HOULTON, Maine – The 67th Annual Houlton Rotary Radio, TV and Internet Auction is just around the corner and will once again provide three full nights of shopping excitement.
This year’s auction will take place Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 21-23, beginning at 6 p.m. each night on WHOU Radio 100.1 FM. It will also be televised on both Spectrum Cable Channel 1302 and Pioneer Channel 100 and is also streamed on the Houlton Rotary Club’s website and Facebook page, as well as on the WHOU Facebook page.
The auction is the major annual fundraiser for the Houlton Rotary Club. A supplement detailing the items available for each 20-minute period, special items, phone numbers, storeroom hours and other information is in the Nov. 16 issue of the Houlton Pioneer Times.
The information is also available on the Internet at www.houltonrotary.org. There will be links from the website to view the auction live on the Internet. Details will be provided on the site.
The auction is held at Watson Hall at the Episcopal Church on Main Street.
Each year, a major project or projects are funded by the Rotary Auction in addition to their many other charities. The major projects to be funded from the 2022 auction are: the revitalization of the Rotary Little League Field; assistance with the renovation of the Littleton Playground; and funding for Northern Maine Lacrosse.
Funds will also be used to support Backpacks For Kids; track and cross country equipment; The Putnam House; a new scoreboard for SAD 70; Cary Library and the Golf For Kids program. Other projects that will benefit from auction proceeds include Dollars For Scholars, Rotary Youth Exchange, Student Recognition Day and Salvation Army.
There will be 10 periods lasting 20 minutes each night, with the first running from 6-6:20 p.m. The last period will run from 9-9:20 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday evenings, the 10 minutes from 9:20-9:30 p.m. will be used exclusively to take bids for the nightly specials and 3-Night Specials. On Wednesday evening that period will be expanded from 9:20-9:30 being used exclusively to take bids for the Wednesday Night Specials and the 3 Night Specials. Then from 9:30-9:40 p.m., bids will be taken exclusively for the 3-Night Specials.
The successful bidder lists will be posted on the club’s website. Successful bidders may pick up their items at the storeroom located at Watson Hall. A drive-through option will again be available in the parking lot. Everyone is encouraged to bring a list of their items to be reconciled with the master list and a list of any donations they may have pledged. The storeroom will close at 5 p.m. on the days the auction is underway. Full hours of operation for the storeroom can be found in the supplement. The storeroom phone number is 207-538-1968.
A Facebook Auction is currently underway which will conclude on Sunday, November 20th. Those interested can search for Houlton Rotary FB Auction to find the items and can bid by leaving a comment under the chosen item.
The retail value of the items donated by area businesses and individuals is over $75,000 and add-on items are still coming in. Add-on items can be contributed by contacting a Rotarian.
Bids can be made for any items by calling the Rotary Auction room at 538-1537.
Pledges will again be accepted for the Boy & the Boot Endowment Program in addition to pledges for books at Cary Library or to directly support this year’s major projects. Full details are on the back page of the supplement.
The Houlton Rotary Club extends its thanks to all of the generous businesses, farmers, organizations and individuals who contributed items to this year’s auction as well as the many advertisers and sponsors in what has been another difficult year for many of them. The club encourages the public to call in and enjoy the auction by bidding on the many items available.
Further information on the Rotary Radio, TV & Internet Auction is available by contacting auction chair Joe Fagnant, club president Steve Fitzpatrick or any member of the Houlton Rotary Club. Information is also available at www.houltonrotary.org.
