Find all sorts of Christmas treasures at the Elephants in Winter Sale on Nov. 15 and 16.
OLD LYME–The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme will become a one-stop holiday shop on Nov. 15 and 16 as it opens its doors to those looking to decorate for the holidays or on the hunt for that special gift. Opening hours on Saturday are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All the holiday items collected during intake days for the White Elephant Sale in July will be featured at the Benevolent Society’s ‘Elephants In Winter’ Sale, including Christmas decorations, Christmas stockings, artificial greens and wreaths, holiday china and glassware, linens, sweaters, toys, books, CDs, DVDs, paper goods, lights, candles, and ornaments.
Meanwhile, the church’s Partnership Committees will host their own sale with unique craft items including Haitian art, olive oil and soaps, Lakota handicrafts, and one-of-a kind handmade scarves, mittens, hats, baby quilts, aprons, potholders, and holiday napkins from “The Ladies Who Stitch.”
For more information, visit fccol.org or call the church at 860-434-5656.
The hall designated for Women’s Clothing was packed with eager shoppers throughout both days. Photos courtesy of Eileen Mueller, except where indicated.
This Year’s Gross Sales Exceed 2024 Record By “At Least 10 Percent”
A cheery Eileen Mueller of Old Lyme proudly wears her signature, red volunteer apron while serving customers.
OLD LYME — The weather was great for this year’s White Elephant Sale (WES) at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme … unlike last year when the heavens opened and rain dampened everything … except the financial results.
So, here at LymeLine, we wondered how things went in this year’s sale, which, as always, drew huge crowds, and sparked that unique community spirit for which is is renowned.
We asked WES Chairman Bob Davis that question and he replied by email saying, in a nutshell, it was the, “Best sale ever — again!!!! That is two years in a row, rain or shine”
He added, “Early numbers show [financial results] at least 10% bigger than last year,” and this was despite many departments thinking they did not have sufficient goods to sell!
He remarked that they may have been literally “flooded” in 2024, “but set a record anyways.” This year he noted, “The weather was much better and the customers came out in a steady stream after the initial Friday rush.”
Sporting Goods offered a fine array of bikes for sale and, under the tent in the background, the department set out a huge array of sports equipment and more at bargain prices.
Davis said that the Sale ran very smoothly and, “All had great time with full a compliment of volunteers.”
All the proceeds from the Sale are distributed by the church’s Benevolent Society to support a great variety of charities both locally, statewide, nationally and internationally, as well as the church itself.
Bob Davis, WES Chairman, gave a debrief on the WES at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Sunday’s service. Photo courtesy of FCCOL.
Davis, who has been chairing the WES for more years than he can remember, said the organizing committee is already thinking about improvements for next year and welcomes hearing any thoughts from the community.
Finally, he noted in a brief presentation at yesterday’s FCCOL morning service that the WES sale dates for 2026 are July 10 and 11 … so Save Those Dates!
The line to pay for women’s clothing never seemed to get any shorter!
Editor’s Note: i) We offer hearty congratulations to all those involved in pulling off this amazing sale. Bob Davis obviously plays a leading role and his efforts must be especially appreciated, but he is joined by a multitude of loyal volunteers year after year— and new ones too. Many thanks to you all.
