OBIFD Plans Annual Auction and Yard Sale August 10 & 11

July 16, 2013

A community tradition will mark its 20^thanniversary August 10 and 11 when the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department once again holds its annual auction and yard sale.

As usual, big crowds are expected at the event, which features a giant yard sale, silent auction and food on Saturday and Sunday and a live auction of antiques, art, collectibles and other items on Sunday. It will be held at the Orr’s Island Fire Station, 1600 Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24.

“This is the biggest event of the year on the islands,” said Wes Haynes, the fire department safety officer and longtime auction chairman. “We are amazed at how it has grown. It’s become a real tradition.”

The yard sale will run from 8 a.m. to at least 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The live auction will begin Sunday at 10 a.m., with preview and registration beginning at 9 a.m. A silent auction of donated goods and services will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Items sold at the event are donated by area residents throughout the year. The most unique and valuable pieces are typically sold at the auction, though many surprises and treasures can be found in the yard sale.

One featured item expected to be up for auction this year includes a 110-year-old iron bell which sat for many years on Haskell Island in Casco Bay. The bell, which originally came from a school in Vermont, was recently removed from the island and donated to the fire department. Other unique antiques include a couple of old Bailey Island signs, an English marching band drum, and a wide variety of furniture and other items, including desks, chairs, tables and decorative pieces.

Also expected for sale at the auction are a 37-foot 1989 Pace Arrow motor home in excellent condition, a 19-foot sailboat and several kayaks, canoes and dinghies.

The auction will also feature many surprise and unique items, including locally baked pies which are typically sold for hundreds of dollars to support the fire department scholarship fund and other needs.

Fire Chief Ed Blain and Rescue Captain Ed Sparks will once again serve as chief auctioneers and may be assisted by a surprise guest or two.

The yard sale held in the adjacent Orr's Island Schoolhouse and in two big tents out back will offer a wide range of household goods, bric-a-brac, holiday decorations, small antiques and toys.

The silent auction will feature gift certificates donated by area businesses, including restaurants, motels, local fishermen and shops, offering meals, automotive and marine supplies and services, jewelry, art and clothing, home and garden supplies and services, personal care and health supplies and services, recreation opportunities and many more.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be offered for sale on both days. The breakfast menu includes made-to-order sandwiches and bakery items, while lunch features grilled hot and sweet sausages, hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos with cheese, soft pretzels, other snacks, beverages and deserts.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Orr's & Bailey Islands Fire Department, which provides fire and rescue services on Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of the Nazarene Church on Route 24. All money raised goes to support the fire and rescue operations and for training to better serve the community.

Donations are still needed for the auction and yard sale. Items may be dropped off at the Orr's Island fire station from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, or call Blain at 833-5199 to arrange for another time or schedule a pickup of donations by fire department volunteers

For more information about the fire department or volunteering, visit www.obifd.org

Visitors Get Hands-on at Orr's & Bailey Islands Fire Department Open House

July 1, 2013

A big crowd of children and adults turned out for a day of information and fun at the annual open house hosted by the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.

Highlights of the June 29 event at the Orr’s Island fire station included a demonstration of rescue tools and techniques, in which firefighters ripped the roof and doors off of an old car as a crowd of onlookers applauded. Several adults and children also got a chance to get hands-on experience using fire extinguishers and even the big fire hoses blasting water from a pumper truck.

Other events included a talk on home safety and emergency planning by Chief Ed Blain and a visit from the Brunswick Fire Department fire safety trailer in which visitors got to experience what it would be like in a smoke-filled home and how to get out safely.

There were also tours of the fire station and equipment, the opportunity to safely dispose of old fire extinguishers and purchase new ones, free blood pressure checks, and balloons, fire hats and badges for children and refreshments for everyone.

“This was a real fun time as well as an opportunity to show the community how hard we work and train to keep all of our neighbors safe,” Chief Blain said. “It was gratifying to see such a good turnout and feel the support of the community.”

“Our motto is ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ and we really felt that today,” Blain said.

OBIFD is an all-volunteer department which provides fire and medical rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of the Nazarene Church on Route 24.