Weeding Out the Walk-In

Weeding Out the Walk-In
Who knows what treasures lurk in the back of your closet? Perhaps a pledge paddle and a giant egg cup … 
Photo by Leila Hawken

The fall season inspires many of us to tackle tasks in home spaces holding essential and non-essential stuff that has built up over the summer, or longer. Take, for example, a walk-in closet that has become a stretch-to-reach-in closet with various objects blocking the way.

It is time for a fall clean-out of that closet. So, I invite you and others to undertake the task along with me. I have selected the dining room closet. 

It was intended to be the guest coat closet, but reality dictates that it needs to harbor lots of other stuff.

First, open the door and have a look. OK. Five old golf clubs with wooden shafts; four still have their original leather hand grips; one is a brass putter. Six umbrellas; good condition. Two are short and collapsible, and there’s one collapsible pink one that I’ve never seen before. It’s not mine.

Moving ahead, I find my father’s 1920-ish pledge paddle for Theta Xi fraternity at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, signed by fellow pledges and some members. Should keep that.

As I feared would be the case, half of the coat racks are taken up with outer clothing left behind by a wily New York City apartment-dweller who has gradually encroached on my household closet space, using it as free storage. Came heavy laden and departed with lighter luggage.

Continuing on, I discover a small-ish box labeled “Miscellaneous Non-Essentials.” This is an interesting box that has not been opened for eight years.

What’s in the box? Well, let’s see. A linen kitchen apron from the Dominican Republic: not essential, but useful. 

An unused 1963 business diary from the Acme Wire Company in New Haven, Conn.  In addition to useful calendar and appointment pages, it offers advice on chemical properties and even stain removal and First Aid. It advises on what to do if someone nearby has been struck by lightning: Simply throw water on the victim. To me, that seems like a bad idea.

Three packages of colorful clothespins will definitely be useful, even essential. A yellow egg cup. A packet of linen mailing envelopes. My initials in huge wooden letters. An extension cord. An extension outlet. Two packets of whimsical kitchen magnets. A partial packet of Christmas cards.

For fall clean-up of closets, experts use words like weeding and purging. As I survey my closet during this fall season, and now that I look over the dining room table cluttered with this assortment of non-essentials, I understand the concept of weeding.

And, then, even better is the prospect of actually walking into my walk-in closets. The experts are correct.

Latest News

Wake Robin public hearing closes

Aradev LLC’s plans to redevelop Wake Robin Inn include four 2,000-square-foot cabins, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool. If approved, guest room numbers would increase from 38 to 57.

Provided

LAKEVILLE — The public hearing for the redevelopment of Wake Robin Inn is over. Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission now has two months to make a decision.

The hearing closed on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after its seventh session.

Keep ReadingShow less
Judith Marie Drury

COPAKE — Judith Marie “Judy” Drury, 76, a four-year resident of Copake, New York, formerly of Millerton, New York, died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at Vassar Bros. Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, New York, surrounded by her loving family and her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Judy worked as a therapy aide for Taconic DDSO in Wassaic, New York, prior to her retirement on Feb. 1, 2004. She then went on to work in the Housekeeping Department at Vassar Bros. Medical Center for several years.

Born Jan. 2, 1949, in Richford, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Leo J. and Marie A. (Bean) Martel. She attended Roeliff Jansen Central School in Columbia County, New York, in her early years. Judy was an avid sports fan and she was particularly fond of the New England Patriots football team and the New York Rangers hockey team. She enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling to Florida, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania for many years. She was a longtime parishioner of Faith Bible Chapel of Shekomeko on Silver Mountain in Millerton as well.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jeremy Dakin

AMESVILLE — Jeremy Dakin, 78, passed away Aug. 31, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center after a long battle with COPD and other ailments.

Jeremy was a dear friend to many, and a fixture of the Amesville community. There will be a service in his memory at Trinity Lime Rock Episcopal Church on Sept. 27 at 11 a.m.

Keep ReadingShow less