WHAT: Interviews with "Men of Auction" calendar men WHEN: Friday, May 4, 2007 at 6 p.m. Live broadcast of the NHPTV Auction begins at 6 p.m.WHERE: NHPTV Broadcast Center, 268 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824.DETAILS: To launch the 34th New Hampshire Public Television Spring Auction and raise funds for NHPTV's programs and services, an NHPTV MEN OF AUCTION CALENDAR will be unveiled Friday, May 4th at 6 p.m. at the NHPTV Broadcast Center in Durham. Twelve brave male Auction volunteers ranging in age from 30-something to 80-something - representing more than 230 years of Auction volunteerism - are featured in the almost-buff, on the Auction set. Inspired by the "Men of Tamworth" calendar, 15 long-time Auction volunteers were invited to pose for the NHPTV fundraising calendar. Three volunteers said no: the husband of the Auction manager! (a 10-year volunteer), one whose wife said no for him, and a third who declined due to shyness. The featured volunteers are from Somersworth, Stratham, Rye, Bedford, Dover, Gilmanton, Milford, Rochester and Lee.The cost of producing the calendar was covered by donated services. Photographer Jack Bingham of Barrington, a 5-year Auction volunteer, took the photos and designed the calendar. RAM Companies of East Hampstead, a long-time Auction and NHPTV supporter, donated the cost of printing. A group of RAM employees and the photographer are the highlight of the back cover. Calendars go on sale May 4th to Auction viewers; they cost $15 each, plus shipping and handling.BACKGROUND: The opening gavel of the exciting, value-filled 34th Annual New Hampshire Public Television Spring Auction falls Friday, May 4th at 6 p.m., and live Auction-mania and bidding continues nightly through Sunday, May 13th! Each night features special guest auctioneers such as Speaker of the House Terie Norelli; Senate President Sylvia Larsen; Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli; Commissioner of Education Lyonel Tracy; USNH Chairman Andy Lietz; NHPTV board member Steven Albrecht; USNH Vice Chancellor & Treasurer Ed MacKay and Jim Roche of the Business & Industry Association. Be sure to tune in to see the faces behind the voices of all your favorite radio personalities, too!Auction Manager Trish Ballantyne hopes to raise more than $475,000 this year to help support NHPTV's quality programs and services. "Businesses from all over the state, New England and even internationally have been extremely generous this year! Everything from local dining, fine art, NH Made products and family fun to local getaways and trips around the world are up for grabs at the Auction!" Bidding has already begun on Superboard items, including the forward-thinking 2007 Toyota Prius with Hybrid Synergy Drive® donated by Your New England Toyota Dealer. Another hot item is the chance to meet Tom Bergeron on the set of America's Funniest Videos for a backstage look at how the show is created, as well as going to a taping of Tom's other show, Dancing with the Stars. The Superboard also features vacations from Peru to Spain to Canada and Hawaii. Golf memberships, summer camps, timeshares and graduate school courses are all awaiting your high bid!Auction theme nights offer many items of special interest. Satisfy your inner-Norm during How-To Night on Saturday, May 5th, with a variety of items and certificates for those with a "do-it-yourself" attitude. Sports Night on Monday, May 7th includes many sports memorabilia items and game tickets.Looking for unique works of art? Preview the Virtual Gallery and bid online for items by local artisans. These juried items and many more will be offered up for bid during Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 9th. And it's all things Home & Garden when Thursday night spotlights "Agriculture"!
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