Pickin' in NJ - South Brunswick Flea Market deals beat the heat!

Let's face it...even for New Jersey, it's been a hot and muggy early summer! We don't usually get these temperatures paired with this humidity until after the Fourth of July!! However, the American Legion Lt. John Farnkopf Aux post 401's a flea market on Saturday was full of folks in good spirits, offering up wares which had the traffic rolling in.

There was something for everyone, from furniture to vintage clothing, to retro Americana, (vintage advertisement serving trays) which I wish I'd seen before they got snapped up!


Vendors stuck it out in their spots, and as the day continued, made friends with those who had areas in the shade, and moved their chairs.

From their website: Lieutenant John Farnkopf American Legion Post 401 was chartered on May 12, 1948, but organizers had signed and submitted the application a good two years before that. The post is named for Monmouth Junction native and Army Air Force World War II pilot John Farnkopf.

I had a great time, and met some terrific people, as usual. Many of the vendors are regulars at local as well as more distant venues, so I encourage everyone to support them by going to local organization flea markets. You won't be disappointed!

Don't forget to contact me with events, flea markets, or garage sales that you are planning so that I can include them in my Thursday/Friday posts.

Until next time...have a great week!

Mona Kay

Upcoming Garage Sales

It's Thursday, and you know what that means...it's time for the local Garage Sale Update! I have not seen signs on the telephone poles...although it's as hot as the surface of the sun outside, so maybe tomorrow will be a better day for folks to put them up. I'll update if I see any.


The American Legion Lt. John Farnkopf Aux post 401 is holding a flea market on Sat.(June 26) from 8am to 3pm. The address is 148 Major road, Monmouth Junction. I will be there with my goods...please come and see me!!

Don't forget, this weekend is the estate sale on 59 Henderson Road. It started today, and the times are: 6/24/2010 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Thursday,)6/25/2010 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Friday), and 6/26/2010 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Saturday). The house is packed, and items are priced to move!

Here's what I found on Craigslist:

164 OLD BEEKMAN RD.-MONMOUTH JCT, SAT.6/26 & SUN. 6/27--8:30am-2:00pm.

543 Georges Road, Dayton, NJ Fri 6/25-Sun 6/27, starting at 11am

35 Donald Ave, Kendall Park, Saturday, June 26; 8-2; Rain or Shine
Directions:
Rt 1 or Rt 27 to Henderson Rd
Right onto Barbara St if coming from Rt 1, Left onto Donald, House will be on right

122 Providence Blvd. in Kendall Park (South Brunswick). Sale from 9:00a-1:00p

Enjoy...see you out there!!! Make sure to comment and let me know what you found, and don't forget to check my blog on Sunday to read about these sales.

Happy Thursday!
Mona Kay

Pickin' in South Brunswick

To me, one of the definitions of a good garage sale weekend is when you just can't fit another thing in your car. For once, I'm not going to encourage my mom to read my blog, because I'm absolutely positive she would NOT be thrilled with the way in which I was driving around on Saturday morning! There is one common theme at the garage sales that I go to. The seller will say, "I don't think that's going to fit in your car". And I will say, "Well, let me give it a try!" I've only gone back for something once :)

For those of you who remember the not one, but two broken milk glass globes, I'm happy to say that I found some spares this weekend! And, while I didn't measure them, I lucked out...they fit the lamp that I bought weeks ago!



Here are some of the sellers I met. They had friends and family helping with their sale, and everyone was very friendly...they even offered me some bagels & cream cheese. I've said it before..I love garage sale people!

That's all for this week. Remember to contact me if you're having a garage sale, and I will include it in my "upcoming sales" post. Have a great week!
Mona Kay

Happy Father's Day!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend and a happy Father's Day.

Well, it had to happen sooner or later...I was at a family get-together, and left my camera (and this weekend's pictures) at my sister's house. Unfortunately, this means I cannot update this week's blog tonight!

Please look for a new post tomorrow when I will have retrieved my camera (and pictures), and will be able to post about the weekend's garage sales.

'Til then!
Mona Kay

Thursday June 17-Upcoming Garage Sales

Happy Thursday All! The weekend is almost here, and that means it's time for my Garage Sale update! It's going to be a beautiful weekend....I can't wait to get out there!

I found three Kendall Park garage sales: 25 Tyndall Road from 9-4 on Saturday (Multi-family); 9 Woodgate Drive, Saturday starting at 9, and 1 Vincent Avenue 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, also on Saturday. For those of you like me, unfamiliar with Vincent Avenue, directions were included:

Route 1 or Route 27 to Henderson Road, Henderson to Chipper Drive, Chipper to Vincent Avenue.

That's all I found in South Brunswick....happy picking!!

A Picker's Paradise!

I think this is the most fun I've had "saleing" so far this season...and it wasn't because of the great buys (although great buys were all over the place) it was because of the terrific people I met. What is it about garage sales that makes people so friendly? Maybe it's the camaraderie of exchanging "stuff"...things that one person no longer needs, that another person values...and the idea that our stuff will live on in someone else's life. Or maybe it's just the headiness of buying a metal table for $1.
I met this lovely lady at my first garage sale in Kendall Park. As usual, I spent more time chatting than looking...but I did buy the gorgeous metal wall hanging in the front of the picture.


I was on my way to Milltown when a bright red garage sale sign caught my eye, and I made a last minute turn. I'm glad I did, as I found a great elastic rhinestone bracelet and claimed it for a quarter.

Made it to Milltown, and what a FEAST!! There must have been 50 garage sales. I bought a terrific sketch of New Orleans (pre-Katrina) at one house, and a beautiful old porcelain-coated metal bowl at another. I spent quite a while talking to this gentleman about retiring as a dealer and collector. Aren't the paintings great? The furniture is from their garage sale - I craved it all, but I'm running out of room!


I did leave with this vintage metal tray. Wow!! I'm back in my mom's kitchen as a little kid. Raise your hand if you've seen this tray before!!

How vintage and fabulous are these chairs?? I truly need more storage, because I would have bought them in a heartbeat, if only I had space!

















I bought a lamp and a patio table from this lovely couple. We got to talking, and they mentioned that they had some furniture in the garage which they could show me if I didn't mind waiting...they even gave me a cup of fresh-brewed coffee while I waited. Did I mention that I meet the greatest people at garage sales??

All in all, it was a truly satisfying Saturday. Please let me know what "finds" you scored this weekend...or simply how you spent your time!


Remember to let me know if you have any upcoming garage sale, rummage sales, flea markets, barn sales, etc., and I will post the details ahead of time on my blog.

'Til the next pickin' day...
Mona Kay

Update to Garage Sales

I received a return phone call from Gabrielle Real Estate Agency; the organizers of the Milltown town-wide garage sale, and here are some further details: Maps including the participating garage sales can be picked up at Gabrielle Real Estate Agency (161 South Main Street), at the Milltown Dunkin' Donuts, and at the Milltown convenience store at 8am tomorrow (Saturday).

I also spotted a newly added Kendall Park garage sale - street-wide, no less! Berwick Road (off Kingsley) on Saturday - no times given. I'm going!! Then on to Milltown...see you out there!!

Upcoming Garage Sales

As promised, here is an update on this weekend's garage sales. I have scoured the telephone poles in Kendall Park, and the parts of South Brunswick that I typically travel, and while I didn't find any signs for garage sales in our area, there are two local listings in Monmouth Junction and Kendall Park on Craigslist. A little further from home, the Milltown Town-Wide garage sale is this Saturday and Sunday (some starting Friday). There are several postings for individual garage sales within Milltown, but I can't find further details...I have a call into the organizers, and will post additional details when they get back to me.

Also - mark your calendars for this one on June 24-26: South Brunswick Estate Sale....I can't wait!!!

If you have a garage sale you would like me to note, please contact me or comment to this post, and I will be happy to include you in an update, or in a post for future events.

See you all out there this weekend!

Mona Kay

Pride for the South Brunswick Crossroads Middle School Music Department

While I usually blog about garage sales, I want to take a minute to express my extreme pride (and I don't think I'm alone in this!) for the South Brunswick Crossroads Middle School Music Department. The picture is of the many trophies they took home from the Hershey Park Music Festival:

Concert Band received a superior rating and 1st place in the middle school
concert band 2 division.

Symphonic Band received an excellent rating and 2nd place in the middle
school concert band 1 division.

Wind Symphony received a superior rating and 1st place in the junior high
division.

Treble Choir received a superior rating and 1st place in the middle school
treble choir division.

Concert Orchestra received an excellent rating and 1st place in the middle
school division.

Symphonic Orchestra received a superior rating and 1st place in the junior
high division.

Jazz Ensemble received a superior rating and 2nd place in the middle school
division.

Jazz Band received a superior rating and 1st place in the junior high
division.

Concert Choir received a superior rating and 1st place in the middle school
division.

Vocal Ensemble received a superior rating and 1st place in the junior high
division.

Joselle Lomboy received an outstanding choral accompanist award.

Crossroads also received the Judge's Choice Award for Most Outstanding Group
in the categories of Orchestra, Choir and Jazz Band.

The South Brunswick Music Department has impacted the lives of many students in too many ways to try to capture in a short blog posting, and I would venture to say that I am not the only appreciative parent. Also, their performances are AMAZING!!! Congratulations All!!!
Mona Kay

Pickin' in South Brunswick

While I'll certainly travel for a good garage sale (or sometimes, unfortunately, a bad garage sale), my own neighborhood had the best pickings this weekend! I found five houses with hardy folks braving the very sticky weather - even at 8am - to open up tables, unload boxes, and haul out furniture onto their driveways. I bought a great set of dishes at the first sale from Jo Ann and Donna:

I ran into these lovely ladies (below) at two garage sales in a row, and they were so much fun I just had to take their picture. LOVE the t-shirt!!


Oak Woods Senior Residence Tenants Association had a HUGE rummage sale. The proceeds of the sale benefit existing programs that serve the interests of senior citizens residing in the Oak Woods community. These nice women helped me when it was time to pay. I found a terrific chair which I can't wait to reupholster!

Oak Woods will host another rummage sale in the fall - I would mark your calendars as soon as it is advertised. Watch my blog, as they promised to contact me so that I could post the date.

Finally, I ended up on Fresh Ponds Road for a Barn Sale run by Peter and Richard Odato.


Peter and Richard have been collectors for 25 years, and have been on Fresh Ponds Road for the past three years. Walking through the outside and the inside of the barn is one of my favorite picking experiences. I'll be looking at something terrific, and when I stand back to get a different perspective, I notice something even more fabulous right next to it (or under it). It's SO much fun-a real picker's and collector's dream!


Just look at this vintage Hoosier cabinet!! It makes me wish I didn't have built in cabinets in my kitchen. I love all the vintage items around and in it as well. My sister Nadia was with me...we realized that our mother had the same red metal tray on top of the cabinet.

Don't worry, there's not a chance that I walked away empty-handed - here's Richard (left) and Peter carrying my "find" to my car...a gorgeous buffet with working locks and really pretty embellishments.

I'll leave you all with my sister's find - certainly my favorite!


I will post any garage sales that I find out about on Wednesday or Thursday. Please post a comment with your garage sale details if you would like to be included!
Have a great week until the weekend brings the next garage sale day. I'll see you out there!
Mona Kay