Rainy weather doesn’t dampen sale’s income

HANSVILLE — Hard-core rummage sale shoppers don’t let anything get in the way when seeking good deals, even if gray rain clouds threaten to dampen them.

And shoppers waiting for the Hansville Rummage Sale to start in the parking lot of the Hansville Community Center at Buck Lake Park Saturday were no exception.

After a hot and dry summer so far, rain finally decided to make an appearance as the event got underway at exactly 9 a.m.

“Come on, what’s a minute?” yelled one woman as she waited impatiently for announcer George Briese to complete the final countdown and allow the crowd to run for the deals.

“It’s the first time since 1991 we’ve had rain,” Briese said after the sale started, but noted it didn’t seem to stop shoppers. “They were ready to go.”

Betsy Schairer of Boston, Mass., came all the way across the country for the sale. While Schairer said she was visiting family in Poulsbo, she also coordinated her vacation with the event.

While digging deep into a box of women’s sweaters, Schairer explained that her favorite thing about the Hansville Rummage Sale is “how much stuff they amass.”

Ann Walker of Poulsbo was at the sale for the first time but wasn’t sure how to describe it.

“I don’t know, I’m just flabbergasted,” she said. “When (the ropes) opened up and let everyone in — it’s just interesting.”

Carol Nordling of Poulsbo and her friends were excited to return after discovering the last sale.

“We fell into it last year,” Nordling said. “We’ve been waiting for this all summer.”

First-timer sale shoppers Laura Sinclair and her family of Suquamish, were also impressed.

“We heard it was kind of an experience, so we came,” she said. Her daughter, Phoebe, said it felt like a road race.

“We came looking for a kayak, but just saw a canoe,” Laura added.

While the shelves were quickly emptied of their contents inside the community center and annex, salespeople were having a fairly difficult time outside with the tarp-covered furniture.

But the weather didn’t deter the attitudes of volunteers Karen Burgan and Carol Peterson, who were making sure the chairs they were selling weren’t too wet.

“I think it’s a ton of fun,” said first-time volunteer Burgan.

“Love it,” Peterson added. “I just hope it doesn’t damage anything.”

“We’ve got it priced well,” Burgan said. “We really priced it low so people can get good deals.”

“Indoor stuff is going great, of course,” added sale co-chair Tony Atkinson. “If they want the real bargains, go buy upholstery on a rainy day.”

Shopper Joe Pendergraft of Hansville found a great deal with a unique new bed in the shape of a bright red wooden race car.

Instead of saying he sleeps in a bed like everyone else, “I can say I sleep in a red race car,” Pendergraft explained.

Atkinson said Monday nearly $25,000 was raised, just topping last year’s gross. At least 1,000 people browsed and bought items Saturday morning, he added.

“We had no idea what the rain would to do us,” Atkinson said. “It probably made little difference to us.”

While the higher-valued furniture didn’t sell as well as he had anticipated, the inside items sold quickly, which was probably for the better, Atkinson noted. Very few items were left over on Sunday afternoon after the sale officially closed its doors.

Money raised will go toward the community center’s budget for scholarships and programming for kids and adults. Remaining items will be donated to various charities.

“It was a successful annual sale and we’ll be back next year,” Atkinson said.

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