OLD LYME — Last Friday, the ministers of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and the church’s White Elephant Sale (WES) Board made the final decision to cancel this year’s White Elephant Sale. Up until this point, planning was continuing in the hope that the 2021 sale was held.
An e-mail sent out yesterday by Bob Davis, who has chaired the sale for some 20 years, says “Regrettably … there were just too many variables since we start staffing in May and set up begins in mid June.”
He explains, “We looked at a myriad of issues including our ability to enforce the CT restrictions in place on large gatherings. [crowd size, masks, distancing ….] [and] the fact that the church was currently planning for only outdoor services through late Summer at least.
Davis also notes that, “The safety of our volunteers and shoppers in close quarters” was paramount and, “The possibility of folks coming down with Covid during intake or the sale” had to be considered.
He points out, “Given that most other major July events have been cancelled, it was the prudent thing to do.”
Striking a positive note, Davis says, “We are eagerly looking forward to next year’s sale when vaccinations should be widespread, heard immunity has taken hold and we will have learned to live with Covid.”
He concludes, “Mark your calendars for July 8-9, 2022 when we will [finally] have our 84th WES!”