LOCK HAVEN - What would you bid for... a fitness membership, a sailboat ride, an oil change, a pedicure?
The Friends of the Ross Library look forward to an enthusiastic response to the items offered in their annual radio auction. Area businesses and residents continue to donate many items, services and gift certificates for the fundraiser.
Slated for Friday, Sept. 10, the third annual radio auction is a great event for everyone. It's a chance to get a bargain and to have fun bidding on it. And, the winning bid on every item benefits the Ross Library.
WBPZ, 1230 AM on the dial, is hosting the auction which will begin around 9:15 a.m., right after the newscast, and continue until noon.
As with all radio auctions, a special phone number will be announced for the bidding.
The larger, specialty items will be up for bid throughout the morning, auction chairman Wayne Allison reported, but bidding on the smaller items will last for a specific time period only. This keeps the phones from being swamped by bidders trying to get in at the last minute.
All winning bidders will be notified the same day if possible, and their items and gift certificates will be available for pick-up at the library.
Pre-sale bids are now being taken on selected items displayed at the library. Look for them on the way into the gallery and also on the wall across from the front desk.
They include two original watercolor paintings - one by Ron McGinness and the other by Sally Sample - a limited-edition print by Susan Champion titled "Fence Post Bouquet," Christmas ornaments made in Germany, hand-painted wine glasses and more.
Also displayed are a clever, colorful 76x54-inch quilt in the "Star Scrappy" pattern made by the Mill Hall Senior Community Center quilters and a beautiful 90x102-inch batik "crazy quilt" created by Barb Sweeny. Her quilt in greens, gold, turquoise and pink reflects nature's colors and is machine-pieced and quilted.
"It's a modern expression of an old-fashioned craft," said Friends member Alice Bryerton as she lifted the edge to show the stitching on the back.
A fun feature this year are autographed copies of national bestsellers.
Janet Evanovich sent an autographed copy of "Plum Lovin'," a "between-the-numbers" novel in her Stephanie Plum series.
A gift basket on a tea theme includes autographed copies of two of Laura Childs' Tea Mystery books. The auction also will include autographed copies of two books in her Scrapbooking Series, as well as a book by Joanne Fluke that features a Hannah Swensen mystery plus recipes.
Local businesses also have been very generous, according to the auction committee.
"We really get a lot of community support," Judy Lantz said. "It's greatly appreciated."
The 2009 auction grossed about $5,000, and the Friends hope to do as well or better with this year's bidding.
Many tools, services and restaurant gift certificates will be on the block, along with fun things like sports tickets, a dozen roses, bath products and an animated, musical Penn State mascot.
The Ross Library is a county public library, auction committee member and city councilman Ted Forbes emphasized. It is the headquarters for Friendship Community Library in Beech Creek and Renovo Area Library, and the financial state of the main library affects services throughout Clinton County. This fundraiser is a way for all library supporters in all local towns to show their support.
Save the morning of Sept. 10 and get in on the bidding fun. If you're not available that day, visit the library to see the special items and leave a pre-sale bid.
The Friends also offer a preview evening Thursday, Sept. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m., when all the items in the auction will be displayed. Those interested may leave pre-sale bids at that time.
