Volunteers (and shoppers) prepare for annual rummage sale

CORNWALL — Crowds flock to the annual Cornwall Woman’s Society Rummage Sale — a sale so big, it has to be held in three locations.The July 21-23 sale would have been the 66th annual, going by well-kept records. But it appears those years mark only the extent of those well-kept records. The numbers didn’t add up for Thalia Scoville, who has been a volunteer for more than 45 years. During recent sale planning, she recalled that the society and rummage sale were already well-established when she joined.That sent new society president Brenda Underwood rummaging through an attic to find a treasure trove of records stored there. The first clearly documented sale was July 22, 1925, making this the 88th year of the sale.Underwood said the search also turned up a 1954 article by Bessie W. Blake for The Lakeville Journal titled, “A Big Light from a Small Candle,” giving the history of the Cornwall Woman’s Society fundraising activities.In 1924, a small group of 19 women had a goal of shedding “a big light” in their mission of helping others. Among the first fundraisers was an Eclipse Tea held in January 1925 in honor of a total solar eclipse. There were suppers, card parties, bake sales and candy sold at Rumsey Hall movie nights.Over the years, what started as a one-day rummage sale became profitable enough to be the group’s only fundraiser. Enough money was made that generous scholarships could be awarded to Cornwall students and donations made to 15 charitable organizations.Current membership is at 19 women, termed by Underwood as “daughters” of the founding group.The 2012 Rummage Sale is Saturday, July 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, July 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Monday, July 23 (bag day), 9 a.m. to noon.At the UCC Parish House on Bolton Hill Road, shoppers will find collectibles,a Tiffany table, new items, wood and metal items, kitchen and household goods, art, electric appliances, tools, sports equipment, toys and designer clothing. At Mohawk Ski Lodge on Great Hollow Road, there will be clothing for all ages, as well as books, linens, needlework items, fabric and jewelry. Cornwall Town Hall, on Pine Street, will have better quality furniture and rugs.An event of these proportions requires a large number of volunteers for all sorts of tasks. To volunteer or for more information call Brenda Underwood at 860-248-3089 or Thalia Scoville at 860-672-6288.

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