From her attic to yours A kinder, gentler kind of resale shop By Sarah Miller
One and Three Quarters
Maumee officially became a city in 1838, which makes this year the 175th anniversary of its founding. The city has celebrated its’ anniversary every 25 years since it’s centennial in 1938. This years celebration begins on Sunday, August 11 with an old-fashioned baseball game and ice cream social at the Wolcott House, beginning at 1pm. On Monday, there will be a free community pool party at Rolf Park and Wednesday is free movie day at the Maumee Indoor Theater. Thursday is the main event, with the Celebrating a Legacy reception at the Maumee Indoor Theater, featuring a debut of a documentary film highlighting the heritage of Maumee catered with appetizers prepared by Degage, Dale’s Bar and Grill, Famous Brother Bakers Chili and The Village idiot. Events continue through Saturday, August 17. Visit www.maumee175.org for a full schedule of events. August 11—17. Downtown Maumee, Ohio.—GMK
Walk the line
Discover Downtown Toledo Tours are back with a vengeance— and this summer they are taking attendees to some of Toledo’s most historical buildings. Sponsored by The University of Toledo Urban Affairs Center and the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, these downtown walking tours are led by guides who are trained in Toledo history and architecture. On Thursday August 1, meet at 26 Broadway in the parking lot near Maumee Bay Brewing Co. for a lunchtime walk-through of Toledo’s own Oliver House. And on Thursday August 8, gather at Scott High School to see how great the building looks after its recent renovations. Tours run every Thursday at 11am through August 29 with a different destination each week. All walking tours are free, rain or shine events. For information and a full schedule call 419-259-5233 or email Irene.martin@toledolibrary.com.—GMK
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Abigail Cary, owner of Abigail’s Attic resale shop in Bowling Green, is on a mission: She won’t rest until every item in her shop finds a good home. Cary works closely with community groups like Alicia’s Voice, a domestic abuse support organization, providing women with items that help them start new lives. Her aim is to donate items to organizations that might re-purpose them — places like Bowling Green State University’s theater department and local hospitals. If pairs of shoes don’t sell, Cary will drive them to the Soles4Souls donation site in Defiance. Soles4Souls, a global not-for-profit provides shoes for people in need both in the U.S. and abroad. Slightly stained or torn clothes will go to the area’s homeless and inner city missions. Cary believes that placing an item in the trash is only a last resort. “I never turn anything away,” she says. “There’s always a way to re-purpose an item.” To Cary, worn-out jeans make perfect insulation for homes. She also consults with friends and family on Pinterest for repurposing ideas, like how to turn an old entertainment center into bookshelves. Cary, a lifelong resident of Bowling Green, opened the for-profit Abigail’s Attic in December 2011. Since the closing of Bowling Green’s Salvation Army thrift store, Cary saw a real need in the area she could fill. “I love helping people and there’s a new project every day.” Visitors stepping inside Abigail’s Attic will find myriad treasures—dresses, shoes, toys, jewelry, televisions, furniture, videos and more. The front door swings open for bargain shoppers and people poised to rid themselves of clutter in exchange for cash. Inside, a first-time customer could find an Agatha Christie paperback mystery to add to her collection while a young expectant couple may look at bed frames. The activity inside is brisk, and Cary is constantly busy tending the store with help from family and friends. Consignment shops like Abigail’s Attic not only make smart financial sense, but are good for the environment as well. This store blossomed from Abigail Cary’s commitment to helping others and creating a greener world. “Items that you can’t sell at your yard sale, I’ll take them and finish that off for you,” Cary says. Abigail’s Attic. 106 Napoleon Rd, Bowling Green. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm. 419-575-4302.
July 31 • August 13
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