Bethel church holds 64th antiques show

The sound of Robert Rodriguez’s guitar could be heard in the Bethel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. But his guitar was not a common instrument.

“These are cigar box guitars, acoustic or electric. The history goes back to before the Civil War, about 1840,” he said.

Rodriguez was one of 18 vendors at Bethel’s 64th annual Lewes Antiques & Home Decor Show and Sale held July 12-13 at the church in Lewes.

He makes each instrument by hand out of old Spanish cedar cigar boxes. “Spanish cedar makes great sound,” Rodriguez said.

There was a wide range of antiques, from pantings to pottery to old perfume bottles.

Peter and Claire Ringel of Nassau were displaying their antique silver and Irish Belleek for the first time at the show. But, it was a small Civil War-era cannon that Claire was proud to show off.

“It is a sample of what they would take to people who were going to buy them. A salesman would take this out to the Army,” said Claire.

In case anybody was looking for that one, unique item, there was a painting of the Queen Mary, Raggedy Ann dolls and old Delaware surf-fishing tags.

The only things that were not vintage were the large selection of cakes and pies at the bake sale and lunch at the Bethel deli, made from scratch by church volunteers.

There was also a silent auction with paintings from Terre Walton.

Bethel also opened its parsonage meeting hall across the street for the Priceless Curiosity Shop, a pay-what-you-wish yard sale.

Proceeds from the show benefit Bethel’s missions and ministries.