Rotary Auction ends Dec. 1
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Thursday is the final night of the Presque Isle Rotary Club’s 64th annual Radio/TV Auction. The auction will be held at the Northeastland Hotel Nov. 30-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.
Contributed photo
AUCTION HEATS UP — The Presque Isle Rotary Club received a generous donation of two infrared portable heaters, valued at $2,400 and $1,785 through TDBank and Lynox, Inc. for its 64th annual Rotary Auction. Pictured with the heaters are, from left: Michael J. Kelley, regional vice president of TDBank; Gene Lynch, owner of Lynox, Inc.; and Michael H. Kelley, vice president of TDBank.
For the first time ever, 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 and regular one-night 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.
“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,” said Joy Barresi Saucier, who co-chairs the auction with Ralph McPherson. “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.”
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.
Each year the Rotary Club also chooses a project or organization to receive “special” or “major project” status. 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.
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.
