Balmy weather, brilliant sunshine and soaring spirits made the 31st Annual Yard Sale a success. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic. So there was a sense of exhilaration as shoppers, sellers, volunteers and neighbors streamed up and down the block on September 25, remarking on the beautiful weather and celebrating being together again at a favorite event.
Live music added to the festivities. The Peter and Will Anderson Jazz Quartet kicked off the afternoon with fresh riffs on jazz classics like “St. Louis Blues.” Making a special appearance with the group was tuba player David Ostwald. The New Orleans sound was followed by classical guitarist Nora Spielman, a teacher at the nearby Bloomingdale School of Music. And Shailah Edmonds rounded off the day’s entertainment with rousing versions of Motown classics that—by the time she ripped into “Stop In the Name of Love”—had everyone dancing in the street.
When all was tallied, the Block Association earned $7906 from the event, almost a record. The Book Table raked in $1475, the Bake Table scored $1630 with home-made treats, and the Silent Auction earned $2711. The 50-50 raffle brought the Block Association $1816, and generous winner Lynn Mandel donated $1000 to the block from her share of the pot. The board will use the Yard Sale revenues to undertake several long- postponed projects, including pruning the block’s trees and restoring the guard patrol to six evenings a week. The block’s volunteers, residents, participants and donors are what makes the Yard Sale special. This year, we asked some of them what they felt about the event:
“This was our first 104th Street yard sale and we had a great time. Our 4 year-old was so eager to tear open the games and toys he picked up that we opened them on the sidewalk before we could even get back upstairs to our apartment. Since we were having such fun playing Candy Land and Go Fish on the street, we also scooped up a pair of beach chairs so we could play comfortably, and called up a few friends and family to come spend the day. We ended up spending the entire day at the sale. When we got hungry we just ordered Sal and Carmine’s to the street and washed the pizza down with Janie’s Pie Crust cookies, which were absolutely delicious. We are already looking forward to next year!”
—Gul Stampur
“This year’s event was a particularly festive celebration. It’s a fundraiser – yes – but after the year we’ve had it seems appropriate to also call it a celebration. Many in the crowd appeared to be joyful to be (a) together (b) outside (c) on the block (d) on a warm fall day. One of the things I find to be so appealing about the block and the neighborhood is the friendliness of many residents; this contributes to a sense of belonging which is sometimes not easy to find elsewhere in the city. I volunteered this year for the first time because I appreciate the role played by the Block Association in fostering this sense of community.”
—Tom Monaco
“The block party brought an incredible sense of community and joy to the neighborhood. There were so many little treasures to be uncovered. My two- year-old daughter is still clinging to her secondhand lemur with a leprechaun hat stuffie as her new favorite. We can’t wait until the next one!”
—Henry, Dori and Alice Haber
“I’ve always loved the event—this year was just more so squared. It felt triumphant! What happiness to be out in that beautiful day and see so many neighbors that I hadn’t seen in a long time. And of course the dancing!!! Never like that before.”
—Miriam Duhan
“I’m not a haggler by nature, but it’s always fun to have a bit of a back-and-forth with buyers at the What a Bargain table, where I’ve volunteered for several years. Beyond that, the weather always seems to be perfect at the top of the block and the longtime volunteers Joyce Mann recruits every year are easy-going, making it a choice assignment.”
—Joe Rappaport
“Our Yard Sale is always a heartwarming event for me — a chance to share in community spirit galore! And this year’s seemed an especially wonderful remedy for pandemic angst and isolation—with thanks to the gods for the balmy weather! I started at the 50/50 raffle (my volunteer assignment later in the day). Then to heavenly baked goods, a struggle to balance my husband’s choices and mine along with our favorite lemon poppyseed cakes. I liked the mix of vendors, the fabulous arts and crafts, and had to resist the siren songs of the book emporium. And always a sweet ending, as Shailah and musicians send us home with the deep vibes of classic R&B!”
—Lani Sanjek
“I’ve always enjoyed being part of the Yard Sale—I love the whole event—but this year was exceptional. Felt so great to be back. I’ve been volunteering at the bake table at least 15 years. This year I made the Chocolate Beet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese
Frosting.” –Carol Prager