Get ready! The 70th Annual Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction begins Thursday, July 7 and continues July 8, 9 and 10. The auction is held on the library grounds located at 96 Huntsville Road in Dallas. Purchase a bidder number for $5 that can be used for all four days.

Auction schedule

Family night will be held Thursday and will feature special children’s games and activities. Cake and ice cream will be offered as a special treat to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the auction.

Ladies’ night will be held Friday night and feature unique items, including jewelry, designer purses and other fun ideas for women.

New this year will be two “Auction Jewelry Preview” nights, to be held from from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 in the Reference Room. Bidders will have a chance to preview over 23 pieces of fine jewelry including 14k gold, gemstones, and others, both new and vintage, to be offered at the auction. The surprise is that all items feature “Buy It Now Pricing” and may be purchased on either of the preview nights. The library accepts cash, check or credit cards.

Men’s night will be held Saturday night of the auction and will give the guys a chance to bid on two footballs and a baseball cap, all autographed by football superstar Joe Theismann, along with other interesting items.

Don’t forget to check the library’s website, www.backmountainlibrary.org, and Facebook page often to view highlighted Antique and New Goods items that will be also be auctioned off.

And remember to visit the auction on Sunday, as well. Sunday evening will feature the American Legion flag ceremony and veteran recognition. The annual painting by local artist Sue Hand, in addition to paintings by two of her students, will also be auctioned Sunday evening.

Raffle items galore

Be sure to stop by the library to see this year’s Quilt and Antique Raffle items. The beautiful “Evening Stars” quilt, handmade by Leslie Horoshko, is the featured quilt of the auction and is currently on display in the library along with the antique raffle item: A “Three-Drawer Chest of Drawers” and converted oil lamp with new shade. Raffle tickets for both of these items can be purchased at the library or during the auction. The drawing for each prize will be held on Sunday evening, the last night of the auction.

Volunteers, hours and more

Auction set-up volunteers are asked to meet at the library at noon Sunday, July 3. Set-up will continue Tuesday and Wednesday, July 5 and 6. Lunch will be provided each day for all volunteers.

The library is still seeking volunteers (ages 12 and up) and adults to help with all areas of the auction. Call the library at 570-675-1182 to be put on the list.

The library will be closed Monday, July 4 to celebrate Independence Day and will re-open Tuesday and Wednesday (with regular hours). The library will close early at 12:30 p.m. each day of the auction.

The various booths will open at 5 p.m. and auction bidding over the block begins each night at 6 p.m. For ease of parking, a shuttle bus will pick up auction-goers at the Country Club Shopping Center in Dallas and provide free transportation to the library grounds, running continuously during action hours. The shuttle bus will have a lift for handicap transportation; limited handicapped parking is also available on the library grounds.

The auction committee is asking cooperation from auction-goers to refrain from setting up chairs until Wednesday, July 6 after 3 p.m. and to stay within the designated area. Also, remember that dogs are not allowed on library grounds anytime during the auction.

The library is not able to accept any more auction donations, including books, household items and toys. The library will resume accepting donations after July 11.

Summer reading

There’s still time to sign up for the library’s summer reading program. “On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!” offers fun for all ages and the best part is that parents can bring children to participate at any time, at their convenience. Children agree to read (or be read to) every day and keep track of their minutes spent reading. Weekly drawings for prizes are also part of the fun.

Young adults between the ages of 13 and 18 can register for the library’s Young Adult Book Discussion group. This group not only reads a popular book, but then gathers on selected Monday evenings to discuss what they read. Invite friends to join, come inside to cool off, and enjoy free donuts and beverages while sharing opinions.

The first meeting of this group will be 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 27 at which time the book, “A Running Dream” will be discussed.

Sue Hand, of Dallas, paints during the 2015 Back Mountain Memorial Auction.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Auction-3-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgSue Hand, of Dallas, paints during the 2015 Back Mountain Memorial Auction. Charlotte Bartizek File Photo | For Dallas Post

For Dallas Post

Information provided by the Back Mountain Memorial Library.