Yep, despite confusing rumours to the contrary, next year’s annual Estonian giant rummage sale at St. Andrew’s Church is happening for the 18th time at no other time except on Saturday, May 5th! But with one very significant change! The clothing department is being eliminated! What? Pretty shocking news for our faithful donators, who have supported AKEN by happily emptying their closets every spring - for which the organizing committee of HIIGELBASAAR is eternally grateful.
The organizing committee of HIIGELBASAAR appreciate the tons of good quality clothing that have been donated to the sale over the years. But alas, since the clothing department is being eliminated, AKEN committee members Anne Meema, Maie Lees, Tiia Remmelkoor and Tamara Norheim-Lehela will have to do their shopping elsewhere.
But the times they are “a’changing”! When Hiigelbasaar was born 18 years ago, there was no Value Village. The competition is far stiffer than it used to be! Used clothing stores have mushroomed not only here, but also in Estonia. And, believe it or not, 18 years ago, the organizing committee members were 18 years younger! Dragging, hoisting, pushing, shoving and lifting bagfuls and boxfuls of clothing up and down the church stairs was not a problem! In fact, it was even fun! But currently, the committee members prefer ambling and sauntering to running and dashing! They prefer pausing and reflecting to hurrying and rushing!
How to downsize, how to lighten the workload? The options were weighed and since it was evident to the committee members that the income generated by the clothing department is far from commensurate with the workload and the floorspace required by that department, the answer was obvious, if not easy. How the committee members will subsequently replete their wardrobes is the subject of a whole other committee meeting!
But, dear readers and donators, please be assured! All other departments at Hiigelbasaar remain intact. All donations, other than clothing, are welcome. Not only welcome, but also necessary if AKEN committee is to continue its charitable work here and in Estonia. If you have questions, please direct them to HIIGELBASAAR XVIII co-organizers Maaja Matsoo – , 416-691-0719 and Helle Arro - , 416- 449-4209.
ELLEN LEIVAT, chairperson, HIIGELBASAAR organizing committee AKEN
