Chamber awards a way to honor the best of Ritzville

A friendly bidding competition between neighbors and friends, while honoring the accomplishments of local residents, highlights the activities at the 2013 Community Recognition Night and Auction on Saturday. The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) presents “An Evening in Athens” on Nov. 9 at the C.J. Newland American Legion Hall.

The evening is highlighted by the presentation of awards, and paired with a Greek dinner and exciting auction items. The recognition night and auction is traditionally held in November, but a scheduling conflict last year moved the 2012 banquet to March. While this is technically the second RACC auction this year, the Saturday night event is the official 2013 recognition night. {more}}

The night’s festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour where wine and beer is served, followed by the catered meal. The menu includes Greek specialties such as chicken Souvlaki kabobs, Greek seasoned potatoes, sautéed Mediterranean vegetables, Tabouleh, Greek greens, roll and butter, and tart Greenbluff apples with brown sugar, cinnamon and oatmeal crumble served with warm and freshly whipped cream.

Before the start of the live auction, the Students and Educator of the Year Awards are presented to this year’s recipients. A male and female student has been selected to receive the awards.

After the first awards presentation, the live auction begins and offers a wide variety of choices for audience members. Live auction items highlighted for the event include Davenport Hotel “Breakaway and Stay” package, 10 suite tickets for the Feb. 22 Spokane Chiefs game, 80 acres of custom spraying, four tickets for Washington State University football game on Nov. 23 and two tickets to the Classical Concert at the Spokane Symphony.

The extensive list of silent auction items includes a variety of gift certificates to local businesses, unique gift baskets and household items.

The live auction pauses briefly to recognize the Volunteer and Employee of the Year award recipients at the same time the first silent auction table closes. The second live auction table closes prior to the Business, First Responder and Farmer of the Year award presentation later during the live auction.

For information, call 659-1936.