Geneva mini auction brings full house

By KATHY PAULSEN AND BEN REVERMANN

The Geneva cancer association held a “clean-up mini auction” on Saturday, April 5, at the Geneva Bar and Grill, with a free-will pancake breakfast the following morning, Sunday, April 6. The Geneva Cancer Auction has a mission: “Established in 1985, The Geneva Cancer Auction raises funds for cancer research for the sole purpose of eradicating cancer.”

Those in the know explain so many items were donated for the four days of sales in January that they could not all be sold within the available time. The April sale featured not only those 118 “clean-up” articles, but some new additions–many in the form of homemade treats.

Inside the Geneva Bar and Grill on Saturday, not many seats remained unoccupied. The silent auction was holding steady; 13 items tempted bidders to write down their names. Auctioneers called out numbers and recorded bid winners for the live auction. A steady stream of people continued to arrive, leaving some with no choice but to stand. Items continued to be delivered as the auction continued; donors set their contributions near worker Barb Kuchenbecker. Within minutes of being dropped off, a tray of a dozen cupcakes brought in another $15 for the cause.

Jim Manges and Jamie Hagen served as auctioneers on Saturday afternoon with the assistance of long-time helpers Joel Langlie, Barb Kuckenbecker, Vicki Manges, Tina Hagen, Karen Quam, Ruth Hagen, Judy Christensen, Laura Zvorak, Diane Willert, Kathi Wobschall, Tessa Enzenauer and Brandon Enzenauer.

One of the first items up for bid was a genuine Major League Rawlings Baseball that had been autographed by Lou Burdette back in 1957.  Steve Pence donated the baseball which he purchased many years ago. Burdette, who once played with the Milwaukee Braves, had been one of Steves' favorite baseball players when he was growing up in the 1950s. He recently decided to donate the treasure to help raise money for cancer.

Among the silent auction items were a children’s fishing package-fishing poles-tackle equipment. A pizza basket, a grilling basket, a Tostito’s/Margarhita basket, an Easter basket, a spring gardening basket, a chicken planter with sprouting seeds. American flag apparel and much much more.

Partway through the auction it was announced that DeWayne "Whitey" Hagen has been informed by his doctors that he is now cancer free. He expressed his thanks to the many dedicated people and doctors in our area who help in the fight against cancer.  

Jacquie Deml was out front, before she walked in she was asked what part she’s played in the cancer auction, “We’ve participated in the regular auction for 30 years. We live in town and we know all the people putting it on. Like it or not, cancer affects everyone eventually at some point, I lost my first husband to cancer. But that aside, this is a good community event and it’s nice to see everyone out together.”

The Geneva Bar & Grill was busy Sunday morning as the annual Geneva Cancer Pancake Breakfast was served from 8 a.m. to noon.  Jesse Quam was kept busy frying pancakes on his grill and they were served along with scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee.  New this year were biscuits and gravy–which must have been a real hit because before the morning was over all that had been prepared had been served and enjoyed by the 100 people who turned out for the breakfast.

The busy crew of workers for the morning included Jamie Hagen, Zella McKinney, Barb and Jack Kuchenbecker, Jim Manges, Adam Lewer, Tina Hagen, Vicki Manges, Jesse Quam, Karen Quam, Laura Zvorack, Diane Willert, Ruth Hagen, Judy Christensen, Brandon Enzenauer, and Tessa Enzenauer. The volunteers worked together and took care of everyone who came to enjoy breakfast and the opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors. 

A major element of the morning’s success were the many supplies which were donated. The Cancer Auction organization expressed thanks to Tim Simon, who donated all the eggs, Jamie and Tina Hagen, who made and donated the biscuits and gravy, the Clarks Grove Fire Department and “Bleachers” for the donation of the sausages.