Last Wednesday our chef served a delicious corned beef boiled dinner. The tables had a centerpiece consisting of a garden pot of Oxalis with shiny shamrock leaves. It was a great way to anticipate St. Patrick’s Day.

After dinner, John Bottero from the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries presented his downsizing guide with strategies and steps for success. This was a very good review of what to do with your “stuff” when you move or when planning for the distribution of your “stuff” after you pass on.

It is amazing what we can accumulate over a few years but it is mind boggling what accumulates over a few decades. Things generally have their greatest value in sentimental terms and a sense of security and continuity. But they are things or “stuff,” and you can’t take them with you. As the saying goes, hearses don’t have trailer hitches. So what to do when you want to clean out or you have to downsize?

John said that he believes in planning and organizing. He suggested listing “stuff” in monetary terms of over $1,000, between $100 and $1,000, and lastly those items under $100. It is also important to recognize the difference between replacement price, current market value and personal value. There are items whose replacement value could be over $1,000, but have a current value of just a couple of dollars, while the personal value could be priceless.

Many auctioneers and other dealers will give a written appraisal of items in your house and many will give a free verbal appraisal. John does offer a free walk-through appraisal. Look into getting an appraisal if you think you may have items that have a significant current market value.

Sentimental value is a difficult thing to deal with. If you want to give certain items to museums, charities, relatives or friends, make sure that they want them. Some recipients may see the item in terms of the money it could bring if sold. Some family members may desire some item that you might consider good only for placing in the dumpster. Asking ahead of time is the best way to sell or give away “stuff.”

Probably the hardest “stuff” to deal with is that which is valued less than $100. You might need it someday or you might want to keep it because it was your parent’s or grandparent’s “stuff” or it brings back memories. John says to keep what gives you comfort. The rest you can sell in a tag sale, give away or throw away.

There is always the option to keep everything. Attics, basements and spare rooms are great places to keep your “stuff.” Then the family or executor of your will can have the fun of going through everything someday. Probably the greatest reason not to do this is the fact that the family or executor will probably hire someone to take all the contents of your home to the dump. Would you want that? John said that it is true that failing to plan is planning to fail. Now is the time to develop a plan for your “stuff.”

The cribbage tournament winners on Tuesday, March 11 were Jean Lannan first, Duane Lewis and Arlene Steen tied for second, Della Hilton low score and Nancy Schilke had the high hand. There was no cribbage tournament on Thursday, March 13 due to the bad weather.

Meals for next week:

(Reservations, please! Call 207-882-8230 at least two days in advance for meal reservations.)

Wednesday, March 26: Dinner, Prime Rib

Thursday, March 27: Lunch, Chef’s Special Entrée