Garage sales can promote neighborhood camaraderie

Homes are being de-cluttered, neighbors are visiting with neighbors again and bargain-seekers are flushed with delight over their garage sale treasures.

Neighborhood garage sales have been bringing crowds out in droves during the month of May and will continue during the warm months of summer and fall. Individual garage sales are also common.

Don Brightman, of Riverwoods Drive in Rockford, held his garage sale for three full days last week. The first day was the busiest and the last day the most quiet, he said.

With a garage and driveway full of antiques and collectibles, he said it was hard to predict what people would buy.

"The things I thought would sell didn't and the things I didn't think much about sold right away," Brightman said.

He sold many tools and pieces of antique china, even an old slide projector. But he was surprised his antique wicker planters were overlooked.

"With technology changing the way it does, I never expected that slide projector to sell," he said. "But someone who collects them for display came right up and bought it."

Rockford resident Vicki Howe shopped the Riverwoods development sale on the last day just as things were getting packed up for Goodwill.

"Would you take a dollar for this?" she politely asked a homeowner.

It was a deal that pleased both the buyer and seller. Often the last day of sales are the most ideal for bartering and dickering on price.

The Evergreen Meadows subdivision also ran a three-day garage sale last week for all who wished to participate. There, homeowner Chandra Stevens was pleased to be clearing items out of her house for spring cleaning.

"I have lots of Tupperware I am getting rid of," said Stevens, who used to sell Tupperware and host Tupperware parties. "I've also sold lots of toys, boys clothes and household items. It's great to see it go."

Sandy Brugel, who was shopping at Stevens' sale, said she has had a successful spring season so far with her garage sale finds.

"I found an air purifier, old flannel sheets to cut up into rags for my husband's spray-painting business and a baby cradle for my doll collection," Brugel said.

She added her husband was able to find a few pairs of shoes in his size and since he only wears them once or twice before throwing them away, it is best to find them used.

Neighbors agree garage sales are good for connecting with people in their neighborhood. Friends, old and new, can meet up with one another after the long winter divide, strike up conversations and catch up on life. Garage sales also are a way to meet new people.

Not only do they build camaraderie, clean out old treasures and put extra cash in homeowners' pockets, but they presumably promote security.

Neighborhood watch associations throughout the country advocate getting to know ones neighbors as an important piece of the puzzle in building safer communities. This concept is not specific to the U.S. but appears to be universal.

According to a Canadian neighborhood watch program called Eyewatch, "Neighbors look out for each other, especially if they know each other. Active participation of neighborhood residents is a crucial element in community safety."

The Canadian group also suggests other ideas for getting to know ones neighbors and building safer developments by throwing block parties and having annual perennial flower exchanges.