I stumbled across a wonderful place to support my Mansion Clothes Festival, a bi-monthly distribution of classy shirts, sweaters, scarves, blouses, and pants to the Mansion residents.

This is a happier, more exciting, and efficient way to get good, warm, and clean new clothes to the residents without hurting their pride.

A couple of months ago, I discovered Caroll’s  Trading Post, run by Kayla and Bev Carroll, a mother, and daughter who work beautifully together. The run a big, new consignment shop right on the Main Street of my town Cambridge, and they are the leading lights in my new network of thrift shop and consignments stores where I can get the right, clean clothes on short notice.

I came to them with my Sweater Festival idea and left with four bags of lovely sweaters, blouses, flannel shirts, and even a down vest. They always offer me some free clothes and jewelry if the garments have been around a long time.

The residents were thrilled with the clothes I offered them, they all said it felt like Christmas in August. I have to say; it is great fun to give.

I’ ‘m planning a year-long list of unique clothes festivals on the days I come for my story reading. This week was sweaters; next week will be scarves, then some lap blankets, and then blouses, and slacks. We’ll try to work in hats and shoes as well if Kayla and Bev get enough consignments.

Kayla weaves lap blankets herself, so we struck a deal for her to make 15-20 over the winter months.

We had a blast distributing clothes yesterday, and the clothes are needed and appreciated. The residents were shocked and grateful. Thanks, Army Of Good.

Since I’m going to be working with Kayla and Bev every week, I thought I’d share them with the Army Of Good. They are both reasonable and generous, and this idea would not work efficiently without them.

So far, I’ve spent about $175 at Carroll’s; we have a good time. We all laugh a lot. And they have big hearts and a strong sense of what the residents might like and need.

They always slip in some free jewelry or shirt, and I am impressed with the quality of the things they seel. The Mansion has brought me deeply into the thrift/consignment world; I’m become a killer, laser-focused, and thrifty shopper.

If you wish to participate in this clothes festival idea, your contributions would be welcome. I estimate this program will cost between $300 and $400 over the next six months. You can contribute to me via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O. Box 205 Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.