The annual Coupeville Lions Scholarship Auction Saturday was an evening filled with laughter, competition and giving back.
The new emcee, self-proclaimed “Conductor of Fun” Jim Freeman, kept guests on their toes.
“Saturday night was a success for the 2018 scholarship auction,” said Lion Sandy Johnson. “Too many people walked out saying they laughed too much.
“That could only be a good thing.”
With preliminary figures showing the auction raised $25,000, one thing was definitely clear — the guests like their desserts.
During the event, Lion Vicky Reyes announced it was a record-breaking year for the dessert auction.
Each table gathered donations among themselves for a collective table bid. The highest bidding table got first pick at the array of desserts prepared and donated by Lions and families of Coupeville School District students.
The dessert auction alone raised more than $4,000.
Items up for auction included silent auction items offering local artwork, gift baskets, services from local businesses and larger items like a farm tour for four, trips, cooking lessons and catered dinners.
In the spirit of giving for which the auction is intended, after a rigorous bidding war over a catered curry dinner offered by Marshall and Jan Bronson, the couple offered up a section meal so both bidders would win.
In its 13th year, the auction has generated more than $300,000 for a variety of scholarships given to qualified Coupeville High School seniors.
The scholarships will be awarded this spring during senior awards night.
Shelli Trumbull, left, laughs during a rousing bid war for cooking lessons with Knead and Feed owner and Lion Doug Kroon. Photo by Megan Hansen/Whidbey News-Times
Bob Clay, left, served as an emcee along with auctioneer Jim Freeman, right.
Photo above: The evening started with a cocktail hour and silent auction. Among items up for bid were local artwork, gift baskets and experiences.
