Funny money results in lively bidding

Nancy Malcom/Daily Mail Don Loiselle, as current King of Moore-Few, had his image on the $5 "currency " used during an auction at Moore-Few Care Center on Tuesday.

By Nancy Malcom

On Tuesday, Moore-Few residents gathered in the activity room for a lively auction. Using homemade money, they bid on donated items from cross-stitched perpetual calendars to paper fans, hats, caps, jams, aftershave and bags of cookies, candies and pop. Most items were furnished by staff and friends of Moore-Few.

"This is the first time we've done this," Activity Director Jackie Halcomb explained. "To earn dollars the residents had to attend activities. They were paid $2 a point and got one point for each activity. They also got $5 for coming to the auction today." Halcomb added that activity attendance had increased during the last month.

"Wilma Bogart and Don Loiselle were the King and Queen this year and their pictures are on the pseudo $5 bills," she added. "Most here today have at least $75 to spend."

Professional auctioneer Shannon Mays from El Dorado Springs kept the tempo fast with bids and patter. "I'm having a great time," she commented to the crowd with a laugh, "and I'm not even getting a commission!" Charlie Perkins earned the most money and started the auction with $135 to spend. "I came to every activity except the first one," Perkins said. "I've come to every bingo, church, exercise classes, to name a few, to earn my money. Now I'm going to buy cookies and maybe a cap."

He didn't hesitate to sweep the room with a $75 bid for a package of candy, cookies and pop.

Don Loiselle said, "I didn't make it to all the activities, but I've earned enough money to bid on some things. My picture is on the $5 bill so guess I'd better spend those." Loiselle had also made and donated several hand held fans to sell at the auction, some selling for $10 each.

"I don't know if we'll do this again," Halcomb said, "but it's been a lot of fun this time."