Mount Greylock PTO details Jan. 29 silent auction fundraiser

Volunteer parents with the Mount Greylock Regional High School PTO are reminding the public about the Jan. 29 "silent auction" fundraiser -- the second annual. The auction features items and services donated by parents, students, faculty, staff and friends of the PTO. The auction will take place on from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Goodrich Hall, on Route 2 in Williamstown, next to the Williams College Museum of Art (and eye sculptures).

Admission is free, and entertainment will be provided by student musicians throughout the event. Free refreshments, including baked goods, hot cider, cocoa, coffee and tea will be served.

PTO co-president Nancy Nylen said, "We have a fantastic array of over 80 (and counting) gifts and services ranging in value from $10 to $500 that people will have fun bidding on. We encourage people to come to bid or simply to visit with friends and enjoy the student musicians."

Offerings include: a Chinese dumpling cooking session, math tutoring, an aerial photograph of your neighborhood, a one-hour full body Swedish massage, a lasagna dinner delivered to your home, a kite-making workshop, a fly-fishing lesson on the Deerfield River, a life-coaching session, an ice-skating party, home-baked chocolate chip cookies for four weeks, a golf outing, and rides to doctors’ appointments. Nylen commented, "We're thrilled with the creative, thoughtful, and unusual services that people are donating."

Also, a veterinary visit and vaccines, an evening of babysitting, homemade moussaka, creativity coaching, a mid-winter flower arrangement, a private yoga lesson, a portrait by a local photographer, four dinners delivered, teens staffing a party, a drawing of your home/child/pet by a local artist, matzo ball soup, clothing alterations, an architectural consultation, scones, a guided geology walk, a feng shui consultation, and many other items.

Bidding on items will begin closing at 4:15pm, so people are encouraged to arrive early for the best selection. Cash and checks are welcomed.

Student musicians providing entertainment at the auction include Davey Payne (acoustic guitar/vocals), Ananda Plumkett (piano/vocals), Jason Silberstein (flute), Katie-Rose DeCandia (classical guitar), Emily Baker-White (viola), Keija Tang (piano), Mt. Greylock A Cappella (vocals), Katie Markland (piano), and David Rosenthal (jazz). Also, raffle tickets for the handmade quilt donated by Beth Nesbitt will be for sale at $1 each or $5 for six tickets. PTO co-president Anne Hogeland described the auction as "a wonderful event, with members of the entire Mt. Greylock community sharing their talents, interests, and hobbies for a good cause. I'm especially pleased that so many students are participating and are offering services to be auctioned, ranging from Chinese Yo-Yo lessons to serenading a party."

All proceeds from the auction will go to PTO projects, including the purchase of new software and technical support for the school website and otherwise enhancing communications at the school. As Hogeland described, “The website project is the culmination of a six-month study of the school’s needs and capabilities done, on a volunteer basis, by local computer experts. We are excited about the chance to bring this project to fruition.”

Anyone interested in supporting the work of the Mt. Greylock PTO, but who is unable to attend the auction, is encouraged to send a tax-deductible donation to: Mt. Greylock Parent Teacher Organization, c/o Elisabeth Goodman, 181 Main St., Williamstown, MA 01267. A receipt will be provided.

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Submitted for PTO co-presidents Nancy Nylen 458-5688; and Anne Hogeland 458-5966 by Anne Karabinos (akarabinos@msn.com ).