May 04, 2008 May is always a busy month in this area with school productions, school proms, theatre groups with their new projects, and all types of fundraisers. The Bassett Public Library Association and the Bassett Historical Center have a fund raiser on May 16th , Friday night, at Bassett Country Club. This is a concert and silent auction and we are looking forward to the music that will be heard that night, and seeing the interesting items that have been donated for the silent auction. This is being sponsored by Draper Flowers and Gifts and Collins-McKee-Stone, Bassett Chapel. The Camden Trio will be performing at 7:45pm and we are looking forward to hearing Peter Ramsey, Lynn Gardner and Hillary Port. Lynn lives in Martinsville and is founder and director of the Camden Consort, an ensemble dedicated to the performance of early music. She is the principal keyboardist for the Danville Symphony. Hillary is a member of Camden Consort, the Danville Symphony, and Starmont Swing Band. Originally from the United Kingdom, she lives in Collinsville. Then, there is Peter Ramsey who is the newest member of Camden Consort. Peter is an avid genealogist, a member of the American Recorder Society and the Mideast Recorder Workshop in Pittsburgh. He serves as organist of Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church and lives In Henry, Virginia. Get ready for the harpsichord, recorders, and the bass as classical music will abound. We shall begin at 6:30pm with the social hour, hors d’oeuvres, bidding at the silent auction as we listen and enjoy the music that Peter has chosen to entertain everyone. Music from the 1940s through the 1960s will certainly be remembered, and possibly if you have a favorite, he just might be able to remember that one, too! The concert will be from 7:45pm to 8:30pm and then you will have a few minutes to do your last minute bidding. There are large items, small items, middle-sized items…all new, interesting, and just waiting for a new home! We have two lithographs, one each of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. Limited edition prints, both are from the “Four Ages of Lee” series published by Luther E. Caudill, Jr., colorist, artist and art historian. They are 14 X 16, framed, and initialed by the colorist. Patricia Buckley Moss, honored this year as one of the “Virginia Women in History 2008” has given us the print “Warmth Within” to be auctioned. “Warmth Within” is known as Mary’s Cabin, owned by Mary Guynn, of Galax. The 140 year old cabin was originally home of the Hooker family who owned Hooker Furniture Company of Martinsville. Also, a rare Moss framed print “The Calf Best Loved” has been donated by Bradley Draper. Moss uses the considerable commercial success she has earned as an artist to aid charities for children and to promote the use of the arts to help children with learning disabilities. An original painting by Doris Bridges Draper, award winning local artist, has graciously been donated by Mrs. Draper for the auction. A brass proof replica of Engine 611 was donated, made by ChrisMarks, proof #3, Class J of No. 611. Our own local Karen Eggleston featured on QVC has donated one of her sculptures, a beautiful egg, for the auction. A painting donated by Lee Smith and framing donated by Royal Stone, Outback Frame Shop, is an original painting from a copy taken from a study by Donald Fields of Collinsville. A wood carving by Earl Draper has also been donated for the auction. Ernie Williams, owner of Gallery Number One in Martinsville is a professional artist and wood worker, now a member of the American Gourd Society. He has donated two of his pieces for the auction, a small Christmas ornament gourd with Bob White Covered Bridge and a carved turkey call with Bob White Covered Bridge. Baskets of goodies will certainly strike your fancy. “Food for the Gods” is a basket full of chocolate goodies including Godiva Liqueur, chocolate-coated spoons, biscotti, Godiva Belgian Blends drinks just to name a few of the items filling the basket. A basket entitled “Container Gardening” is just the thing for getting you ready to plant flowers and herbs, and another basket entitled “Hair and Toe” that has shampoo, mousse, conditioner, spray, a scarf, comb, brushes, a certificate from KUTS, miracle foot repair, Curel foot cream, a pumice stone, and other items. Visits to the Village Spa for a massage, a spa pedicure, and one week of unlimited tanning sound dreamy! Furniture? Oh, yes, quite a bit, from Bassett Furniture Industries, A C Furniture, Inc., Bassett Mirror Company, Stanley Furniture, beginning with a bar and stools, a game table, chairs…even the poker chips. There is a wingback chair, a gooseneck lounge chair, and other items such as a 5X7 Aubusson carpet, a hammock, a green and white needlepoint rug, an Olde Towne Alexandria Holiday Wreath, a silk floral arrangement from Draper Flowers and Gifts, collectibles and other surprises. Come and see for yourself and possibly take something home with you! This night, of course, is a fund raiser for the Bassett Historical Center’s expansion project. We hope that you will attend, enjoy the company and music and will help the Center to get closer to beginning their building addition. If you should have questions about the concert, please call the Center at 629-9191. Just send a check to the Historical Center at 3964 Fairystone Park Highway, Bassett, Virginia 24055, $30 single and $50 for a couple. Tickets may be picked up at the door. Please provide us with your email address or phone number so that we can let you know we received your check. The check should be written to the Bassett Historical Center Building Fund. Thanks so much and we hope to see you there!