RailRiders rally comes up short to Bisons

Lottery Numbers for the Week of July 5.

<p>DALLAS &#8212; The grounds of the Back Mountain Library were transformed into a celebration of culture, color and commerce at the organization&#8217;s 69th annual auction on Saturday.</p><p>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.</p><p>Stu Kirkwood, auction chairman, couldn&#8217;t have been any happier. Despite a rainy start, with Thursday&#8217;s auction having been cancelled, he said he anticipated the event, in its entirety, would be a success.</p><p>&#8220;With state and federal funding almost non-existent, funds raised at the auction have become increasingly important,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We credit our volunteers and those who bought and bid with making that success possible.&#8221;</p><p>Kirkwood lauded area businesses with donating quality goods, including &#8220;lovely antiques,&#8221; which drew crowds to the auction block to bid on items ranging from artwork to jewelry to furniture.</p><p>Library director Martha Butler said monies directed to the library were certainly well-spent.</p><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re an integral part of peoples&#8217; lives from birth to old age,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We serve as a community hub.&#8221;</p><p>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.</p><p>This year marked the event&#8217;s first &#8220;Artisans Row,&#8221; which provided opportunity for auction goers to purchase items such as jewelry, furniture, bakes goods and plants with funds directly benefiting the library.</p><p>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&#8217;s downpour.</p><p>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.</p><p>&#8220;Storytime is a favorite for kids,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Parents say they love a chance to bring young children to the library.&#8221;</p><p>Artist Sue Hand was on hand to memorialize the activity surrounding her for the 25th year.</p><p>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.</p><p>Prior years have brought in about $8,000 for the completed painting.</p><p>She worked surrounded by students training to assume her labor of love in upcoming years.</p><p>Boy Scouts from Troop 281 were on hand to assist attendees with parking.</p><p>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.</p><p>Boy Scout leader Bob Pilger, black raspberry ice cream in hand, smiled, taking the event&#8217;s activities surrounding him.</p><p>&#8220;Its a great event for a great cause,&#8221; said Pilger. &#8220;My favorite part, though, is spending time with friends.&#8221;</p><p>The event continues today.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL-071215-BMT-library-auction-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Four signed Hitchkock chairs are sold for $175 at the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction Saturday night by volunteer auctioneer Steve Traver. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL-071215-BMT-library-auction-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Four signed Hitchkock chairs are sold for $175 at the Back Mountain Memorial Library Auction Saturday night by volunteer auctioneer Steve Traver. </caption0><photoCredit0>Charlotte Bartizek | for Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL-071215-BMT-library-auction-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Record crowds bid for antiques and collectibles at the 69th annual Back Mountain Memorial Auction in Dallas on Saturday night. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL-071215-BMT-library-auction-3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Record crowds bid for antiques and collectibles at the 69th annual Back Mountain Memorial Auction in Dallas on Saturday night. </caption1><photoCredit1>Charlotte Bartizek | for Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Saturday sun shines on Back Mountain Library auction after wet start