When Bay Seniors put out a call last month for donated items for its May 9 fundraising flea market, the association’s members responded generously. Donations included dishes, glassware, bakeware, tools, sports equipment, games, puzzles, toys, art, décor items, and much, much more.
And some of those items are fascinatingly rare.
For example, there’s a set of eight Chinese miniature jade drinking glasses in their original wooden presentation box, along with a card explaining traditions around the set.
There’s also a framed picture of a bouquet of flowers made from shells, which took first prize in the 1950s at the Canadian National Exhibition for artist Annie Black. An undated yellowed newspaper clipping, carefully preserved in an envelope on the back of the picture, shares information about the artist, who made over 1,000 shell pictures and died in 1958.
“We always enjoy seeing unique items,” says Pat Rodee, president of Bay Seniors and a member of its flea market organizing committee. “Most donations are practical items, of course, like tools, sleeping bags, quilts, sets of dishes—even a complete set of drawer pulls and cupboard handles from a couple redoing their kitchen.”
“Most donations are in excellent condition, and some were never used, but we still price everything to sell,” she adds. “It’s an opportunity to score great bargains!”
There will also be new sewn items, including BBQ aprons, wine-bottle holders and more, made by the Bay Seniors sewing volunteers from donated fabric. Those things, says Rodee, make perfect Mother’s Day gifts.
Hot dogs and popcorn are available at the event, and there’s a bake sale with tasty items to take home.
All proceeds go to support the programs and services offered by Bay Seniors, with one exception. The Bay Seniors Saturday Sparkle fundraiser, which sells donated jewellery to benefit the St. Margaret’s Bay Food Bank, will be there with a tableful of treasures.
The Bay Seniors Flea Market is on Saturday, May 9, 10am-2pm, at the St. Margaret’s Bay (Seabright) Legion #116, 11169 Peggy’s Cove Road, Seabright. Doors open at 10am sharp. You can see a tiny taste of items for sale on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bayseniors.
