By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As he walked around clutching a case of old cassette tapes, Dave Cecil felt like he won the garage sale jackpot. Since his vehicles still have cassette players, this find was like striking gold.
“All my cars are old. I couldn’t resist these cassettes,” he said, showing the rows of country music tapes and the cherry on the top – the Righteous Brothers tape.
A few rows away at the giant Wood County Humane Society Annual Garage Sale, Kim Kohring of Luckey felt lucky to have found a waterbell – a dumbbell with foam weights to use in the water.
“I was hoping to find a leather jacket,” she said. No luck there, so she settled on the waterbell.
The garage sale filled the building under the fairgrounds grandstand, and exploded out one end with the large furniture selection outside. The sale continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The sale has the standard fare – toaster ovens, bikes, clothes, lamps, toys.
A kitchen could be stocked with the finds at the garage sale – crockpots, waffle irons, canning jars, Tupperware, snow-cone maker, silverware, ice cube trays, mini cupcake maker, microwaves, a fajita grill, ice crusher and the “perfect pierogi maker.”
A closet could be augmented with sweaters, slacks, slippers and a pair of red velvet stilettos.
For the athletic types, there were badminton rackets, a dart board, hockey sticks, snowboard helmet, golf clubs, sleeping bags, life jackets, a pogo stick, and a Styrofoam surf board that looked like a shark had bitten off the back corner.
For the more cerebral shoppers, there was a book section divided into biographies, nature, sci-fi, how-to, health and fitness. There was a telescope, briefcase Trivial Pursuit game, and puzzles.
For animal lovers there was a double-bowl dog dish, cat carrier, filters for reptile tanks, and a well-used cat scratching post.
For home decorators there were wreaths, candles, throw pillows and figurines of kissing angels, a flag-waving Uncle Sam, waltzing ladies and scratching dogs. Who knew there could be so many clown figurines – of them crying, laughing, catching fish, and just being creepy.
Judging from the items donated for the garage sale, it appears the duck/goose decorative craze may have come to a close with many purging their homes of the waterfowl decor. There were duck and goose napkin holders, a cookie jar, candle holders and trivets.
For the holidays there was an entire corner of Christmas decorations and wrapping paper, plus some Easter and Thanksgiving themed items. For Halloween there was very hairy werewolf mask paired with some hairy arm covers.
The jewelry and sunglasses selections featured several eras of styles – all waiting to come back into style again.
The toys included dolls and doll houses, board games like Candy Land and Maniac Mouse, race cars and castles, viewfinders and building blocks.
“Mom, this is so cool,” one little boy squealed as a held up a harmonica.
Though many items had more universal appeal, some were quite specialized and directed to a limited customer base. There were cuff links, but only for those with the initials “C” or “S.” There was a trombone mute cup and a “Topsy Turvey hummingbird hangout planter.” And there were packages of Depends adult incontinence products, and a “Hot & Handy” device promising to “steam away problems in every room.” There were also pill containers – some for a week, and some for a month for those who prefer to plan in advance.
There were outdated phones, vacuums that looked like their days on the job were done, a dozen or more hair curling irons, old stereo speakers, and partially used rolls of wallpaper. For those TV viewers whose remotes often go missing, there were plenty of extras to stock up on.
But items that were pieces of junk in some homes are precious jewels in another. That’s what makes this annual garage sale work. And that’s what helped bring in $17,059 last year for the Wood County Humane Society.
On Thursday afternoon, Amanda Lewis, of Bowling Green, found an armful of Barbie dolls, purses and stuffed animals that she just couldn’t resist.
“There are a bunch of interesting things. I like the variety,” she said.
Waiting in the checkout line was Rachel Snyder, of Bowling Green, who was handling the garage sale like a professional. She had a toddler in a carrier on her back, and fancy throw pillows and clothing clutched in the front. By her side was he daughter wearing a floppy brimmed hat that she found in the clothing section.
“We have fancy tea once a month with the aunts,” so the hat was a necessity, Snyder said.
This was her first trip to the sale, and she intended to return for some larger furniture items.
“I’ll be back,” she said with a smile.
Still shopping was a woman with a dual mission.
“I came looking for a lawnchair and aquarium.” She was holding a lawnchair, but had not found an aquarium. But she still considered the sale a success. “Totally, look around,” she said, waving her hand toward the tables of goodies.
Kathy McBride, of Pemberville, had netted a planter and a plastic jug. On her list? “Whatever trips my trigger,” she said. “I was amazed at the amount of items they have here.”
Some shoppers were driven. Others were just along for the ride.
Bert Latuch, of Maumee, was rummaging around in the tools area while his wife was doing the serious shopping. “I’m just goofing off. My wife is buying books,” he said.
For those worn out after hours of shopping at the giant garage sale, might I suggest the “Deep Heat Massager” in the small appliance aisle.
