Brenda fondly remembers the day she discovered this
rare edible rootable in a bag of Terrell's brand potato chips.
Joyce: You used to work at Fesko's Grocery
for many years. Were you working on this day?
Brenda: Yes, I was. I was on lunch break at
Fesko's Grocery.
Joyce: Were you alone when you found it? Did
anyone else see what you'd discovered?
Brenda: I'm sure I was. No one else can claim
part-ownership.
Joyce: Have you ever contacted the Terrell's
Corporation?
Brenda: No, I haven't. I was afraid that they
might have a disclaimer on their packaging that all items of value
found in the bag would become the property of Terrell's Corp. I didn't
want to have to turn my chip over to them.
Joyce: The potato chip does bear a striking resemblance
to the Phantom of the Opera. It is tucked away, I imagine, for
safekeeping in a blue velvet box. Why blue velvet, Brenda? Any
special significance?
Brenda: Probably that's because it's what I
had. I don't remember what was in the box, maybe a necklace ? I
don't have the necklace anymore, but I still have the chip.It was
just perfect for it.
'I gave this chip as a gift to Wanda Cole Nodine in 1990, complete
with it's own Certificate of Authenticity. Wanda
transferred ownership back to me on my birthday. So now the potato
chip is back with me. Where it belongs. '
Brenda tells me that Wanda Nodine was appointed Princess of the
Spafford Parade in the mid-1950's. At that time, there was a parade
and field days every year, with pony rides, penny pitch, and
horse- shoe tosses. It is said that her picture still hangs on the
wall of the Spafford Fire Barn.
Joyce: If there was to be a Memorial Day Parade in Borodino,
and as first cousin of the famed Wanda Cole Nodine, it seems
appropriate that you should carry the torch, and ride in the
parade as Princess of Borodino.
Brenda: Oh, I don't think so. I must decline.
Joyce: What if something, God forbid, should
happen to you?
Brenda: Then the potato chip will go to one
of my children. Maybe Jeremy — he would probably appreciate
it most. He has more of my sense of humor.
Joyce: Not that this is a joke…
Brenda: Oh, not at all. I take the
responsibility of ownership of the Phantom of the Opera potato
chip very seriously. Last year I had it officially appraised by Tim
Conroy, a licensed antique appraiser. And he said that in his
opinion, it is priceless.
Joyce: Speaking of value, are your treasures
covered under insurance?
Brenda: We don't carry a separate rider on
them, but I'm sure they're covered under our homeowner's
policy.
That's not the only priceless treasure in the Brenda Collard
Collection. We'll show you more in Part
II of the Bullett Interview with Brenda Collard.
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