The first day to donate merchandise for the annual “Grand and Glorious” Yard Sale sponsored by the Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary is Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at the old Bookland back door, Cook’s Corner Mall.

The yard sale is May 17, 18 and 19 and the Auxiliary is pleased that Bookland has been leased again, because of its central location in the mid coast area.

If you already have spring fever and are doing spring cleaning, or may be moving/downsizing and have a deadline to meet, Bookland will be open every Saturday from March 23 to May 11 and every Wednesday from April 3-May 8, to receive merchandise.

Volunteers will be available to help carry donations into the building, where it is sorted and taken to various “departments.”

The yard sale committee will not accept major appliances and televisions, computer equipment and typewriters, large exercise equipment, non-rolling luggage, alpine skis and boots, mattresses, outdoor grills, clothing, medical equipment, large fake Christmas trees, broken toys, baby cribs, bumpers and car seats. These items do not sell or cannot be sold.

“Department” are antiques and treasurers, kitchen, linens, house and garden, furniture, children, jewelry and accessories, holiday/miscellaneous, electronics and appliances, sporting goods and crafts. Most are in the same locations as last year, so shoppers know where to head when the doors are opened.

Margy Burroughs, a yard sale tri-chair with Ann Haslett and Lynne True, is taking calls for pick-up of large quantities at 207-729-0696.

Burroughs said, “It is incredible how the donations from the community add up. Without community support for high quality health care, we would not have such a successful sale. I am always amazed at the generosity of our supporters.  The old Bookland works well for us, especially the remaining bookshelves for display of our merchandise.”   

Actual tickets for the May 17 Preview Party are new this year and will go on sale shortly at three locations in Brunswick and Bath—the Mid Coast Hospital Gift Shop, Gulf of Maine Books and Now You’re Cooking. Advance tickets are $15 until 5 p.m. May 15, and $20 at the door, starting at 6:15 p.m., or after the advance ticketholders have entered.  You must present a ticket at the door. The price of the ticket includes food and beverages and the opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Free public hours for the sale are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, May 19.

Proceeds benefit Mid Coast Hospital and health career scholarships for worthy mid coast Maine students. The Auxiliary paid off its $150,000 pledge for the new Brunswick downtown walk-in clinic in January and expects to announce a new pledge for the hospital very soon, according to Auxiliary President Carolyn Gibson.

Donations of used books for the Spring Book Sale April 4 and 5 at Mid Coast Hospital may also be taken to Bookland every Saturday in March, 9 a.m. to  noon.  The committee does not accept textbooks, encyclopedias and Reader’s Digest condensed books. Please call the volunteer office, 373-6015, for more information.