COMMUNITY

GilbertSunNews.com | @GilbertSunNews /GilbertSunNews For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com

Button collections on display at HD SOUTH

BY SRIANTHI PERERA

GSN Contributor

Buttons become valuable collector’s items when they are attached to history or a family story.

And that history and those stories are on display as the Arizona State Button Society presents a collection of antique/vintage buttons at HD South, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, through Nov. 19.

The exhibit features a variety, such as Victorian jewel fabric and military buttons.

Members will trade or sell antique buttons in the museum courtyard from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 6.

“They are mini works of art, in some cases they have been passed down and treasured by other family members,” said Michele Fox, society president, of Chandler.

“There are many fascinating stories about buttons and button history, there are always new things to learn about because they were made from so many different materials and used on all clothing items before there were zippers and Velcro,” she added. The state society has five active button collecting umbrella clubs. Total membership currently numbers around 60. Dues are $10 per year for adults and $2 for youth and members receive a thriceyearly newsletter with articles, photos, project topics and historical research.

Often, people inherit collections from family members or stumble on the hobby.

Vicky Mayhall, president of the East Valley’s Saguaro Club, was an antiques dealer who stumbled on the hobby.

“I would sell to stand-alone shops once in a while…and I became friends with a woman who one day asked me to look for buttons and I thought she was crazy,” said Mayhall. “I started finding them, and the more I handled them, the more I realized how connected they were to so many things.”

“I found myself keeping certain beautiful types for myself and I found out through a book that there were button collectors and that they competed with these buttons and they categorized buttons so I became a National Button Society member and learned about my buttons and found the Arizona State Button Society,” she said. Fox inherited her collection from her mother in Indiana, who, in turn, inherited the collection from her mother. The buttons are from the 1920s and 30s, and the collection numbers about 6,000. Her button buying is dictated by upcoming competitions. A large part of the hobby is preparing and presenting trays at competitions. For 2022, she’s working on seven competition trays, including one themed on copper buttons. Each tray holds 25 buttons; hence she’s looking for several more.

“Even if you take a couple of types of buttons and decide that they are your favorites and you want to collect them, there are so many things to learn about different materials, eras, times and who made them,” she said. “Material and history interact together.”

Mayhall has a “mind-boggling” number of buttons.

“Because I had a background in antiques,I just fell in love with the idea of a miniature type of antique and, I thought, this will be small and won’t take up much room,” she said. “They’re everywhere and it’s easy to amass a lot of them if you find someone’s old button box from their great-grandmother. Then, all of a sudden, you have hundreds and hundreds of buttons in a small container. It can start to take over, depending on how many you have.”

After the industrial revolution, buttons stopped being made by hand and were made by machine.

Mayhall has buttons made in the 1400s through to ones sold at a sewing store in the East Valley.

It’s also hard to value a collection because buttons are subjective, collectors said. A good button costs $20, and the average antique button is priced between $20 to $100. “There are some that are rare that are always going to be big money, but it’s like anything – everything is only worth what someone is willing to pay and if someone wants something bad enough they may pay a lot or overpay for a button,” Mayhall said.

The Saguaro Club meets monthly in Mesa and is seeking more members.

“We would hope for others that are interested and would like to find out what the fascination with buttons is,” Mayhall said. “Everyone’s always invited to come and sit in on a meeting and bring what they have…and we’ll tell them about them.”

Details: hdsouth.org. Arizona State Button Society is on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaStateButtonSociety. Write to the group at arizonastatebuttonsoc@gmail.com.”

Through Nov. 19, the Arizona State Button Society is exhibiting two showcases of vintage buttons belonging to members. Button trays include military, Western and Victorian themes. (Courtesy of HD South)

13 Annual Christian car show in Gilbert Saturday

GSN NEWS STAFF

The Covenant Hot Rod Association, which aims to introduce people to Christianity while entertaining them with souped-up and restored motor vehicles, will hold its sixth annual Desert Harvest Car show with Valor Christian Center of Gilbert.

The show – open to vehicle owners for registration between 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, and to the general public for viewing between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. – will be held at Valor Christian Center, 3015 E. Warner Road.

“We are the only car show in the Valley that uses funds from the show to support Soldier’s Best Friend, the local nonprofit that takes rescue dogs and trains them to be rehabilitation dogs for our veterans right here in the Valley,” said Valor Pastor Thor Strandholt.

Strandholt said there will be food trucks, awards for some of the entries “and lots of fun.”

Formed in 1999, the association describes itself as “a ministry of helping people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

“We provide material in the goody bags for people to read and make their own decision,” it adds.

But it also boasts a passion for restoring motor vehicles.

“We love the process of restoration,” it states on its website. “We enjoy taking an old vehicle and applying the skills, talents and resources necessary tobring it to a better-than-new condition….It is our joy and passion to witness the creation of a beautiful piece of automotive art as the meaningful culmination of our combined skills and efforts.”

But the men and women who belong to the group also “believe that life also exhibits a parallel principle in the process of growth and maturity that everyone must experience in the ongoing course

Souped-up classics and many other restored vehicles will be at the car show at Valor Christian Center in Gilbert on Saturday. (Facebook) see VALOR page 14

Comprehensive Cancer Care In Your Neighborhood

www.ironwoodcrc.com Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers

is pleased to introduce

Onyemaechi Okolo-Taku, MD

Medical Oncology & Hematology

Katarzyna Trebska, MD

Breast Surgeon

Now seeing patients in our Chandler & Gilbert Offices

Our Comprehensive Cancer Centers offer Medical Oncology, Radiation, Breast Surgery, Gynecologic Oncology, Genetic Counseling, Integrative Oncology, Imaging services (PET and CAT scans) along with open enrollment for a wide variety of research studies all at one convenient location in your neighborhood. In addition, our services include social work, nutrition, mind and body health programs and support classes for patients and caregivers.

To schedule an appointment please call 480-821-2838

Shopping for a new Medicare Plan? Let us help.

Charlie Ferrell

• Did you know there are more than 50 Medicare Advantage plans in Maricopa County? • Tired of trying to figure out which one is right for you?

There are a lot of NEW plans available this year. If you do nothing, you may not be getting all the benefits or cost savings you are eligible for.

Come see if this is the year you should choose a new plan. Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from

October 15th to December 7th.

CPT Insurance, LLC 1235 S Gilbert Rd, Ste 14 Mesa, AZ 84204 (480) 401-2547

Located behind SunWest Credit Union on the Southeast corner of Southern and Gilbert

Don’t AEP alone. Call us, we can help (480) 401-2547

“Your Medicare Store” is a DBA for CPT Insurance, LLC, an independent licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with the federal government. Calling the number listed will direct you to a licensed insurance agent. For accommodations of persons with special needs call (480) 401-2547, TTY 711

GILBERT SUN NEWS | OCTOBER 31, 2021

HD SOUTH hosts a variety of programs

GSN NEWS STAFF

HD SOUTH, home of the Gilbert Historical Museum and an arts, culture and history center, has a full lineup of programs next month. Originally opened as Gilbert Elementary School in 1913, HD SOUTH is the oldest building still standing in Gilbert and is the only one on the National Register of Historic Places.

The programs and events at HD SOUTH focus on six community pillars – history, health and wellness, science, literature, art and music.

To register, visit hdsouth.org/calendar. Unless noted otherwise, programs are free for members and $5 for non-members and registration is required. Masks are required. HD SOUTH is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

8th Annual Gilbert Visual Art League Member Show

Through Nov. 20, stop by Gallery 4 to see local talent on display. Everything from photography, to mixed media, to oil paintings can be found in this show. Some pieces will be for sale. Gallery 4 is free with paid museum admission.

Programs

Monday Yoga With Ginger, 6:30 p.m. every Monday

Ginger Smith guides the class on relaxation techniques and muscle conditioning. She is a certified yoga and group fitness instructor and her training includes restorative & yin flow, yoga & weights and chair yoga, incorporating movement, breathing and emotional balance. All levels, bring your mat. Ages 16 & up. Non-members: $5.

Matter of Balance, 9:30-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday.

Dignity Health and HD SOUTH have partnered to provide information to help people avoid life threatening falls. This workshop increases activity and helps reduce the fear of falling in older adults. Caregivers, family members, and friends welcome. Light refreshments served and all participants who complete the series receive a certificate of completion and handbook. Registration required but this is free.

Arizona’s WWII Airfields, Nov. 9, 6:30-8 p.m.

Arizona historian Steve Hoza will take you through a time in Arizona’s history when airports began popping up.

“Night Baafore” Author, Nov. 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Phoenix author Dawn Young will read from her new book which includes characters such as Santa, Bigfoot, and many more at a holiday party.For years, Dawn worked as an engineer and then as a manager at a large aerospace company until her creative side called her to pursue her dream of writing children’s books. Her books include: “The Night Baafore the First Day of School,” “Counting Elephants” and “The Night Baafore Easter.” Registration is required. Free.

Scandinavian Genealogy, Nov. 16,

6:30-8 p.m. Join genealogist Martha Hewett as she guides participants on how to search for their Nordic ancestors.

See It Saturday—Home Goods, Nov.

20, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Every month HD SOUTH offers a chance for the public to see artifacts that are normally not available for public viewing. This month will showcase items used by early Gilbert residents in their kitchens and homes. Museum admission required.

GET READY FOR SANTA

HD SOUTH, Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, 10 S. Gilbert Road, is hosting Breakfast with Santa 8:30-11 a.m. Dec. 4.

A full catered breakfast and the chance to meet and take a complimentary photo with Santa highlight the morning, which also includes cookie decorating, ornament making, holiday music, goodie bags and free admission to HD SOUTH the day of the event.

Tickets are $15 per plate and kids under 2 are free. All tickets must be purchased in advance, tickets will not be available at the door. Information: hdsouth.org/events

VALOR from page 13

of life,” noting each vehicle “is the result of a time-consuming, energy-expending construction process.

“It is our belief that life demands a similar process of each one of us … and that God uses the circumstances and challenges of life as a means whereby that process is carried out.

“We are truly passionate about our cars, but we are far more concerned with the things that God is doing in the lives of people. It is our intent, therefore, to use cars and our love of motorsports as a means of helping people to experience success throughout life’s process.”

Registration for cars includes a T-shirt, dash plaque and goodie bag. The registration fee is $30.

A whole range of cars and car-trucks can be entered and the mayor will award a trophy to one.

People can register at the show site or at covenanthotrod.com.

Jewish War Vets auctioning big prizes

GSN NEWS STAFF

Afree three-day getaway at Cabo San Lucas, a private suite at Churchill Downs, $500 worth of hypnosis weight-loss sessions and a $500 Walmart gift card are among the prizes people can win while simultaneously helping homeless veterans.

Those and other goodies will be auctioned on line through Nov. 10 by Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619. To sign up for the auction, go to bid123.io/ JWVor phone 888-577-4011.

The post’s “A Hand Up 4 Vets” auction features several dozen prizes that have been assembled by a committee that has worked for months to secure more than 60 donations from generous area businesses and others. Proceeds will go to nonprofits such as Veterans First, which prevents homelessness and stabilizes the lives of women veterans; MANA House, which offers transitional living for homeless veterans; AZ Veterans Stand Down Alliance, which offers resources for thousands of homeless and at-risk vets at annual events; and U.S. Vets-Phoenix, which serves more than 1,200 homeless veterans annually.

Among the major gifts are three trips for two: classroom training and a chance to drive a NASCAR Monster Energy car on a professional track; a private Jockey Club Suite at the famed Kentucky thoroughbred racetrack Churchill Downs; and a two-night hotel stay and the other a three-day, four-night stay in an oceanfront hotel suite in Cabo San Lucas. The trips do not include airfare.

Another high-dollar item is an 18-inch gold diamond-and-emerald necklace that Fabert has donated.

For more adventurous folks, the auction is offering a desert flight for five in a WW2 C-45 Expeditor or a 30-minute open-cockpit flight in a WWII biplane.

Among the dinner packages is a night-s stay at Wild Horse Pass with a $250 gift certificate for Shula’s Steakhouse Restaurant.

And there are tickets to the Arizona Theater, Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival, the Chihuly/Las Noches de las Luminarias and others.

Jewish War Veterans Copper State Post 619 is an all-volunteer organization and part of a national nonprofit created in 1896 by American Civil War veterans.

People also can look for the auction link at Facebook.com/copperstatepost619 from Oct. 27 on.

For more information, or for questions: 480-629-5100 or jwv4vets@ gmail.com.