60th annual Rotary Auction gets under way in Star City

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Viewers/listeners still have tonight and Thursday night to call in and place bids on a wide variety of items during the Presque Isle Rotary Club’s 60th annual Radio/TV Auction. The auction continues Nov. 28-29 from 7-10 p.m. live from the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle.    The auction is a tradition in central Aroostook County that literally spans generations with memories of previous years and great bargains and good bids for all the family.    “When I took on this task of coming up through the ranks of being a PI Rotary officer, my fellow Rotarians assured me that the community always comes together and it couldn’t be more true,” said senior auction co-chair, Alton Hartt. “Each year, times are tougher for people to give with increased costs associated to everything, but it never ceases to amaze me that they always step up to the plate when Rotarians seek merchandise or advertising for this cause.”
This year’s regular auction proceeds will support six charities – C.A.N.C.E.R, Homeless Services of Aroostook, Nordic Heritage Sports Club, Star City ATV Club, Aroostook Football, and the Spragueville Extension.
Equally exciting for the Presque Isle Rotary Club is the celebration of the golden anniversary of the Gold Brick commitment to the TAMC endowment fund. Fifty years ago, PI Rotarians saw a need in the community to support health care and a local hospital. Past and current Rotarians have worked diligently to fulfill the goals that were set. These current Rotarians have felt a strong sense of loyalty to those who went before them and their hope that the commitment they made in the 1950s would be upheld and honored by future Rotarians. It is truly a special acknowledgment to all those who believed in that promise and again, it couldn’t be done without the generosity of those who give bricks in the names of loved ones.
PI Rotarians are hoping that there may be those in the community who had family members in Rotary back in 1957 or beyond who were a part of that initial campaign and what a tribute it would be to now honor their spirit of community giving by donating a brick in their honor or memory.
This is such an important part of what PI Rotary has done, and pledges or donations can be made in advance by contacting any Rotarian or by calling the regular auction number and simply asking to make a Gold Brick Pledge.
Many items fill the pages of the booklet, which can be found from any Rotarian or online at www.PresqueIsleRotary.org. There are also some great Three Night Specials of incredible deals featured including a diamond pendant, kayak packages, four tickets to a New England Patriot’s game, 6 x 10 Sauna building, and much more.
An additional feature of this event is the Art Auction which features local artists, including an artist that will create a unique piece during the auction itself to be available for bids as it is developing before the bidder’s eyes.
The Auction will be accessible by radio at WCXU, and by television on Time Warner Channel 9. Bidders can call 764-6181 or 1-866-902-2003, or join in the fun from Copper’s Lounge at the Northeastland Hotel where TVs will be turned to the auction and you can join in the fun with PI Rotarians to celebrate this milestone year of auction successes.