Super garage sale fundraiser draws a crowd to LIC

Rick Seibert sits behind his table offering his wares to those wandering by at the recent LIC garage. Behind him is shopper Kathy Reed. Photo by Ed Johnson, KP News

The Longbranch Improvement Club was overflowing inside and out with antiques, books, clothing, crafts, jewelry, toys, plants, baked goods and all kinds of tools and household items.

Saturday, April 12 was the second biannual sale hosted by the LIC. Former LIC president and garage sale committee member, Joseph Barrow, wearing a tall black and white hat and carrying a boat horn, directed newcomers to the wares inside.

Denny and Jan Prichard chaired the garage sale committee.

They said the work on reading the sale started back in February. Lots of merchandise donated to the LIC fundraising event was stored in the Prichard’s garage. Some 15 helpers contributed time and labor to facilitate a smooth, organized operation. Some helpers were experienced garage sellers.

“It’s so nice to do this when you have so much help,” Denny Prichard said.

The greatest challenge they faced was finding enough space. They ran out of tables and had to bring in more from homes, Prichard said.

The center of the building was filled with sale items which had been donated to the LIC with all profits going to that organization.

The building was crammed with another 20 private booths that were rented out for a fee of $20 that included a table in the space. Outdoor booths cost $15, and did not include a table. The first to reserve space were closest to the building. Seventeen booths outside were fortunate to have a sunny day as shoppers streamed from the crowded parking area.

A booth full of plants offerings of Right Brain Creations, Pat and Ruth Thompson’s nursery, filled the same space they occupied at the last sale in 2012. Sales were booming again this year, they said.

“It’s amazing how they put this all together,” Susan Quigley said. “This is the super, super garage sale.”

Shoppers burdened with purchases head back to the parking lot, pausing along the way to take a last look in case they missed something on the way in.

“My husband said I couldn’t buy anything that would go in the garage, so I bought shoes and dahlias,” Beth Porter said.

Gayle Shriner trudged up wearing her barn boots.

“I saw the yellow signs at the post office on the way to shear sheep,” she said. “I had to come here first. This is a community jewel. It’s fun.”