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Just Say OMG!

by Cate Murway

‘Oh My Goodness’, the enchanting little stop nestled in the historic Borough of Hulmeville, offers a uniquely diverse, eclectic collection of diamonds in the rough for antique and collectible aficionados.

The building located on the corner of Main Street and Hulmeville Road was erected in 1871and legend has it that in 1917, Harry Houdini, the American stunt performer noted for his sensational escape acts, occupied a green room in there. He performed on the stage on the second floor while on one of his vaudeville tours.

Now there is Motown music in the background and a vast selection of vintage treasures in the “Primitive Room”, the front room, showcasing military artifacts from the Civil War, while the middle room remains eclectic. Glassware and Lenox collectibles command the last room.

Linda “Lynn” [Coombs] Morris has been in this business for over 3½ years.

“I like the store itself. It’s haunted.”

It seems there was a vortex of air in the back room and a doll

that always finds its way into the center of the room.

Lynn moved from another location ‘with a little help from her friends’.

“My customers are the best in this world.

They came with their personal vehicles and packed me and moved all my stuff.”

Especially helpful were Rich and Bernadette Hart and Police Office John Fimby.

Lynn was raised on Cedar Street in historic Bristol on the Delaware. She was a cheerleader and played field hockey while in Bristol High and she taught ice skating at the Grundy rink.

Lynn loves to dance. “I did the Bristol Stomp”.

She choreographed the 1978 BHS ‘Saturday Night Fashion Fever’ show.

“It was magnificent. No one had ever seen a fashion show like that”, shared Joseph Franceschini, esteemed BHS teacher of American and British literature who was recently honored at the 2012 Bristol Fall Classic.

Lynn’s dad was a fireman for the Consolidated Fire Company on Pond & Mulberry Streets.

“I was in every parade. I grew up in the Firehouse and I did my homework on the steering wheel of the Station 50 vehicle that they are restoring.”

Lynn came from an entire family of entrepreneurs. Both of her parents, Dorothy Jean [Magee] and Raymond “Ray” Efferson Coombs were realtors, owners of the Raymond E. Coombs RE office on Pond Street. “I followed in my father’s footsteps and went into Real Estate”.

She started working in the family business and then joined with Ms. Fran Davis in Century 21 Realty. It wasn’t long before she was involved in multi- million dollars sales.

“When I do something, I do it right.”

She continued her career working in mortgage and refinancing until “Oh my goodness, the kids are all gone, I think I’ll try this”. She left that profession to become a US Airways and United Airlines stewardess. “Thursdays child has far to go…”

Lynn and her husband, Alexander “Alex” Morris are residents of Landreth Manor in Bristol Township. Alex works in heating and air conditioning for Meenan Oil but consistently lends a hand at the store. “He always keeps me going”.

She brags that he is a gourmet cook and raves about his chicken/ broccoli dish called “ingredients”.

They are most proud of their three children and six grandchildren and their great grandson, Jayce. Family is most important.

Lynn is the third daughter of the third daughter with three daughters.

Their daughter, Melinda Piecznyski’s children are Devin Dempsey, a Dean’s List student; and her two little sons are Michael and Vincent Pieczynski.

Their equestrian athlete daughter, Michelle Papendick has three children, Samantha Paige Viola, Hailey Jade Papendick and Kyle Papendick.

Their youngest, Tiffany Moore, runs the Pro Desk at Home Depot.

Some friends encouraged her to “get into antiques”.

‘Oh My Goodness’ is a treasure trove of Civil War and Gettysburg and relics and more curiosities. People love the stories and Lynn enjoys making people say “Oh My Goodness”.

She and her husband travel up and down the East Coast to get the real deal, real relics.

A favorite haunt is the ‘Battlefield Military Museum' in Gettysburg.

Korean War veteran, Sgt. 1st Class George W. Marinos and his wife, Alberta “Bert”, have been collecting military artifacts for 70 years. It is Gettysburg’s largest private collection.

“The history is unbelievable.”

They also own a candy making business, Marinos Chocolate. It’s been a family business for five generations now, since 1920.

But it’s the stories… Lynn researches and identifies her items so she can accurately market them. She learns the age and origin of each.

“This is my fun place”, some customers have said.

But it’s Lynn’s stories that are the draw.

Sarah MacDonald Helsley posted on the OMG facebook “You are my favorite part of the shop!”

Antiquing is the original recycling. Some people buy antiques to decorate their home.

The sensational acquisitions can even have sentimental value for the collection hobbyist or be a perfect one-of-a-kind gift for someone special.

Notable picks include a signed Giuseppe Armani porcelain figurine, a Civil War confederate dollar [for display only] from Gettysburg; a sousaphone, a valved brass instrument that is designed so that it fits around the body of the musician, antique firearms and an 1890 Post Office window from Peddler’s Village in Lahaska.

But it will be the stories that will bring you back.

That, and her two 2 Scotty dogs.

Mr. Scruffy McScruff and Miss Molly McDuff are part of the store.

“When I walk into Lynn’s antique store, it puts a smile on my face. Lynn is so generous and nice and I love going there. There is so much stuff to look at for a person like me. It is paradise.

Now go and see this great place for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.”

Joseph D. Andress, age 9

Gift certificates are available and Lynn offers a “layaway” for most items, allowing her customers to put an item on hold.

Call and ask about an item and Lynn will post a picture on the OMG facebook for you to see.

Oh My Goodness

3 Hulme Street

Hulmeville, PA 19047

215.375.2150

Fri - Sun: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com