Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 13/02) - Once again this year the annual celebrity auction brought fun, excitement and emptied the pockets of all the high bidders.

Peter Hagar, hoping to top the bids for a wooden train whistle auctioned off at the 23rd Annual Celebrity Auction. - Tara Kearsey/NNSL photo

"I paid $2,500? I don't remember that. I must have lost my mind," joked Finance Minister Joe Handley, who purchased a trip for two to Ottawa and tickets to see the Ottawa Senators.

An outstanding $20,096 was raised at this year's live auction, which included goodies such as a private performance by the NWT Pipe Band, several pieces of Northern art, a 51-inch television and a golf weekend for two in Hay River.

Madeline Sheridan, who donated her precious "Glen Eagle" embroidery which sold for $1,050, said it was a hard piece to give up for auction but said it was for a good cause.

"It's very special to me, but I felt it was time for it to move on. We're running out of wall space as well," she said.

Auctioneers Tony Whitford and Gerry Le Prieur delighted the crowd with humour while pushing them to spend as much cash as they possibly could afford.

"Eighty-five dollars? That's only $30 a woman," said Whitford, trying to sell the crowd on a tea session with the Red Hat Society.

"We're adding a little bit of spice to it, having a little bit of fun to get the people worked up for the big ones later on," said Whitford.

Premier Stephen Kakfwi had a treat in store for those who attended. He performed two songs for the crowd just before Whitford auctioned off one of his personally-autographed music CDs.

"I'm not as good as I think I am and I'm not as bad as you think I'm going to be," joked Kakfwi.

His CD sold for $100 to Faye Stark, who jumped the price herself from a $40 up to $100.

"I would have paid more," she said.

Dozens of items were available at a silent auction as well that evening. The final total of moneys raised for the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities has not yet been determined, but organizers said the night was a great success.