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Antiques appraisal fund-raiser set
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation plans its first-ever antiques and collectibles appraisal fund-raising events Friday, May 3, at the nursing home at the crest of the West Seventh Street hill and at the Museum of the High Plains in downtown McCook, Nebraska.
Tom Bassett, the president of Bassett Enterprises and Bassetts' Appraisal Service of Lincoln, Nebraska, will provide appraisals of the antiques and collectibles that Hillcrest Nursing Home residents and members of the public bring in for evaluation.
Bassett conducts appraisals for banks and law firms, and teaches classes in "Bargain Hunting for Antiques" at Southeast Community Community in Lincoln. He calls himself "a man of many talents (some of them useful)." He says he has "a sense of humor which has been admired by several."
Hillcrest Foundation director Pam Harsh invites Hillcrest Nursing Home residents, their families and the public to the two events:
* The first, from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m., at Hillcrest Nursing Home, at 309 W. Seventh.
* The second, at 7 p.m., at the Museum of the High Plains, on the bricks in downtown McCook at 413 Norris Avenue.
Admission at each event will be $5 per person; children 12 and under will be admitted free. Hillcrest residents and two of their family members will be admitted free of charge at the event at Hillcrest.
Each appraisal (a limit of two per paid admission) will be $5.
Bassett is a native of Hastings and a graduate of Hastings High School, Nebraska Wesleyan College and the University of Nebraska. He is a former high school teacher and coach who says he has "a great deal of respect for educators and a slight fear of junior high students."
Since selling his auction business, Bassett has served as executive director of the Nebraska Dental Association and the Nebraska Stroke Foundation. He is past president of the Lincoln Coin Club, the Nebraska Numismatic Association and the Executive Club of Lincoln, and is a long-time member of the New England Appraisers Association.
Bassett is a regular guest on the KFOR radio talk show "Problems and Solutions," helping listeners evaluate their antiques and collectibles.
In 1983, Bassett appraised the world-renowned Pioneer Village in Minden.
During his "Amazing Collectible and Antique Appraisal Events" in McCook, Bassett will appraise collectors' antiques and treasured trinkets, as well as teach them:
* The real description of the word "antique."
* That laws of supply-and-demand and condition-condition-condition determine the value of antiques and collectibles.
* That the popularity of antiques and collectibles comes and goes in fads and waves, but today, look for vintage jewelry, hunting and fishing items, dresser top items, railroad memorabilia and small advertising items such as paperweights and measuring tapes.
* That less-popular items are most "limited edition" items such as plates, figurines and bottles.
Bassett has many fun, informative and interesting articles on his web page, ctomrun.com
For more information on the appraisals fairs in McCook, contact Harsh at (308) 345-4600 or at foundation@hillcrestnh.org