University of Wisconsin - Extension

GET GREAT DEALS, SUPPORT WPT DURING WHA-TV AUCTION

Vacations, home furnishings, stock packages, golf memberships, an apartment lease, art and jewelry are among the special items to be sold to the highest bidders during this year — s WHA-TV Auction. The live event runs from Tuesday, May 27, through Sunday, June 1, on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT).

The WHA-TV Auction begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, May-27-30, and at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1.

The event, in its 28th year, is a popular fund-raiser for WPT. "The Auction is a major community event that involves thousands of donors, volunteers and bidders each year," said Jon Miskowski, executive director of the Friends of WHA-TV.

Friends of WHA-TV organizes the Auction as part of its role as the citizen-support organization for WPT in south-central Wisconsin.

"We have something available for just about any interest in a wide variety of price ranges," said Kelly Joerres, WHA-TV Auction manager. Special features of this year — s Auction include Sports Night (Wednesday, May 28), the Kids — Corner (Saturday, May 31) and the Auction Showcase of items valued at $2,000 or more (Sunday, June 1).

The Art & Antiques Auction, airing Thursday, May 29, features original art, jewelry and antiques from artists and dealers. This year — s Featured Artist is Susan Young of Madison, and the Commemorative Artist is Demetra Saloutos of Stoughton.

New to this year — s Auction are birdhouses decorated by area artists. The 46 birdhouses, built by Boy Scout David Warczynski, will be sold throughout the Auction.

The Auction Showcase, airing statewide at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 1, features items worth $2,000 or more. Among the Showcase items are an Amazon rainforest adventure, a one-year apartment lease, a timeshare in Puerto Vallarta, a Wisconsin stock package, a 51-inch Hitachi HDTV monitor and more.

Friends of WHA-TV is also presenting a limited-sale raffle for a new vehicle. The winner will have a choice of either a 2003 Nissan Altima 2.5 S or Ford Escape XLS 4X4. Anyone 18 or older may purchase a ticket at Kayser Inc., both American of Madison locations, by phone at (800) 422-9707 or at www.wpt.org/auction online. Only 999 tickets will be available. The raffle closes when all tickets are sold or on June 1, whichever comes first. Employees of Friends of WHA-TV or WPT, or their immediate families, are not eligible, The winning ticket will be drawn between 5-9 p.m. June 1 as part of the on-air Auction. For full contest rules and ticket information, call (608) 262-5259.

WPT is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Proceeds from the WHA-TV Auction help support programming on WHA-TV/Madison, WPNE-TV/Green Bay, WHRM-TV/Wausau, WHLA-TV/La Crosse, WLEF-TV/Park Falls and WHWC-TV/Menomonie-Eau Claire.

For More Information

• Chris DuPré, publicist, (608) 265-6193
• Kelly Joerres, Auction manager, (608) 262-5259