Bidding wars break out over cakes

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
WELLINGTON’S NEW ROYALS — At Wellington School’s recent Valentine Social, a new royal family was chosen by students. They are, from left, in front: Parker Carmichael, prince and Kara Kilmer, princess. In back are: Dawson Toby, king and Tilly Hamilton, queen. Toby had an especially eventful day because he also celebrated his eighth birthday.
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    MONTICELLO — High-spirited fun permeated Wellington School’s auditorium last Thursday as about 200 friends, neighbors and even relatives competed against each other for fanciful cakes at their Valentine Social.  
    “This is our biggest fund-raiser. It goes toward our Children’s Stage Adventures music program that comes from out West once a year, said parent Jennifer Johnston who kept track of bids during the auction. She said her son Dylan had his eyes on one with a hidden treasure — a silver dollar hidden inside.
    Barbara Thorne, president of the Parent Teacher Committee said the auction raised $1,611 and gets great support from the community, even those who don’t have children in the school. “The Blue Moose donates cakes and this year The Pastry Corner said they would donate one cake for every six the parents purchased there.” Cari Hutchinson, owner of the Pastry Corner said it helps her and the school. “I’ll do the same thing next year.”
    Parent and auctioneer Cindy Peterson kept the energy up and got the final bid of the night on a whoopee pie cake to $80 — the highest for the event. Altogether there were 55 cakes, a few quilts and a floral arrangement. Most bids for items were way over their retail value.
    Peterson, who has been acting as auctioneer for the last three years was so good at it, she could not really control her husband. “He went over his $50 limit, but it was for a good cause,” she said as she laughed. “The bidding went very, very well. It’s cheap entertainment and sibling rivalry.”
    Creative almost understates the dramatic display that included cakes representing: a map of the world, a Sponge Bob Express, Barbie, a castle and a barn in addition to several whoopee pie cakes and many with heart motifs.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
EXCEPTIONAL AUCTIONEER — Cindy Peterson carries the Sponge Bob Express cake to a table for pickup later. She demonstrated her skills managing the fast-paced and light-hearted bidding on cakes at Wellington School’s Valentine Social. The event raised $1,611 for the school.
    Thorne’s son A.J. and McKenley Pierce kept busy rearranging the cake table and transporting the cakes from auctioneer Peterson to the table where they would be claimed at the end.
    Principal Nancy Wright acted as emcee for the evening ceremony that followed the bidding when an new king, queen, prince and princess were named.
    A Valentine parade of students preceded last year’s royalty onto the stage. Then, Wright made a surprise announcement. It was Dawson Toby’s eighth birthday. When he accepted a small gift with balloons, who knew there was more to come, later.
    After last year’s “royals” processed for the crowd to take photos, Wright announced names for the new ones. Who could have imagined that, on his birthday, Toby would end up the new king of Wellington?
    Amazingly, for each of the newly named “royals,” there were squeals of joy as the children jumped, grabbed one another. Several shouted how happy they were for each new “royals.” They were crowned: Dawson Toby as king, Tilly Hamilton as queen, Parker Carmichael as prince and Kara Kilmer as princess.
    Danny Moreau, school custodian, who had assisted with the auction also guided children for their photo-ops. “The kids are wonderful and it’s a good school for them to start out. They show respect, teamwork and friendship. They all work together like a family.”
    Thorne said “its such a small school. They all love each other and are just as happy to see a friend win as if were themselves.”