Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home Philanthropic Education Organization Chapter FA is hosting “Antiques in the Afternoon,” an opportunity to have items appraised by Gary Germer of Portland, to raise money to fund scholarships for women on Oct. 10.
PEO member Mary Brendle said it’s been a long time since anything like this has been held locally. “And we thought maybe it was time to do it again.”
Germer, a well-known antique, fine art and personal property appraiser based in Portland, will pick up items brought for his attention and tell participants what he can about the item, Brendle said.
Then he will appraise the item. The appraisal will not include furniture, but will be limited to smaller items.
“The idea is people who come can each bring one item,” said PEO member Ann Rosé. “These will be displayed in the middle of the room.”
Brendle will bring a pair of earrings that belonged to her mother, she said. They turned out to originate from just after the Civil War.
Rosé has a pair of moccasins that were made for her mother, she said. “I wonder if they have any value. It’s like a mini ‘Antiques Road Show.’”
The PEO is promoting higher education among women, Rosé said. It could be a college education or trade school, perhaps dog grooming or nanny school, Brendle said. It’s something to help women get back on their feet. The PEO operates its own four-year women’s liberal arts college in Nevada, Mo.
PEO International was founded 150 years ago, and it has chapters around the country, Rosé said. Chapter FA is one of two in Sweet Home. It was founded in 1984 and has approximately 45 members.
The group raises funds through wreath sales for the Christmas season, greeting cards for corporate customers and a plant sale in the spring.
During the past three years, it has awarded $16,000 in scholarships, Rosé said.
Germer received his appraiser’s certification in art, antiques and personal property in 1987 and has built a career helping people discover and learn more about the treasures in their homes. He studied art history at Pacific Northwest College of Art and worked with his mentor, Bob Rau of the PBS program “The Collectors.”
Germer opened his first retail store, The Vancouver Antique Mall, in 1986 and ran it until 1992, when he sold it to devote his full time to appraisal. For the past 10 years, he has produced his own traveling antique appraisal clinics from Seattle to Los Angeles.
From 2003 to 2007, he was part of KPTV’s Good Day Oregon television program as the “antique authority.” He produced and hosted regular segments on the show on a variety of topics in the field of antiques and collectibles. He is a regular contributor to KATU AM Northwest and KGAL-KSHO radio in the Willamette Valley.
The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 10 at Sunshine Industries, 1333 Clark Mill Road. Cost is $25. A reservation is required, which includes appraisal of one item by Germer.
Light refreshments will be served. For information or reserve a seat, call Rosé at (541) 367-2052 or email her at [email protected].