Someone asked me about the large banner hanging all week at the
corner of Fourth and Church streets advertising something
called
”
Grandma’s Attic.
”
It turns out that this coming Saturday marks the return of a
beloved Gilroy tradition, an annual sale that used to be held at
the United Methodist Church more than 20 years ago.
Someone asked me about the large banner hanging all week at the corner of Fourth and Church streets advertising something called “Grandma’s Attic.” It turns out that this coming Saturday marks the return of a beloved Gilroy tradition, an annual sale that used to be held at the United Methodist Church more than 20 years ago.
It started as the kind of white elephant sale at which you could find many things to buy for the price of peanuts. “You could get things as cute as they could be,” longtime resident Marge Burchell recalls.
Back in those days, the women of the church saved their egg money and whatever was raised from Grandma’s Attic for their own special projects, such as improving the church kitchen.
There were times when men in the church tried to get their hands on the proceeds. But the Ladies Aid Society (as it was called back then) prevailed.
Grandma’s Attic is being revived this time in order to donate to a fund called “apportionments.” This is just a fancy way Methodists have of saying “a portion meant for others.”
The money donated to this fund is distributed to a number of different causes, including ongoing aid to Hurricane Katrina victims. As people work to clean up their neighborhoods, the top supply needs are flood buckets, cleaning supplies, bleach, bedding, insect repellent, and dust mask respirators. The funds from Saturday’s sale can help provide these much-needed supplies.
This is an opportunity for people to recycle quality items they are not using by selling them to people who will better appreciate them. Of course, this can have unanticipated results.
There was the time Rita Gifford donated some fine items to be sold, and later on in the day, her husband Jack wandered down to check out the sale. As he eyed the tables, he was surprised to recognize his own prized slide projector. Well, suffice it to say, he ended up buying his own stuff back again.
To those buying or selling, there is one word of advice from past experience: always check the pockets. Parishioners tell me that someone bought a jacket at one of the sales and it was later discovered that a set of church keys must have been left in the pocket. The entire church had to be re-keyed, which cost nearly as much as the total earned by the sale.
A few of the items being donated include a bicycle (adult), a telescope, a new iron, an HP 30S scientific calculator that’s never been out of its package, a new car cover, light fixtures, and a full-size bed with a clean mattress.
There will also be a redwood play structure for sale which looks similar to those being sold at local stores right now (but this one will be priced at $500 less).
True, this one is five years old, but it was made of high quality materials that really last and was priced at $3,000 when new. It comes with a tire swing and a rock climbing wall. Designed to fit into tight areas, it can be set up in a relatively small yard.
Everything will be clearly marked with prices, but rumor has it that it might be possible to bargain (but you didn’t hear it from me). I am told the sale will be held in Wesley’s Hall at the United Methodist Church (7600 Church St.) from 8:30am until whatever time people stop showing up.
