By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — The Annual Fall Borough-wide Yard Sale had the town bustling with people from around the community and surrounding area hunting for bargains at the various yard sales on Saturday morning.
"The town-wide yard sale has proven to be a popular event in past years, with over 100 homes participating," said Borough Clerk, Debra Sopronyi in a press release. "Shoppers are encouraged to spend an entire day in the Borough, visiting the many yard sales as well as enjoying the Borough’s shops and restaurants."
The Hightstown-Apollo Lodge No. 41, who was a co-sponsor of the event along with Hightstown Borough, offered its facility on North Main Street as the official headquarters for the town wide yard sale in which approximately 61 participated.
"In junction with the town, we put together a town wide yard sale so we help publicize it," said Robert Sullivan, worshipful master at the Hightstown-Apollo Lodge.
The yard sale started around 14 years ago, according to a borough press release.
"This year we are pleased to announce that the Borough businesses are invited to participate and register to offer "Yard Sale Specials," Ms. Sopronyi said.
Signs for businesses that were participating were available for download on the Borough website, according to the press release.
"We’ve opened it up to commercial vendors in the town if they wanted to participate," he said. "We started it in the spring."
He said that they "really haven’t been responding."
"It helps the town out," he said.
The Lodge provides maps of the Borough, and lists of registered participants within the Borough and East Windsor, public restrooms, food and beverages that are available there throughout the day. The Lodge also rents space to commercial and individual vendors for the event, according to Mr. Sullivan.
"If you have somebody who doesn’t have a place to sale or businesses that don’t have a brick and mortar business they can come and rent space from us," he said.
He said that they had five vendors, three commercial and two private vendors.
"Usually we have more," he said. "This fall sale is slow so there may be something competing somewhere else."
The sale is held every spring and fall.
"For us, it’s to help keep our lodge running," he said, adding that it helps with older members who need assistance with membership dues.
Masonry in general does contribute to a lot of other causes, he said.
The Lodge had food and beverages available for purchase as people browsed through the tables lined with collectibles down the driveway as well as downstairs in the lodge.
For him, the highlight is the "challenge of trying to pull together people and get the town interested."
"The challenge of trying to make something like this work and I like all the parts of it," he said, adding trying to find what works and works better.
He said that he has gotten to know a lot of the customers.
"A lot of them I remember, what I sold them and they come back looking for the same things," he said. "You get to know people over time with these events."
Michael Texidor, of Rancocas, is the Head Chef at the Hightstown Apollo Lodge #41 F&AM was on duty that day cooking gourmet hot dogs for hungry shoppers. New this year was the creation of three gourmet hot dogs – the Ruben, Italian and Garden hot dogs.
He said they have a Ruben Dog, which was two hot dogs on a hoagie roll with saukraut and cheese; an Italian hot dog which was two hot dogs on a hoagie roll with potatoes, peppers, and onions; and a Garden Dog which was two hot dogs on a hoagie roll with shredded lettuce, tomato, and "Texislaw."
"It’s been going very, very well," said Mr. Texidor. "The hot dogs are selling even more than the hamburgers."
The favorite was still the Italian hot dog.
For him, the highlight is when people come back and say "that was really good can I have another one."
Alexander Bragat, of Plainsboro, was volunteering at the lodge.
"It’s fundraising and it’s mostly because we know that when you do these activities it brings the community together," said Mr. Bragat. "It brings our group together and it’s just a way to get in touch with community but at the same time it’s fun to do."
You get to meet the people and get the feel of the town, he added.
"I know the town is changing from what it was before," he said.
He said the sale "went well."
"Everything is volunteer and the products we are selling are donated," he said, "It allows us to continue doing what we do."
For him, the highlight is "meeting all these people."
Dolores Wallace, of Cream Ridge, was browsing the yard sales with her friend C. Smith, of Cream Ridge and were just "getting started."
"I did find a Holy Bible," said Ms. Wallace. "I like yard sales because you find a lot of different things."
Ms. Smith said "sometimes you can get a bargain."
A crowd of shoppers could be found on the lawn and in the driveway of resident Connie Moyer’s house on North Main Street which, was covered with tables and blankets of items on sale including clothing items, household items, vintage and collectibles, books, and more.
"It’s a wonderful weekend," said Ms. Moyer. "It’s nice to have people come out and see the town. It’s fun. We always have good repeat business."
Mr. Sullivan said that they will be there at the Harvest Fair on Oct. 11 for the Ducky Derby.
"We will also be having two blood drives that day," Mr. Sullivan said. "One here with the Red Cross and another downtown at the Community Blood Bank."
The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Oct. 11 at the lodge located at 535 North Main Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments are preferred. For an appointment or information, please call Robert Sullivan at 732-675-6781 or sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: harvestfair.
