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MELISSA BOGERT-TANNER
 As an owner/operator of a small business, one of the real highlights of my job is the process of developing a customer base of retailers with whom I personally enjoy working. What’s really neat, is when they find me. On a snowy afternoon last November, I found myself lost among the bric-a-brac and vintage kitchenware at Melissa Bogert-Tanner’s enormous consignment shop called Iroquois Antiques and Collectibles, in the tiny upstate village of Bainbridge. I’d been searching for days – trying to find just the right pieces for a customer in Long Island, who I’d promised would receive my bounty no later than October. Much to my satisfaction, that’s when Melissa “found” me – and it’s been a blessing ever since.  When asked to describe Melissa, the one word that resonates is community. She gives so much of herself, on so many levels, that it’s no surprise that she has such a large following, both in and outside of the store. If she weren’t running her shop, I could easily see her gathering medical credentials (which she did), or healing aches and pains as a massage therapist (which she was), or working with animals (which she…..oh never mind, you get the picture). Over the past year, I’ve come to find out that there’s very little that Melissa can’t or won’t do for others, it’s pretty amazing.When it comes to observing her in action, one doesn’t “watch” Melissa, one lives it. She’s a magnet for challenges, taking you along for the ride with each visit to her shop. It’s the roller-coaster called life – with Melissa sitting in the front car, her arms raised and waving her hands from side-to-side as it rumbles down the tracks. No one gets away with just waving back. Not only do you feel compelled to root for her, but with her -- no ifs, ands, or buts.  Recently, while eating breakfast together at the local diner, she’d mentioned to me about the need to do more for those less fortunate, and the possibility of setting up a charity to collect/distribute unwanted furniture. With the economy tanking, and the division between the haves and have-nots becoming more and more prevalent, there’s going to be a need for, as she said, “real things for real people.” I couldn’t agree with her more. Just by being in her presence, Melissa brings out the best in you – and these days, that’s truly rare. If traveling along the antiques trail heading west on Rt. 8, stop by Iroquois Antiques and Collectibles and lose yourself for an hour or two. Hopefully, if you are lucky, you’ll find Melissa in the store that day, and remember -- hold on tight, your ride has just begun!  A donation to the Bainbridge Soup Kitchen has been made byViejo Sol in honor of Melissa Bogert-Tanner for this installment of Season of the Sol.
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