Saxaphone, $165; Flute, $85; 2 Violins

Saxaphone, $165; Flute, $85; 2 Violins, 1 child, 1 adult, $85 ea. 262-9011 more

Found online at bangordailynews.com.

Preconceived notions: This person had, and in the recession lost, a music school.

No response.

Free Stamp Magazines American Philatelist

Free Stamp Magazines

Free Stamp Magazines American Philatelist 207-843-7822 or 461-5893.

Found online under "Bargain Hunter's Basement" on bangordailynews.com.

Preconceived notions: My high school history teacher moved to Maine.

A hard of hearing man told me he has collected for 60 years now. He has thousands.

It was very difficult communicating with him, so this was a brief interaction.

He has no favorite stamp. He collects from 1973 to 2009.

"I've collected the whole world up to 1973," he told me.

That's beautiful.

He's now working on Great Britain.

PIANO - Sm. upright

PIANO - Sm. upright. Cherry finish. Good cond. $300. 843-6964.

On page D3 of the Aug. 3 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: There were two of these listed today. This one is significantly cheaper than the other. Maybe someone's mom, who used to be an old timey one-room schoolhouse teacher just died.

No response. Sorry.

Rope Lights, 150-bulbs

Rope Lights, 150-bulbs. Red-white-blue. New in box $50. Call 848-5538.

Page D2 of the July 29 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: Someone cleaned out his/her attic.

Actually, he told me, it should read "Rope Light" because it is only one reel of light rope.

"We were going to put them on our gazebo, but we lost our gazebo — the wind blew it down," he said.

After just about every sentence, or half sentence, the older gentleman said "OK?"

"They're just like a rope, OK? They're not like regular lights. I bought them over at Mardens. OK? They had them at the mall, all lit up and it was beautiful, I thought gosh that would be good for my gazebo, but the gazebo blew down so I put an ad in the paper you know?"

I don't make this stuff up. This guy was great. Exactly what you'd expect. Older. His voice was kind, but sounded like he might be trying to hold a piece of gum between his lower lip and gums, causing him to slur his words and sound a little windy.

"One box, it comes on a reel, OK? 150 bulbs. It was over $100, but they had um on sale at Mardens for half price."

CANDLE SUPPLIES

CANDLE SUPPLIES - scents, dyes, molds, wax, etc. All for $100; (207) 342-3779.

Page D3 of the July 28 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: My first instinct was to go for the adult diaper ad, but I figured that story would be gross. Instead, I'll call candle lady. I assume this person works at one of the oldy type places in Maine where people make oldy stuff. You know, hand dipped candles. Maybe she sells them to the Ampersand.

This lady was sort of a hoot. Usually I really have to pry at people to get anything. Not this lady. She owns her own shop and loves to talk.

"I'm a crafter and I have a craft business and I do quite a combination of crafts, its ust at the point that I have to cut back on some of my projects and that is why I'm selling the candle supplies," she told me at 4:30 p.m.

Most of the molds she bought in the area at AC Moore and Michaels. The wax though, because she has a shop, she bought from a company out of Ohio.

This lady has 30-40 pounds of wax, 67 dyes, two metal molds, four acrylic molds and then she started using jargon I couldn't translate.

"I do a dozen different types of crafts," she said. "I just don't have the time to do everything anymore."

SPINNING WHEEL

SPINNING WHEEL EARLY, LARGE. $125. 207-374-5268.

Page D3 of the July 22 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: First of all, I did not pick this one. I let copyeditor Tom pick it. I was torn between this and the spiral staircases. I hope the spiral staircases are still for sale tomorrow. My first thoughts circle around Aurora's evil stepmother-dragon-witch selling the sleeping beauty's demise. My other thoughts are about antiques.

I'm getting sick of people not answering my calls. I should have called stair guy instead.

Antique Stewart Warner Phonograph

Antique Stewart Warner Phonograph, prop in Mel Gibson movie. $150. 230-1195.

Page D1 of the July 21 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: Shit. I just now read the words between "Phonograph" and "230-1195."

At 4:05 p.m. he picked up. "I worked on a movie 'Man Without a Face' when it was filmed in Maine."

I know nothing about this movie, so it was hard to ask any follow ups. I didn't read the entire ad, so you can imagine my surprise.

He got the prop at an auction after the filming wrapped up. Now he's moving.

"When you move you re-evaluate and it didn't make the cut."

He said the neat thing about it was how it looked. He said it's pretty enough to buy and never use.

"It's a radio and photograph. It's wooden with a maple case. It's beautiful even if you never turn it on."

He said that the company that made it is known for making automobiles, and as he is in the car business, he found this interesting. The man said he likes working on movies, but it doesn't pay well enough in Maine and that he can't live on it.

He got into films, "purely by accident. Right place, right time. I know people," he said.

KNITTING SWEATER MACHINE

KNITTING SWEATER MACHINE - $100 or best offer; 207-948-3182.

Page D3 (I think) of the July 20 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: This was the ONLY ad that caught my eye. I can't imagine a machine that makes sweaters for you. Where do you put the yarn? How much work does it take? I bet you can't just load in a few reams and let it make you something from the J Crew catalogue. But I can hope.

There was no answer to my calls. I really want to call back tomorrow to sate my curiosity, blog or no blog.

CONCERT TICKETS - 2 to American Idols

CONCERT TICKETS - 2 to American Idols live in Portland, ME on Set. 12, 2009, $300 or best offer; 207-949-5986.

Page C10 of the July 17 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: This person watched American Idol every Thursday (or whatever day it really is on; I don't own a TV) and planned this for months. Had it all ready, maybe for her and her boyfriend, Joe. He doesn't love the show, but it's better than going alone. Joe, though, had other plans. More important plans. Maybe an aunt's wedding popped up. Now Joe and she can't go. May as well get a few bucks for them. Or maybe she won them on the radio -- she really just wanted to get the new Brittany CD and ended up with these.

Kylie, I know this is her name because her answering machine told me so, would not pick up.

WEDDING GOWN - size 5/6 also a veil

WEDDING GOWN - size 5/6 also a veil $50.00 for gown. 207-944-7411.

Page D3 of the July 16 Bangor Daily News.

Preconceived notions: I was torn between this ad and an ad for American Idol concert tickets, $300. The tickets would have been an easy call. Wedding gowns, that's more intrusive. Maybe this person was going to get married and he left her. But if this person isn't ready to talk about it, why would she place this ad?

A little girl answered the phone. In the background her mother was talking on her cell phone. She hung up, "can I talk to you later?" she said.

When asked why she was getting rid of it, she, like every other person I ask this to said, "I don't want it anymore."

Well, right.

She bought it 20 years ago. She got married then, said she since hasn't had the chance to wear it. Since 1989, she had it sealed, then had it washed, then resealed it. "I haven't taken it out since a couple of months ago."

She said the gown has long, lace arms, a V neck and beads all up the back.

"It still looks trendy and up to date. I have a veil that goes with it too. It's pretty. Simple — but pretty."

The veil is just like a white headband with flowers, she said without any tone of sentimentality.