A garage sale and more stuff

As this column has noted over the past couple of months, CAPS is holding a garage sale today and tomorrow. We send a big round of Paws Applause to Spring Valley Rentals for donating storage space since Aug. 1, to hold the donated goods until the sale. And donated goods we got.

There are not only household wares but also goods for the garage (power saws!), the garden (a two-seater, canopied lawn swing in very good condition), and sport (skis, ski boots, and a snowboard with attached boots). If you need a dining table with six chairs, well, we have that too. I’ve also seen an almost-new VCR, which wasn’t stored in the unit but a cooled home, and some stacks of movies on tape.

There are books of all sorts and genres, music CDs, jigsaw puzzles, board games, craft items, sewing notions, stuffed “animals,” toys and Christmas decorations. Today or tomorrow might be an excellent time to find some bargain goodies for the upcoming holidays. CAPS board members and staff have been busy all week getting everything set up, and we can’t wait to meet you. Please join us at 390 Whitaker Lane (in Fallon) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (No early birds, please!)

Now for the news we hope you have been anxiously waiting to hear: The answer to “What will be the October fundraiser?” This year CAPS will present (drum roll, please) a murder mystery, “Next of Kin.” We are beyond thrilled that District Attorney Art Mallory, Sheriff Ben Trotter and CCHS drama teacher-coach-director Glen Perrazo have so agreeably joined us to stage a fun- and laughter-filled night of entertainment. The cast has been in rehearsals, and we’re having a lot of fun with this play!

This will be an interactive evening, with the cast mingling and chatting with you, our audience. This of course entails, on your part, to interact with us. We really do not want a passive audience, who only listens, but one who joins in the fun. Each guest will receive a booklet to track clues and write notes to solve this who-done-it play. If you have ever wanted to be a detective, Oct. 19 will be the night to become one!

By next week, the board will have decided who will cater the event and what the menu will be, so that information and the ticket price will be given here and on our website (www.capsnv.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). We haven’t eliminated the live auction entirely, so several very nice items will be up for bid. We’ll be sure to keep you informed through this column and our other media sites.

The article title mentioned “more fun stuff,” which certainly covers the play “Next of Kin.” But trees are fun too, especially a gorgeous 15-gallon blireiana plum tree. This tree, again donated by Flower Tree Nursery and valued at $79.99, has striking leaf color in the fall and fragrant pink blossoms in the spring. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The drawing will be held on Oct. 19 at Flower Tree, and you don’t have to be present to win.

When you purchase your raffle tickets, we hope you will thank Susan Henderson and her staff for their long-time generosity to CAPS. There have been quite a few times when that check made all the difference between paying and not a paying a bill.

The other fun thing is the library, which offers so much more than wonderful books to read. One thing it offers to community groups is the use of its display case. This month CAPS is pleased to present captions and photos of our current guests, entitled “A Day in the Life of a Shelter Cat” and “A Day in the Life of a Shelter Dog.” All these furry friends are available for adoption (if not already adopted). Please stop by and take a look. You might meet your next best friend.

This week’s article was contributed by Betty Duncan, a member of the CAPS board of directors.