Barbara Lawlor, Gilpin County

Every year, High Country Auxiliary president Roxie Morris says that if they make $1 more than last year's flea market, she will have reached her goal.

HCA treasurer Wanda Sundquist confirms that the 2014 market was a "howling success"; that the auxiliary made at least $350 more than last year, which was its best money maker ever.

Morris says last weekend's flea market at the Gilpin County Fairgrounds went very well, thanks to the hard work of over 30 auxiliary members and firefighters and cadets who muscled the goods into place, collected the money, and cleaned up after themselves. A successful flea market depends on how the goods are presented, which takes some consideration on the part of the workers.

She says many people were very generous and donated many high quality items: a glass top metal table; many kitchen items, including a lovely brand new lightweight waffle maker; and the deal of the day was an original kangaroo skin throw.

Juanita's Burritos fed the crowd; Gilpin County Sheriff's candidates greeted voters, as did candidates for assessor, county commissioner, and state senate; vendors took up half of the Gilpin County Exhibition Hall with hand-crafted items, as-good-as-new goods,  and county political and service organizations.

It was a festive atmosphere. Morris says the flea market brings people together; that they want to come and check out the good deals. The profits from the sale go to help the Timberline Fire Protection District pay for training and equipment. The money also goes to the Gilpin County Animal Rescue and to Gilpin Ambulance. It pays for food when the auxiliary is called upon to sustain emergency workers during a fire or a rescue.

It is these men and women who keep us safe, protect our wildlands and our houses, and help evacuate animals when necessary. The auxiliary is the support behind those who get the job done.

A lot of goods headed out the door and a lot of good will is engendered by the hard work of the auxiliary and their friends.