(DURHAM, May 3, 2005) – N.H. Governor John Lynch will get the bidding started when the 32nd annual New Hampshire Public Television Spring Auction begins Friday, May 6 @ 6 p.m. at the NHPTV Broadcast Center in Durham. Executive Councilor Peter Spaulding also will serve as an auctioneer that night.Here’s some Auction math: 1,000 volunteers plus 3,000 donors equals 5,000 items raising more than $450,000 in nine nights of Auction bidding action. The Auction airs nightly from Friday, May 6 through Saturday May 14, with new items up for bid each evening.Auction guest gavel-ers include Ann Weaver Hart, president of the University of New Hampshire; U.S. Senator John Sununu; Dave Ruedig, chair, State Board of Education; Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli; Jim Roche, president of the NH Business and Industry Association; NH Speaker of the House Doug Scamman; State Representative Stella Scamman; entertainer Tommy Makem; and newscaster Pat Callaghan (WSCH-6 Portland).And this year, as he did last year, Senator Judd Gregg has donated World Series tickets if (when!) the Red Sox win the playoffs again this fall. Last year’s high bidder for the tickets had a “ball”!“The NHPTV Auction brings together, literally, hundreds of volunteers from our community as well as hundreds of businesses. Everyone has a great time while supporting a great cause – public television,” notes Trish Ballantyne, the NHPTV Auction Manager.Bidding has already begun on Superboard donations valued at $1,000 or more—these can be previewed at www.nhptv.org/auction. An all-new, 2005 Toyota Sienna CE is a featured item. Donated by Your New England Toyota Dealer, the Sienna CE is valued at $24,260. Also available for online bidding are exciting trips with longtime NHPTV Auction partner American Airlines. Destinations include London, Ireland, the Caribbean and Washington, D.C.Great items for home, office, or leisure are mixed with some intriguing items such as a K-9 ride-along with the Portsmouth Police Department; lottery tickets (last year the winning bidder for lottery tickets won $3,000!); a Red Sox cap autographed by 20 members of the team, courtesy of Merchants Automotive Group; a monthly coffee cake from My Grandma’s of New England; and an André Rieu VIP Concert package from The Inn at Spruce Wood, Regal Limousine and NHPTV.Theme nights offer many items of special interest. Satisfy your inner-Norm during How-to Night on Saturday, May 7, with a variety of items and certificates for those with a “do-it-yourself” attitude. Sports Night on Monday, May 9 includes a pair of season passes for UNH men’s hockey, a Manny Ramirez autographed baseball, Red Sox tickets and golf outing certificates. On Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 11, auctioneers will showcase the work of artists and crafts people from around New England.Preview the online Virtual Gallery, which showcases the works of 54 local artisans (with direct links to many of the Web sites). Through live video streaming of the NHPTV Spring Auction, people outside the viewing area can enjoy the Auction buzz too.Bidding during the Auction is easy. Simply call the toll-free number on your TV screen, tell the operator the number of the item that you want, state your highest bid and give your name, address and phone number. Express Bidder numbers are also available so you don’t have to give your name each time you call and they’re free!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.And remember, it’s not too late to volunteer or donate. Volunteers, donors, or sponsors can still support the Auction by calling the Auction Office at (603) 868-4432 or signing up online at nhptv.org/auction.Beyond its award-winning local and national television programs, New Hampshire Public Television is a leader in education and community outreach. NHPTV provides instructional services for 206,000 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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