Janet Crews, Nancy Grosse, Lois Cornett, Joyce Elledge and friends come together for flea market on Du Quoin's south end

Antique pickers, painters, friends and neighbors came together last weekend at the Janet Crews home on Rt. 51 south of Du Quoin for a wonderful fall flea market. Another one is already being planned for next spring.

You will remember longtime friend Mrs. Nancy Grosse as a career eighth teacher in Du Quoin who retired and moved to open "Echoes of the Past" Antiques in a glorious 1850s home across from the courthouse in Waterloo, Ill. along with husband Glenn.

Echoes specialized in Victorian furniture and glassware. The shop carried country furniture, gift items and new home accents that blend with antiques. She recently retired from that second love and sold the home.

You will remember Janet Crews from the Mulberry Tree gift shop and antiques on Mulberry Street in Du Quoin.

Over the weekend, they hooked up with Lois Cornett, Dottie Harrison, Judy Erwin, Amanda McReynolds and others and set up a large tent city in the side yard at the Crews home. There was something for everyone. Nancy brought the remnants of her now-closed shop in Waterloo. Janet knows antiques and decor items like the back of her hand. Joyce set up an exhibit with many of her personal works of art for sale. There were antiques and primitives and gifts--everything from scarves to spinning wheels. They all laughed and said they made a little money, but it was the reunion of friendships that was priceless.