DALLAS — For nearly seven decades, the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction has offered people a chance to bid on antiquated and interesting items in the spirit of raising money for the library and, therefore, the public.
From hand-crafted furniture to vintage clocks to sports memorabilia, the yearly auction has presented an opportunity for people to take away something new while giving back to the community. Over the course of those years, the auction has evolved into more than that as it has become a cherished part of the Back Mountain heritage.
That recognition of community and heritage was abundant at this year’s 69th anniversary of the event as families came from near and far to participate in bidding, giving and celebrating old memories while making new ones.
Throughout the event, which was limited to just three days this year due to rain on Thursday, July 9, the auction drew as many children as adults with its variety of food vendors and bid-time events that included a magician, balloon animals and a presentation on birds of prey by the Endless Mountain Nature Center.
Carole Sweeney, publicity chair, lauded that family atmosphere. “It’s a tradition in the Back Mountain,” she said. “We’re very proud of it.”
On the last day of the weekend, July 12, the grounds were laden with curious bidders looking for just the right piece.
Nancy DeSando, of Centermoreland, attends the auction yearly and this year came away with a white wicker table with a bid of $45. She plans to put the table in her summer home in South Florida, but was happy to be in the Back Mountain community that day.
“It’s the atmosphere and supporting the good cause,” she said. “Our children also frequented the library when they were young and so it’s nice to keep it going.”
The auction is a family affair for some vendors, as well. Michele Faux, manager of Nice’s of Tunkhannock which sells potato pancakes and roasted almonds at bazaars and festivals, said her family business has been a part of the event for more than 20 years.
“Everybody knows you; everybody waits for you to come back,” she said. “My dad and mom own this business and it’s always ‘Where’s your mom? How’s your dad?’”
Although bidding is always in the spirit of giving to the library, the long weekend provides a chance for buyers to get items that would cost them much more at other venues.
Dave Sapak, a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins fan from Harding, won a signed Tom Kostopoulos jersey from a year the team was very successful.
“If I’m not mistaken, they went to the Calder Cup that year,” said Sapak, “and that was really a memorable jersey to have.” He added that such a piece of memorabilia would have cost him more at another auction or at the stadium.
Over the last 25 years, the focal point of the event finale has become the auctioning of Sue Hand’s painting.
Hand has been going to the auction since she was a young girl and, at one point, the local artist and Dallas resident began donating paintings. Eventually, she started setting up shop on the auction grounds and painting the imagery before her, including the people she saw. Committee members encouraged her to keep coming back.
Although she has trouble believing her works have become such an integral part of the festival, Hand called the honor amazing and exciting and said she can’t imagine not being involved.
“This is the best of community,” she said. “I mean, this is America absolutely the way it ought to be, and it is, and that’s what’s amazing about it.”
This year’s submission included a rendition of Hand’s own palette to celebrate her 25th anniversary and a row of American flags across the top of the painting, which symbolized the tribute the library held to veterans.
Before the bidding started, Hand was honored for her years of participation. State Sen. Lisa Baker presented the artist with a bouquet of flowers and a pewter PA license plate.
Hand’s painting sold for $3,200 this year and the winning bidder was none other than Stu Kirkwood, the chairman of the auction.
Kirkwood, who has attended the auction for many years and has been involved in the organization in other capacities in the past, served as chairman for the first time and said buying the painting was a way for him to commemorate the conjunction of his first year as chairman and Hand’s 25th anniversary.
