Grace Christian's annual auction: boots, bandanas, BBQ, celebrities

The 2013 Grace Christian School auction has closed out another successful year. The event on Saturday featured a silent auction and live auction that didn't even include the online auction held earlier. An annual favorite, each year offers the opportunity to meet up with friends and family.

Harold Reid of the legendary Statler Brothers who are beloved by the people from their home town, Staunton.

Harold and Don Reid and their families have been supporters of the auction for years. This year they were there again, greeting friends, enjoying the BBQ dinner, and Don even bid on a weed eater. It is always encouraging to see their dedication and support of the school, something that is very appreciated.

SWAC Husband and Kurt Michael during the "Heads or Tails" game. Hawaiian leis are purchased for $10 each for participants of the game where they stand and put their hands on their head or the "tail" until it is narrowed down to a winner. The prize this year was a huge television.

Kurt pondered whether to bid on an item.

Will Bear

Will is at the auction every year where his sisters' children attend. Will was secretary of the Augusta County Republican Committee when I got involved in 1999, a position he later twisted my arm into taking so he could spend more time with the family's business, Bear Funeral Home, in Churchville.

Vonda Lacey successfully bid on "An Afternoon with the Principal" for her sixth-grade son.

Delegate Dickie Bell

Dickie and wife Ann were guests but back in the day he was a teacher at Grace. SWAC Husband and I went through food line with him and got a chance to talk but didn't have my camera with me. This was taken later from across the room ... sorry that it's blurry.

One year I'd love to see some of the Statlers -- any generation -- join the bluegrass band on stage and sing. That would be a treat that would bring down the house.

Statler Brother Don Reid and wife, Debbie, during dinner.

John Morrison, head of Grace Christian School (with bandana), worked the room visiting with parents and visitors.

Debbie Reid and Langdon Reid

Langdon and cousin Wil Reid, also at the auction, are singer-songwriters in the country music group Wilson Fairchild. Langdon's dad is Don Reid, and Wil's dad is Harold Reid.

Peggy Bell is librarian at Grace Christian, and we both belong to the same conservative ladies book club.

The Reid crew was sitting together through the auction.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Grace Christian School Auction
April 28, 2013

Google Alert, Don Reid, and the internet

Statler Brother Don Reid has a humorous blog post about his attempt to use Google Alert at the urging of his son Langdon who encouraged him to set up a Google Alert for himself to keep up with what's being said about him on the internet. Don wrote:

Having been in the entertainment business for forty (40) years, there are little tricks and treats of the trade that you tend to make good use of for the betterment of your business.  And any entrepreneur will tell you the most important part of their business, besides their product, is their name.  A good name must be nurtured and protected above all else and at all times.

Good intentions ... and so it was done and what did he get? A hilarious account detailing his Google Alert results makes for light-hearted reading from this Staunton resident as he noted:

Within the hour I was inundated with coverage from all over the United States.  Don Reid mentions were dinging my email bell all through the night and into the next morning.  Don Reid did this and he did that and they just wouldn’t stop.  What a magic and wondrous accommodation this was.  And so immediate and responsive and detailed.

The only problem was ... none of the stacks of emails had anything to do with me.

He won't receive a Google Alert of this post because the volume of "Don Reid" alerts unrelated to him proved to be more of a hindrance than a help. He unsubscribed from the service, lamenting:

I am content with not knowing what is being said about me in that loftier space called the Internet.  So if you come across a besmirching statement or even an occasional praise, don’t bother to send it.  It probably ain’t me anyway.

I saw Don at last Saturday's Boots and Bandana Grace Christian Auction. He and his wife, Debbie, are there most years as faithful supporters of the school and its mission.

An accomplished author as well as musician, Don is a popular sight in the Staunton area along with brother Harold and friends Phil Balsley and Jimmy Fortune ... the Statler Brothers. Pillars in the community, together they all live here in the Shenandoah Valley, one of the most beautiful places to call "home."

Tonight: Staunton's Statler Brothers join County Music Hall of Fame

Live! From Nashville! It's ... the ... STATLER BROTHERS!

Staunton's own Statler Brothers ... Harold, Don, Phil, Jimmy ... will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame tonight in Nashville.

On their official website is a message to those who have followed them throughout the years:

The Statler Brothers are heading for the Country Music Hall of Fame. The official ceremony of their induction is June 29th at the Hall of Fame in Nashville. This invitation-only event will highlight a 40-year career and become the crowning moment of their achievements.

To all the fans and friends who have supported them through the years, they send their sincerest appreciation.

Congratulations to the Statlers from the folks in the Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta County, and throughout the Shenandoah Valley!

For more about the Statler Brothers:

- Check out this site at the Staunton News Leader for all things Statler.
- Waynesboro News Virginian article
- Staunton, VA, website has info about the Statlers
- NBC-29 (Charlottesville) interview
- WVIR TV-8 (Richmond) interview

To send congratulations or thanks, email the Statlers.