DANIELSON-- Celeste Santee of Woodstock loved her country cupboard, formerly installed in an old general store, and had many possible uses in mind.

"I think it must have been used for holding mail," said Donna Berry, who was helping to carry the large cabinet Saturday from Ellis Tech during the 13th annual Country Antiques Show.

The rectangular wooden object had horizontal wooden shelves and thick wire dividers connecting the shelves creating cubbyhole-type spaces.

Santee agreed the space could hold wine bottles if turned on its side or magazines or a host of other objects.

"It reminds me of the mail holder on (the television show) 'Petticoat Junction' in Mr. Drucker's store," Berry said.

Santee said she had not quite decided on what she would use it for but, "loved it on sight."

Many of the 50 dealers filling the gym and dining hall had country furniture for sale --from bureaus to small footstools. Most had set their displays up to resemble a room complete with rugs, knickknacks and, in many cases, antique toys.

The toys were mostly stuffed animals.

Betty Anne Levallee, of Hampton, N.H., collects and sells toys and furnishings for dolls. A jaunty monkey dressed in the traditional jacket and pants so familiar to hurdy gurdy monkeys, topped her offerings. She showed how the fabric of the costume was pink on the inside and brown outside.

"I think it must have been red at one time," Lavallee said.

She explained Amish stuffed animals were frequently made from the textured material of men's coats. Some even had clothespins inserted in the legs for feet.

"At the turn of the century, school books were covered in cloth, just like we covered them in newspaper or paper bags," Levallee said. "It is very hard to find them as many booksellers take off the covers to show the well preserved bindings of the books."

"This is the best show here so far," said Michael Mayhew of Norwell, Mass. "We've been coming here for four years and this show is the best by far, very high end."

Mayhew, whose wife owns Woodsview Acre Antiques, described himself as "just a Sherpa," and explained that it appeared to be about 60 percent dealers shopping and 40 percent collectors.

Jan Praytor, coordinated the show along with members of the Ellis Tech Golden Eagles Parent Faculty Organization. Prayton explained that the show area was constructed and wired by the students over the course of two days. Funds raised from dealer entry fees and tickets will be used to fund a variety of student activities.

Originally published March 21, 2005