I went to the Fiddlers Convention and to visit with my brother in Athens, Alabama this weekend. I do not play any musical instruments, but this was quite an event and he thought we should all see the musicians. I have never seen so many people playing and singing and enjoying themselves. About every 15 feet was a different group making music with people gathered all around. There were competitions for a day and a half. Young children could play those fiddles, guitars, mandolins, dulcimers and bass fiddles just as good as the adults. I only saw adults on the harmonica, though. I am not a bluegrass fan, but I still enjoyed myself and the people were all so friendly.

When we got to my brothers house, he showed this old treadle machine to me and my mother. Before Momma even looked at the machine, she said "We do not have room for another machine." I looked anyway. It is a 1930 black Singer Treader. It has decals, but not fancy ones. It is dirty, but I suspect, with a little tender care, would clean up nicely. The cabinet might not be repairable unless you are real handy. A lot of the veneer has been exposed to the weather and has buckled or peeled off. The metal parts of the cabinet do move, though. My brother's friend wants to sell it for $30.00. I would love to take it home and use Billy's tutorial to restore it, but that is not going to happen. My brother is going to take a picture and send it to me and I will post the picture. If anyone is interested, the machine is in my brother's garage in Athens, Alabama and would be willing to show it to interested buyers. I do not know what it is worth, since it will need to be restored. What do you all think? Does it all depend upon how bad the cabinet is? I have one treadle that I bought at an auction years ago and it was still being used by the little lady before she died. I paid $40.00 for that one about 15 years ago and was quite glad to get it. As I said, I will post the picture when he sends it and if anyone has opinions about this treadles worth, I would live to hear them.

Glad that you enjoyed my home town. It is a wonderful weekend of music and crafts and food.
TCharlie (Karen)

I am going to Athens on Oct 16th and might have time to go by and see it-interested in seeing pics first.

My brother and his wife had a craft booth beside Founders Hall. He sold honey from his beehives and Donna sold her handmade jewelry. Tommy has had hives for several years now and Donna enjoys making her own necklaces, earrings and bracelets. This was their first year for a booth and they really enjoyed it. The people at the Convention were so friendly. My mother, my cousin, my niece and myself walked around so much our legs just wore out. The smell from the Ginko trees was a new experience. I did not know they had fruit. Tommy and Donna relocated to Athens a few years ago from Florida and they really do like living there. They live out in the country, out by the Sportsman Store on Elk River.

I will remind my brother to send me a picture so I can post it. I will ask him to wipe down the head of the machine because I think it will be pretty when it is clean. He lives way out in the country in Athens. It is about 10 miles or so from Athens, but still an Athens address.