>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

ELGIN — The Friends of the Elgin Community Center will host their annual auction April 19 at the community center, 260 N. 10th Ave.

Auction paddles will go a-bobbin for the new and good used items that have been contributed by generous Union County donors. It’s a deal for buyers and a tax-deductible donation for a worthy cause.

Some of the items up for auction this year include a new HP Photosmart C8180 printer, scanner and copier, 400 new life jacket preservers for children, one new chest freezer (9 cu. ft.), a David Waln plate, a bag of Science Diet for adult dogs, lawn and pasture seed and a new pocket watch from Don’s Jewelry.

Elgin Foodtown will put food packages up for auction and Fashion Floors has contributed an area rug. There will also be a number of gift certificates, including one from Wallowa Lake Lodge and three $50 gift certificates from Steele’s Septic Service.

Other items on the auction block include a night’s stay at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino, a six-month subscription to The Observer and a year’s pickup services from City Garbage, among other items.

The auction proceeds will be spent to repair and improve the center, pool and park. The center depends upon the auction funds because the tax dollars raised through the Elgin Park and Recreation district are not enough to repair or improve the 38-year-old facility.

“We get .8222 cents per thousand through the district for the community center,” said Scott Ludwig, co-chair of the Friends of the Elgin Community Center. “We also get a special tax of 15 cents per thousand that’s good for three more years. Then that’s gone.”

The auction proceeds are a necessary supplement to the district’s small budget and have made it possible for the Friends of the Community Center to make the facility an attractive and functional hall for rentals.

Elma Jean Wilhelm and her job-share partner, Barbara Weaver, handle the cleaning and rental bookings and assist in organizing the auction.

“We’re pretty busy. Our rentals of the center have actually increased since last year,” said Wilhelm.

The center is routinely used for senior meals on Thursdays, but it is available for any group activity and can be rented by calling the center’s office at 437-5931.

Ludwig hopes that this year’s auction proceeds will help them buy a new lawn mower and repair the irrigation system. Donations of new or good used items (no clothing or bedding) for the auction will be accepted through Friday, deliverable to the community center.

A full day of fun will begin with a baked goods sale at 9:30 a.m., followed by a preview of the auction items at 10 a.m. Auctioneer John Coote will begin the auction at 11. Food and concessions will be served all day.