By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Antique store owner Dody Burkey got an early start on her bargain hunting. Burkey brought back some treasures from a sale at Carr Auction on the eve of the 43rd Annual Antique and Collectibles Show and Sale.
Larned’s Antiques and Artifacts is owned by Burkey, who works with Farol Tillery, Martha Scranton, Anita Graves and Kristin Keith at 513 Broadway.
Burkey said she likes to buy items she personally likes, but as a antique shop owner, she has to be aware of what type of items are selling.
“You have to know what the customer is buying,” she said.
Burkey learned about antique collecting from her mother Margaret Corbet, who worked as a dietician at the Larned State Hospital. Burkey, who works for American Airlines as a flight attendant, returned to Larned in 2007. Burkey has worked in Boston, New York and Dallas as her home base, but also works on international flights.
Burkey’s family has owned the downtown building for more than 22 years. Margaret Corbet built the Harvest Inn Restaurant that opened in 1973. Corbet authored the book, “Larned Cemetery, Pawnee County, Kansas,” a virtual family history for the county.
“My mother always invested her money in pretty things,” Burkey said. “She was always interested in antiques. When she was younger, she didn’t call them antiques. My mother never thought I’d be interested in antiques, but I think I surprised her. We enjoyed going to antique shows together. That was fun.”
Burkey said her mother and grandmother appreciated fine clothes and she learned to like them too. She worked as a buyer in the fashion industry and has a keen eye for detail.
“I was surrounded by beautiful women, who knew about needlework and handmade clothes,” Burkey said. “I had clothes designed for me by my grandmother.
Burkey has bought and resold items, but she really enjoys buying items that she keeps.
“If I really something, I keep it. I like glassware and pictures. I like art glass and stone glass. I think it’s pretty,” Burkey said. “Kristin specializes in items that are Victorian.”
Corbet bought a storehouse of old vintage magazines such as Saturday Evening Post.
“My mother loved clothes, magazines and paper goods,” Burkey said.  “Anytime, you see something bought, you feel good about it. That’s what it’s all about it.”
One of the family’s favorite items was one of the 58 original Friendship Dolls owned by Margaret Corbet sent by Japan in 1927 as a return present for more than 12,000 American dolls received by Japanese children earlier that year. Margaret and Burkey visited Japan in 2003.
The antique show starts from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m Friday at the Larned Community Center, 1500 Toles. The Larned Chamber of Commerce sponsors the event. Admission is $2, with children aged 10 and under free. The show continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Bill Starr will provide his expertise as an antique appraiser from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Each person can present two items for a verbal appraisal.
More than 800 people attended the 2012 Larned Antiques and Collectibles Show and Sale from 80 Kansas towns.
Antique dealers:
• Amir’s Persian Imports, Amir Adibyazdi, Tulsa, Okla.
• Antiques & Artifacts, Kristin Keith, Dody Burkey
• Richard Basham, Emporia
• Creative Connections, Laura Biles, Russell
• Ellinwood Emporium, Rick Casagrande, Roger Ortiz.
• Hands of Time, Joel Cox, Fort Collins, Colo.
• Heavenly Treasures, Robert Lowe, Great Bend
• Hirsch’s Corner, Mary Jo and Ron Cunningham, Ellinwood
• Libal’s Antiques, Lloyd and Elia Libal, Luray
• Miscellany Antiques, Lana and Neal Fisk, Russell
• Necessities, Maria and Harry Blickhahn, Hutchinson
•  Padron Memories, Will and Blanche Padron, Larned
• Neal and Deanne Stanley, Dighton
• Bill Starr Antiques, Ellinwood
• Traditions by J&M, San Sagle, Marla Milhon, Wichita