Published: April 05, 2008 07:41 pm      

Absolute Auction enjoyable to bidders, beneficial to Telegraph’s NIE program

BRUSHFORK — “Colonel, we’re selling the cart now,” Josh Sweeney of Regency Real Estate and Auction Company shouted up to Eddie Pauley on the auction block Saturday morning at the third annual “Hot off the Press” Absolute Auction sponsored by Regency and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

Pauley led the bidders on a purchasing adventure in the open cry auction at the National Guard Armory in Brushfork. Within the first hour, 100 bidders had registered for the auction according to Jean Mitchell, also of Regency. The bidders kept flowing into the armory as members of the Daily Telegraph sales staff served as ring persons to encourage the bidders to get involved in the auction.

“I’ve seen people getting some real bargains here today,” Art Riley, owner of Landmark Antique Mall in Bluefield said. “I’ve been surprised by the number of bidders who have been participating today. It’s been competitive.”

Hope Stevenson drove to Bluefield Friday night, spent the night with her brother and sister-in-law, just so she could come to the auction. “I came last year and really enjoyed it,” she said.

“I started attending auctions when I was a little girl,” Stevenson said. “There was an auction in a big building at Dorchester in Norton, Va. They would sell boxes of makeup for $10. We would buy a big box of makeup, take it home and put makeup on. It was a lot of fun.”

Becky Ritter bought a bag full of old nickels for her husband and a pet stroller for her puppies. “I didn’t even know they made pet strollers,” she said. “I come to these auctions as often as I can. Sometimes I buy things, but I always enjoy myself.”

Mike Meadwell of Bluefield, Va., bought one of the John Deere lawn tractors that were up for sale. “I like auctions, but I can’t explain why,” Meadwell said. “My wife got me into it, but I like it now. It’s something to do.”

A good turn-out for the auction meant a good day for the Daily Telegraph’s Newspapers in Education program. The circulation department holds fund raisers throughout the year in order to provide newspapers for use as educational tools in local schools.

“We’ve done well,” Chris Dorton, Telegraph circulation director said. “There are a lot of kids here today and we’ve sold a lot of popcorn. We’re getting a reputation around town for our popcorn.”

In addition to popcorn, Chuck Sullins, circulation manager, was grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, “and I don’t know what all,” Sullins said, imitating a line from a popular Andy Griffith routine, “What It Was, Was Football.”

Dorton said that Grants provided the hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, chips and other items for the snack bar. “Grants is a great supporter of the NIE program,” Dorton said.

Auctioneers have used the title, “Colonel” since the years immediately following the American Civil War when many families in the South had to sell their personal property in order to satisfy their debts, according to information supplied by Mendenhall School of Auctioneering. The Union Army officer who was in charge of conducting the auction had to at least hold the rank of colonel. In the first half of the 20th Century, individuals who graduated from auctioneer school earned the honorary title of colonel.

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com