Tom is a 25+ year resident of Germantown and the surrounding community. He currently lives in Hubertus with his wife and two small kids on a hobby farm near Bark Lake. Tom's blog will likely not save the world, but hopefully, you'll get some enjoyment from his ramblings.
‘Tis the Season! Ah yes……three little words usually associated with the season that begins in late November and runs through early January. But here in southeast Wisconsin, springtime means only one thing….’Tis the Season for RUMMAGING!
Rummage sales come in many shapes, forms and sizes here in our community. Let’s spend a moment reviewing each:
Yard Sales – These are usually the lowest form of rummaging that exists. Usually set up by some overly zealous, stay-at-home, mother of three kids that somehow feels someone is willing to pay retail price for the baby Tommy Hilfeger Jeans her 2 year-old son has outgrown. These sales can usually be avoided with a technique called “road shopping” (an art form of driving by the house and seeing that the only items for sale are two tables full of baby clothes and an Abdominizer that hasn’t been used in 8 years).
Rummage Sales – The standard fodder of junk enthusiasts. Rummage experts (you know who you are!) know that the type of sign a person uses to attract you to these sales can tell you a lot about what junk they are trying to sell. Are the signs made of wood or craft paper? Was a crayon, marker or paintbrush used to write the sign? Balloons attached? Do the signs guide me directly to the sale, or send me on a wild goose chase? Pay close attention to these signs, because that overly zealous, stay-at-home, mother of three will sometimes fool you into thinking her pathetic Yard Sale is actually a quality Rummage Sale.
Garage Sales – Usually set up by the man of the house, and usually geared more towards the boys. I’m talking real Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor stuff here. Garage Sales offer a real good chance of scoring some used power tools (that you’ll probably never use), that awesome neon Miller Beer sign you always wanted (that your wife won’t let you hang in your house) or the past 23 years of every Playboy magazine ever published (which, of course, your wife won’t allow into your house either!).
Church Sales – You can always feel good about buying something at a Church Sale, because you know the money is going to be used for a greater cause. Note - proper rummaging etiquette states that you never barter the price of an item at a Church Sale. I think the reason here is obvious.
Barn Sales – Personally, I get goose bumps when I see a sign for one of these! These are usually full of antiques, rotted out windowpanes and rusty old tools. If there’s ever a chance of actually finding a highly coveted, original and classic Leg Lamp, I have to believe it would be found at a Barn Sale.
Estate Sales – A unique sort of “everything goes” sale that can usually reap great rewards for buyers. I scored an awesome, retro, chrome, breadbox at one of these last year for $1.00!!!
Multi-Family Rummage Sales – Can be a great stop, as humongous quantities of available junk are concentrated in one small area. I get a kick out of seeing a neighbor buy something from another neighbor at these. Shouldn’t they have just talked to each other and done some sort of junk exchange?
And then there is the granddaddy, behemoth, colossal mother of all Rummage Sales - THE VILLAGE WIDE RUMMAGE SALE. Slinger holds one of these every year the Saturday immediately before Mother’s Day (May 12th this year). Slinger’s is a nice sale that many participate in, but the village is so spread out, you have to be prepared to walk or drive around a lot. Jackson holds their annual Rummage Sale the Saturday immediately following Mother’s Day (May 19th this year). If you’ve never attended the Jackson sale, you should give it a try. What amazes me even more than the amount of quality junk for sale in Jackson, is the community’s ability to regenerate so much junk year after year! If you do attend the Jackson sale this year, stop in for a break at the Jackson Pub on Main Street. Good chance you’ll see me and many others comparing our recently purchased treasures while sipping down a couple of cold ones.
G’ night G’ Town!
If a man had as many ideas during the day as he does when he has insomnia, he'd make a fortune. ~Griff Niblack
