Library fundraiser slated

By JUSTIN HARMON/Staff

People have come to expect certain things from the Washington County Library’s annual A Tisket, A Tasket, A Literary Basket event.
Of course there’s food, fundraising, themed baskets and, of course, the silent auction of said baskets.
But this year, library director Charlotte Parsons said they’re trying something a little different.
“We’ve got a new twist this year,” she said. “Towards the end of the night, we’re having a live auction.”
According to Parsons, Russell McBride of Damascus Realty & Auctions will be talking a mile a minute to sell off a number of items donated to the fundraiser’s eight year.
“We had some special, larger and more unique items donated this year,” said Parsons “We just wanted to call attention to those items.”
According to event co-chair and library employee Dianne Lester, some of the items include a week at a resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C., a two hour airplane ride, a portrait by a professional painter and a dinner party where a professional chef comes to your house and cooks a meal for you and friends.
“We wanted to try something new,” said Lester.
Parsons said they’re also trying to make the event friendlier toward couples. According to her, they’re looking for more of a “date night” atmosphere.
“We don’t want to become the same old thing,” she said. “We want it a little zazzed up.”
Though there are some new things going on this year, many of the same staples will still be at the event, including the titular baskets and their silent auctioning.
And there are quite a few baskets going around this year.
“For the kids we’ve got a Hannah Montana basket,” said Lester. “And I really like the Venice basket.”
Parsons said one of her favorite baskets was the “Girls Night Out” theme, complete with a copy of “Thelma and Louise.”
As usual, money from the event will go towards the library’s coffers to keep momentum moving forward on improvements. According to Parsons, this year’s money is already earmarked for various projects going on around the county libraries, such as the proposed new Damascus Library.
“We’ve got the money for the construction,” she said. “We just need the money for the interior.”
Justin Harmon can be reached at 628-7101 or jharmon@wythenews.com

What: The eighth annual A Tisket, A Tasket, A Literary Basket Washington County Public Library fundraiser
When: Saturday, March 27, from 6-9 p.m.
Where: Glenrochie Country Club 200 Clubhouse Drive Abingdon, VA 24211
Cost: $25 for advance tickets or $30 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at any branch of the library.