Bargain hunters often camp outside of houses at the annual Countrywood and Berryhill garage sale, waiting to pounce on deals and steals.
Lauren Schack Clark, community music school director at The University, is not opening her garage door until 7 a.m.
“People start coming at 6 a.m.,” Clark said. “It’s kinda nuts, but it’s fun.”
Clark, along with several community music school faculty members and parents of the children attending the CMS, is participating in the yard sale for the second year to raise money for the school’s scholarship fund.
Last year, Clark and other volunteers were able to raise about $500 dollars which were awarded to 21 students.
Tracy Montgomery, Suzuki piano coordinator, participated in the event last year and is donating her time this year in spite of her busy schedule.
“I haven’t really had time,” Montgomery said. “I had jury duty last week and I’m trying to get the semester going. (But) it’s for a good cause, helping raise money for students to play their instruments.”
Linda Aycock and Holly Hair are this year’s Countrywood and Berryhill garage sale organizers. The festival is a 23 year old tradition in the Cordova neighborhood. It is visited by people all over the tri-state area and the “whole neighborhood” participates in the sale.
“There’s probably 250 to 300 people selling this year,” Aycock said.
According to Clark, years ago a Suzuki piano teacher who used to own Clark’s house held the garage sale once or twice to raise money for the scholarship fund.
Clark thought the idea was good but it needed to be developed.
“Last year we made $500,” Clark said. “This year we’re more organized and hopefully we’ll make more than that. We’re shooting for $1000.”
The proceeds from last year’s sale partially funded 21 CMS pre-college students.
Students were awarded scholarships based upon their financial need, talent and whether they had siblings in the program.
The amount of money given to each student was between $25 and $150. Without the money, students pay up to $308 per semester.
Clark is accepting clothes, household items and money for donations.
Donations can be brought to Clark’s office in the Music Building, room 121B today, or students and faculty members can call her office at 678-4244 for directions to the sale.
“We want clothes and toys in fairly good condition,” Clark said. “(Last year) someone brought a vacuum cleaner that didn’t work.”
