Buzz Benefit Auction, November 3, 2001 Click the thumbnails below to see larger photos; see new photos using arrows. Photos and Captions by Danny Schweers Click here to return to Archives page.

The Nov. 3, 2001 benefit auction for the Buzz Ware Village Center historic restoration featured auctioneer Steve Broujos who, with humor and unwavering good cheer, made spending money a game.	Volunteers successfully gathered objects to be auctioned AND gathered people to bid. There was standing room only at Gild Hall. Especially popular among bidders were objects crafted by local artists, many of which sold for hundreds of dollars. For example, a 1937 painting by Arden resident Jack Bright, "A Study in Blue and Black," sold for $275. It was donated by Nick Liberman and family.	The auction worked best when two or more people bid competitively on the same object. The auctioneer would work the price up, sometimes only a dollar at a time. Twice Pat Toman (left) and George Brocklesby (right) got in a bidding war. Pat won both times but George had the satisfaction of seeing the Buzz get a good price for its goods. Pat paid $82 for this Raku Vase by Arden Artist Michael McKean, donated by Johanne Schroeder.
When at the end of the night, when there was nothing at all left to auction, nothing at all was auctioned. As you see here, Steve's able assistant is holding up nothing at all for all to see. It sold for $125. Then, the proud winner of that fierce bidding donated it back to the Buzz. It sold again, this time for $100. Finally, it was sold again -- plus a bottle of wine -- for another $100.	Here's a chair and an organ. Marguerite Archer, the BWVC Chair, is standing next to a 19th-century pump organ donated by Sean and Jennifer O'Keefe, which sold for $325. Rete was auctioned as well -- four 2-hour modeling sessions for an art group at the Buzz. "With 20 years of experience, she's guaranteed not to giggle." Rete coordinated the auction, but literally hundreds contributed in one form or another, including the auctioneer.	Click here to learn about the 2004 Auction!