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Visitors travel from near and far for Plains auction
PLAINS — What do a 60th U.S. Naval Academy Reunion name tag, a Willie Mays baseball and a set of New York Times coasters all have in common?
They just three of approximately 40 items for bid at the Plains Golden Peanut Auction Saturday at the Plains. The event was sponsored by the Plains Better Hometown Program.
Funds raised went to help secure the organization’s next big project, renovation of the Billy Carter Service Station into a museum, said Bill Simmons with the Better Hometown Board, at the opening of the live auction.
“President and Mrs. Carter have already contributed $50,000 to start the project,” Simmons said. “Now, we’re going to finish the project.”
Around 6:30 p.m., guests piled into the plaza in front of the Plains Community Center for the silent auction. Among items for auction were several of President Carter’s books, framed newspapers from 1976 when he won the presidency, and a set of crystal candelabra.
Also upon arrival, guests were treated with fans to fan away the gnats. Then, it was on to the Old Bank Cafe for wine, beer, or water and hors d’oeurves.
Guests came to the auction from as far away as Australia for the event.
Scott Crawford of Sydney, Australia explained how he and Andrew Crawford came to the U.S. and eventually the auction.
“I am a history teacher, and I was teaching the Vietnam War to the senior class to prepare them for their exams,” Scott said in with an Australian accent. He explained that he was preparing his high school students for an test similar to the SAT in the U.S.
“I was talking about Nixon and his policies in Vietnam and Cambodia,” Scott said.
One of his Lebanese students asked him if there was a “good American president.” Of course, Scott told the student that was Jimmy Carter.
“I told them he was president while ‘Charlie’s Angels’ was on television,” Scott said with a laugh.
Then, there were guests like George and Patricia Betzhold, who came from North Carolina.
“My mother grew up in the Cuthbert and Shellman area,” he said.
“We’re very huge fans of the president, and our friends ... alerted us to the auction,” George said.
“It’s good to be here, and we are thrilled to be back in South Georgia,” he added.
“This has been a real fun event to plan,” said Carolyn Roberts, Plains Better Hometown executive director.
She said from looking at the results of the silent auction, “This has been a fantastic fund raiser for us.
“The Carters played a huge part, and we are so thrilled.”
Of course, President and Mrs. Carter were at the auction. Both are active with the Plains Better Hometown Program.
