Dateline Dayton — My wife has been after me for some time to get rid of “stuff.” For the most part she is talking about my treasures, items that I believe some day, probably not in my lifetime, might have value.

Back in November, you may recall, I took a sizable number of my collectables to an auction. I still have items I could part with. I will work on disposing of them — hopefully when the market improves, if it ever will.

Last July, the Cash Register Collectors Club will meet here in Dayton. That is when I will try to sell the NCR items I’m willing to part with. Other treasures, which Pauline calls “stuff,” will have to wait for another opportunity.

In addition to my treasures, I have saved a lot of paper over the years. A couple months ago, I came across the cancelled checks I used to purchase a lot where we were going to build our vacation/retirement home. My idea was to set a fire at the lot and burn the checks. However, we sold the lot years ago, and I still had the checks. Eventually, they were shredded. Who says I can’t get rid of things?

In my garage I have two file cabinets full of all kinds of items. Mostly, I admit, it is stuff. I thought someone could find it interesting reading sometime in the future. I don’t know when.

This week I began going through the file cabinets. Some nights I take one drawer and try to eliminate some stuff, gas, electric and telephone bills from thirty years ago.

Out of compassion, I asked Pauline if she would like to see some of these bills since she now pays the household expenses. She had no interest. Now they are headed for the shredder.

How about invoices for repairs to household appliance from the ’70s? Or bills to have the kids’ bicycles repaired?

As a memento, I have saved the bicycle license of our oldest daughter Darlene. Do they even license bicycles anymore?

I found receipts for school tuition, rental of band instruments, dry cleaning of band uniforms, the purchase and repairs of musical instruments and other receipts you no longer could read.

Back in the early ‘70s, I was active in several neighborhood organizations, president of two of them and treasurer of the Neighborhood Assistance Officers program, funded by the city of Dayton. I found a lot of information on that program and I did keep a few items, including the report I gave to the city at the end.

I will keep going through the cabinets. Maybe I can eliminate even more stuff. Oh, yes, there are the cupboards and an area above my desk.

I wonder what finds lie ahead.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net