A light rain didn't dampen the spirits of homeowner Janice Bell Dowd as she covered the furniture and collectibles on her lawn with plastic on the morning of the Manhasset Community Fund's (MCF) communitywide garage sale on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Virginia Drive resident was one of 63 Manhasset neighbors who had registered with the fund to participate and used the day to empty their attics and basements of items outgrown and unused, everything from pianos and patio furniture to golf clubs and English bone china. "We were visited by many serious and astute people who knew antiques," Al Collard of Plandome observed. "Some were collectors of old watches. I sold a 16 mm projector and an old camera. Many selected from the collection of new tools." At the Collard home it was a family affair with wife Julia and daughter-in-law Liz lending a helping hand.

Volunteers, Boys Scouts and Manhasset Youth Council members gave out maps containing a detailed description of what each house was offering for sale. They were stationed in front of King Kullen, the Manhasset Library and along Plandome Road, starting at 8:30 in the morning. Particularly lively was the scene in front of King Kullen as early morning shoppers stopped to pick up their maps from Boy Scout Troops 71 and 97.

One such shopper was Manhasset's Maureen Caggiano who said, "The Manhasset Community Fund is a great organization that provides so many benefits to our close knit town. The garage sales are a fun way to get out on a Saturday and drive through our beautiful community, meet neighbors and look for that special something."

Garage sale lovers came in spurts and starts according to MCF Director Jane Hone who handed out maps in front of the library until early afternoon with Manhasset Youth Council members Michael Domanico, Katherine Nevitt, Will Letzler and Jade Morea. "Several out-of-towners came back to Manhasset this year because they had so much fun at the garage sales last year," Hone commented.

For the Barry family of Strathmore this was their second year participating in the MCF garage sale. A wide variety of items big and small drew browsers to their front lawn. An antique dog bank that ate pennies was a real find and framed paintings were a big seller. "My morning sales were great," noted Kevin Barry.

"I'm thrilled to have moved into this wonderful, friendly neighborhood, said Plandome Heights newcomer Kathy Kanes as she checked out the offerings in her new hometown while wheeling daughter Sophia around in her stroller from one garage sale to another.

MCF Director Maria Troisi Mohan, one of the day's coordinators, remarked, "The best part of the day was visiting and catching up on neighborhood news. Some of my favorite treasurers come from previous garage sales. I love remembering the people who owned them before. I hope today's hunters will enjoy their loot as much."

The MCF is grateful to the following organizations for their support and donations for their second town-wide event: King Kullen, Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Manhasset Boy Scout Troops 71 & 97, Manhasset Public Library, Manhasset Youth Council and Raindew Family Stores.

The Manhasset Community Fund was formed in 1946 and in general raises funds for the charities and organizations that serve the Manhasset Community. In 2008 the Fund has supported: Adventures in Learning; Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS); Family & Children's Association; Manhasset Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse (CASA); Manhasset/Great Neck EOC; Manhasset Police Athletic League (PAL); Manhasset Senior Citizen's Advisory Council; Manhasset Student Aid Association; Manhasset Women's Coalition Against Breast Cancer (MWCABC); Manhasset Youth Council; Mental Health Association of Nassau County; Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Nassau County Boy Scouts; Nassau County Girl Scouts; North Shore/LIJ Health System; St. Francis Hospital; The Rehabilitation Institute; and United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.

The Manhasset Community Fund is now conducting its annual appeal so please remember to contribute to the 2009 campaign. To learn more about the Manhasset Community Fund, visit their website at: www.manhassetcommunityfund.org