The Barn Sale had another successful year. Please read the Treasurer’s Report for the exact figures. The dollars we make go into the general fund to support the Society.

As usual, weather is our enemy. We had many rainy days this year and one day we could not open because of flooding rains. Twice we closed early on Tuesdays because of extreme heat. As I was shutting the Barn door at 2 p.m. on a 95 degree day, I encountered a gentleman that claimed to have $300.00 in his pocket to spend in the Barn. I replied I had three ladies 60-plus years old and they were my priority. I invited him to come back on Saturday. He did! He spent 50 cents.

An important change you may have noticed is we close at noon on Saturdays. This is very much appreciated by our volunteers.

Our community is very generous. We always find wonderful donations on the porch and in our bin at the Transfer Station. Thanks to the assistance of the staff at the Transfer Station, we treated the men to a pizza lunch.

This year we had the pleasure of taking items from four households that were moving or otherwise dissolving.

However, all donations are not what they seem. We were given a lovely maple hutch only to get a call from the donor that it was not her’s to give. A sofa bed landed in our drive-way – it was to go to the Renaissance Shop in New London. We have people that use us as a dump, leaving old tires and tv’s, etc., items that require a fee at the Transfer Station.

Sale days can be interesting. We had an old brush we used to clean the tables. One of the girls forgot to return it to the kitchen and the other one sold it for 50 cents.

Trudy and I arrived at the Barn one day to find a man’s bicycle and cap left to the side of the porch. We immediately put a $5.00 price tag on the bike and put the cap into our 25 cent bin. Shortly after, George Packard appeared and asked about the bike. Sure, we’d sell it to him for $5.00. Can’t do that says George, it’s my bike. And how about my cap?

If you’ve visited us in the Barn, you’ve notice some new faces. We are fortunate to have several new volunteers. Some of the volunteers work behind the scenes. They do many special projects to keep things running smoothly. We are also proud to have new aprons showing us as volunteers for the Society. The aprons will also be used at Bake Sales.

On September 7^th we held an ice cream social for our workers and the Board. It was a thank you to all and a search for help. Liz Mills will assist me on Tuesdays and Ellen Callier will be my Thursday person. Ginny Warner will continue to handle the Book Loft. Kathy Carson will do our telephone work and put much of our correspondence on-line.

The reason for these changes is that my pal, Trudy Daniels, will be stepping down. Trudy has been my co-chair and a tireless worker for two years and a Barn volunteer for 17 years. She promises to continue working for us but in a less demanding position.

Respectfully submitted,

Arlene Zalenski