Who doesn't like garage sales, rummage sales, used a bit sales — whatever you want to call them? Oh, I know there are some who don't, but for many it is a fun-filled adventure.
One can find more variety at a rummage sale than any department store could possibly have on display. It is seldom the shopper who will be able to walk away from the sale without finding something that is calling his or her name and many of these things become favorite treasures.
Vintage items turn up now and then at rummage sales and sometimes collectors can enjoy a profit. I know one lady who found a valued picture behind a picture she bought for the frame.
You will always find cookbooks at garage sales. My mother was fortunate to find a tattered copy of a cookbook from the Oak Street Club. Cookbooks are like reading material. What a good time we had reading not only the recipes but also the names of those who submitted them. Most of them are now gone, but my mother recalled them in memory. Sometimes the names of the people who submitted the recipe are as enduring as the recipe itself.
The most memorable recipe I'll ever know is in the old Methodist cookbook that my mom got years ago that contained a recipe from Mrs. Ferguson for chicken soup. It was one chicken, one carrot, etc. It was like soup used to be years ago. It had more broth and wasn't like the soup that we tend to make now that almost gets to be a hotdish as it is so thick.
No way could one use all those cookbook collectables, but every book will have a recipe you've never used. They come from far and near and though you may always go back to your “Better Homes and Garden” cookbook, especially if you are in a hurry, you'll also find favorites written in the blank spots in these great cookbooks. Interestingly enough — look for the tattered copies that in essence tell you they have really been used. Everal Lageson used to say, "Show me your dirty recipes,” the ones spattered with flour and egg yolks and other ingredients, as it showed which were the favorite recipe that were often used.
Collectors always find the special little things that find a place in their hobby or maybe something they don't need but can't resist. Salt and pepper shakers, cups and saucers, books, and teddy bears are good examples. And then there are the needlework items that took so much time, money and relaxing hours to produce. They are prime finds for those who aren't needlework inclined.
Don't forget about the toys: the dolls, trucks, puzzles, etc. Talking books and other battery toys often need the batteries replaced, but kids like noise and musical toys and there are plenty out there. Don't forget to look at the books. There are usually some really good books that you can share with your children or grandchildren.
Of course, no child could or should ever be unclothed with the abundance of others’ outgrown attire available for sale for a small price. Many times you also see clothes that still have the original price tags on them. Sometimes they were bought for others and they were either too small, too big, or something someone didn't like, and they were never returned, or couldn't be returned.
Best clothes are always available too because they were used so little, and I guess the same is true for a large amount of baby clothes, too, because we forget how fast they outgrow them. The same is true for shoes so tiny and cute and unneeded but too adorable to resist buying them.
There are always some big items at the garage sales, and some are really a bargain. Don't forget to check out the hardware, woodworking, or garden-type items. Who doesn't need an extra screwdriver, hammer, or rake? And if there is nothing great, you at least had the fun of looking and enjoying the visit.
How do you pass up not picking up some precious or heritage items? Take a picture and let it go. I had a neighbor who had a rule: if it wasn't used in eight months, it was put on a surplus sale. Another rule was always give away, sell or dispose of the same number of items you buy. Buy a new sweater, remove an old one out of the closet — that way your closet, cupboards or drawers never got too full.
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• Thursday, August 2nd: Kolten Aaron Michael Hanson, Tara Cromwell Lembke, Cole Lehmberg, Vivian Dulas, Cora Lynn Harpel, Ryan Nelson, Scott Sommers, George Wangsness Jr., Carol Lein, Melissa Marlin
• Friday, August 3rd: Arianna Elizabeth Pence/Ortiz, Jo Lerberg, Kristine Dummer, Cynthia Nelson, Kent Swearingen, Jean Molenaar, Matthew Wayne, Nicholas Wayne, Gerald Flugum
• Saturday, August 4th: Madysen Grace Waage, Karen Edwardson Loge, Harold Jensen, Bryce Ingvaldson, Terry Vaith, Ryan Wangsness, Michael Hanson, Tom Lang, Bethany Cooper, Rachel Reichl, Gary & Kathy Reichl, Warren & Ilsbeth Wayne
• Sunday, August 5th: Wayne Schimek, Corey Wangsness, Gabriella Lynn Olson, Gladys Johnson, John Ramlo, Annette Thostenson, Jennifer Broskoff Dutton, Andrea & Kane Malo, Christopher & Kristen Hanson
• Monday, August 6th: Lynn Nechanicky, Rick Cook, Matthew Miller, Andy & Mary Lerberg, Wendell & Connie Kuehni
• Tuesday, August 7th: August 7th: Shelly Mangskau, Zachery Vangen, Lori Titus, Dylan Waltz, Jack Jensen, Dakota Wayne Heideman, Kaityn Quimby, Cheyenne Bergerson, David Arbogast, Darren Casper, Allen Wacek, Tom & Katie Marlin
• Wednesday, August 8th: Ian Matthew Wayne, Luke Wangsness, John Vander Stoep, Jamie Walworth, Kathy Born, Scott Crabtree, Jessica Marcus, Sharon Miller Jensen, Barb O'Conner, Gary Peterson, Emily Jensen, Marc Collins, Matthew Swift, Don Gould, Mya Glienke
Sending you heartfelt wishes for a lovely day!
