In the Beginning

I was given some interesting documentation of the Relief Sale to read through and use here to tell you about the history of the Northern Michigan Relief Sale. Beth Esch, whose husband Bill was the director of the sale for a number of years, has kept an archive of  information concerning the Northern Michigan Relief Sale. So here goes.

There actually was a sale sponsored by the Fairview Mennonite Church in June of 1966. The event was held in the Fairview Town Hall. There were 2 tables of baked goods and handmade items, a wagon load of donated items and two (count them) 2 quilts. The top selling quilt went for $100. The sale netted about $2,7oo. The proceeds were sent to MCC.

The sale grew, as sales will. The town hall was still the place to be. Tents were added to hold the increasing size. In the early 1970’s other churches were asked to participate. In 1979 the sale had expanded too much and was moved to Gerber’s Auction Acres (the current Let’s Talk Auction grounds). It moved again the next year to it’s present location at the Oscoda County Fairgrounds. That growth still continues today with new and bigger things tried whenever the inspiration strikes.

Some features of past Relief Sales were mentioned in this archive. For some of you  folks that have been coming for quite a long time these retired attractions may bring back memories. Do you remember the glass blowing, clockshop, or  apple butter made fresh on site? Since I was not at the sale back then, I’m sure some of you remember others things that have changed with time. And there’s more to come.