36th NHPTV Auction Action Begins Friday, May 1st @ 6 p.m.

10-Night Auction Raises Funds for NHPTV’s Programs and Services

(DURHAM, April 28, 2009) – The award-winning 36th Annual New Hampshire Public Television Spring Auction begins Friday, May 1st at 6 p.m., and live Auction-mania and bidding continue nightly through Sunday, May 10th! Since 1974, this event has been an annual rite of spring for viewers and volunteers alike, a unique celebration of New Hampshire businesses, artisans and community spirit that helps raise funds for NHPTV’s programs and its educational and community initiatives. 

Each night features special guest auctioneers such as U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, NH Speaker of the House Terie Norelli, NECN News anchor Mike Nikitas, WMUR Meteorologist Josh Judge, Roadside Stories host Bob Wilson, and WCSH 6 Portland News Center anchorman Pat Callaghan. Be sure to watch for your favorite radio personalities, too!

Auction Manager Trish Ballantyne hopes to raise more than $500,000 again this year to help support NHPTV’s quality programs and services. “Businesses from all over the state and region have been extremely generous this year!  Everything—from New Hampshire-made products to trips around the world—is up for grabs during our 36th Auction.”

Online bidding is already underway on exciting and unique Superboard items at www.nhptv.org/auction. Here’s a sampling of Superboard offerings:

• Go green with the all-new 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid, donated by Your New England Toyota Dealer; it’s valued at $24,469. 

• Meet Tom Bergeron and enjoy VIP seating for Dancing with the Stars! 

• Be the Junior Manager for the UNH Wildcats Men’s Hockey team! 

• Bid high on a Grand Dining Package from Taste of the Seacoast. 

• Enjoy an outdoor adventure as part of the crew on an NHPTV Windows to the Wild film shoot.

• Go solar with a Solar Electric grid-tie starter kit from the NH Solar Stores.

• The Superboard also features vacations from the Azores to Jordan to Hawaii; golf memberships, summer camps, timeshares and graduate school courses…all awaiting high bids!

Looking for unique works of art? Preview the Virtual Gallery at www.nhptv.org/auction and bid online for items by local artisans. These juried items and many more will be offered during Gallery Night, Wednesday, May 6th. Other special interest items for everyone from the sports enthusiast to the “do-it yourselfer” will be featured during Auction theme nights.

Friday, May 1	Retro/Tie-dye Night  
Saturday, May 2	How-To Night
Sunday, May 3	Favorite Hat Night
Monday, May 4	Sports Night
Tuesday, May 5	Tropical Night
Wednesday, May 6	Black Tie/Gallery Night
Thursday, May 7	Home, Garden & Agriculture Night  
Friday, May 8	Mardi Gras Night
Saturday, May 9	Travel Night
Sunday, May 10	Auction FAN-atic Celebration!

Bidding during the Auction is easy. Simply call the toll-free number on your TV screen, tell the operator the number of the item you want, state your highest bid and give your name, address and phone number. “Express Bidder” numbers also are available to speed your bids through! And, via a live web videostream, people outside NHPTV’s viewing area can enjoy the Auction buzz, too.

Remember, there’s still time to volunteer or donate. Donations valued at $75 or more are accepted throughout the 10 days of the Auction. Call the Auction Office at (603) 868-4432 or go online at www.nhptv.org/auction. 

Every donation and bid helps New Hampshire Public Television provide award-winning PBS and local programs to more than 500,000 Northern New England viewers each week, as well as educational services and community outreach initiatives.

NHPTV’s Spring Auction received the 2008 Award for Excellence at the PBS Development Conference. The award honors innovation and outstanding fundraising performance.