August 28, 2010

Say Goodbye to Longaberger’s Medium Gathering Basket

By Cindy Goff

Topics:
Baskets

This basket was one of my very first purchases way back when. It has since become a daily user and has multiplied over the years. But who’s counting and don’t tell my husband!

Medium Gathering Basket ($82) in Warm Brown, Rich Brown and Deep Brown is retiring August 31st. If you already have this basket, you may want to get an extra protector ($13) or update your Liner ($26).

First of all the Gathering Basket was designed to fit between the garden rows…it was affectionately called the Pick and Kick basket. Pick and Kick the basket on down the garden row. Get it?

So long Medium Gathering

Here’s my Top 10 Uses:
1. Holds magazines
2. Use on top of your fridge for snacks
3. Will easily hold 2 loaves of bread
4. VHS tapes (does anyone have these?) or DVD’s/CD’s
5. Great for gaming stuff
6. 9 ax 13 Baking Dish w/cover fits inside for easy transport – did you know that wood is a “natural insulator” so your food will stay hot or cold, longer in a Longaberger Basket?
7. In and Out Basket for mail
8. Fill it as a seasonal centerpiece. Gourds and pumpkins are beautiful in the fall. Bulbs and greenery for Christmas.
9. Flower or veggie picking basket (use a protector!) Yes, I do use my baskets outside.
10. I often use it for buffets, filled with ice and several crocks (taco bar!), bowls or a pie plate.

Here’s a great story about the Longaberger’s. JW’s favorite dessert was Strawberry Shortcake. When it was late spring and time for berry picking, JW would take the kids to Mitchell Hill for picking. With rope and twine, he would tie the kids together in a line so their hands would be free to pick berries, and they would all be safe and stick together. They also picked berries along the old RR track area of Dresden. I guess with 12 children, he had to do something to make sure they all got home to Grandma Bonnie in one piece.