APS to host first-ever garage sale
Crystal NelsonCommunity members and avid garage-salers alike will be given a hands-on opportunity to explore Alpena Public Schools first-ever garage sale. The sale will take place at the west end of Thunder Bay Junior High, where the storage barn is, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A press release from APS states "many of the items defy categorization," but people can expect to find an assortment of items including things for the kitchen, furniture, maintenance items and appliances. More unusual items like photography equipment, a pottery kiln, band saws, a cash register, stainless steel sinks, desks and other miscellaneous goods will also be for sale.
Communications Director Betty Werth said some of the items people will find were purchased for programs that are no longer running like the culinary class, which has been gone from the curriculum for more than a decade, or were past donations the school may no longer have a need for. A lot of the stuff that was once in storage has accumulated over the years.
"It will be the range from really good finds to stuff that in the end will probably go to metal recycling," she said.
Werth said the idea for the event started after Superintendent Brent Holcomb wanted Alpena High to clean out its storage facility. When officials started to pull out the stuff and looked at it, they thought it could be reused in some way and might be of interest to someone. The items were collected at TBJH as part of cleaning out the sheds.
"And once it was all assembled, I think Director of Building and Grounds Mike Gagnon looked at it and said maybe we should offer it to the community. Maybe we should try to sell some of this stuff," Werth said.
She said people can expect the items to be set at garage sale prices. Cash or check will be accepted at the sale, but credit cards won't. She said people will have to be able to get the materials from the site as there won't be any transportation or delivery. Gagnon, along with a cashier will be working at the sale along with a enough staff to manage it.
"I think it will be an interesting event and hopefully people will come away with some really good finds and buys," she said.
Werth said people will be able to preview several items in the sale on the APS Web site www.alpenaschools.com soon.
Crystal Nelson can be reached via e-mail at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.
