By Holly Heller Enquirer Editor
    BREMEN — Bargain hunters canvassed the streets of Bremen last Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the town-wide garage sale days — a win-win event for both shoppers and sellers.
    “We’ve been very busy,” said Tracie Vermillion, who had a sale at her Woodies Lane home. “I’ve sold clothes and toys. I was pleasantly surprised.”
    The annual event is sponsored by the Bremen Chamber of Commerce.
    “It brings people in from the surrounding communities,” said Bill Davis, chamber president. “I can tell you that the Amish buggies were lined up on Woodie’s lane early this morning! I had lunch at Subway and there were all kinds of people eating lunch there. It’s helping a lot of retailers in the community.”

    For Rose Borkholder, who lives in the country between Bremen and Bourbon, the town-wide garage sale days are a fun family outing.
    “I love garage-saling! You can get bargains. It’s a fun day with my mom and sisters,” she said.
    As an Amish person with only horse-and-buggy transportation, she likes the idea of having multiple sales in a short distance from one another.
    “Amish usually have to get drivers, but this way we can take the buggy and go. It’s not too far for the horse.”
    Dreary weather Thursday morning, typically the busiest time for garage sales, almost put a damper on the day, according to Kaylin Worthington, a 13-year-old who was helping her mom, Jolene with a sale.
    “It was slow this morning because it was raining, but it’s getting better as the weather’s getting a little nicer,” she said Thursday.
    Amy Stouder was pleased that the rain held off on Thursday morning during the porch sale at her Montgomery Street home.    
    “I thought the rain would put a damper on things, but it’s been pretty continuous. It’s been good, we’ve had a lot of people.”
    The profits from her sale are going to a good cause — to help fund her 12-year-old daughter, Megan’s trip to the Junior National Young Leaders Conference this fall in Washington, D.C. The six-day trip will cost $1,884.
    “She was nominated by a teacher for her academic leadership,” Stouder said.
    Kaylin Worthington had a more basic goal in mind for her garage sale money.
    “I want to get some money so I can go shopping!” she said.
    Other residents reported successful traffic at their garage sales, too.
    “There’s been a lot of people. A lot more than we expected. We’ve sold a ton already,” said Cassie Lucas.
    Lisa Bixel agreed.
    “It’s really gone well. Some people have come from out of town. They mapped their route out and they went. If they know we’re having this many, they make a day of it!””
    As long as the skies were cloudy and gray, Butch Kling kept his antique furniture inside his Faith Avenue garage, just to be safe. But it wasn’t the large selection of dressers, chests and tables that kept people coming. It was his wife’s beautiful backyard garden.
    “We’ve had so many people go and look at our backyard,” Kling said. “There are not too many garage sales that provide entertainment.”