The Millbrook Village Neighborhood Spring Sale had it all

The Millbrook Village Neighborhood Spring Sale had it all
Thea Scotti  with two stuffed fox toys dressed in hunting attire in front of daughter Natasha’s house on Front Street in Millbrook. She reported a steady flow of shoppers at the Millbrook Village Neighborhood Spring Sale. Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

MILLBROOK —  When a resident on Front Street had a yard sale in 2022, her neighbor mentioned that if it happened again this year, she’d have one, too! For Tanya Jackson and Ilana Papele Nilsen, that was the start of the idea for a village-wide yard sale, and on Saturday, April 22, the idea came to fruition.

People were made aware of the Millbrook Village Neighborhood Spring Sale via marketing on Facebook, word of mouth, and colorful fliers that could be found around the village. For those who didn’t have a yard, arrangements were made to share with home owners, so many sites had more than one vendor.

Some businesses were part of the sale as well as residences, and on Saturday, the streets were teeming with shoppers, many of whom came from out of town to see what they could find. A few were from the city, visiting the area for the weekend, and many were from Pleasant Valley, Red Hook, Stanford and Stanfordville, Pine Plains and Amenia. A few were from Connecticut as well.

Juniper was among the stores that participated; the Antique Mall had items out; there were goods in front of Velletri; and there was a bake sale on Franklin Avenue across from Stewart’s, selling Ukrainian goodies in support of Ukraine.

There was music promised at 58 Front St., for foot tapping and humming as one shopped. A good many shoppers had babies, strollers and their dogs with them, enjoying the neighborly conversations and the ambience available as well as the decent weather and the variety of items for sale.

When asked about whether they would be there for Sunday’s sale, some vendors were looking to the weather forecast. Others, such as Thea Scotti, pointed to the fact that they had a tent. Scotti was manning the sale at her daughter Natasha’s house. They had everything from stuffed animals to fine China and earthenware that seemed to be hand-painted.

Sunday was chilly and rainy, yet a few brave souls faced the elements via tent or covered porch and finished the sale. The Whale of a Sale at Grace Church featured all-you-can-get-in-a-bag for $5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The sale was such a success that plans are already being made for next year; the organizers are hoping to use QR codes to make things easier, although the back of the flier gave much information, such as what might be available at each address, and how many vendors were located at the addresses given. This could easily become one of the social highlights of the year in Millbrook as well as being a boon to Earth Day, and keeping many items out of landfills and in someone else’s safekeeping.

Latest News

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less

The power of one tray

The power of one tray

A tray can help group items in a way that looks and feels thoughtful and intentional.

Kerri-Lee Mayland

Winter is a season that invites us to notice our surroundings more closely and crave small, comforting changes rather than big projects.

That’s often when clients ask what they can do to make their homes feel finished or fresh again — without redecorating, renovating or shopping endlessly. My answer: start with one tray.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.