Jeanne Shaw, a volunteer with the Kings Mills Union Hall Association, arranges flower vases and art supplies for the organizations white elephant sale on July 4. (Photo courtesy Lucy Martin)
The long tables and even the floor in Kings Mills Union Hall are piled high with something for everyone as Whitefield’s 4th of July celebration and the hall’s annual white elephant sale draw near.
Under the expert guidance of hall association president Judy Maldovan, a fleet of volunteers have worked for weeks to clean, cull, and organize the usual lightly used donations – books, linens, housewares, appliances, tools, sports equipment, children’s games, toys, Christmas decorations, and gardening and craft supplies. But this year, there will be something new: a collectibles booth of mostly small items manned by volunteer Carl Ribeiro, featuring glassware, ceramics, and an unusual deck of playing cards. Vintage clothing will include a Saks Fifth Avenue dress and a heritage wedding gown in excellent condition.
Mabeline Small, artist and homemaker, has been busy assembling a wide variety of dolls, including but not limited to celebrities Barbie and Ken, plus bags of doll clothing and other accessories at bargain-basement prices.
Retired teacher Ann Niles, tackling the book, CD, and LP section, has been shelving and arranging material for all ages, from old-time and contemporary children’s literature and audio books, to novels, nonfiction, and how-to manuals for adults.
The sale has long been a part of the Independence Day celebration, which is an annual fundraiser for the Kings Mills Fire Association, located on Town House Road near the intersection with Route 194.
The festivities get underway with the parade at 10 a.m., followed by the hall sale, the firemen’s auction, and games and entertainment, including the cake walk, grilled hot dogs, and other refreshments.
