Published: May 30, 2009 10:27 pm      

Auction to offer wide variety of items

WVU football fans will have the opportunity to bid on special items that bear the autograph of former Mountaineer record-setting quarterback Pat White at the 14th annual Newspapers in Education Flea Market and Auction, sponsored by Beckley Newspapers, on Saturday, June 6.

Those looking for a quality pre-owned vehicle may fall in love with a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire, a 1995 Mercury Villager and a model that is yet to be announced from Midstate Pre-Owned Auto.

All three vehicles will be auctioned.

“We’re excited to offer vehicles and the items that have been signed by Pat White,” said Carla Nelson, who heads up the NIE program at Beckley Newspapers. “We also have a tremendous amount of NASCAR items donated by DJ’s Sports Shop in MacArthur, not to mention a wide array of goods and services donated by our local businesses and organizations.”

Midstate owner Dave Barton donates cars each year to the NIE auction.

“It’s just for the betterment of everybody, especially the children,” Barton said. “It’s something I like to do.”

Attendees can bid on restaurant certificates from Pasquale Mira’s, China One, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Bob Evans, Texas Steakhouse and Hooters.

Nearly 200 items will be sold by auctioneer Chase Barton, Nelson said.

Other items include oil changes, window tints, Little General gas cards and golf packages for the Cobb Course at The Resort at Glade Springs, Grandview Country Club and Fountain Springs Golf Course.

Admission passes to Dollywood, whitewater rafting packages and gate admissions to the West Virginia State Fair are also among the auction fare.

The auction and flea market will be held at Jim Word Memorial Park on Neville Street.

This is the second year the auction has been held at Word Park. It was moved last year from the rear parking lot of Beckley Newspapers in order to accommodate a growing number of vendors, Nelson said.

All proceeds from the auction benefit the Newspapers in Education literacy program, which distributes free newspapers for teachers to use in classrooms in Raleigh, Mercer, Fayette, Nicholas, Wyoming, Summers, Greenbrier and Monroe counties.

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Park Middle School sixth-grade teacher Pam Piziak participates in the literacy program.

Piziak said she uses the newspaper to teach both reading and social studies and has found the newspaper to be a very effective teaching tool.

“I’d hate to do without the newspapers,” she said. “These kids ask for the newspapers, and they enjoy them.”

Nelson said BNI is committed to helping area educators and students, and she thanked area businesses for donating items to invest in youth literacy.

“Area businesses and organizations have been so generous to help out a great cause,” she said. “We’re very grateful for all of the support they’ve given to the literacy program.”

Special gospel music will be provided by Eternity’s Crossing.

“We absolutely love helping out and we love to sing for the Lord any time, anywhere,” said Karen Meadows, lead singer for Eternity’s Crossing. “We think (the auction) is a great thing.”

At least 100 vendors are expected to set up shop at the auction this year.

The flea market opens at 8 a.m., the gospel sing is at 9 a.m., and the auction begins at 10 a.m.

— E-mail: jfarrish@register-herald.com