Yard sale signs have always been a staple of summer weekends, but East Moriches resident Joseph Henderson has turned them into an art form. Known for his bold, colorful cartoon characters and retro 1960s–70s style, Henderson’s signs rivet attention with clowns declaring, “I’m talking to you!” and superheroes promising “Super Sale!”
A lifelong musician and guitar teacher, Henderson has played since he was 10. He leads the music department at Amityville’s Azuzza Street Ministries, where he is affectionately known as Pastor Joe Henderson. His performances aren’t limited to the stage — he sings at funerals to comfort grieving families, performs at weddings, and works at the Center Moriches School District, sharing his passion for music with everyone he can.
Henderson’s musical career took off from the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, where he and his dad’s band, the Supreme Magistrates, tied for first place on Amateur Night, ultimately bested only by the house band. Over the years, he’s played with gospel groups, collaborated with local musician Carl Bruno, and traveled nationwide to perform with various bands.
His life has been as colorful as his signs. Born in Brooklyn, Henderson moved to East Moriches at age three, and his family still resides on the same block. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he enlisted right out of Eastport High School. He served in Korea from 1971 to 1973 as a field wireman in the 3rd and 81st Infantry Battalion during the Vietnam War, helping maintain communications for peacekeeping missions along the DMZ.
Now, Henderson combines his love for cartooning and community with a flair for marketing. His hand-painted yard sale signs, featuring superheroes, clowns, and playful slogans, have become local icons. “Yard sale big like Hulk!” one sign boasts, perfectly capturing Henderson’s whimsical approach to both art and life.
For Henderson, every sale is a performance, every sign a stage, and every passerby a potential audience. His artistry, music, and dedication to his community make him a beloved figure in East Moriches—a local celebrity who proves that even the most mundane things, like a yard sale sign, can be extraordinary. Contact him at josephhenderson414@gmail.com