In honor of Past & Present’s 10th year in business, we’re introducing you firsthand to some of our vendors!
Meeting the Dealers Beyond the Shelves
Some of the first dealers to have worked with Past & Present, David Pugh, his sister Leora Mathern and her husband Leroy still actively sell items with us.
Dave Pugh showing off some of their vintage collectables.
Leora Mathern playing Vanna White with a handmade Schmidt Beer with vintage bottle openers wooden hook display.
First living on an old family farm that has been with the family since 1919, Dave and Leora grew up near LaMoure, North Dakota. The pair’s father was an auto mechanic and operated a shop on the farm. When he died leaving over 1250 cars and pickups on the farm, Dave and Leora decided to begin selling car and truck parts, farm equipment, machinery, tools, and other unique old objects.
It was natural for Leora’s husband Leroy to join the two in their selling journey. Prior to suffering a debilitating stroke, Leroy was a woodworker and loved creating many unique assemblages with repurposed objects and wood.
Another pair of dealers that have also worked alongside Past & Present since the early days is Dennis and Peggy Waskul. This husband and wife duo initially competed at auctions with Jeff and Lynelle. Always supportive, the Waskul’s were quick to add their collection to the gallery once we opened.
Selling limited furniture and small touristy things, both Dennis and Peggy have found factions in the collection world that hold much of their focus. For Peggy, it’s anything that falls into the category of ‘Vintage Christmas’. At one time when specializing in finding items ‘Santa’ related, she had collected over 16,000 different Santa images, figurines, dolls, ornaments, statues, and other items featuring the jolly man’s likeness.
Dennis’ main concentration in the collecting world is old Native American items such as ‘skookum dolls’, powder horns, stone implements, beadwork and pipes.
Pieces from Denny’s large Native American collection.
A large, mounted Trout fish from Denny’s mount inventory.
He is also quite fond of high quality taxidermy mounts and has quite the variety including a Polar Bear, Black Bear, Lion, Goat, Sheep, Racoon, and other northern American animals. One of his proudest mounts is from his daughter who shot and won 2nd place in a big buck contest.
Finding Dave, Leora and Leroy at Past and Present
Due to their large collection of car parts and other more ‘masculine’ items, Dave, Leora, and Leroy’s items make up almost 1/3 of the Man Cave. They also have a large area near the Diva Den located in the basement of Past & Present.
Some unique items in their inventory include:
This stunning octagonal table garnished with different rulers for the tabletop.
1930’s Chevy Hubcap, Vintage Polaris Speedometer, and other various mechanical parts.
Toy collectibles like these vintage Applause brand Mickey and Minnie wood sculpted dolls with original boxes.
Cowboy Collectibles including Vintage Magazines, Paintings, Books, and other fun boyish toys and items.
A wide variety of old fishing lures.
One-of-a-kind handmade key holders
And tons of other treasures just waiting to be discovered on your next trip to Past & Present Home Gallery!
Notable Pieces, with Dennis and Peggy
After their retirement, Dennis and Peggy found themselves retiring into a new job, or ‘side hustle’ if you will—the world of collecting. “The longer you’re in it, the dumber you get because you find out how much you need to know,” Dennis explains “there’s just a lot of details you have to be educated in.”
Peg and Denny have one large booth roughly the size of 3 smaller booths. In addition to Peg’s singular booth with mostly jewelry and vintage Christmas items, many of Denny’s items can be found in the Man Cave and include everything from fishing to clocks, and lamps and beer signs.
So what are some of the most notable items they’ve either sold or currently have on sale?
One of the most unusual things they’ve sold was a very old Fender promotional piece.
The oldest piece they’ve sold is an accurately carbon dated 5000 BC Pottery Pitcher.
Located in Peg’s booth is an pretty unique artisan-style piece that is an eagle carved out of a moose horn!
See what other interesting pieces they have throughout the store!
Dealing in Unique Items and Lifelong Friendships
“My Brother and I have worked with other antiques and collectibles dealers, but you couldn’t find anyone nicer to work with than Lynelle and Jeff at Past & Present,” says Leora Mathern of their collective experience selling at the gallery. “If something sells, they’ll adjust the display to look nice until we can bring more inventory. They’re very accommodating, lovely people. It is a delight to be here.”
David Pugh and Leora Mathern by some of their inventory at Past & Present Home Gallery.
Leroy Mathern proudly displaying some of his handmade creations.
As for Peggy and Dennis, they have discovered over the years that their success has been found in their communication and willingness to be authentic and fair—qualities that they share with Past and Present owners Jeff and Lynelle. “They do a great job running the store,” Dennis says. “It’s a well run operation and Jeff and Lynelle are really good proprietors which is why we stay in business with them.”
After a decade in the industry, we have been and continue to be honored to showcase and sell a great many of these vendors’ items. They’ve been spectacular to work with and we look forward to the next 10 years and what it will bring for our vendors and the store.
Stop in and help us celebrate 10 years while checking out all things old and new!
