for $560,000, even though it was expected to go for a couple thousand dollars.
PERSONAL TOUCH: Cooper City gift shop owner caters to her customers
Take one look at any corner of Past and Presents Home Decor and Gifts in Cooper City, and your eyes will need a moment to process the wide variety of things for sale. ''The philosophy is -- art for the living room and mustard on the table,'' said store owner Brigitte Chavaillaz, 52, of Cooper City. ``The idea is to also have a good feeling when you find something -- you go out with it gift-wrapped for free (no need to make another trip to buy a gift bag) -- and we have something for everyone.'' A collection of gourmet mustards from the New England area really is for sale, as are high-quality linens, fine china sets, chandeliers and plenty of seasonal items. The store's name certainly reflects its merchandise -- things from the past and present.
Several thousand attend first Sportsman' Show in Charm
CHARM -- It promised to be big, eventful, entertaining and hands-on and it was all those and more Saturday in Charm, as Keim Lumber's new 120,000-square-foot facility hosted The Great Outdoors Sportsman's Show. Rows of mounted bucks hung from the walls of just about every exhibit area, with mounted bears, zebras and other creatures as well. More than 90 booths of vendors were on hand, selling and demonstrating their bows, knives, fishing gear, taxidermy, snowmobiles, hunting clothes and just about anything to do with the outdoors. Feature events included question and answer with Greg Miller and Stan Potts, of North American Whitetail Television, buck scoring by Buckeye Big Bucks, representatives from Horton Crossbows and the Amish Lucky Buck, a 36-point buck shot in Adams County by Adams County hunter Jon Schmucker.
On the menu -- Start your Valentine's Day early
For Valentine's Day, there are the tried and true restaurants -- Gasperetti's, the Greystone, Whistlin' Jack Lodge, Ellensburg's Valley Cafe -- guaranteed to impress your special someone. But hey, why not start celebrating early? For some places off the beaten Valentine's Day dinner path, we offer these daytime suggestions: * Essencia Artisan Bakery and Chocolaterie, 4 N. Third St. Call 575-5570. From the decadent chocolate brownies and bonbons to the cranberries dotting the pane cioccolat (chocolate loaf) and the fruit tarts, cookies and cakes, this bustling coffee shop and bakery makes the perfect place to treat your love muffin to a sinfully delicious dessert. Hours: 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
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