Published: February 06, 2009 11:18 pm      

TIM PRESTON: Snowing, sewing, selling and sudsing 020809

I regret a wish I made during an early snow we received in 2008. That wish was for enough snow to make it possible to take one decent sled run down the big hill behind my house. I got that wish, hitting record speed within an instant and going snow-blind as I prayed my way to the bottom of the path prepared by younger residents of the neighborhood, coming to rest with no injuries other than a soggy bottom.

But the rest of the mess just wasn’t worth it. I’m unsure of the toll the weather took on local families (life around a kerosene heater gets tense and tiresome in no time at all), as well as in lost wages for workers and small-business owners alike. It was a good time to be in the towing business or own an auto-body repair shop, if you had rooms for rent, rock salt by the bag, electrical generators by the truckload or kerosene by the gallon.

I noticed some top-notch parking lot clearance work (at local banks and small businesses especially) performed by a collection of men with snow plows on their trucks. It seemed a shame the folks at the big-box stores didn’t pay as much attention to their snow removal service.

Ready for anything

Carol Bayless, owner of Carol’s Alterations in the Camayo Arcade Building at 1536 Winchester Ave., is celebrating 20 years in business in the same building she began in. Bayless, who is again working with the help of associate Bonnie Bundy, recalled she opened her alterations business in the Arcade Building “next to the shoe guy,” who she thinks may have been a Preston. As her business blossomed she rented a room for her shop, then another and eventually opened in “the big room” next to the old bread store.

Coming back to the Arcade Building, “It’s like old times,” she said, noting many of the same people are still working downtown, and other changes seem quite natural, “Sam’s Hot Dogs is now Jim’s Hot Dogs and there is still a barbershop that went to the man’s son who used to work there.”

Bayless specializes in leather and formal wear, and expects prom and wedding season projects to soon have her work cut out for her. She also enjoys making curtains and pillows.

“I really enjoy upholstery work,” she added.

Bayless encourages people to bring their alterations-ready garments by the shop, or invites them to call (606) 324-4646 for more information.

Cash for kids’ stuff

If you happen to have a lot of “kids’ stuff” in good condition and you like the idea of making a little money from the collection, call Melissa Triplett or Bridget Trent at Hidden Treasures Kids Consignment to get signed up as a consignor for the Spring/Summer Kids Sale. The sale event will be April 22 through 27 at the Ceredo-Kenova War Memorial (community center).

“We can use any child-related items — clothes, shoes, toys ... the whole kit and caboodle,” Trent said.

Items are sold on a 70/30 basis, Trent said, adding they hope the sale event will allow local residents to find nice children’s clothing, toys and other items without blowing the family budget. For more information visit www.hiddentreasuresale.net on the Internet or call (304) 617-6949 or (740) 479-1901.

Quiet laundry

I stopped by The Laundry Room at 2266 Winchester Ave. this week and found the place ready for customers, although apparently unmanned.

The efficient little laundry has nine washing machines along with an equal number of dryers, and a change machine in the far corner.

The Laundry Room is open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., according to a sign on the door.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.