Waste Not Want Not – How I Became a Fanatic

by Judy Wolfram

How did I become such a yard sale, garage sale, flea market or rummage sale fanatic? It all started with one woman – Frances Zrimuek.

Frances and her husband, Ernie, were friends of my husband’s family. Ernie was a carpenter, like my husband. The couple built a beautiful stone home themselves not far from where I lived. The whole house was built out of used, free or very cheap materials. I was impressed, to say the least.

I met Frances after Ernie got sick and passed away, and Frank and I were married. Their families had lost track of each other as life got in the way. We lived in the country with a dairy farm across the road from our house and, as it turned out, Frances bought her milk there.

When we put Frank’s name on the mailbox, Frances spotted it. She came to the door and asked if Frank was one of the Wolframs that she knew. Yes, Frank was at work, but would be home at 4:30. She returned exactly at 4:30. After catching up, Frances discovered that we had chickens, ducks and geese. We assured her we could keep her supplied with fresh eggs, and that’s when she asked me, “Do you like yard sales?” When I replied I didn’t know because I had never been to one, her eyebrows went up. “Never?”

We planned to go the next morning.

I expected her around 8 a.m., but at 7 a.m., she was knocking on the door. She waited while I packed Frank’s lunch and dressed, but after that was in a hurry. We were late. She handed me a clip board with all of the “interesting” sales cut out of the newspaper and taped onto a sheet — in order of distance from our neighborhood.

I adopted her way of life easily. I loved it. She taught me a lot about prices, bargains and haggling. She was really good at haggling.

Frances passed away two years after we moved to West Virginia, leaving an empty space in my life. But, I still have her values and lessons now inside me — not to mention all the items that I bought with her or that she save to me.

So, my fanatacism started with one woman — who became a friend and mentor. Frances was one of a kind.

Judy Wolfram is vice-chairman of the Calhoun County Solid Waste Authority, 2 miles outside Grantsville on Route 5. Hours are Tues. and Thurs., 8 to 4 and Sat., 8 to 12 for buy-back of nonferrous metals. Batteries, recycling items accepted 24 hours a day. Letters can be sent to: Judy Wolfram, Rt. 1 Box 83H, Five Forks, WV 26136.