The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Carol Montana

Every August, residents and visitors in Sullivan County get to enjoy a very special show. For  the past 50 years “Antiques in August” has delighted both serious antique collectors and the casual browser. This year, the show -presented on August 9 and 10, was moved, due to construction, from its usual location at Monticello High School to the Rutherford Elementary School.  

“Antiques in August” is sponsored every year by the Catskill Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Co-chair Shirley Hornbeck has been involved with the show for about 25 years, and with the Auxiliary for 30 years. And, along with her co-chair Evelyn Haas, she put together over 22 dealers for this year’s show. “I’m just an organizer, I love seeing things completed. … I’ve loved what I’ve done.”                        

The 22 dealers came from all over. There were local dealers like the Antique Palace Emporium from Liberty, which had a beautiful set of furniture for sale. Alla Gershuni from A.G. Enterprise came from  New York City. Among her wares was a stunning set of vases. Terri from Terri’s Treasures in Freeland, PA brought all sorts of beautiful, sparkling jewelry.Christopher Glinton from Ros-Al Antiques in Forest City, Hawley and Carbondale, PA brought some items from his very own collection, including two ferocious looking oriental lions. “Anything in oriental that is yellow or green, with a hint of blue is very highly collectible. I would say these are late 1800 early 1900s – one of my prize pieces.” Glinton has been attending Antiques in August for 10 years. “You get to know your clientele after doing this for 30 years. Here they like a lot silver overlay and cut- and depression glass.”

Throughout the 50 years of Antiques in August, the Auxiliary has raised several million dollars for the hospital. This year’s show raised funds to purchase a telemetry system to provide wireless bedside monitoring for a 24 bed ambulatory cardiac unit.

The lunch at “Antiques in August” was donated by the Liberty and Blue Horizon Diners, Cohen’s Bakery and the Bagel Bakery, as well as Morrison’s Cafeteria at CRMC.

Along with admission and vendor fees, additional funds were raised with journal ads. The 2009 journal honored Dr. Don Simkin and his wife Ellen Singer, both of whom have long-standing reputations as philanthropic and community activists.