Wm. Holland School 2

Tuesday night there is an auction of donated items to help pay the costs of equipment and supplies at the school.  Not all items are lapidary or jewelry related, but most are.  It's for a good cause and some of the items are bid up well beyond all expectations...... how 'bout a chocolate bar for $10.  The best item in the auction was a gorgeous slab of old stock blue Biggs Jasper that was phenomenal.  I think it went for $60

The auctioneers are well known to the regulars and do a great job getting the bids from the crowd.  Everybody's favorite is the Opals instructor Joe DePietro, who has very poor hearing..... you'll say $5 and he'll recognize the bid as $7.... ask for $10....recognize a phantom bidder in the back of the room at $10...return to the previous bidder.....'what?  whad chu say?? (silence) $12??... you said $12....I have $12..... who'll give $15??       I not really sure how deaf old Joe really is.......   What a riot.... It was a hoot.

Joe Depietro

Wednesday afternoon is free time.  I drove through the mountains to Franklin, NC., visited the gem and mineral museum, drove some nice narrow curvy roads and returned to Young Harris after dark.  Great day.