(DURHAM, May 3, 2004) – Denise Benson, wife of New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson, will be at the NHPTV Broadcast Center Friday, May 7th at 6 p.m. as the New Hampshire Public Television Spring Auction bidding gets underway. Joining Mrs. Benson on the first night of the nine-day auction will be Congressman Charles Bass and Congressman Jeb Bradley. Senator Judd Gregg will be on hand as a special Auctioneer when the NHPTV Spring Auction action resumes for its second night on Saturday, May 8 at 6 p.m. Also joining in as Auctioneers will be Executive Councilor Peter Spalding (May 11) and University of New Hampshire President Ann Weaver Hart (May 12). Local celebrities, politicians and civic leaders frequently lend their support to the NHPTV Auction by serving as Auctioneers. The NHPTV Spring Auction will air nightly through Saturday, May 15, with new items up for bid each evening. Thanks to the generosity of 3,000 donors, more than 5,000 items will be offered. With the help of about 1,000 volunteers, the NHPTV Spring Auction hopes to raise $450,000 to support NHPTV’s valued programs and services. Every donation helps New Hampshire Public Television serve more than 500,000 Northern New England households each week. Bidding has already begun on Superboard donations valued at $1,000 or more; these can be previewed at www.nhptv.org/auction. Center stage is a brand-new 2004 Toyota Camry Solara SE. Donated by your New England Toyota Dealer, this sporty two-door coupe, valued at $21,565, combines excitement with practicality. Also available for online bidding are exciting trips with longtime NHPTV Auction partner American Airlines. Destinations include London, Miami, Washington, D.C., the Caribbean and other great getaway spots. Join the Friendship Tour to London October 20-27, 2004, or explore the Azores with a six-night package donated by Azores Express, Bensaude Turismo and Holiday Inn - Azores. For those who love cruises and public television, be sure to look into “PTV at Sea.” Presented by Radisson Seven Seas and Artful Travelers, PTV at Sea is a ten-day / nine-night Mediterranean cruise for two, valued at $10,590, that celebrates the best of PBS with Robert MacNeil, Jim Lehrer and other PTV personalities. Preview the online Virtual Gallery, which showcases the works of 54 local artisans (with direct links to many of their Web sites). Online preview bids for the Virtual Gallery will be accepted until noon Tuesday, May 11; all Virtual Gallery items will sell off on Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 12. Through live video streaming of the NHPTV Auction, people outside of the viewing area can enjoy Auction fever too. Theme nights offer many items of special interest. How-to Night on Saturday, May 8 will feature a variety of items and certificates for those with a “do-it-yourself” attitude. Sports Night on Monday, May 10 includes a pair of season passes for UNH men’s hockey, an autographed basketball from Merchants Motors, and Ray Bourque collectibles from Bank of New Hampshire. On Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 12, Auctioneers will showcase the work of artists from around New England. "For more than 30 years the NHPTV Spring Auction has promoted all types of local businesses and artisans to our Northern New England audience,” notes Trish Ballantyne, the NHPTV Auction Manager. “And the spirit of volunteerism within the community is never more evident than when 200 volunteers come together each night to help raise dollars in support of their favorite programs and services on NHPTV.” Bidding during the Auction is easy. Call the toll-free number on the television screen, tell the operator the number of the item you want, state your highest bid and provide your name, address and phone number. “Express bidder” numbers are available to make the bidding process go quickly. It’s never too late to volunteer. It takes upwards of 200 people – from those answering phones to the crew behind the cameras – to run the Auction each night. Help is needed, especially on the late shift, which runs 8:15 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Donations valued at $75 or more are accepted throughout the week of the Auction. Call the Auction Office at (603) 868-4432 or go online at www.nhptv.org/auction. Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, NHPTV is a leader in education and community outreach. NHPTV provides instructional services for 220,000 students from kindergarten through high school; offers Ready To Learn programs and services for children preschool to age 8, parents, and early education professionals; and provides professional development programs and advanced technology training for educators in New Hampshire and neighboring states. For more information about NHPTV programs that entertain, educate and enrich, visit www.nhptv.org.
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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