Mary (Twink) Gates and Michelle Wiklund
It was Jan. 19 when 14 members and one guest of the Questers Catalina Timewalkers met at the home of Twink Gates, with co-host Michelle Wiklund, for their January business meeting. The program of the day was “American/European/Asian Décor.”
Every house has a story, and during a tour of Twink and husband Bob’s home, members were introduced to their extensive collections, a combination of artifacts and furniture from the 1900s. You can find originals of some of these pieces in museums. They date back to 794. Everything from their two homes was encapsulated into this one main home in SaddleBrooke after they married in October 2006. Their spouses died within a day of each other in January 2005. Bob is a retired captain in the U.S. Navy and had collected many interesting vintage pieces during his naval tour in Sasebo, Japan, for two years (1973 to 1975). Several tansu chests, furoshiki wall hangings, and hibachis were among his collection. Twink showed a small cabinet (copy of Chippendale) and a few other items from her home in the Isle of Man, which was a miner’s cottage built in 1864. The American artifacts included a Gulbranson piano, an oak ball and talon dining room table with eight dining room chairs, an oak China cabinet, and an oak hall stand. An Italian bombe chest and Turkish coffee table were also among their collections. These are just a few of the very interesting artifacts gracing this home.
Following the business meeting and tour, a light breakfast was served with cheese and spinach quiche, shrimp with cocktail sauce, dolmas, chocolate European cookies, and fresh fruit. Coffee and tea were included, of course!
With full participation of members, it was a fun morning. Everyone thanked Twink and her co-host Michelle for hosting this special event.
Questers is a nonprofit, international organization.
Mission of Questers: To keep history alive through restoration, preservation, and education.
Purpose of Questers: To educate its members and the public with the respect of places, objects, or events of historical significance; to support education in the fields of historic preservation and restoration. “We make history.”
Questers Catalina Timewalkers now has 16 members. For membership information, email Kipi Martin at [email protected].