Annual library auction draws large crowd
By Ellen Williams SA Reporter

Top photo: The Camellia Maids and Washington County Junior Miss served as hostesses for the evening. From left are Brittney Daniels, Victoria Beech, Julia Schell (WashCo Junior Miss), Tiffany Howard, Chelsea Weems, Candice Baxter and Cassie Steele. Left, center, Sheriff Richard Stringer and his wife, Alene, enjoy the evening's events. Left, bottom, Probate Judge Charles Singleton and his wife, Audrey, confer about several of the items up for auction. The event raised approximately $40,000 after expenses, which will go to support various purchases and programs. (SA photos by Ellen Williams)

The theme of the 15th Annual Art Auction and Dinner, Feb. 29, at the Chatom Community Center was "Catch the Reading Bug."

Proceeds from the event go to the Washington County Public Library. Friends of the Library is the host group for this occasion and begin months ahead preparing to make it a success. This year was no exception as there were very few empty chairs.

The live auction featured an array of items from the usual Genevive Southerland paintings a chartered boat fishing trip departing Orange Beech, to antique furniture from the Scott House. Bidding was lively as the fishing trip brought in more than $2,000 and the Scott furniture more than $3,000. The lone Southerland watercolor soared to more than $500.

Local attorney and legend, Ed Turner along with his son Tatum and Tommy Fuller served as auctioneers. Turner is a fixture in Washington County and knew with rare exception every person in the room on a first name basis. His lively and colorful personal comments interspersed within the auction calls could have come straight out of a Mark Twain novel.

Jessica Ross, library director, said, "This night is filled with so much excitement. We are so grateful for the community participation. We especially appreciate the many businesses who make this night possible. It's just such a fun night." Ross said that last year's auction brought in more than $35,000.

The three original organizers of the art auction were Lucille Granade, Michael Onderdonk, and Penny Schell. Schell said the first year's auction raised $7,000. She served as chairman for 8 years.

Belinda Crouch, serving for the first time as chairman of the event, said that it was a joy to work with the Friends of the Library. She said, "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

Of note was the presence of U.S. District Judge Ginny Granade, who married a Chatom native, at this year's auction. "We don't often get a federal judge at these things," Ed Turner remarked.

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