Even the kitchen sink could be found at Community Garage Sale

by Chris Studor

Most people are familiar with the saying, “everything but the kitchen sink.” In the case of the annual Hinckley community garage sale, held Sept. 10, you could find the kitchen sink and a whole lot more – from tools and toys to an antique wooden sugar cane press. 

Hinckley resident Whitney Todd, who participated in the community garage sale for the second time, said “people are really focusing of things you can use in your home.”

“I attribute this to inflation,” Todd said. “The cost of everything is going up, so items like power tools, tarps, etc., are going fast.”

Shopping the sale is made easy through Cub Scout Pack 3520, which has been sponsoring the community garage sale for years.

Scouts Matthew Mauger and Jeff Schuster stood at the corner of Rt. 303 and Ridge, waving maps the Scouts sold for $3 which showed the location and a small description of what was being sold by participating homeowners.

Scout Master Scott Shuster said proceeds from the map sales, and the small refreshment stand, bring in enough money to fund the Scout Pack’s activities for the entire year.

“The homeowners keep their money from their garage sale and we make money from taking registrations from people who want to be on the map and then selling the maps to garage sale-goers,” said Schuster. “The proceeds will fund activities such as the Pinewood Derby cars, field trips, day camp, uniforms and supplies.”

Hinckley resident Jacob Kastle, who pulled up in his truck, reached out to a Cub Scout to get a map.

“This is one of my favorite activities held in the township,” he said. “I’m on the hunt for golf equipment.”

Describing themselves “as eclectic,” Brecksville residents Renee and Sami Sasala said they were keeping their eyes out for antiques.

“We live in a 150-year-old house,” said Renee. “We’re not looking for matching items, but old items like crockery, even things that have a scary edge to them.”

Driving toward the Hinckley Park Reservation, Cheryl Krejci, who has been participating in the sale for 17 years, had her garage sale posted clearly at her long driveway. Her garage was lined with tables full of items for sale, including an antique sugar cane press which looked similar to the top of a wringer washer.

“I’ve had it around the house for some time, I’m not sure where it came from or really what it is used for,” said Krejci. “A group of Amish people came along this morning and told me it was used to press sugar cane. The cane is feed through the two rollers which squeeze out the syrup.”

Another unusual item Krejci was selling was a long, narrow, metal box which she said was used to hold grain for a farmer to scatter feed to his chickens.

Also selling a plethora of antiques was Barb Maddocks. She said one of the older items she enjoyed talking about with customers was an older model Kirby vacuum cleaner which contained an attachment for shag carpeting. Tables spread across the front of the home contained two antique Singer sewing machines, old tin containers, antique drapery rods and an antique metal corn and potato planter.

While antiques were plentiful, don’t think the younger generation wasn’t a part of the garage sale action. Two young Hinckley students, Sophia and Blake Schulte, set up a lemonade stand at their parent’s garage sale making a good profit. Their mother, Jaclyn, said she too found that many shoppers were looking for home goods.

Hinckley resident Dwain Kibler found his own way to quench his thirst. His proud find was huge glass beer boot purchased from a neighbor’s garage sale. ∞

Featured Photo: A prized find for Dwain Kibler of Hinckley was this huge glass beer boot. Photos by Chris Studor