SPECIAL SECTION, SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2008 PAGE 4 Helping the libra BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR HIM i M C—O An “ACK MOUNTAIN | mn A I ror fMORIAL AUCTION CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Clarence Michael, the 2008 auction chairman, notes that if you use this sign at an auction it means you have purchased an item. By CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Dallas Post correspondent s soon as he could drive and probably when he was in college, Clarence Michael, who grew up in Plymouth, recalls coming to the annual library auction in the Back Mountain. Then, sheep and farm animals were for sale, ong with antiques because the Back Mountain was a farm community. Michael, this year’s auction chairman, fondly remembers bidding on his first auction item. “It was a chest of oak draw- ers that I then refinished and worried whether I should have paid $17 for,” he laughed. “Imagine that!” The investment has, over the years, proven to have been most worthwhile as he still owns the oak chest. “T've gotten so much from the library and so has my fam- ily that I wanted to give back,” Michael says about his deci- sion to chair the library’s most important fund-raising event. “My children all came to the story hours and I learned how to shingle my roof and make toys myself from a borrowed book.” The bird’s-eye role of auc- tion chairman has given Mi- chael another perspective of the event. He mentions that people get "hung up” on the word auction and the auction items but that the auction is really more of a social event for the Back Mountain. People come back to the auction to interact, volunteer, meet friends and enjoy the food every year. And, there are those 700 antique items to consider. A tremendous amount of volunteering throughout the year makes the auction possi- ble. Everyone steps up to the plate. Michael sees the job of chairman as one of coordina- tor and says it’s marvelous how so much gets done. Some things, however, don’t get done and that’s where the chairman steps in. “Anything that pops up, well that’s my job,” delights Michael, who enjoys a chal- lenge. His advice is to volunteer, volunteer and volunteer some more because “the Back Mountain is a very huggable community.” 2008 Auction Chairman Clarence Michael addresses a children’s read- ing group explaining the ins and outs of the auction process. Behind him is Ernie Ashbridge, a past chairman of many auctions. A message from the auction chairman A" article in The Times Leader entitled “Nearby Fun,” in- dicating local attractions due to the increase gas prices, gave some interesting alternatives. I would like to add one special ; event to your local attractions: é a The Back Mountain Library Auction which will be held on the library grounds from July 10 to July 13. This is more than an auction. It is a community event to raise needed funds for our beautiful library that has many wonderful programs to enhance the quality of life for Back Mountain resi- dents. Why do I stress it is more than an auction? I think some people have the impression it only deals with antiques. We have a plethora of activities for the entire age gamut. Many children’s activities are planned that are educational as well as fun especially on Thurs- day, July 10, which is designated Family Night. We also conduct a special Children’s Auction on Saturday, July 12. We have a Children’s Quilt with squares made by Back Mountain young- sters to auction off as well as Sue Hand’s traditional painting. You can have a meal at the auction for reasonable prices (i.e. chili, pierogies and Greek food have been added this year.) There will be many New Goods featured on the block as well as over 700 antique items. Volunteers have been planning this event since last November and hope to make it the best ever. Take a chance on a raffle, relive memories of days gone by in the Nearly Olde tent, find real bar- gains in the Odds and Ends tent, buy a plant in the Flower tent or look through a large array of books and paperbacks in the Book Room. Renew friendships and make new ones during the four days, find entertainment and food at budget prices, plan a few vaca- tion days and save on gas. You benefit two-fold: helping a wor- thy cause and having an enjoya- ble night out at a reasonable cost. See you at the auction (yes, it is much more than an auction!) Clarence J. Michael 2008 chairman Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction
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