National
Arizona woman finds desk with valuable secrets
GILBERT, Arizona (KNXV) — A Gilbert woman took an unexpected trip to the past after buying a desk at Goodwill.
“My husband and I refurbish furniture, so we are always looking for rare pieces that we can flip and sell,” said Jenna Franzoy.
That’s exactly what she found shopping at a Mesa Goodwill, near Val Vista Drive and Southern Avenue.
“It was an antique-looking desk, it had all these cool-looking drawers,” said Franzoy.
She said she almost didn’t buy it. But after seeing a crowd form around the desk, she decided she had to have it.
Little did she know the $20 desk had a secret far more valuable.
“I had already sanded it, painted it, everything,” said Franzoy.
Looking at her finished product, she decided to keep it and carry it to her bedroom.
But when Franzoy leaned it over, out popped two secret compartments filled with letters, poems and documents.
“I took a closer look and realized there was a lot of sentimental value, and I came to know about this woman named Martha,” said Franzoy.
Inside the desk, there were letters addressed to Martha McCollough, dating back more than a century.
“Who knows how long it’s been in there,” said Franzoy.
Goodwill didn’t know who donated the desk, but Franzoy knew she had to find the McCollough family.
“I went to a Facebook group called Go Gilbert, and I honestly did not think I would find her or him, whoever I was looking for,” said Franzoy.
People on the page chipped in to help, hoping to solve the mystery.
Within three hours, the group helped connect Franzoy with Shirly Knight, formerly McCollough, who lives in Mesa.
“She’s my grandmother,” said Knight.
She told ABC15 her grandma passed away 40 years ago. The documents would have been written and received when Knight’s grandma was a young adult.
“It’s kind of get to know her better, she’s been gone a long time,” said Knight. “It’s a way to reconnect with her as maybe she was in the past,”
On Friday, she got to see everything that was found inside the desk for the first time, even spotting her dad and some family history in old newspaper clippings.
“My grandmother and her husband farmed in Gilbert,” said Knight. “She lived there most of her life. My father was born there on the farm, and I was raised also on the farm.”
The pictures and documents serve as a window into the early to mid-1900s.
“I think it’s probably been hidden for a long time,” said Knight. “I just appreciate that she took the time and effort to connect with someone in our family and get them back to us.”
She told ABC15 she’s excited to share everything with her family. Franzoy tried to give back the desk, but Knight insisted she keep it.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
By: Pristine Villarreal
February 27, 2023
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1 Silias Bloodworth with the scoop and score, 2) Eusebio Gallo with the kickoff touchdown, 3) Keymorie Rogers with the throw on the run, 4) Damian Durinzi with the rushing TD, or 5) Mario Gallo with the dot towards the endzone #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
Hundreds gathered outside the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for the “Hands Around the Kennedy Center” rally, protesting President Donald Trump’s handling of the performing arts center. The demonstration came after the Kennedy Center board voted to close the facility for repairs and amid an ongoing dispute over the center’s future. Actress and singer Lynda Carter was among those who addressed the crowd. apnews.com Watch the latest video on NBC Palm Springs.
Alice B. has announced it’s closing its doors. It’s cozy atmosphere and unique seasonal menu made it a must try and even landed it in the Michelin guide. @susanfeniger and @marysuemilliken left their mark on the desert over at Living Out and it will be missed. Here’s a clip from one of our last interviews with Susan.
Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT+ Days” to “Cathedral City Pride”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews
Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
Former Silvercrest CEO, William Rodriguez is expected back in court today in connection with the deadly 2024 Cathedral City hit and run that killed a woman. The murder charge was dismissed, but Rodriguez still faces felony hit and run and suspended license charges.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Murder suspect Vicky Kim has once again not been cleared to appear in court. Kim is accused of killing her husband at their Palm Desert condominium complex. Her arraignment has now been delayed three times. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we track the latest developments in this case. #VickyKim #PalmDesert #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews #CourtUpdate NBCPalmSprings