10-Night Auction Raises Funds for NHPTV’s Award-Winning Programs and Services
(DURHAM, April 29, 2008) – The opening gavel of the exciting, value-filled 35th Annual New Hampshire Public Television Spring Auction falls Friday, May 2nd at 6 p.m., and live Auction-mania and bidding continues nightly through Sunday, May 11th! Since 1974, this event has been an annual rite of spring for viewers and volunteers alike, a unique celebration of New Hampshire businesses, artisans and community spirit that helps raise funds for NHPTV’s programs, educational services, and outreach initiatives. Thirty-five years ago, the “NH Country TV Auction” was produced with a live studio audience and raised $39,500 over three nights. Today, the NHPTV Spring Auction is still a live broadcast, but it runs for 10 nights, the studio audience has been replaced with a worldwide audience (thanks to a live webstream at www.nhptv.org), and NHPTV hopes to raise a record half-million dollars. While much has changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: the presence of dedicated volunteers—both behind the scenes and on the air—who make the NHPTV Auction happen. Each night features special guest auctioneers such as Governor John Lynch; Senator Judd Gregg; Speaker of the House Terie Norelli; Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli; Jim Roche, President of the Business and Industry Association; USNH Chairman Andy Lietz; USNH Vice Chancellor and Treasurer Ed MacKay; and NHPTV board members Steven Albrecht and Ron Abramson. Be sure to watch for your favorite radio personalities, too!Auction Manager Trish Ballantyne hopes to raise more than $500,000 this year to help support NHPTV’s quality programs and services. “Businesses from all over the state and region have been extremely generous this year! Everything—from New Hampshire-made products to trips around the world—is up for grabs during our 35th Auction.”Online bidding is already underway on exciting and unique Superboard items at www.nhptv.org/auction. Here’s a sampling of the offerings:• Go green with the all-new 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, donated by Your New England Toyota Dealer, the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid is valued at $26,209 • Meet Tom Bergeron and be in the audience for Dancing with the Stars for an unforgettable experience! Travel there–and other places around the world–with American Airlines.• Go behind the scenes of Ciao Italia and have dinner with host Mary Ann Esposito• Bid high to have dinner with PBS star and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns! • Have an outdoor adventure as part of the crew on an NHPTV Windows to the Wild film shoot• Be the high bidder for an Old Town canoe• The Superboard also features vacations from the Azores to Prince Edward Island to Grenada; golf memberships, summer camps, timeshares and graduate school courses…all awaiting high bids!Looking for unique works of art? Preview the Virtual Gallery at www.nhptv.org/auction and bid online for items by local artisans. These juried items and many more will be offered during Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 7th. Other special interest items for everyone from the sports enthusiast to the “do-it yourselfer” will be featured during Auction theme nights.Friday, May 2 Flashback to 1974 ! (Retro Tie-dye) Saturday, May 3 How-To NightSunday, May 4 Favorite Hat NightMonday, May 5 Sports NightTuesday, May 6 Tropical NightWednesday, May 7 Black Tie/Gallery NightThursday, May 8 Home, Garden & Agriculture Night Friday, May 9 Mardi Gras NightSaturday, May 10 Travel NightSunday, May 11 Auction FANatic Celebration!Bidding during the Auction is easy. Simply call the toll-free number on your TV screen, tell the operator the number of the item you want, state your highest bid and give your name, address and phone number. “Express Bidder” numbers also are available to speed your bids through! And, via live webstreaming of the NHPTV Spring Auction, people outside NHPTV’s viewing area can enjoy the Auction buzz, too.Remember, there’s still time to volunteer or donate. Donations valued at $75 or more are accepted throughout the 10 days of the Auction. Call the Auction Office at (603) 868-4432 or go online at www.nhptv.org/auction. Every donation and bid helps New Hampshire Public Television provide award-winning PBS and local programs to more than 650,000 Northern New England viewers each week, as well as educational services and community outreach initiatives.
About New Hampshire PBS: New Hampshire PBS inspires one million Granite Staters each month with engaging and trusted local and national programs and services on-air, online, via mobile, in classrooms and in communities. Beyond its award-winning television programs, New Hampshire PBS is a leader in education and community engagement. www.nhpbs.org
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