Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 11, 1993 TAG: 9302110161
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
TRUCK, $2,100 WATCH WILL BE ON CHAMBER AUCTION BLOCK
A surplus 1978 green Chevrolet pickup with 58,000 miles is just one of many items donated for this year's Radford City Chamber of Commerce Auction.Aside from a little rust, the truck runs fine, said Fred Golden, assistant supervisor of the Radford city garage, which donated the half-ton truck.
"It runs good, but has a slight oil leak on the engine," he said. "The brakes and tires are good, too, as far as I remember; and it runs good on the road." The truck does need an inspection sticker, he added.
Organizers have taken a different approach to this year's auction, which in the past included an expensive sit-down dinner and lasted several hours.
The event will be held Saturday, 5:30-8 p.m., in the Norwood Room in the old Leggett building.
Instead of the sit-down dinner, heavy hors d'ouerves will be served. Student volunteers will be dressed in the "Mardi Gras Madcap" theme; and Mardi Gras decorations, provided by the Virginia Tech German Club, will adorn the walls of the room.
Alcoholic-drink tickets can be purchased for 50 cents each. Admission to the auction is $25 per person.
"We're trying to be different this year," said Nicole Kinser, who headed the committee to organize the auction. "With the economy the way it is, we wanted to make [the auction] more affordable."
This year's auction boasts more than 75 items to be auctioned both live and silent. The live auction, with Ken Farmer, will start at 7 p.m. The silent auction, featuring 50 items, will continue through the evening.
A 14-carat gold and half-carat diamond ladies watch from Sturgill Jewelry, valued at $2,100, also will awarded as a prize.
Kinser and Rosemary Middleton, executive director of the chamber, have been very pleased with this year's donations.
"We went down the list [of donors] from last year and added several new names," Kinser said. "I was very pleased with everyone I contacted - they all donated something."
This is the only fund-raiser for the Radford chamber, Middleton said.
"As with most chambers, it is hard to fund with membership dues only," she said. "This [auction] keeps dues at reasonable rates."
Last year's auction raised approximately $16,000. This year, Middleton would like to raise at least as much, and more. She said she thinks that is possible because of the increased donations over last year's auction.
Some of the other big-ticket items to be auctioned include: round-trip tickets for two to anywhere in the continental United States, donated by Christian travel; a round of golf for four at the Tournament Players Club and a weekend for two at the Marriott Saw Grass resort in Ponte Vedre Beach, Fla.; round-trip tickets for two to Orlando, Fla. and a Disney World Trip, donated by USAir; family membership to the Radford Community Hospital Wellness and Fitness Center; four original paintings by Werner Mertz; Roanoke Times & World News advertising; membership in the Royal Tartan Radford University Athletic Association; a solid cherry handkerchief table, donated by Radford Furniture; and more.
"We also have a soccer ball autographed by Olympic star Dante Washington," Middleton said. And of course, there's Charlie Whitescarver's "famous" championship chili to be auctioned - another item that is hard to put a monetary value upon.
For further information or to make reservations for Saturday's auction, stop by or call the chamber office at 639-2202. Payment must be received at the chamber office before the event.