Mark the calendars and clean out the garage. Susan Lister of Limon, Colo., along with her daughter Sara, is bringing a tradition from Listerís home state of Nebraska to the eastern plains. In Nebraska, itís known as the ìJunk Jaunt:î a huge garage sale that draws people from more than 30 states.Lister is bringing the concept to the plains under a new name: ìTreasure Trek.îìThe small towns out here are struggling; how cool would it be if in a few years we were drawing people from other states out here?î Lister said. A garage sale of this sort also encourages people to stay in town and support small businesses such as restaurants, campsites and hotels, she said. Some of the small towns included in the garage sale are Falcon, Peyton, Calhan, Simla, Limon, Rush, Yoder.Treasure Trek is scheduled the weekend of June 22 and June 23, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. A registration fee of $15 helps cover advertising costs and ensures the seller or sellers a place on a map that will pinpoint each garage sale location. The maps will be placed in newspapers and online.Local towns are already getting involved. Lister said the garage sales will be held in centrally located areas in some towns or at parks or businesses. ìSimla is talking about letting people set up at the park,î she said. ìA craft store in Calhan is going to let people set up for free.îShe said she also hopes to entice antique vendors to the sales.Treasure Trek is a venue for getting out and talking to neighbors, as well as helping to foster a sense of community, Lister added. She said she hopes that other organizations might be interested in getting involved. For example, maybe a church would hold a garage or bake sale on the same day as Treasure Trek.Garage and yard sales provide opportunities to get some spring cleaning done and seek out bargains. Itís the old saying: One manís trash is another manís treasure!For more information about Treasure Trek, contact Sara Lister at 719-541-2288.
