April Fool's Day at The Rummage Room, Old Greenwich

Is that a Pastor in the Window?

The Rummage Room in Old Greenwich (191 Sound Beach Ave.), which is owned and operated by the Women’s Fellowship of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, has a very unique April Fool’s Day tradition….to have LIVE mannequins pose in their windows each April 1. 

The tradition was started by manager, Maria Drieghe about 10 years ago and has been a community favorite ever since. To add to the fun, this year Rev. John Collins, Interim Senior Pastor, and Rev. Mark Montgomery, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at the church, will participate. 

Donning items from The Rummage Room, and possibly playing some songs together on their guitars, they will pose in the windows from 2:00-2:30 pm on Monday, April 1. Other volunteers will man the windows throughout the day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, some dressed in crazy garb, others dressed more sedately.

When asked what kind of reactions they get, volunteer Mary Jane Penwell says, “The reactions to the live mannequins are hysterical! Some walk by, do a double take and then come to a complete standstill...the people in their cars are the funniest!  There can be quite a line of cars, trucks, etc. backed up when the light is red at the intersection and their reactions are priceless!” She says that some will wave, others will just stare, and others will even look and then look away as if this were the most normal thing in the world. “And then every year we have people who run home and bring back their children, and others who return with their cameras and shoot some pictures.” 

Adding the pastors this year is a great addition and they are more than game. So, please come by between 2:00-2:30 pm on April 1 to see our pastors, John and Mark, in the window or anytime between 10 am and 5 pm! 

More Information about The Rummage Room: 

The Rummage Room began in 1964 as an annual rummage sale held at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich. This event was so successful it was transformed into a business housed in a vacant storefront at 191 Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich. 

Today, 50 years later and still owned and operated by the Women’s Fellowship of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, The Rummage Room is a great place to find a bargain or to make a tax deductible donation and it is staffed by a manager, four assistants and over 60 volunteers. Over the years, The Rummage Room has been responsible for contributing over two million dollars to local, national and international charitable organizations helping women, children and families.