Spencer center to host auction

Following their center's recent relocation into a newly-renovated historical landmark in Spencer, representatives of the Spencer Area Activity Center are planning to host a public auction in order to sell furnishings from their former location.

"We are so excited to finally be settled into our new location. It already feels like home," said Mary Ann Harden, the SAAC director, of their new site at 104 E. Fourth St. "But, in order for us to truly make it our new home, we're going to have to sell some items and fixtures from our former location. We have everything from a 9-foot pool table, a commercial DCS gas stove and several 13-foot church pews to televisions of various sizes, office furniture and a myriad of household items available for purchase. All of the items we've listed in the senior center's upcoming auction are in good condition and have plenty of useful life left in them."

The public auction is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15.

Individuals will be allowed to view the items for sale prior to the auction in Suite A of Gateway North Center, located at 1900 N. Grand Ave., Spencer. The SAAC's former locale, which will now be occupied by Compass Pointe, will be open from noon until the 5:30 p.m. auction on Feb. 15.

Photographs of the items for sale may also be viewed online at auctioneer Clint Jones and Ben Hollesen's Web site, www.jandhauctions.com.

The SAAC, which is officially referred to as the Clay County Council on Aging, began offering congregate meals, as well as programs and services to the area's older adults in 1977. By September 1993, when center representatives had identified a need to expand the space in order to accommodate the center's growing participation, the purchase of 16,000 square feet at Gateway North Center was approved.

This space was purchased, completely renovated, furnished and opened on Monday, Feb. 28, 1994. Funding for the project came from a variety of sources including the city of Spencer, Clay County, local businesses and private citizens.

Through its operation of public bingo, which is held every Saturday night, and continued community support, the SAAC has become a self-sufficient entity that currently offers fitness and scrapbooking classes, as well as health, wellness and entertainment programs which are scheduled there throughout the year. In addition to the bridge, dominoes, pitch, gin rummy and pinochle games played each week at the SAAC, Dinner Date is another featured activity for many area residents. Held at noon Monday through Friday, this contribution-basis meal is sponsored by Northwest Aging Association and catered by Cabernet Catering.

Since relocating to the first floor of the former Spencer Middle School building on Jan. 4, the SAAC's new location also hosts computers for public use, a large multipurpose room, a pool room featuring two pool tables and a large-print library. While the Spencer school district has maintained ownership of the building's auditorium, gymnasium and basement areas, the former school also hosts 16 apartments owned by Community Housing Initiatives on its second and third floors.

* Following the public auction on Feb. 15, a public meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the SAAC multipurpose room. In order to continue serving center participants, SAAC representatives hope to receive suggestions on programming, hours and operations at the new site.