BARGAIN HUNTERS ATTEND CITY AUCTION, GARAGE SALE

Besides the traditional garage sales that pepper the area each spring, those in search of necessary or unusual items could attend two Cape Girardeau city-sponsored events Saturday.

Bargain hunters could be seen wheelin' and dealin' at a citywide garage sale at the Osage Centre or at a public auction held at the 4-H Building at Arena Park.

Hundreds of shoppers, parents and others were in line when doors opened at 8 a.m. to get the first crack at clothes, dishes and numerous other items available at the community garage sale.

"It was a madhouse when they opened the doors," said Gary Golightly of Fruitland. "We had dealers looking for bargains, parents looking for things for their kids -- it was a stampede."

Golightly took a day off work to set up his stand because "I figured I'd make more here than I would working." His treasures were collectibles and other items he no longer had an interest in.

"I collect military stuff, Hot Wheels, things like that," Golightly said. "It's mostly stuff we buy because we like it, but then decide we want something else."

Debbie Reisenbichler of Jackson arrived at 6 a.m. to set up her stand. She was happy to see the many parents who stopped to browse through old clothes too small for her two children.

"Our house is full, so I thought I'd try to get rid of some of it here," she said. "We sold a lot up here, but my house is still full."

Bargain hunter Shirley Stanfill of Jackson made the garage sale a stop as she completed errands in Cape Girardeau. She had no real buys in mind, just a desire to see what was available.

"I figured I'd stop in here and see what they had," she said.

Gary Abernathy of Cape Girardeau was one of many people who visited the community garage sale prior to making a second stop at the Arena Park 4-H Building for a public auction sponsored annually by the city. He was one of some 200 people at the auction, which was held to move surplus, outdated or worn out city property.

"I'm definitely a bargain hunter," said Abernathy, who picked up an electric washer, a computer splitter and an organizer at the auction. "I saw it on the 'Breakfast Show' and had nothing else to do, so we came out."

Hundreds of items, including 104 bicycles, were available to the highest bidder.

City employee Debbie Hillis said bargain hunters came in many ages and sizes. Some lived in the immediate area, while others traveled from as far away as St. Louis.

"We have a lot of cities that I contact to let them know about the auction," Hillis said. "We have a little bit for everybody: Cars, office equipment, TVs, just anything."