|
 Among the items on the auction block was a t-shirt
that throughout the day had been laid out so that attending cancer
survivors could sign their names, signifying another year of being
the winner over cancer. Other wonderful
items included home décor, quilts, party baskets, wicker, furniture,
and much more.
As has become the custom, the auction was manned by
the Cooley Family - Deb, Dennis and Samantha, who kept track of
buyers and winning bids, collected the money, and of course, helped
show off the auction items as Maske was bidding them off.
For those who missed out on a chance to purchase something at the
live auction, bidding remained open on the silent auction until
approximately 8:15 p.m. Again, a large array of items were presented
for the silent auction, and the highest bidders certainly took home
some wonderful items.
As the nine o’clock hour approached volunteers took to the track
with light tubes that were quickly snapped and dropped into the
hundreds of luminary bags that lined the track on both sides.
At 9 p.m. the lights went down and the only illumination in the
gymnasium came from the luminary, the lighted “celebrate” and
“remember” words sitting against the team camp of “Faith, Hope, and
Love,” and the soft glow of the lamps sitting in front of Bill Post
and Donna Miles as the names of those honored and remembered were
read aloud.
[to top of second column] |
 The Hush Angels came onto the
track and led the laps that were conducted in total silence as Post
read aloud all the names that appear on this year’s luminaria.
Walkers gathered on the track, walking silently, some wearing or
carrying items that reminded them of a lost loved one, all feeling
the strong emotions of the hours.
At the end of the hour, with just a few laps left, a sweet and
selfless show of love took place, unnoticed by some, but very
touching to all those who saw it. One of the little hush angels
approached this year’s youngest survivor, Jolene Fellers, and
offered to make her the hush angel for the last few laps.
Jolene, with help for her parents and the hush angel coordinator,
got on the angel gown and wings. She happily took to the track,
accompanied by mom and dad, holding the “hush please’ sign she
paraded around the track.
The unofficial end of the night came at the end of the luminary and
remembrance lap with music played on the bagpipes. The official
ending of the night entailed an 11 p.m. balloon launch.
[Nila Smith]
 |
