Madison Sidewalk Sales Packed Thursday; Still Lots Of Great Stuff Left; Library Book Sale Underway!

In Madison Thursday, people were constantly checking the weather report as forecasters declared conditions ripe for a severe weather event that could have included fierce rains, high winds and maybe even a tornado.

So, many of us headed out to stock up ... on new dresses.

I would like to report that I am now amply supplied with enough dresses to get me through any emergency. Just to be on the safe side, I got a new bracelet, new shoes, a t-shirt that says "Peace Love Chocolate" and a new straw bag. Oh yeah, and two really cool Fisher Space Pens from Two Ems, Inc. One red and one pink. They write at any angle and even in the rain. You know, just in case the weather forecast for Madison was correct. As my friend Georgeanne from North Madison said, "it was a dud."

I wasn't alone when it came to the shopping. The sidewalk sales in Madison were packed Thursday. The minute someone pulled out of a parking place, someone pulled back in. Most of the merchants had big smiles on their faces while waiting on customers who were helping themselves to heaps of clothes, books, shoes, jewelry, home goods, and other items. Discounts at some stores were as high as 75 percent off.

Ah yes, spending money to save money.

There was plenty of great stuff left late Thursday, but I'd recommend getting out there early Saturday and Sunday to get the best of what's left. Don't forget to visit Station Square and the shops of Wall Street. Poppies, at the far end of Wall Street, is advertising great bargains off of their already really low prices. Remember to stop in at Lily Juliet, one of Madison's newest merchants, next to the Scranton Memorial Library. The Madison Cheese Shop, down the alley (across from Stop & Shop) from the main shopping strip, had someone out advertising specials Thursday as well.

Also Friday, the Scranton Memorial Library's book sale starts. Hope to see you there!

Here's what you need to know:

Join the Friends of Scranton Library for the Annual Gently Used Book Sale.
Here it is! The huge Annual Sale. Friends have been collecting, sorting and pricing donations since March. At Academy School they created exciting rooms of adult fiction, nonfiction, hardcover, paperbacks. childrens story books, teen novels, CDs, DVDs, and more. Find some fantastic summer reading, music, videos, and books to listen to. Come Shop. Book Sale proceeds directly support Scranton Library services.

BOOK SALE @ Academy School (24 Academy Street, down the street from the town's restaurant and retail district and next to the town green)

Friday, July 27 from 9 to 5
Saturday, July 28 from 9 to 5
Sunday, July 29 from 9 to 2

Sure, the forecast today is calling for bad weather on and off.  But we're not going to let that stop us, are we? As my friend Carlene said on Facebook, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass ... It's about learning to dance in the rain."

You can stop by and see Carlene, and her mom Jean, at Jolie Boutique. I bet they could even find you the perfect dress for dancing in the rain.