Residents encouraged to bid high,
bid often at annual Rotary Auction
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
THE PRESQUE ISLE ROTARY CLUB will host its 64th annual Radio/TV Auction Nov. 29-Dec. 1. For the first time, the Club will offer Internet-only items.
These items will include three 3-night items and two 1-night items each night of the auction. Organizers said they decided to offer Internet-only items this year as a way to create more opportunities for community members to bid on these special collectors’ items. Here, auction co-chairs Joy Barresi Saucier and Ralph McPherson model (and fight over) some of the special collector’s items that will be up for bid including a New England Patriots replica helmet and men’s and women’s 2011 World Cup Biathlon jackets.
“Every Rotarian has taken part in the auction, and we all have fun doing it.
The auction provides a real sense of community.”
– Ralph McPherson, auction co-chair
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Since 1947, the Presque Isle Rotary Club has raised funds for community organizations through its Radio/TV Auction, and the tradition will continue again next week.
The 64th annual auction will be held at the Northeastland Hotel Nov. 29-Dec. 1 from 7-10 p.m. In addition to being broadcast on Time Warner Cable (Channel 9) and Big Country 97 (96.9 FM), a live streaming webcam of the quote board will be available on the club’s website (www.PresqueIsleRotary.org). People can also follow the auction on Facebook at presqueislerotary and on Twitter at @PIRotary.
“We received some good feedback last year about having live streaming of the quote board on our website, so we’re going to do it again,” said Joy Barresi Saucier, who co-chairs the auction with Ralph McPherson. “The TV camera isn’t always focused on the quote board, so by having that available on our website, it provides an uninterrupted view for people.
Contributed photo
GENERATING EXCITEMENT — Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, the Presque Isle Rotary Club has several exciting auction items to present during its 64th annual Rotary Auction, which will be held Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Katahdin Trust Co. and Harry’s Motor Sports have donated a Honda generator EM 5000 SX, valued at $2,479. Pictured with the generator are, from left: John Alexander, owner of Harry’s Motor Sports; and Jeff Pangburn, vice president of Katahdin Trust Co.
“Many times when people call in to make their bids, they ask what the highest bid is at that point, but now they can just look online,” she said. “It helps them track the bids more rapidly.”
Organizers are excited to be offering new features as part of this year’s auction. For the first time, the Club will offer Internet-only items. These special collectors’ items include everything from a New England Patriots replica helmet to a script of “Almost, Maine” signed by playwright and Presque Isle native John Cariani. These items will include three 3-night items and two 1-night items each night of the auction. Organizers said they decided to offer Internet-only items this year as a way to create more opportunities for community members to bid on these special collectors’ items.
The Club will also be offering nightly art items as part of the Art Auction featuring works by well-known local artists Voscar, John Murchison, Kathleen Ledger Cassidy, Ellyn Smith and Holly Hardwick.
In addition to these special items, the Club has a long list of auction items, including 3-night special items, one-night special items, regular one-night items, and art auction items. In fact, the event is expected to feature nearly 700 auction items generously given by more than 200 donors. The total value of these items is estimated at more than $50,000.
“That’s about the same as last year,” said Barresi Saucier. “We have some new donors this year which is exciting. We have a very supportive community when it comes to the Rotary Auction and I think people expect us to call on them. They’re very generous.
“Some of our bigger items this year include a Honda generator, donated by Katahdin Trust Co. and Harry’s Motor Sports; TD Bank and Lynox Welding Supply have given two portable infrared heaters, and we have a 2008 Wildfire Scooter donated by Griffeth Ford Lincoln Mitsubishi and Griffeth Honda,” she said. “We also have 20 Portland Sea Dogs tickets for the Babe Ruth Skybox, complete with food and non-alcoholic beverages; two Apple Ipads from MMG Insurance, and much, much more.”
A lot of items, Barresi Saucier said, would make wonderful Christmas presents.
“Everything from treadmills to kayaks to jewelry,” she said. “We also have a lot of gift certificates which would be great stocking stuffers.”
The Presque Isle Rotary Club will be donating the auction proceeds to several worthy organizations including Homeless Services of Aroostook, Central Aroostook Humane Society, Presque Isle Garden Club, Wintergreen Arts Center, Northern Maine Fair Association, Grace Interfaith Food Table (GIFT), and Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine.
The Rotary Club also chooses a project or organization to receive “special” or “major project” status. Past major projects have included mammography, dialysis and other much-needed equipment for the local hospital, a new roof for the Catholic Charities of Maine warehouse in Caribou, upgrades to Mantle Lake Park, and lighting at the Nordic Heritage Center, just to name a few.
This year’s special project goal of $25,000 is earmarked for the establishment of a non-profit dental clinic to serve the needs of disadvantaged children in the area. The proposed St. Apollonia Dental Clinic is intended to fill an overwhelming need in Aroostook County where an estimated 30 percent of residents have not had a dental visit in the last two years. Proponents suggest that disadvantaged children are at higher risk for dental disease, yet are least likely to have access to dental care. Currently there is only one dental clinic for qualifying persons in Aroostook County and it is located in Eagle Lake.
Funds will be used to purchase equipment including dental chairs, treatment consoles, digital radiography, a compressor and vacuum.
Proceeds from the auction will also support many other community projects throughout the entire year through the Rotary Youth Fund, Scholarship Fund, General Fund, and World Community Service Fund.
“The money that you’re bidding goes right back to the community, and you may have a family member who is serviced by one of these organizations,” McPherson said. “You may have a child that benefits from the Wintergreen Arts Center on Saturday or you may know someone who is down on their luck and is getting assistance from GIFT. The money goes right back into the community and it may be benefiting people that you actually know or even yourself.”
“Secondarily the auction is a great opportunity to see what the local merchants have available, and to shop for things that you need or things that you want,” said Barresi Saucier. “There’s really something for everyone.”
McPherson said the annual auction is also a lot of fun.
“We have a lot of the same people call in every year and they have a good time with it,” he said. “Plus all of our Rotarians are involved in the auction in one way or another. Some are on-air auctioneers, others work the phones, some do hospitality, we have ‘sorters’ and ‘peggers,’ and some work the quote board. Every Rotarian has taken part in the auction, and we all have fun doing it. The auction provides a real sense of community.”
Auction booklets with a complete listing of items were inserted in the Nov. 16 weekly newspapers and extra copies are available at participating local merchants.
Bidders can call 764-6181 or 1-866-902-2003. Successful bidders will be notified following the last half-hour of each evening. They can pick up their items at auction storeroom, which this year will be at the North Street Plaza, Suite 15, next to Pat’s Pizza.