Another Fun Auction

Tonight was the Durham Academy Auction. Russ and I started going to these Auctions before Carter even went to DA. I remember buying a cooking trip to the Greenbrier with Julia Child when Carter was two because I was about the only person who could bid on it since it was during the school week and all the real school parents had to stay home so their kids could go to school. I got that trip for a steal and at the time I thought it was criminal to get something in the live auction that was so under value. Maybe that is why I feel it is my duty to be the auctioneer and do the best job I can.

I have lost count how many times I have served at the Auctioneer, something like six of seven times for DA, but I will say it is my favorite volunteer job. People ask me if I am nervous about doing it but I honestly have to say no. There is nothing I love doing more.

Tonight I had Assistant Headmaster Lee Hark as my “Carol Merrill.” I know that I am officially old because when I said that to a number of people who work on the Auction they all said, “Who?” Carol Merrill was the original game show prize model from ‘Let’s Make a Deal.” Long before Janet Dickinson was on the Price is Right or Vanna White turned letters on Wheel of fortune there was Carol Merrill who was standing in front of 300 square feet of Z Brick waving her arm back and forth as if that is how we were trained to look at fake brick paneling.

Lee, always the best sport, was up for modeling props that advertised each live auction item. It is a hard job, but nothing is more helpful than a school administrator in a Taylor Swift wig shaking it off as I am trying to sell concert tickets. I am sorry I did not get the best picture of that, but I am sure others did and they will surface on Facebook soon.

Thanks to all the bidders at the auction tonight. Every item brought in a lot of cash and that does not happen unless there is some competitive bidding. Congratulations to all the people who work so hard to make this thing happen every year. I know I only have two years until Carter graduates, but I hope I get to keep being the auctioneer because it is fun for me. And fun for me is my goal in life; it’s nice if it also raises some money.