Putting the "fun" in fundraising

Representative Donna Walsh (D-Dist. 36) and other members of
the Democratic Town Committee ready to greet the hordes of
buyers at Saturday's tag sale. (Photo courtesy of Henry Walsh.)

Charlestown Dems hold another successful tag sale—even without a duck plucker.

By Linda Felaco

The threatened thunderstorms never materialized, and in fact the sun shone so brightly that by the end of the day, some of us were distinctly sunburned. Not even the absence of Henry Walsh's iconic duck plucker, mascot of the last 22 tag sales held by the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee (CDTC) until it finally went to its forever home at the May sale, could put a damper on buyers' enthusiasm for the tablesfull of merchandise of all types on display. 

Although not quite as successful as May's all-time recordbreaking event, sales totals were helped by some big-ticket items like a boat, which had already sold by the time I got there. Other lucky buyers will be sporting scarves handmade by our very own representative in the state General Assembly, Donna Walsh. (Not, we hasten to add, that she makes them while the assembly is in session...) 

In a reprise of the May sale, the jewelry table was again a big hit. Popular items included a collection of airplane pins donated by CDTC vice chair and former Town Council president Deb Carney, who in addition to her many other talents is also a pilot.

Donna promoting half-off late in the afternoon.
(Photo courtesy of Tom Ferrio.)

Around midafternoon when CDTC Treasurer Frank Glista had declared half-price on everything, CDTC Chair Cathy Collette made one girl's day by offering her a multi-item discount on her purchases from the jewelry table. In fact, until we could locate a Sharpie to make a sign to that effect, Frank drew departing browsers back into the sale by making sure everyone knew about the half-off deal.

Unfortunately, there were some items no one wanted even at half-price, including a Smith Corona typewriter and a couple of film cameras. Perhaps a museum will take them...

Thanks to all who turned out—and turned their wallets out—for the event. As Tom pointed out, it's always good to see unused items go to someone who will use them, even if it doesn't help our abysmal official recycling rates.