Garage sale season is in full swing. While millenials may consider garage saling a thing of the past, I beg to differ. I agree that a dumpy garage sale is a letdown; but a great garage sale is a wonderful find! One man’s junk is another man’s treasure! My mom (86) finds great joy in venturing out to a few garage sales. 

 

My sister, Terri, and mom have found many treasures this summer at garage sales near Becker. Terri is beyond amused when mom spies something she is interested in and the adrenaline starts to pump. 

 

Mom begins the haggling process with the owner. Mom and Terri both love to bless people with their ‘finds’. They often find quality name brand clothing and toys, for example. Mom recently purchased a lovely wicker table with matching chairs that have been used a great deal at the farm on her deck. 

 

She told us: “After I die, you kids can sit a spell and have coffee at this table!” She is morbid and comical all rolled into one.

 

Some sales even have a FREE box. Imagine the excitement! Garage sales can be therapeutic and an excellent value for people on a budget. 

 

It’s a blessing when people host sales to benefit others in need. Such is the case with the Ewing Family.

 

Diane Ewing is a Becker native and longtime family friend. She and her family like to give back to the community and go out of their way to bless people. For example, they have hosted garage/bake sales once or twice a year for the past several years and donate proceeds to people in need.

 

This weekend, Diane and her family (husband Dean and daughters Daisy, Emily and Carla) are hosting their annual summer garage sale at their home east of Becker. As with all of their sales, Ewing said whatever does not sell will be donated to Goodwill.

 

Before getting married and having a family, Diane Ewing waitressed at Lake Cafe in Big Lake for 22 years. “I thrive on customer service and enjoy visiting with people. Every girl loves to play store!” Hosting a couple sales per year to benefit people in our community gives the Ewing family an opportunity to visit with people. 

 

For several years, the Ewing family has had sales in their little blue playhouse, but this year they have outgrown their "Little Blue Playhouse", which the family built in 1997 after a storm blew down their shed.

 

This year’s event is billed as “The Big Barn Sale”. The Little Blue Playhouse is still open for tours during their sale. Diane explained that they had an old friend (Lanny Klein) pass away last week and organized the sale to help the man’s son. Diane. In addition to hosting the sale to benefit Klein’s family, the Ewings also organized a memorial benefit for Lanny Klein. It will be held Sunday, July 23rd at Monticello VFW from 5 to 8pm. There will be an honor guard ceremony at Ellison Park in Monticello at 4:20 p.m. 

 

The Ewing garage sale will feature many household items, collectibles, dressers, small furniture, and TVs. Diane also donates items to the sale,There will be Lionhead bunnies for sale, as well as several kittens. Baked goods and canned vegetables will also be for sale.

 

Diane and her family will host a boutique sale in the fall featuring handmade gifts, vintage and holiday items. As always, proceeds will benefit someone local in need. 

 

There are several wonderful annual sales and events in and around Becker that benefit others. Becker Baptist hosts an annual garage sale as a fundraiser for missions. People donate what they think is a fair price and I have been told they raise a great deal more money with this arrangement. 

 

To garage sale enthusiasts: Enjoy the garage sale opportunities this summer! Kudos to those of you who are constantly looking for ways to help others.