After reading about my Goodwill hunting two weeks ago, Emily Wesson of Orono gave me a call.

“Have you heard about the Orono Thrift Shop?” she asked.

I had heard about it, in fact, but it had been awhile since I shopped there. I had forgotten how fun it was. And the prices. Ah, the prices.

My sister, aka ShopGirl Jr., and I walked up the stairs of the old school on Birch Street (off Pine) and entered a retro wonderland. Junior wanted funky pants, but she had to settle for a funky shirt in pink polyester instead. I wanted a bag, and I found two – one in transparent floral plastic, circa 1965, the other in preppy pink canvas accented with a sailboat motif, circa 1982.

We also left with a blue polyester circle skirt and a pair of grass-green Polo pants. The price? $1.50 for everything. It was almost as good as the time I found a box full of antique Fiesta ware at the Salvation Army for 25 cents apiece.

May Lewis, who runs the thrift shop, explained that the early birds got all the good stuff. But I thought we did pretty well for showing up at 1 p.m. Among the finds that we had to leave behind were a pair of Yves St. Laurent pants, a pair of Nine West linen capris with the tags still on, and a vintage bag pepped up with a red, white and blue umbrella print. Very patriotic. In short, this is the place to go if you’re looking for vintage duds (and gently used newer items) on the cheap.

All of the proceeds from the shop benefit the Orono Health Association, which funds a dental clinic for low-income children, among other things. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Apparently the earlier you go, the better the selection is, and supplies are replenished as often as donations come in.

In other ShopNews, L.L. Bean will hold its women-centered Outdoor Living Day on Saturday, April 20, and Spring Renewal Day on

Saturday, April 27, at the Freeport store. Outdoor Living Day will feature workshops on creating a landscape to attract birds, and designing an edible garden, as well as a garden talk with Ted Carter, Paul Tukey and Dr. Richard Churchill of People Places and Plants magazine. Spring Renewal Day will focus on color, clothing, health and fitness, with wardrobe and home-decorating tips from L.L. Bean designers. There also will be fly-casting lessons for women. For information or directions, call (800) 559-0747, Ext. 37222, or visit www.llbean.com/stores.

While in Freeport, be sure to check out the Banana Republic outlet, which had a wonderful selection of chic, simple spring clothing when I visited last week. And a little bird told me Banana would be getting in a new shipment of goodies on the 19th, which would make it even better. Now that the weather’s nice, I think a shopping trip is in order.

Reader question

Dear ShopGirl,

My fiancee and I would like to put up pressed-tin ceilings in our dining room but don’t know where to look. We don’t care whether they’re salvaged antique ceiling tiles or reproductions. Any suggestions?

S.K., Bangor

Dear S.K.,

My local hardware sources recommend Renovator’s Supply in Millers Falls, Mass. The company offers about eight different reproduction patterns in pressed steel, along with cornices and decorative strips. Each 2-foot-by-2-foot tile costs $34. For information, visit www.renovatorssupply.com or call (800) 659-2211.

In Maine, Decorum on Market Street in Portland can order an array of reproduction tiles in pressed steel, starting at $16.60 per 2-foot-by-2-foot sheet. Decorum also offers larger sheets and tiles plated with chrome, brass and copper, which are considerably more expensive.

This should get you started. Good luck renovating.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you. Send questions, comments or suggestions to Kristen Andresen, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329 or e-mail kandresen@bangordailynews.net.