Historic National Road yard sale starts
RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) - Prepare to stop a little more often along U.S. 40 this week.
Even if you're not shopping at the 13th annual Historic National Road Yard Sale Days, drivers are encouraged to watch for those who are distracted by bargains along the road.
The dawn-to-dusk sale began Wednesday.
Patricia McDaniel is hopeful for good weather. She has coordinated the Historic National Road Yard Sale Days since the beginning with help from Donna Tauber, of Spiceland, Ind.
"We enjoy seeing people enjoy U.S. 40," McDaniel said.
The sale spans more than 800 miles of U.S. 40, from Baltimore to St. Louis and always starts the Wednesday after Memorial Day.
McDaniel said the area from Indianapolis to Ohio is ideal for the sale because of the four-lane road and towns every few miles.
"People have just been so supportive and so wonderful," McDaniel said.
The sale offered a new one-day event Wednesday for shoppers called Decades of Cookies Along the Historic National Road in Wayne County, Ind.
Proceeds from the cookie sale benefit HELP the Animals and Wernle Youth & Family Treatment Center, both in Richmond, and Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville. The event is an officially endorsed Legacy Project as part of the state's bicentennial.
Linda Leas, office director for the Baptist association, said this is the fifth year the building has been open to offer restrooms and give water and coffee to shoppers. Dublin doesn't have fast-food restaurants, so it's more difficult to find a restroom, Leas noted.
"We look forward to it," Leas said. "It's a cool place for people to sit down."
That generous spirit continues along the route.
Centerville has been a high point because of strong participation in previous years, McDaniel said.
Centerville Church of The Nazarene at 7181 U.S. 40 has been a popular stop because of its homemade food, a playground for kids and the high number of vendor spaces, McDaniel said.
The church is again participating in the yard sale. It has space for 50 booths and about 40 had been reserved by Tuesday.
"It will be a busy four days for us," said Pat Moore, board secretary. "It's a great blessing on us for all the people who come through and the people we can help. They have been a blessing to us."
The church offers doughnuts and coffee for morning shoppers, then serves lunch.
"They're usually waiting on me," Moore said about early morning crowds seeking refreshments.
Money raised from booth rentals and food goes toward church projects such as its parking lot and paying off its parsonage as fast as possible.
The sale benefits nonprofit organizations as well as those who have extra items to sell.
McDaniel developed the idea for a U.S. 40 yard sale since she owns The Old Storefront antique and vintage store along the National Road in Dublin, Ind.
In addition to residents participating along U.S. 40 or putting up signs directing folks off the highway to their homes, some community groups such as churches, civic organizations and schools usually organize their own sales.
Items available along the route usually include antiques, collectibles, furniture, garden produce, toys, clothes and household goods.
McDaniel suggests those interested in selling items should contact their local tourism bureau, chamber of commerce or churches along U.S. 40 to see where they might be able to rent a space.
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Source: (Richmond) Palladium-Item, http://pinews.co/1Xhxxp7
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Information from: Palladium-Item, http://www.pal-item.com