Annual Flea Market Brings Out the Crowds

If you were traveling along busy Church Road in Arnold Saturday morning, you would have seen a long line of people all ready to find great deals at the annual Asbury United Methodist Church flea market. 

“We were so pleased with the turnout,” said Faye Bowman, the head of the day’s activities and member of the church’s United Methodist Women's (UMW) group, the sponsor of the annual event.

Started about 20 years ago, the event is a sign that the spring season is right around the corner for this community.

“People get to do spring cleaning a little early,” said Bowman who explained that donations for the sale came from the entire church as well as the families of the preschool and community center.

The event was started by church member Dottie Shaver who upon leaving the job, still left UMW members with a huge notebook full of directions and tips for success, said Nancy Cody, current UMW member.

Don White and son Connor dropped by to see what things might be of interest at the market. “We belong to the church so we wanted to support them,” White said, dressed in his scout uniform after having completed their “scouting for food” project earlier in the day.

A wide variety of items, from books and children’s toys to appliances and even furniture were available for sale. Items that didn’t sell were going to the Purple Heart charity.

Greeting the bargain hunters were Barbara Bruso and Rosemary Cain who were stationed at the bake sale table where pies, cakes, brownies, and cupcakes lovingly made by church members were sold to hungry and appreciative shoppers.

Proceeds from the sales will go to the United Methodist Church Women’s missions.