Signs of spring approaching are everywhere – the clocks have sprung forward, the days are getting longer, the sun is shining more brightly and, last but not least, the snow banks are disappearing! And spring fever is spreading like the plague. And spring fever eventually leads to feverish spring-cleaning. And thoughts of spring-cleaning bring to mind the opportunity to reduce, recycle, reuse! And this, in turn, leads one to wonder - “when is that wonderful mega rummage sale at St Andrew’s Church and when will those wonderful, selfless volunteers be at the church to receive my donations?”
Photo caption: As soon as last years giant rummage sale was over, the joint coordinators Maaja Matsoo (left) and Helle Arro flew off to exotic, picturesque Croatia for a well-deserved rest. The well-rested duo is now ready to take on the challenges of HIIGELBASAAR #19!
Well, wonder no longer! The 19th annual “HIIGELBASAAR” is happening on Saturday, May 3rd. The sale begins at 8:00 AM and finishes at 1:00 PM. The new 8 AM start time will be good news for those loyal annual patrons who line up as early as 6 AM in order to be first in the door!
And those ever-helpful volunteers will be at the church to receive your reusable, resalable “in good condition” items from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the following three Wednesdays in April: April 9th, 16th and 23rd.
In addition to the change in the start time of the sale on May 3rd, the organizing committee has made one other change this year, namely the very last drop-off point, the one at Eesti Kodu has been eliminated. The donors are being asked to bring their donations directly to the church. This eliminates the extra unloading and reloading at 50 Old Kingston Rd, the extra hoisting and carrying of items down and up again from the basement holding place.
The organizing committee is, of course, extremely grateful to Eesti Kodu for the use of its facilities for the past 18 years and very thankful to the volunteers who have over the years manned this the busiest of all the drop-off points.
This change brings to mind an interesting bit of HIIGELBASAAR trivia, the fact that for many years there were at least 15 drop-off points all over the greater Toronto area. Convenient for the donors, perhaps, but the image of hundreds and hundreds carloads of “stuff” being unloaded and reloaded halfway to the church is mind-boggling. Yes, the members of AKEN committee are now 19 years older and also a couple of years wiser!
But, like always, help and advice are only a click of the keyboard or a telephone call away.
The coordinators of HB XIX await your questions – Helle Arro, 416-449-4209,hellearro@rogers.com and Maaja Matsoo, 416-691-0719,maaja@rogers.com.
ELLEN LEIVAT,
AKEN committee