The Anniston Star ● Sunday, November 3, 2013 ● Page 6E
SUNDAY RECORD YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS IN CALHOUN COUNTY BANKRUPTCIES
DEATHS Frank Ackles, Oxford Ronald E. “Ron” Adams, Delta Billie Joyce Austin, Heflin Marion Bell, Munford Lois Bennett, Roanoke Charles Douglas “Doug” Boone, Wedowee Willie Burt, Talladega James R. Campbell, Anniston Jesse Ray Champion, Anniston “P.J.” Collum, Anniston James Wesley “Pete” Cook, Shorter Clarence W. Cox, Oxford David Craft, Anniston Rosaline S. Dean, Anniston Edith Nell Frazee, Heflin Daniel Eugene Free, Arkansas Wendy Morgan Gaston, Anniston Bessie “Vickie” Gidley, Jacksonville Thelma Ford Gilley, Choccolocco Dorothy M. Glassco, Anniston Charley Bedford Herren, Ranburne Barbara Hunter, Florida Lewis Jennings, Jacksonville Betty Ruth Acker Jordan, Centre Kenneth Lamar “Kenny” Kilgore II, Ohatchee Marvin V. Kirby Jr., Anniston Betty Ruth Norton Kiser, Goshen Charles Lackey, Anniston
James E. McCallister, Auburn Bobbie Jean McCord, Ashland Dianne Davis McMichen, Gadsden Krista Leigh Medders, Heflin Lawrence “Bert” Medley Sr., Anniston Lewis J. “Lew” Miller, Lineville Chargina Gusethel Moore, Birmingham Patrick Lonergan O’Kelley, Florida William Phillips, Anniston Mattie Sue Proctor, Lineville Betty Jean Roberts, White Plains Jack Jeffery “Bodean” Smith, Heflin Moses Springer, Anniston Christopher Haynes Swain, Talladega Cleondra Swain, Talladega Linda “LaLa” Purdy Terrell, Oxford Wynelle D. Tolbert, Cedar Bluff Maxine B. Walden, Gadsden David Marvin Warmack, Piedmont Dorothy Jean White, Anniston Patricia Wilkerson, Jacksonville Peggy J. Williams, Anniston William David Williamson, Ohatchee Mary Evelyn Wright, Anniston
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A Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to retain certain exempt property, but the debtor’s remaining property is gathered and sold by a trustee from which creditors will receive payment. It may also be used by businesses which wish to terminate their business. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy enables debtors, through court supervision and protection, to propose and carry out a repayment plan under which creditors are paid, in full or in part, in installments over a three-year period. During that time, debtors are prohibited from starting or continuing collection efforts. The following bankruptcies declared by Calhoun County residents were recorded by U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Alabama last week:
Chapter 7 • Michael Meyers, Mae Drive, Oxford • Cynthia Thornton, Hillside Drive • Bernadette Parker, Glendale Road, Anniston • Lisa Johnson Everett, Big Oak Drive, Anniston • Wyeleen C. Byrom, Pine Ridge Road, Wellington • Diane Williams, Wisperwood Court, Anniston
Chapter 13
• Barry W. Shears, Cloverdale Road, Anniston • Rebecca Buttram, Cedar Creek Road, Piedmont • James L. Thomas Jr. and Kelli M. Thomas, Gerald Harris Road, Anniston
FORECLOSURES
RATE OF BANKRUPTCIES 15
• Hugh Allen Mayfield and Shannon Mayfield, Valley View subdivision, lot 2. • Kenneth Ray Hamilton, Pleasant Harbor subdivision, lots 40-42. • Commerce Towers LLC, Williamson’s addition to Anniston, lots A and B. • Jeremy Adams, Golden Springs subdivision, 3rd addition, block G, lot 1. • Francis A. Nichols, Quail Run subdivision, 1st addition, block A, lot 21.
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DIVORCES
52 weeks ago
Last week
This week
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• Shanderico L. Johnson and Reginald D. McRath • Melissa Marrie Vasser and Tony Lamar Vasser • Karl David Cronan and Cantrece Leann Cronan
• David Brock Ray and Anna Jones Ray • Crystal Wilson and Joshua David Wilson • Heather Harcrow Lester and Jason Lester
ARRESTS
Calhoun County
Anniston
The following felony arrests were reported by the Anniston Police Department (addresses not provided) during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Roy Lee McCullum, 27: first-degree theft. • Samantha Ruth Free, 36: second-degree theft. • Darrick Lee Earnest Griffin, 23: possession
• Michael Shawn Darroch of Weaver to Heather Renee Cooper of Weaver • Austin Rance Kirby of Anniston to Meagan Elise Brafford of Oxford • Scott Andrew Vieten of Anniston to Ana Ruth Perez Molina of Oxford • Gerald Cleofis Bell of Anniston to Amanda Brooke Ford of Piedmont • Troy Alan Capes of Anniston to Lillian Victoria Sparks of Anniston • Wesley Ennis Couch of Anniston to Julianna Elizabeth McGathy of Piedmont • Tommy Anthony Carroll of Buford, Ga., to Wanda Arlene Jernigan of Buford, Ga. • William Ray Dulaney of Lincoln to Stacy Nicole Norris of Lincoln • Dennis Gene Minor of Wellington to Marsha Michelle Sparks of Wellington • James Brandon Munn of Alexandria to Rebecca Ann Francis of Alexandria • James William Harrington of Jacksonville to Brooklyn Christin Taylor of Jacksonville • James Demetrie Cooper of Anniston to Kimieko Dedreka Thomas of Anniston • Jordan Kyle Wilkerson of Anniston to April Marie Hawbaker of Anniston • Zachary Scott Hogue
of Anniston to Sheila Marie King of Anniston • Dennis Keith Curry of Anniston to Laura Johnson Williams of Anniston • Mario Anton Christopher of Anniston to Theresa Renee Reddick of Anniston • Jordan Farris Carter of Eastaboga to Jackie Alline Thomas of Eastaboga • Anthony Keith Cumbee of Anniston to Lea Nicole Medders of Anniston • Juan Mesino-Radilla of Anniston to Elizabeth Estrada of Anniston • Joey Claude Bullock of Piedmont to Marsha Nannette Hyde of Piedmont • Jeret Layne Warren of Alexandria to Acacia Leann Deloach of Alexandria • Andrew Theodore Schoenfeldt of Piedmont to Katherine Ann Jones of Piedmont • Eric Lamar Marshall of Anniston to Soda Fall of Anniston • James Bradley Pitts of Anniston to Traci Lique Shaver of Jacksonville • Robert Andrew Devlin of Oxford to Shasta Bowman Phillips of Oxford • Joel Michael Fragapane of Alexandria to Nancy Carol Dingler of Alexandria • Daniel Ray Hazel of Eastaboga to Kimberly Gail Whiten of Eastaboga
EDITOR’S NOTE The material inside the Sunday Record is recorded by The Anniston Star from various institutions and government offices. The public records are published as they appeared on the documents obtained by the newspaper. Direct questions and comments about Sunday Record to Isaac Godwin at igodwin@ annistonstar.com.
CATTLE SALE
Here is the livestock market report for the Tuesday sale. Receipts for this week 1000 compared to 1057 last week. Receipts a year ago 638.
FEEDER CLASSES:
Bulls and steers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 200.00 to 270.00; 300-400 lbs. 185.00 to 240.00; 400-500 lbs. 167.00 to 195.00; 500-600 lbs. 165.00 to 175.00; 600700 lbs. 122.00 to 153.00. Heifers (Medium and Large No. 1 and No. 2): 200-300 lbs. 160.00 to 192.50; 300400 lbs. 150.00 to 190.00; 400-500 lbs. 140.00 to 160.00; 500-600 lbs. 132.00 to 142.50; 600-700 lbs. 118.00 to 137.50.
SLAUGHTER CLASSES:
Cows: Breakers 70.00 to 75.00; Boners 76.00 to 79.00; Lean 60.00 to 68.50. Bulls: Normal Dressing 54-58% 80.00 to 83.00; High Dressing >58% 84.50 to 90.00; Low Dressing
INCORPORATIONS • e-Cig South LLC • Bearden Roofing and Renovation LLC • t:Sigma LLC
Dissolved • McLab Inc. • Unlimited Audio LLC • Rebecca’s Esthetics LLC • Cofer’s Used Cars • Gray Duck Marketing LLC
WILLS PROBATED
• Mary Elizabeth Harrison • Ned Lawrence Strickland • Jack H. Morrison • Juanita M. Chandash • Bobbie S. Lett • Jimmy Mack Stewart • W.G. Crowe • Jimmie B. Bonner
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AnnistonStar.com RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS
The people listed in this arrest report, whose of a controlled substance, first-degree posnames and charges are obtained from pub- session of marijuana. lic records, are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The following felony arrests were reported by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday. • Roderick Blake Read Jr., 39, of Wellington: second-degree theft of property. • Asa Feliciano McRath, 36, of Anniston: order of arrest.
RECIPES AND MORE IN Add some SPICE to your life ▶ TASTY WEDNESDAY’S FOOD SECTION
Here are food service establishments recently inspected by the Calhoun County Health Department, along with scores. A score of 100 indicates the inspector found no deficiencies. Potentially hazardous deficiencies (four- or five-point demerit items) are noted. These must be corrected immediately and inspectors say they are often corrected while the inspection is underway. Restaurants earning below 70 must raise their scores within seven days or face closure.
• McDonald’s, 1901 Quintard Ave., Anniston — 99. • Pelham’s Bar, 116 Ladiga St., SW, Jacksonville — 97. • Pizzeria, 1021 U.S. 431, N., Anniston — 100. • Simple Simon’s Pizza, 701 N. Center Ave., Piedmont — 98. • Wendy’s, 1501 Quintard Ave., Anniston — 95. • Winn-Dixie (Bakery/Deli), 800 Noble St., Anniston — 97. • Winn-Dixie (Market), 2495 U.S. 431, Anniston — 94. NO MAJOR DEMERITS DEMERITS • Winn-Dixie (Produce), 2495 U.S. 431, Annis• DeArmanville Elementary School — 98. ton — 98. • Little Caesar’s Pizza, 420 Pelham Road, N., • Winn-Dixie (Seafood), 2495 U.S. 431, AnnisJacksonville — 99. ton — 98.
For the latest in local news, visit www.AnnistonStar.com BLOTTER Crimes are listed by location. Anonymous tips may be called in to Crime Stoppers at 256-238-1414. A reward of up to $1,000 may be given.
Anniston
The following property crimes were reported to the Anniston Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Burglaries
MARRIAGE LICENSES
console with remotes, headphones. • Residence, 2100 block of McKleroy Avenue: televisions, laptop computer, jewelry, Calhoun County cell phone, shoes. • Residence, 900 block of Ivy Street: laptop The following property crimes were reportcomputer. ed to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thefts Thursday. • Residence, 100 block of Shepard Street: Burglaries lawn mower. • Supermarket, 5500 block of McClellan Bou- • Storage facility, U.S. 278 West, Piedmont: levard: merchandise. (Recovered 10-25- lawn mower, generator, hand tools. 2013) • Residence, DeArmanville Drive South, • Residence, 1200 block of West 16th Street: Anniston: game console, television, stereo. awning. • School, 300 block of J Street, Ohatchee: cash, check, tablet computers. Auto-related thefts
• Residence, 400 block of Leighton Avenue: air conditioner, heating unit, key box, copper wiring. • Residence, 4800 block of Post Oak Road: television. • Residence, 1300 block of Johnston Drive: • Church, 300 block of Eden Hills Drive: 2007 Auto-related thefts laptop computers, tablet computer, game Buick LaCrosse. • Unknown location, Alexandria Parkway,
Alexandria: 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
Oxford
The following property crimes were reported to the Oxford Police Department during the seven-day period ending at 7 a.m. Thursday.
Thefts
• Walmart, 92 Plaza Lane: merchandise. • Residence, 100 block of Annie Drive: storage building, central HVAC system. • Unspecified location, 700 block of Quintard Drive: chainsaw, floor jack. • Residence, unspecified block of Main Street: firearm.
JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIR WE BUY GOLD SILVER & DIAMONDS
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Snow St., Oxford - Across from Cheaha Bank • (256) 365-2087
The Anniston Star
Sunday, November 3, 2013 Page 7E
SUNDAY RECORD CALENDAR: AnnistonStar.com/calendar PROPERTY TRANSFERRED
• Annette S. Harrell and A. Shane Harrell to John Trantham, a parcel of land in section 4, township 14, range 8, $10. • Gary Abbott to Musa Properties LLC, a parcel of land in section 7, township 16, range 0, $10. • Housing & Urban Development to Cesar A. Pacheco, Linen Thread Co. subdivision, 1st addition, lot 1, $13,500. • Housing & Urban Development to John Sears, Bradley Acres subdivision, block 3, lot 18, $25,000. • William Jordan Tutwiler Jr. to James R. Hanvey Sr. and Susanna W. Hanvey, Howle subdivision, 2nd addition, block A, lot 2, $136,000. • Phillips Family LP to Quintard At Snow LLC, a parcel of land in section 29, township 16, range 8, $10. • Fannie Mae to Fannie Mae Kelley, a parcel of land in section 33, township 16, range 8, $10. • Fannie Mae to Debra B. Dean, Hidden Meadow subdivision, block 2, lot 5, $78,000. • Richard B. Turner to Connie M. Turner, a parcel of land in section 8, township 16, range 9, $0. • Dana Green Milewicz to Kyle Milewicz and Dana Green Milewicz, a parcel of land in section 16, township 13, range 8, $1. • Ramie A. McWilliams and Laura McWilliams to Laura McWilliams, Del Carmen subdivision, 1st addition, block 17, lot 2, $10. • Barry Jenkins and Lydia Jenkins to Gretchen M. Richards, Henry Road Highlands, lot 21, $115,000. • Broadway Oxford Investments LLC to Cole DG Oxford AL LLC, Cheryl Ann subdivision,
block 2, lot 1, $1,577,247. • Michael Chad Lankford to Thomas C. Trantham and Rebecca D. Trantham, Candlewood subdivision, lot 28, $72,000. • James T. Spivey, Charles A. Spivey and Amos David Spivey to James M. Moore III, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 9, $1. • Grant Taylor to Ricky Taylor, a parcel of land in section 8, township 16, range 9, $1. • Deborah Louise Rogers Elder to Debora Louise Rogers Elder, Joshua C. Elder and Jeremy Chad Elder, Camelot subdivision, lots 41 and 42, $10. • Nellie Shirley to David Lee Shirley and Nellie Shirley, a parcel of land in section 13, township 14, range 6, $10. • Adam Bolls and Sarah Bolls to Joshua K. Knapp and Jennifer L. Knapp, Four-Lane Homesites, block 2, lot 73, $10. • Deborah Lynn Tomlin to William Gene Tomlin, City of Oxford, Leigh addition, lot 8, $10. • Michael Chad Lankford to Brent L. Barnhill and Audrey P. Barnhill, Ramblewoods subdivision, lot 15, $118,000. • Allen C. Williams and Phyllis Williams to Herman C. Williams, a parcel of land in section 31, township 16, range 7, $100. • Mary W. Wilson Trust to Lora Kreitz and Gerald Richard Kreitz, Anniston City Land Co., block 33, lot 9, $10. • Edward Allen Mitchell to Brittni Parrish, Pleasant Acres subdivision, block 1, lot 1, $10,000. • J.T. Brewer to J.T. Brewer and Sister Mary Joanna, Newell Heights, block 3, lot 6, $10. • Dorothy E. Cheatwood to James W. Cheat-
wood, Stanley R. Cheatwood, Elizabeth A. Rhoades and Dorothy E. Cheatwood, Thomas McNaron’s re-subdivision of Midway addition, block 2, lot 1, $1,000. • Kathleen Dix to Kathleen Dix and Judy Grayson, North Anniston Realty Co., block 3, lots 8 and 9, $10. • Charles E. Burgess to Kyle J. Kilgore and Amber Kilgore, Jackson Terrace, 1st addition, lots 8 and 9, $10. • Deonica Hawkins to Krystal Hawkins, Pipe Works subdivision, block 16, lot 16, $0. • Reb Oil of Alabama LLC to Musa Properties LLC, Pate Crossing, phase 1, lots 5 and 6, $10. • Frank Stuart Thompson to Phonesworth LLC, a parcel of land in section 15, township 16, range 8, $10. • EH Pooled Investments LP to Terry Hope and Judy Hope, a parcel of land in section 34, township 16, range 7, $48,305. • Christina Simmons to Larry Hicks, a parcel of land in section 35, township 16, range 8, $1. • CMH Homes Inc. to Zachary A. Carter and Lawanda Antoinette Walker, a parcel of land in section 25, township 15, range 5, $246,818. • Lacy McEntyre to Jennifer McEntyre Mize, a parcel of land in section 11, township 13, range 7, $10,000. • Arvid Leon Padgett and Sharon A, Padgett to Karen L. Kirkpatrick, a parcel of land in section 35, township 13, range 7, $10. • Joel Dean Prickett and Sherry L. Prickett to Joel Dean Prickett and Sherry L. Prickett, a parcel of land in section 14, township 14, range 7, $10. • William D. Miller Jr. and Doris E. Miller
to Joel Spencer and Casie M. Spencer, a parcel of land in section 20, township 14, range 7, $10. • William D. Miller Jr. to Doris E. Miller and William D. Miller Jr., a parcel of land in section 20, township 14, range 7, $10. • Peggy J. Freeman-Estate to Joshua Caleb Jenkins, Piedmont Land & Improvement Co., block 8, lots 18-20, $10. • Edward Alvarez to Angela Alvarez, Four Lane Homesites, block 4, lots 78, 80, 82, and 84. • Wanda S. Champion to Joe Cain, E.L. Hollingsworth’s addition to Blue Mountain, block 9, lots 7 and 8, $8,000. • Housing & Urban Development to William Chandler Leake and Hayley Ford Leake, a parcel of land in section 6, township 14, range 8, $148,200. • Doris P. Sweatt to Dewayne Sweatt and Michelle Sweatt, a parcel of land in section 16, township 13, range 7, $10. • Rhonda Darlene Bittle, Elizabeth Elaine Estes and William Boyd Hodges to Bridges Properties LLC, A.C. Shelton addition to Jacksonville, block 76, lots 14 and 15, $10. • Ronald L. Bridges, Jimmy Bridges and Larry C. Bridges to Bridges Properties LLC, Anniston Homestead & Fruitgrowers Assoc., lot 3009, $100. • Freddie Mac to DDB LLC, High Oaks subdivision, 5th addition, block 2, lot 17, $64,900. • Carol S. Uline to Jeff Angel and Debbie Angel, a parcel of land in section 7, township 14, range 8, $10. • Larry Wayne Hawk Jr. to Thomas Joel Spurlin and Evon Spurlin, Wilborn Park Heights, block F, lot 1, $10,000.
As economy heals, thriftiness thrives BY KASIA HALL The Orange County Register
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Maria Garcia’s front yard sale held no theme. Shoes, wrenches, blender, a Darth Vader mask — all were on the driveway in front of her one-story Garden Grove home. A child’s shirt? Five bucks. The blender? Fifteen. Garcia, 31, began holding monthly garage sales three years ago to earn pocket money for her father who was forced out of the workforce by illness. Times were tough in Orange County then and unemployment was at its peak. These days, the economy has improved. Local unemployment is 6.2 percent, slightly better than the national average. Home prices are going up. Still, for people like Garcia, lessons on thriftiness learned during the dark times haven’t gone away. Garcia works full time. But she also does what she can to save cash, buying cheaper clothes for her kids and shopping at thrift stores for herself. Garcia says she and her sister once were big mall shoppers. She also says she hasn’t been to a mall in years. With people like Garcia taking on new habits, and rappers bragging about 99 cent sheets, and entrepreneurs looking to franchise garage sales, one thing seems clear: Thrift is chic. “One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come-up.” — from “Thrift Shop,” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Thrift stores are the Chia Pet of industries. Local and national experts say thrift store sales grew during the last recession — and they’ve continued to grow during the supposed recovery of the past three years. And thrift stores are just part of a bigger trend. The Association of Resale Professionals reports that national sales in all quarters of the so-called secondhand industry — including retail categories ranging from thrift shops to high-end consignment stores — grew more than 7 percent in each of the past two years. And that number, they add, gives only a glimpse of a hard-to-measure market. Economists who calculate gross domestic product count the value of goods only one time, the first time they’re sold. So it’s hard to gauge the true volume of America’s thrift economy.
Bruce Chambers/Associated Press
Erica Mendez, a 24-year-old mother of two young children, visits a thrift store for the first time Oct. 21 in Anaheim, Calif. But one industry — used cars — offers a clue about the relative popularity of used versus new. And in Orange County, Calif., used is hot. Sales of new cars in Orange County fell hard in 2008, the peak year of the recession, and didn’t return to prerecession levels until last year. But during that same period, used car sales grew consistently, according to the state Board of Equalization. It’s Finance 101. When consumers have less to spend, they look for ways to get more for their money, said Esmael Adibi, an economist at Chapman University. “A higher unemployment rate, a loss of income, means that people are going to choose things that nobody would have touched (a few years ago),” Adibi said. But that trend is playing out even as those basic factors — jobs and income — seem to be improving. Matthew Zabala, supervisor for Savers thrift store in Anaheim, Calif., said both gross sales and the number of customers jumped by about 20 percent in 2012. During that same period, unemployment in Orange County fell from 8.8 percent to 7.6 percent. Goodwill of Orange County has seen something similar, with sales at Orange County retail outlets growing steadily since
2008, even as economic conditions have improved. And the Lutheran High Thrift Shop has seen double digit sales increases in each of the past three years. Still, it’s possible the fundamentals aren’t as rosy as the economic statistics suggest. And boom times at thrift stores might be a sign that some of the jobs created in the past few years don’t pay enough to send consumers back to the malls. Or, for shoppers like Yvonne Varela, the jobs might not be consistent enough to keep them away from the discount rack. Varela, 35, was laid off in 2010. Before that, she says, she wouldn’t have considered shopping in a thrift store. “A lot of my girlfriends are single moms, too, and at first we were like ‘Oh, secondhand? That’s kinda gross,’” Varela said. But since 2010 Varela has had a hard time finding consistent, full-time work. And, on a recent Wednesday, she was sifting through jeans for her 10-year-old daughter at Lutheran High Thrift. The stigma of shopping secondhand, she said, has evaporated. “We are addicted,” Varela said. “I call that getting tricked by a business.” A few years ago, a friend of Yazen Haddad complained to him about the hassles of
holding a garage sale. An idea was born. Today, Haddad runs Garage Hunters, an Irvine-based company that pairs consignment store owners with homeowners wishing to thin out. Haddad, who also sells real estate, said decluttering is earning big bucks, and that a typical garage auction Orange County churns out about $1,500. What’s more, his buyers — consignment store owners — are eager for product. “I see a lot of new buyers,” Haddad said. “It’s definitely a new market.” There’s even a new twist in the thrift business. In May, Goodwill of Orange County expanded, debuting its first boutique store, based in Tustin. The goal is to offer highend donations to shoppers looking for high-end (but secondhand) product. “I think we realized people are hooked,” said Corrine Allen, vice president of Goodwill of Orange County retail operations. “I wear your grandad’s clothes. I look incredible.” And that might be a sign that something deeper than economics is at work: fashion. Between the racks at Lutheran High Thrift, not everyone is struggling to get by. “I think a lot of people if they don’t need to shop here, they still come here,” said the store’s manager, Suzanne Sotelo. Without being prompted, Barbara Rose, from Orange, said her whole outfit was secondhand, down to the $2 pink wedges. Rose said she’s been a “thrifter” her whole life. But, recently, she’s been copied by well-off friends. Thrift store parking lots are full, she said, sometimes with Mercedes and other high-end rides. “It’s just a big social change, where people are very much inviting that idea to recycle,” said Savers’ front manager Zabala. “It’s really amazing when you have customers come in, and they completely love the thrift store. They come three to four times a week and spend $40 to $50 each week.” Savers’ shopper Lauren Zakich agreed, saying even her boyfriend — who once had to be dragged to a thrift store — has become an eager customer. “Even though I have some friends who (still) say thrifting is gross, I think it has become a fad to wear things that were (previously) in style,” the 22-year-old said. “Maybe that’s because my generation is struggling to earn money, even when we graduate from college.”
Favorite old t-shirts f ind new life as skirts BY JENNIFER FORKER Associated Press
Remember that old REM concert T-shirt from 1989? Or the shirt from the 10K race where you set a personal best? It’s a shame they’re living in the back of your closet, but they don’t have to. Recycled into a skirt, our nostalgic Ts get to parade again in public. Denise Chaudhari makes three styles of skirt out of rock-band T-shirts: a casual, asymmetrical skirt, a simple a-line and a professional-looking skirt for the office. “Everybody has (old T’s) in their drawer, and they’re not flattering to wear,” says Chaudhari, of Lafayette, Colo. “They won’t wear them, but they won’t get rid of them.” Chaudhari’s answer is these flirty skirts, made from T’s and color-coordinating jersey fabric. She began a few years ago by pilfering from her husband’s collection, and then friends shared their old T’s. Today, Chaudhari trolls thrift stores — those near universities are the best — and buys in bulk from concert T-shirt wholesalers. Bands from the ‘80s, punk rock and the
Sally Lang/Associated Press
Beatles sell the best, she says. “Punk is cool to wear, even if you don’t listen to it,” says Chaudhari, 43. “It’s cool to wear a Ramones (T-shirt skirt).” Sally Lang, of Salem, Ore., makes her own version of the T-shirt skirt. Good rock T’s are hard to find at thrift stores, she says. But in her neck of the woods, tie dye rules.
The dynamic colors and patterns translate into eye-catching skirts. “In Oregon, we’re kind of obsessed with tie dye,” says Lang. In Chaudhari’s experience selling her skirts at craft fairs, buyers who don’t have a favorite band gravitate to the T-shirt skirts that feature a guitar or other generic, musical image, or to super-hero graphics. She also recommends making recycled skirts from T-shirts from races, non-profits — even sarcastic T’s. Often, she puts those into her children’s clothing line, which she sells at her online shop, Dandy Social Club. “Something like ‘the Sarcasm Committee’ or ‘Sugar Daddy,’ with an image of the candy — those are even funnier on a kid’s shirt,” Chaudhari says. Lang, 55, who sells her T-shirt skirts amid other recycled clothing at her online Etsy shop, Thankful Rose, buys T’s made from 100 percent cotton. Flimsier, lighter-weight T’s don’t hold up. Besides tie dye and rock T’s, she hunts for paisley patterns and solid colors to mix in. She admits to being obsessed with creat-
ing her “upcycled” clothing line. If she has the fabric picked out, she can make a T-shirt skirt in about two hours. “It’s a process and I love every minute of it,” Lang says. Besides enjoying the hunt for unusual T’s, both women say the shirts are the easiest, most cost-effective way to incorporate inventive, clever graphics into their skirts. “You can’t just go to the fabric store and buy some of the cool prints that you see on T-shirts,” says Lang. Before turning to T’s, Chaudhari looked into screen-printing her own images, but it was expensive and time-consuming. T-shirt images provide “endless surprises,” Chaudhari says. “Now you’re upcycling and you’re incorporating a band people love, and it’s comfortable like a T-shirt, like an old friend.” Chaudhari and Lang have different methods for sewing T-shirt skirts. See examples of their skirts at their websites, and view others on Pinterest.com. The online site Craft Stylish shares a free, illustrated tutorial for an a-line skirt made from two T-shirts of coordinated colors.