Over the Garden Fence: It's almost AuctionFest time

According to the Rotary Club of Bucyrus AuctionFest planners, you have a few more days to secure a ticket or even organize a table of eight people. By Monday, you must have secured a ticket to be part of what Virginia Hammontree refers to as a "FUNdraising."

On April 13, a Saturday, the gymnasium at Wynford High School will be transformed into a dining room accompanied by 20 tables of items open to bidding.

My dedication to the goals of this event run quietly along the background of a worthy group of citizens and business people. For so many years since 2002, two key players − Terry Gernert and the late Jerry Volkmer − set sights on widening the arms of Rotarians. They had an idea to partner up with another nonprofit organization. By stepping up with this notion, the club actually doubled its profits from the auction action. A share goes to the partner and Rotary uses the remainder to continue its support for 25 other nonprofits in the county.

Rotary's hand reaches around the world through M.E.S.A. (Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad). It might be furniture, filing cabinets, used medical equipment or as simple as bandaids. After arriving at a center, all goods are packed, surrounded by clothing. When the shipment arrives in a needy country, all contents are recycled. Such intelligence and generosity is admirable.

This partner notion continues. This year the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio-Crawford County affiliate No. 2484 is bringing its energies into the planning and rounding up donations. Between the two groups there are around 200 items being shown on Rotary's Facebook page. This development was begun as Castle Auction and Appraisals became involved. Virginia praises this interaction. By providing photographs online, anyone can offer a bid, getting the live auction off to a good start.

Years of planning to make auction better

Virginia clarifies she and Marilyn Strang have been putting their heads together since 2007 to make the AuctionFest work better. The two of them reflect on donations and select "live" auction pieces or services they think will enliven action. Virginia noted these are not always the high-priced items. They might be just a bit different or "in demand." Many other items remain on tables as silent auction units. Those attending can keep watch and raise their bids silently.

Meanwhile the live auction moves along. At 8 a.m. on April 13 a set-up crew gets underway at Wynford. The two high schools' Interact Clubs (Rotarian youth) will help set up tables and dress them with the cloths, napkins and centerpieces. They plan to finish around 4 p.m. just ahead of the crowd. An empty gym will be transformed into a warm and friendly, beautiful setting.

You can still be a donor. Purchasing tickets for $100 apiece makes you a donor and includes your dinner along with a $50 voucher toward purchases that night. Remember, if you cannot attend, become a donor by posting your bid online.

To those who have never attended, you might want to peek in on the Rotary Club Facebook page using "photos," "albums" and "Auctionfest 2024." You might be ready for a week in Naples, Florida, or flying an airplane with a pilot for the first time.

Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus Rotary Club gearing up for annual AuctionFest April 13