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July 9, 2009

Auction set to turn new page

Back Mountain Memorial Library event, which starts tonight, counts on its dedicated volunteers.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

DALLAS – For the 63rd time, countless volunteers will guide the four-day event that is the primary fundraiser for the library that serves communities in the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts.

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Victoria Grzyboski and Kristen Zekas set up the basket stand for the Back Mountain Library Auction, which starts tonight and runs through Sunday night.

FRED ADAMS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Christopher Moses hangs a sign on the Cottage Keepers tent for the ‘almost antiques’ materials of jewelry, glassware, household decorative items and collectibles for the upcoming Back Mountain Library Auction in Dallas.

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The Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction runs tonight through Sunday night as a festival-like atmosphere takes over the library’s grounds and people bid on hundreds of items that go over the auction block, shop for deals in the flea-market-style booths or munch on auction burgers and funnel cakes.

“It’s more a festival, kind of a country fair … a taste of Americana,” said Library Director Martha Butler.

Jim Snyder, grounds chairman, said he normally puts in 65 to 80 hours the week of the auction to ensure everything goes as planned. But Snyder, who has been volunteering on and off in various capacities since 1962, doesn’t mind. He just loves to know he’s helping to support the library that has served the community since 1945.

With the state government looking at serious funding cuts and the auction generating about 20 percent of the library’s annual operating budget, it’s vital the auction be a success, Butler said.

“It is really critical now that we have the auction and do well.”

Continuous shuttle service will be provided from a free parking area next to the Dallas Shopping Center on Route 309 to the library grounds.

Volunteers began Sunday, setting up tents and bringing out items ranging from drinking glasses to toasters, phones, decorative household items, holiday decorations and much more in preparation for tonight’s start. Special children’s events also are scheduled.

Other tents feature flowers and plants, household decorative items, jewelry, glassware and artwork, just to name several. This doesn’t include the numerous items auctioned off each night, including antique furnishings, lamps, sports memorabilia and wicker furniture, as well as new items donated by area businesses.

Irene Wentzel became involved with the auction five years ago when her son was one of many high school seniors volunteering their time as part of their senior project.

She said volunteers are the backbone of this fundraiser.

“If they didn’t have as many volunteers to come out like they do and as many nice people that I really enjoy working with, then you would never have something going on like this,” said Wentzel, of Harveys Lake.

Dallas resident Gloria Bronson agreed, adding that they are giving back to the library that is such an important part of their lives while having fun.

“We are helping the library, but we are having a good time. We have some good laughs and a good time,” said Bronson, who has volunteered for nearly a decade.