May 5, 2011 - This Saturday, May 7, there will be four benefits from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will keep the downtown square bustling with activity.

The Leonard Chamber of Commerce is having a Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to noon at the Leonard Community Center. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Leonard Picnic Fireworks Extravaganza for this year. The Chamber is accepting donations from the community for items to sell. Anyone wishing to do so needs to mark the item(s) with the price(s) that the donator believes it will sell for, and contact Penny Edwards at K.D. Johnson, who will provide access to the Leonard Community Center for drop-off. Organizers also need clothes racks, hangers and plastic bags for the sale. Anybody having these items that the Chamber may use can contact Edwards at 903-587-3373.

The Madeline Burke Benefit will begin at 10 a.m. with selling drinks and candy and then pizza donated by Ratti's Pizza will be for sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pizza will be single-topping pizzas and will be sold by the slice, unless special orders are made at the pizza tables. A noon concert by The Blandelles will highlight the event, with donations to be taken during the concert. All proceeds from pizza and candy and the concert will benefit the Madeline Burke family. Money from drink purchases will be split with the Chamber for the fireworks.

Those making donations to the family will be rewarded with tickets to win prizes donated by local merchants and individuals. Several very nice gifts have been donated for the prize drawings. Prizes will be on display Saturday morning. Bring a lawn chair and plan to stay a while.

The Bear Creek Country Store will begin having Horsemanship Seminars at 9 a.m. at the store. Admission to the seminar will be money, clothes or non-perishable items for the Alabama tornado victims. There will be four 1.5-hour seminars offered. Bear Creek will also be offering buggy rides throughout the day.

The Leonard Public Library will be having their annual Big Bag of Books sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library. Donations for this event are also being taken through this Friday, May 6. On the day of the event, shoppers will be able to fill a bag with books and other merchandise for a $10 donation, and the proceeds will go to the library.

Several local businesses will have sidewalk sales set up during the day including Rose Marie's Painting, Summer House and AKA Jewelry & Designs by Allecia Booher, LEAP (downtown store), Leonard Pharmacy, Furniture Gallery, and Crosswroads Hardware. Come check out the deals.

Eddie Sudderth also advised that the Leonard Historical Museum will also be open Saturday.