OAKHURST – Ask anyone who’s been and they’ll tell you: the Monster Rummage Sale held every year by Yosemite Gateway Association of Realtors (YGAOR) is one you don’t want to miss. It’s this weekend in the old Central Valley Community Bank building in the Sears parking lot, Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 8 to 4.
Three years ago my friend got the biggest, best maple salad bowl for $3. She brags every time it’s set on the table. Another gal got an old, chipped-paint door, the kind with glass panes. She hung it sideways and it’s a piece of art. Talk about something for everybody, I think she paid a nickel.
Fishermen have their stories of ones that got away, and so do those of us who are die-hard thrifters. Don’t let that be you this weekend. If you love deals, this is seriously one of the best places to find them.
They have everything, including the kitchen sink. Volunteers work all year-round preparing for this two day epic event. As a result, it’s incredibly organized so you can stroll around like a bear or strike like a shark, whichever is your style.
This year the Coarsegold Historical Society is the recipient of YGAOR’s generous donation of proceeds from the Monster Rummage Sale, so your money goes to a very good cause. That’s a win-win.
The Historical Society is just south of the village of Coarsegold off Highway 41. The historic site is home to a collection of artifacts dating back to the 1800’s. In the future, when funds are raised, they intend to restore the old adobe on premises back to what it was in the horse-drawn days of the freight way-station, long ago in the 1800’s.
Volunteers were hard at work sorting through treasures when we stopped by to investigate this year’s Herculean effort. They didn’t stop while we asked questions. These people are talented.
Take for instance, Jacque Hohweiler, with Century 21 Ditton Realty in Oakhurst. She’s a 10-year veteran of the real estate business who says she was “raised in a rummage sale,” and it was natural that she volunteer for the Monster.
It takes a lot of time and effort to put this thing together. It’s not called the Monster for no reason! For Jacque, the best thing she’s gotten at a YGAOR sale is a curio cabinet for her sister. This weekend, Jacque’s on the lookout for pottery.
J Carol Graham, whose namesake company is located in Coarsegold, is on the lookout for clothes for her poodle. Her best score previously, was a bistro set for her patio. Nice! J Carol has been in real estate for more than 20 years and is a self-confessed serial volunteer: she’s just a girl who can’t say no. We can relate and wish her bon chance in dressing le chiot, the puppy.
Julie Gerken, with Century 21 Ditton Realty, Bass Lake, maintains that it’s well worth giving the time for our community, because of the excellent charities that are supported. Julie’s favorite take-away was a beautiful piece of hand-painted pottery, and currently she’s on the lookout for anything hand painted.
Volunteer Tina Morton, with Pine Tree Realty in Coarsegold, was the happy finder of a “really neat collection of rooster jars,” and is in search of “anything rooster” and yard art. Fowl collectors are a serious bunch, they know eggsactly what they’re after. They just can’t figure out which came first. Tina volunteers for the community spirit and for the good of the organizations that benefit.
Century 21 Golden Chain in Oakhurst has been pushing property since 1986, and she loves helping the community as a Monster volunteer. She thinks it’s a good way to get rid of old stuff, too. Her best buy was a set of real Corningware dishes – no more plastic in the microwave. This year she’s not on the lookout for anything, just trying to get rid of the excesses of consumption.
Lest you think the YGAOR Monster Rummage Sale is all about the ladies, we spoke with Real Estate Appraiser Scott Runtzel, who’s been volunteering at the big sale for six years now, giving him a “warm, fuzzy feeling.” He sports a giant rusty sun, courtesy of the rummage sale, hanging on a tree at his house. This weekend, Scott will be looking for a blonde, a brunette and most elusive, a redhead. So, it is all about the ladies. Good luck to all the seekers!
Come on out and see what all the sweat equity is about. You will not be disappointed. YGAOR and the Monster Rummage Sale are still looking for volunteers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., now through Friday. If you can help, call Larry Wright, CHS sale chairman working with the Board of Realtors, at 559-658-7201.
