Toot n Holler a success for Chamber

April 30, 2014 · 0 Comments

Even the rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the participants of the Annual Toot n Holler town-wide garage sale.

This popular spring event, hosted by the Tottenham–Beeton & District Chamber of Commerce (TBDCC) and the Times of New Tecumseth, was started in 1999 as a way to help residents of New Tecumseth recycle their unwanted household items.

“While the Toot n Holler started as a way to keep items out of our landfills, this event also helps many of our local community organizations who use it as an additional way to fund raise,” said TBDCC president, Jess Prothero. Prothero was out in the community, volunteering his time to help with the event.

With over 30 garage sales listed between the villages of Tottenham and Beeton, traffic was flowing all day long and people were happy to ‘toot’ their horns, and ‘holler’ at their neighbours – with everyone going home with a special new treasure. The TBDCC joined local merchants who took advantage of the influx of residents and tourists in the community by opening its new office for the day, greeting people and handing out garden seeds for free.

TBDCC office administrator, Linda Spurr, told the Times, “While we focus on local economic development by supporting and promoting our business members, the Tottenham–Beeton Chamber is all about helping our community grow.”

In addition to the citizen garage sales, several community groups and not-for-profit organizations also took advantage of Toot n Holler Sunday. Relay for Life, the annual walk for cancer research, had a booth on Daniele Avenue in Beeton (hosted by Sarah Bruce) and the Tottenham Cooperative Day Care held a community barbecue – with help from local fire fighters – to raise awareness about this community gem. Even the Girl Guides jumped on board.

Ken and Bonnie’s Beeton Foodland also hosted a sale to clear merchandise before store ownership changes hands after May 3.

For residents who were unable to offload bulky items, the County of Simcoe offers bulky item collection (max. 5 items) at a cost of $35 from June through September. Acceptable materials include: mattresses, furniture, electronics, appliances (including CFC), metal, wood waste, bath fixtures, carpeting bundled and rolled (max. 2.5 m x 30 cm in diameter, 1 bundle = 1 item) and other items. Call 1-800-263-3199 to schedule an appointment for bulky collection.

For residents looking for more information on the Tottenham–Beeton & District Chamber of Commerce, or how to become a member, or for a free package of garden seeds, visit the TBDCC at its new office, at 54 Queen Street S. in Tottenham, Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

By Wendy Gabrek

Photo by Lindsay Davies
Beeton Foodland sells of excess merchandise – Ken and Bonnie’s Beeton Foodland got involved with the Annual Toot n Holler town-wide garage sale by selling off excess merchandise prior to the stores change of ownership this Saturday, may 3. All proceeds from the sale went to Matthews House Hospice. Pictured, from left: Sue Bowser (Matthews House volunteer), Jess Prothero (TBDCC president), Bonnie and Ken Pratt (owners, Beeton Foodland), Ashton, Reese, Crystal Irvin.

Relay for Life volunteers hosted a multi-family garage sale and barbecue on Daniele in Beeton. Pictured, from left: Bob Marrs, Sarah Marrs Bruce, Tom Bruce, Jess.