Furniture, books, clothing, jewelry, even a stuffed beaver can be found at Manette Antiques.

Manette Antiques reopened along East 11th Street Feb. 1 and owners Ruth Reese and Nanette Nichols couldn’t be happier.

“We’re doing pretty good given the economy,” Nichols said.

The old Manette Antiques closed May 2008 after nine years in business. Reese, Nichols, Nichols’ mother Myra Brochner and Nichols’ aunt Aladene Harney owned the shop, but just Reese and Nichols decided to open the new store.

“So this is really going to be the 10th year for Manette Antiques,” Reese said.

Manette Antiques is located just up the road from the old store and Reese and Nichols love their new digs because it is larger and has adequate parking for customers.

“We just love our new location,” Reese said.

Reese has been in the antiques business since the late 1970s when she and her husband owned the Keyport Mercantile. She sold antiques there and later opened and co-owned local antique shops including the Calico Cat, the Sassy Cat and the Cat’s Meow.

Nichols is fairly new to the antiques business. She first came onboard with Manette Antiques several years ago. When Manette Antiques closed last year, she kept it open under her name, Nanette’s Antiques, for nine months before deciding to open the new Manette Antiques with Reese.

“I came into the business probably six years ago, but I’ve loved antiques for about 24 years,” Nichols said. “I decided then I was going to furnish my house with antiques.”

Reese and Nichols decided to reopen Manette Antiques because the location on the corner of East 11th Street and Scott Avenue became available and they fell in love with it.

“My husband and Ruth decided that if this space ever became available we were going to go for it,” Nichols said.

Manette Antiques sells a little bit of everything including artwork, pottery and even a miniature piano.

“We’re reasonably priced. We have quality merchandise in here,” Nichols said.

“We have good things,” Reese added.

Reese said they sell Manette pioneering items and have a Manette History Club exhibit. Reese is the president of the club and she changes the exhibit each month to showcase different things about Manette’s history.

Reese said she loves antiques because of the history behind the pieces.

“Part of what I like about antiques is the history. There’s not a day that goes by where you don’t learn something about something,” she said.

Nichols said she’s always liked antiques, but she isn’t sure why they appeal to her so much.

“There’s something about them. I don’t know what it was,” Nichols said. “I’ve always liked them better than new furniture.”

Nichols said a lot of the goods at Manette Antiques come from auctions, garage and estate sales.

“My husband loves to go to auctions,” she said.

“And we buy directly from people if they come in and sell,” Reese added.

Reese and Nichols said they like having a business in Manette. Nichols grew up there and Reese was born and still lives in the small town.

“It’s just a nice community,” Nichols said.

Bremerton Patriot Staff writer Rachel Brant can be reached at rbrant@bremertonpatriot.com or (360) 308-9161.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/Oct/21/halloween-events/#ixzz0ULrydBQ9

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for moms with babies/children in strollers.

Held indoor at the Kitsap Mall, it includes “power walking” and “stations” where moms do a variety of body toning exercises. Participants use exercise tubing (which is provided), the stroller and the mall environment to workout — a great workout for any level of exerciser.

Where: Kitsap Mall 10315 Silverdale Way Silverdale (park by the Kohls main mall entrance and meet by the children’s play area at the North end of the mall).

When: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Age level: It is recommended your baby be at least 6 weeks of age to begin class. Children can participate in classes up to any age, so long as they still enjoy a ride in the stroller.

Cost: The first class is FREE. Single, monthly and memberships include:

Single Class Pass – $15. Suitable for the out-of-town visitor or guest. Or, pay as you go for uncertain schedule changes.

10 Class Pass – $99. Save over $50 on 10 classes. This package gives 10 classes which can be used at any time within 6 months from date of purchase.

Monthly Membership – $49 plus a one-time registration of $55. Unlimited participation. Sign up on the day of your first free class, and receive a member T-shirt, a stroller towel, and additional gifts from business partners.

Tri-Class Pass – $169. Allows 3 classes per week for 3 months.

Things to Bring: Any kind of stroller that is not prone to tipping, water, and a towel or mat for our ground exercises. Arrive at all classes at least 15 minutes before start time. We leave promptly at start time and wouldn’t want to leave anyone behind

More information: The workouts are 1-hour. The walk is approximately 50-minutes, followed by 10-minutes of abs and/or stretching. Consult your doctor before starting this or any other exercise program. For more details call Ellecia Williams (800) 972-0928 or visit www.strollerstrides.com. Check out the LUNA Moms Club and participate in: Playgroups (once per week); Moms’ Nights Out (once per month); and “Mommies with a Mission” Activities (four times per year).

Christina Rude and Meredith Arseneau are co-authors of the book “Great Adventures for Kitsap Peninsula.” Purchase the book at your local bookstore. Do you have ideas for Kitsap Adventures? E-mail your comments or ideas to: Christina.rude@wavecable.com.