Dan's Papers - January 16, 2009

This year, this January 2009, it's not about dropping a few pounds. Or about reading a couple of books a month. Or maybe getting eight hours of sleep every night.

No, this year, this January 2009, most folks I know are resolving to spend less on the stuff they need - or want. Maybe they haven't lost their jobs or had their work hours cut. Even so, concern's contagious and thrift's a cure.

Now there are scores of ways to be thrifty. Add a little water to a can of soup, set the washing machine on cold, don't purchase a new lipstick or invest in shaving cream. Please know I'm not advocating any of the above. Watery soup and scruffy male chins make for an uncomfortable world.

But there's another kind of North Fork thrifty I really like and apparently thousands of other North Forkers do, too. Thrifty as in thrift shops. There are lots of 'em on this fork and if patronized they'll save us plenty of money. Well, perhaps not plenty. But enough to fulfill a resolution. And to discover fun in frugality.

Out in Greenport there are several thrift shops. One's an oldie, another a newcomer. In deference to age, let's start with Eastern Long Island Hospital's Opportunity Thrift Shop. Located on Main Street, just north of Arcade Department Store, the Op Shop, as it's fondly called, has as its motto, "Every Penny You Spend Here Benefits ELIH." Good.

Good, too, is you can find almost everything at the shop. At great prices. I spoke with volunteer Terry Ketcham of East Marion. She wore, as did all the volunteers, a pink smock with the ELIH logo in blue. Terry said years ago the Op Shop was located on hospital grounds but moved to Main Street when ELIH needed more space.

A dumbwaiter brings stuff from the first to the second floor at the shop. Terry said most children are fascinated by the dumbwaiter - never having seen one. That second floor features clothing and fabric (where I head first) while floor one has all kinds of household furnishings.

You're bound to meet someone you know in a North Fork thrift shop. At the Op Shop I met Mattituck's Harriet Tuthill. Guess a thrift shop is like a town square. Everyone shows up eventually. I even met a lady from Georgia. Not the state. Russia. Really. So a thrift shop can be an international cultural event if you hang around long enough.

By the way, think $150,000 - the amount the Op Shop handed over to ELIH in 2008.

Would you believe? I met Harriet Tuthill at North Fork Parish Outreach, Greenport's newest thrift shop. And just an hour after I left her at the Op Shop. Obviously, Harriet's a serious bargain hunter.

Parish Outreach's beautifully decorated and well-stocked shop is just east of Drossos Motel. Lots of parking is a plus and so is the dish of help-yourself candy often put on the counter by director Loretta Hatzel-Geraci. And remember, with every purchase you may select a book - free. Anything from Dr. Seuss to Socrates.

And guess who you'll see at Parish Outreach. A male volunteer. Not many of that sex volunteer in the thrift shops. This Southold guy's big and strong. Just right for lifting all the heavy boxes. It's so nice to have a man around the shop! His name? Larry Mitchell.

I didn't see Harriet at this next thrift shop. Maybe I just missed her. Anyway, School House Thrift Shop at Cutchogue United Methodist Church in Cutchogue has a setting unlike any other thrift. It's nestled right up against a farm. Chickens, horses and sheep often squawk, neigh and baa over the fence that separates them from their thrifty cousins. The shop, originally a mobile classroom in Cutchogue, was moved to its present location a few years back. Customers have been learning the ABC's of smart shopping ever since.

And listen to this. At School House I found another man volunteer. Peter Schmidt of Cutchogue, take a bow. Pete's wife, Peggy, often joins him at the shop. They make a good team. Stop by.

So gather all your loose change and head for the North Fork thrift shops. You'll return home with a toaster in good working order, a brand-new sweater, some toys for the kids. And you'll still have some coins in your pocket.