Elegant Auction tops $50,000 mark

Proceeds maintain and improve the Oakhurst Community Park

By Elizabeth Gabriel

(Updated: Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 5:02 PM)

"I really want to thank the members of the committee and treasurer Dave Nickel, who do so much work," said David Linn Monday morning as he reflected on this year's Elegant Auction.

The 23rd annual event earned a tad more than $50,000 to run Oakhurst Community Park for the year. That's the auction's only purpose -- to maintain and improve the park, which was created and continued by the park committee headed by Linn.

Totals for the auction have been higher, but Linn said he was pleased with the numbers.

"We appreciate people showing up," he said, "especially in these difficult economic times."

At the opening of the live auction, Linn acknowledged the years of work of his friend Gary Pence, who missed the auction for the first time. Pence has Lou Gehrig's disease. Linn said Pence said hello and had some advice for all present.

"He said to bid high," Linn said.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time, enjoying the Pines' buffet and free champagne. Christy Cederlof was eyeing the chocolate display and promoting her son. For his Yosemite High School senior project, James Cederlof was entertaining the crowd with his magic act.

Carol George of Service Organization of the Sierra was there with her friend, Flora Lee, who comes from Palo Alto for the elegant evening.

Elegance wasn't only in the name. The 2008 gala's theme was "Black and White Ball," and most people tried to stick with that theme, though some accessorized with other colors.

Rima Runtzel of Sierra Telephone and a Harry H. Baker Boys & Girls Club supporter, was decked out in black-and-white polka dots with a hot-pink necklace setting it off. When she found out she had been the successful bidder for a pair of dynamite shades in the silent auction, she put them on, posed and looked very Hollywood Boulevard.

Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce director Kathy McCorry had on a zebra-stripe dress and a dramatic black-bead necklace.

Linn was in his white dinner jacket, but Harry Baker did him one better in a white suit.

Liz and Janice Ware, accompanying Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler of North Fork, sparkled in their long dresses. Liz chose black. Janice's gown was gold and black. Wheeler was in classy black -- with a red rose.

Susan and Doug Macaulay (she's co-chair of the auction committee and he's the auctioneer) kept themselves busy with last-minute details before the auctioneering began at 8 p.m.

To wage her campaign for a place for a family reunion, Sherry Colgate left her chair up front and went to the back of the room when the Paradise Springs package came up. When she was successful, there was high-fiving among her party.

Spotters helped Doug identify the bidders, and models showed off the merchandise -- seeing girls in gowns holding yard-care power tools was something to behold.

There were sentimental favorites among the items. The wooden bear by Jim Smith Carvings is often there, and so is the Pizza Factory's pizza for a year, Goldmine Jewelry's donation and Yosemite Bank's Dash for Cash. But it was an original by the late artist Jane Gyer, donated by her husband, Jack, which moved the bidders.

Linn was persistent and was the top bidder.

"I was pleased to get another Gyer," Linn said.