JUNE 3 • 2021 | 23

W

hen Sandy Silver, a long-
time store volunteer at
Council Re|Sale (3297 W. 12
Mile Road, Berkley), saw the abundance
of merchandise that needed organiz-
ing in the Home Accessories room last
November, she was up for the challenge.
The store had been closed for several
months earlier in the pandemic, and
staff and volunteers were coping with
new COVID-19 safety rules and a back-
log of items to be sorted.
“Before the pandemic, I was an avid
flea market and estate sale shopper. I
really missed sorting through lovely
home items,” said Silver, a retired social
worker who now works part-time at
Wayne State University’s School of
Social Work.
Council Re|Sale, run by National
Council of Jewish Women, Michigan
(NCJW|MI), is one of the oldest resale
shops in Metro Detroit and has always
been known for featuring high-end
clothing donated by generous commu-
nity members.
When the pandemic happened, with
everyone isolated and clearing out their
closets and their homes, even more
donations than usual came in. Amongst
those donations were crystal glasses,
beautiful china (even Limoges and
Tiffany), art, textiles, linens, pottery

and more.
So, Silver, who lives in Southfield,
got to work. “I turned the room upside
down, rearranging everything and
displaying items in groups, creating
table settings such as red, white and
blue for the 4th of July, adding a wed-
ding-themed shelf with candlesticks
and photos frames, and even an Asian-
inspired section,” she said.
“Now there are so many beautiful
items available at budgets for everyone.
We had a Tiffany vase on sale for $50,
and a Limoges sweet dish on sale for
$20, but there is also a pretty rimmed
pie dish for $2.”
A set of Waterford Crystal wine gob-
lets are selling for $50 per glass, and
they still have their original $200 stick-
ers.
The former Home Accessories room
has now been renamed Home Décor
and, as Silver describes it, her piece of
the store is definitely “upscale resale.”
Silver is now the dedicated volun-
teer for the room, and some of her
fellow volunteers call her “The Stager.”
However, if you are looking for an
inexpensive kitchen item, like a $1 pie
server, some everyday china for your
college student or even an interesting
gift, bargains are still there.
“None of this would be possible with-

out such supportive donors,” added
Silver, who is also a long-time volun-
teer with NCJW|MI’s Kosher Meals on
Wheels program. “Without their gifts,
I couldn’t have created what I see as a
one-stop shopping experience for peo-
ple who love decorating their homes.”

Proceeds from Council Re|Sale benefit NCJW|MI’s

community and advocacy projects. For more

information, call (248) 548-6664 or go to www.

councilresale.net.

Check out the new Home Décor Room in
Berkley’s Council Re|Sale store.

Freshen Up Your Home

ALISON SCHWARTZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Sandy
Silver

PHOTOS COURTESY COUNCIL RE|SALE

Body Found in Pond at Hebrew Memorial Park Cemetery

A body was discovered by a worker
Sunday morning, May 23, in a retention
pond at Hebrew Memorial Park
Cemetery in Clinton Township.
The employee called police at about 9
a.m. and said there was a body floating
in the water. Police recovered the body
and said it had been in the pond for

several days.
Macomb Daily reports an autopsy
conducted Tuesday, May 24, by the
Macomb County Medical Examiner’s
Office determined drowning was the
cause of death.
Clinton Township police say they
do not suspect foul play was involved.

There was no sign of trauma, indicating
the man either fell into the pond on his
own or intentionally entered the water.
Police have not released the man’s
name. Investigators plan to review the
results of toxicology tests before closing
the investigation.

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER