THRIFT GIFTS

Being bombarded daily with advertisements urging us to buy expensive holiday gifts again reminds us of the Bullis family's emphasis on frugality.  One example of this trait is Nettie Bullis's evening meals that consisted of a bologna sandwich and a pint of milk, even though she could have afforded to eat gourmet meals; Charlie Bullis's used-book purchases at area garage and barn sales is another.

It has been said that Charlie Bullis could often be seen at these sales, carting off bags or even boxes of books that were someone else's castoffs. The phrase "one person's trash, another person's treasure" certainly describes a number of rare books that ended up in the Bullis Collection as a result of Mr. Bullis's love of books and his equal love of frugality.

The family's thrift resulted in an estate that Nettie Bullis left to benefit her home town and county. And Charlie Bullis's focus on acquiring used books resulted in a more interesting collection.  We thank both of them for these gifts of thrift.