Find your treasures at the Zoar Wetland garage sale

The Zoar Wetland’s annual garage sale will take place Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22.

The pavilion at the wetland will be filled with items. Sherrie Baughman, president and treasurer for the nonprofit organization, said some larger items to look for include a power washer, a rototiller, a weed eater and a snowplow blade that can be attached to a John Deere mower.

“There’s also an antique rope bed with the ropes replaced by slats,” Baughman said.

Additional items of note include a set of metal Matchbox cars, a number of retro toys and games, a wooden cradle, hand tools, and tons of Christmas decorations.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Baughman said. “Everything is donated, and all proceeds stay at the wetland to help us stay open and keep things running.”

New kayak launch and extended boat dock

Among the more noticeable improvements are a repaired and expanded boat dock and the installation of a kayak launch ramp.

“We’ve had so many members indicate they’re interested in kayaking, and we never really had an easy way to put a kayak into the water,” said Bonny Schwartzgable, grant writer and secretary. “We received a grant from the Harold G. and Marjorie Q. Rosenberry Tuscarawas County Foundation to make those improvements. We’ve also ordered another shoreline bench so people can fish in comfort all day if they want to.”

Schwartzgable was very complimentary about the dock improvements performed by RP Marine Services in Waynesburg.

Zoar’s best-kept secret

For years it seemed the wetland was Zoar’s best-kept secret, but that is changing. “This year we’ve been growing and moving forward in leaps and bound,” Baughman said.

She and Schwartzgable attribute growth to word-of-mouth, concentrated efforts on attracting new members and a number of recent improvements.

In addition to the boat dock extension and kayak launch, new trail signs have been erected, and the once-narrow drive leading from the top of the Zoar Levee to the wetland has been widened.

“One of our board members, Floyd Stanfill, widened and graded it and put down new gravel, so now two cars can pass through at a time,” Baughman said.

Other ways to support the wetland

The Zoar Wetland is a self-supporting nonprofit organization that relies on memberships, donations and grants to stay afloat. The 82-acre nature preserve is connected to the Towpath Trail.

Kayaking and canoeing are members-only activities, and memberships are priced at $30 for families, $100 for corporations and $250 for lifetime benefits. The lake is open to the public for fishing, walking, hiking or simply sitting in the pavilion.

The pavilion, which has electricity and running water, is available to rent for weddings, private parties and other special events.

The wetland closes at dusk, and no night fishing or camping are allowed. For more information or to inquire about renting the pavilion, call 330-495-3613 or visit Zoar Wetland on Facebook.

Hours and other information

This year’s sale will include a raffle for a variety of prizes including handmade items donated by local artisans and gift certificates from area businesses. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at the sale. Winners need not be present.

Sale hours are June 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the wetland pavilion located at 434 W. Fifth St. in Zoar, just on the other side of the Zoar Levee.

The wetland is open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. Visit www.zoarwetland.org.