Garage sales

Last weekend, Islanders lugged odds and ends out to the curb for the 14th annual 70-mile yard sale. Every year, junk migrates from one home to a neighbouring one, and proximity to the ferry means that some stuff even makes its way across the Northumberland Strait to settle in Nova Scotia.


Before Kajiji and eBay, people parted with unwanted belongings primarily through yard sales, consignment shops, flea markets, thrift stores and moving sales.

Even in today's electronic age, there are diehard garage sale shoppers who will go to great lengths to find the right bargain. These individuals are early risers, expert hagglers and persistent seekers. (I'm convinced my mom doesn't even need to slow down her car to spot a Fisher-Price piece to complete one of her precious 1970s toy sets or a spoon to match a rare silver service.)

Rummage through your attic, unearth boxes from your basement and reach back into the recesses of your closets. Chances are you'll discover long-forgotten items in need of a good home.

You'll free up some space and your neglected castoffs just may be treasures in the eyes of another beholder. 

Have any of your castoffs brought a smile to someone else's face? Have you ever scored an epic find of your own while browsing at a garage sale?

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