By Lois Requist

Occasionally, someone still asks me where the village is. I explain that it’s a virtual village, not a place where all participants live, but it occurs to me that is also a very real place. We live in our own homes, but things happen in the real world, so don’t get the idea that it is just “virtual.”
Take this last weekend, for example. My participation with a village activity began Thursday evening when I loaded my car with things to take to the garage sale at The Clocktower on Saturday. Meanwhile, Gerry Forcier rented a U-Haul truck and loaded it with the help of Alan Plutchok, Anita Argentieri, Linda Chandler, and Steve Sillen and his grandson, Tanner. About one on Friday, I took my loaded car to The Clocktower and, along with lots of other folks, started the process of getting all the donated items upstairs.    There was a line for the elevator. Once the boxes were upstairs, everything had to be unpacked, put on tables and priced. Yvonne DuClos, Pat and Greg Plant, Linda Barron, Karen Schlumpp, Susan Neuhaus, Linda Barron, Par McKittrick, Judie Donaldson, and I worked the tables all afternoon, trying to put like things together, and use the space to the best advantage. We didn’t have a specific plan at the beginning, but we figured it out.
The next morning several of us were back before opening time, ready to sell. Diane Choquette, Janice Magner, and Linda Cook joined the party. Nine o’clock, the place was flooded, offers made, deals struck, and bargains carried away. In a couple of hours, when things slowed a bit, we had time to remark on a sale we had made or lost, or chat about other things. We were working, but we were doing it together and having fun!
A woman came by and asked about the village. Judie Donaldson started explaining. When the woman confessed to being lonely, Judie, with her characteristic caring, leaned over and gave the woman a hug.
The last hour or so of the day, we said, “All you can carry away for one dollar!” You’d be amazed at how much people carried away.    The other organizations—the League of Women Voters of Benicia and Gallery 621 were offering similar deals. The League served coffee and lemonade free and cookies cheap.
By two or so, we were consolidating what was left, taking down tables, and talking with Pat from Adobe, who looked over what was left and took what he wanted. Then there was hauling to the trash and to cars. We wound it up rather quickly.
While the object was to make some money for Carquinez Village in the process, we got rid of stuff we didn’t need, and learned a little more about each other. We were a village, working in concert!
I’d received word that a village member had fallen recently, so, on Sunday, I walked over to see her. She’s a delightful lady, and we sat and talked for about an hour. Some of the most interesting people I know are seniors!
So, while we are a virtual village, I experienced a very tangible, vibrant bunch of folks working together in common cause. A true village! By the way, we’re marching in the parade on July 3. Family members and anyone supportive of Carquinez Village are welcome to walk with us. If you’re interested, call (707) 297-2472 for details.

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