By Geri Gibbons

ggibbons@timesleader.com

Four signed Hitchkock chairs are sold for $175 at the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction Saturday night by volunteer auctioneer Steve Traver.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL-071215-BMT-library-auction-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFour signed Hitchkock chairs are sold for $175 at the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction Saturday night by volunteer auctioneer Steve Traver.

Record crowds bid for antiques and collectibles at the 69th annual Back Mountain Memorial Auction in Dallas on Saturday night.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL-071215-BMT-library-auction-3.jpg.optimal.jpgRecord crowds bid for antiques and collectibles at the 69th annual Back Mountain Memorial Auction in Dallas on Saturday night.

DALLAS — The grounds of the Back Mountain Library were transformed into a celebration of culture, color and commerce at the organization’s 69th annual auction on Saturday.

With a street-fair like atmosphere, residents from all over the area, made their way through the event, sampling a variety of homemade foods, purchasing such items as plants and jewelry, or enjoying a mid-summer opportunity to catch up with long time friends and neighbors.

Stu Kirkwood, auction chairman, couldn’t have been any happier. Despite a rainy start, with Thursday’s auction having been cancelled, he said he anticipated the event, in its entirety, would be a success.

“With state and federal funding almost non-existent, funds raised at the auction have become increasingly important,” he said. “We credit our volunteers and those who bought and bid with making that success possible.”

Kirkwood lauded area businesses with donating quality goods, including “lovely antiques,” which drew crowds to the auction block to bid on items ranging from artwork to jewelry to furniture.

Library director Martha Butler said monies directed to the library were certainly well-spent.

“We’re an integral part of peoples’ lives from birth to old age,” she said. “We serve as a community hub.”

Butler said that although the library certainly retains a sense of tradition and history, providing a quiet place for reading periodicals or checking out books, it also embraces technology with touch screen computers available for children, Internet training for older adults and ebooks available to borrow.

This year marked the event’s first “Artisans Row,” which provided opportunity for auction goers to purchase items such as jewelry, furniture, bakes goods and plants with funds directly benefiting the library.

Rachel Wiernusz, who led the jewelry, gems and accessories effort, credited area entities with filling the tent with colorful quality items which brought in money even during Thursday’s downpour.

Wiernusz said her efforts were fueled by her love for the library and her belief that it benefits members of the community in a variety of ways.

“Storytime is a favorite for kids,” she said. “Parents say they love a chance to bring young children to the library.”

Artist Sue Hand was on hand to memorialize the activity surrounding her for the 25th year.

As she looked about at event happenings, she carefully dipped a brush in acrylic paint bringing the event to life on a canvas that will be auctioned to benefit the library.

Prior years have brought in about $8,000 for the completed painting.

She worked surrounded by students training to assume her labor of love in upcoming years.

Boy Scouts from Troop 281 were on hand to assist attendees with parking.

As part of their community service, the boys, overseen by leaders, also provided information to attendees, assuring they would find the right spot, whether shopping, bidding, browsing or eating.

Boy Scout leader Bob Pilger, black raspberry ice cream in hand, smiled, taking the event’s activities surrounding him.

“Its a great event for a great cause,” said Pilger. “My favorite part, though, is spending time with friends.”

The event continues today.

Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons