Auction provides lasting memories

PC FFA members serve dinner last Thursday in the high school cafeteria.

FAIRBURY – Spending time with friends and making memories is something Prairie Central FFA member Grace Lemenager looks forward to each year during to the PC FFA Hog Roast and Auction.

Last week’s event in Fairbury saw an impressive turnout as attendees enjoyed a pulled pork meal along with silent and live auctions throughout the evening. Volunteers cooked six pigs, deep fried 15 turkeys and served 800 people at PCHS.

“Even when I wasn’t an FFA member, we always looked forward to coming because my dad is a ring man,” recalled Lemenager.

This is an auction the entire community stands behind and looks forward to.

“I helped organize the silent auction mainly,” said Lemenager.

The silent auction was new this year and seemed to be successful, allowing extra people to bid on various items donated by area businesses and individuals.

“We’ve got such a large amount of auction items, it will make it a little easier on everybody to get more items in and send everybody home a little earlier,” said PC FFA Sentinel Garret Platz.

After not having an in-person auction in recent years due to COVID, this year was a bit different – especially since the 2021 event was strictly online. Former student Bailey Beyers won the restored Farmall raffle tractor. He was on the Ag Mechanics team in high school.

“We are excited to be back in person for the first time,” admitted chapter FFA Reporter Kenna Skaggs.

With a few sponsorships still coming in, FFA advisor Kyle Miller considers it the best auction they have ever had.

Members worked hard to help the officers collect the auction items. The live auction featured around 150 items while the silent auction had close to 50. Auctioneers for the evening included Walt Edelman, Dan Grosshans, Billy Bolen and Sam Detwiler. Ringmen were Chuck Lemenager and Marcus Miller while Blake Zehr helped with lineup.

Assistants for the 50/50 raffle included Tori Lemenager, Tammy Miller and Darcy Atkins while Brian Plenert, Matt Miller, Tom Ifft, Earl Leman and Ken Roth prepared the meat.

Highlights for the 2021-22 school year for the Prairie Central FFA chapter include Ag Sales and Dairy Products national champions. Food Science received 10th. Nathan Plenert was the State FFA Degree recipient.