LYNDORA — A long-standing tradition will be renewed next weekend with the beginning of the 64th annual GFWC Intermediate League of Butler Antiques Show and Sale.

All of the same vendors will be back at the Tanglewood Center this year to feature their collections of everything from guns to dolls and everything in between including textiles, iron and pewter items, German bisque dolls with accessories, photogravures, Tiffany bronze frames, sterling silver trays, tea sets, glassware and furniture.

“This event is our only money-making endeavor and major proceeds support community programs,” said Grace Shields, publicity chairman for the show.

“The general chairman of the show is Luella Gold and the co-chairman is Carole Goldinger, and we have a large committee of volunteers who put this event together,” she added.

Last year's donations to the community totaled $10,000.

Recipients have included the Butler County Children's Center, Lutheran Senior Life, Musical Theatre Guild, Butler Emergency Relief Initiative, Butler County Historical Society, Butler Meals on Wheels, Community Health Clinic of Butler, Spring for the Cure, the Maridon Museum, Tanglewood Center, VNA and the YWCA.

“We hope to share our proceeds this year with Butler Little Theatre, Tanglewood, VNA, Butler Meals on Wheels, YWCA, Lutheran Senior Life, Maridon, Associated Artists of Butler, Spring for the Cure and the Butler Public Library,” said Shields.

A quilt raffle is one of the ways the event raises funds.

“This year's quilt was made by the First Methodist Church Quilters in the Dresden Plate Pattern. It is multicolored patterns on an ivory background,” Shields explained. The drawing will be March 17.

William Smith and Cynthia Marshall of Antiques-Wm. Smith at 102 N. Main St., Butler, have been vendors at the show for 18 years.

With 90 years of combined collecting experience between the husband-and-wife team, their knowledge and interests are vast.

“I started because some of my colleagues at Slippery Rock University were collectors, and they would invite me to attend sales and auctions,” said Smith.

When he met Cynthia 10 years later, she developed an interest as well.

“I have an interest in primitive furniture, pottery and local glass, and Cynthia is very knowledgeable in jewelry, Asian pieces and dolls,” said Smith.

“The antique business, like any other, is trendy and therefore diversifying is important. If you specialized in glassware 25 years ago, you were doing pretty well, but today you may find that your inventory of glass has not shifted much,” explained Smith.

Smith said they have to maintain a broad array of items to be ready for the next trend.

“Cynthia's guideline is 'We buy pretty things,' and that seems to work well for us. The one constant is good jewelry, and what's prettier than that?” he asked.

For Smith, it's less about what he sells and more about the customer satisfaction and knowing they've connected with the buyer.

“Probably our favorite thing to sell is something that elicits a strong response from the customer. You know a connection has happened and you know that person is thrilled with the piece they have come across,” Smith said.

How the pair shop for antiques and what they buy has also been affected by the new or younger collectors shopping for antiques as art more than for functionality.

“For instance, they may purchase an amber necklace and instead of wearing it, drape it on a lamp. A quilt becomes a wall covering. A Roseville vase never holds flowers but just adds a muted piece of color to a room,” he said. “None of this is bad, but it just shows how some people view antiques these days and that it is important for us to acknowledge, 'Does this have an art quality?' when buying to resell,” he added.

The pair advised collectors to purchase good quality pieces because they have a better chance of holding their value.

“Something that is 'trendy' may not be in the near future. Start educating yourself by going to shows like this one and talk to the dealers about the pieces that interest you. Read up on them and don't be afraid to write the check when the time comes,” advised Smith.

Lunch is made and provided for sale by the Tanglewood Association. The proceeds support Tanglewood.

<B>WHAT: </B>64th Annual GFWC Intermediate League of Butler Antiques Show and Sale<B>WHEN:</B> 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 15 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 16<B>WHERE: </B>Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave., Lyndora<B>TICKETS: </B>Available at the YWCA and from Intermediate League members<B>INFO: </B>Call 724-287-7959 or visit www.pittsburghantiques.net