Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 16/00) - When it comes to a talent auction, everyone has something to offer.

And there was plenty of talent that surfaced at the annual United Church auction held Saturday evening at the Northern United Place.

"The United Church sponsors the scout movement and the Third Yellowknife Scout group felt they would like to help," said Barb Oram, chairperson of the scout group committee.

"The scouts made the decision to help."

Scouts volunteered to do spring cleanup -- yard work, car washing and cleaning windows.

Leigh Harris was another Yellowknifer who literally stepped in and volunteered.

"I've been highland dancing since I was four and a certified highland dancer for seven years," she said.

Yellowknifers know Harris as a host on the local television show which finds homes for pets.

Asked what motivated her to volunteer highland dance lessons, Harris said: "Everybody has something to donate to the auction. Everything from baked bread to a stamp collection. It's nice to see."

And when it came to the bidding for the highland dance lessons, no one was going to outbid Cappy Elkin. Bidding against herself, Elkin ran the bid up to $80.

The Elkins, Cappy and Larry, donated unlimited use of a canoe and paddling gear on Frame Lake for the 2000 season.

"This is great, seeing all the talent," Mary Bryant, who was top bidder for a willow love seat made by Susan Hoefer, said.

"It's neat to see what people can do," she adds. Bryant, who donated tea for two at the Bryant family's new tearoom, said she has the perfect spot picked out for the rich, red love-seat.

"I think everybody has a talent," Hoefer said.

As well as offering various goods and services, the evening had items up for bid with a cultural flavour as well, like Latvian bacon buns, Scottish baps and lessons on how to make Ukrainian Easter eggs.

There was even a Nova Scotia Saturday night dinner -- a pot of baked beans with all the fixings... guaranteed to be gas-free.