The New Hampshire Auctioneers Association’s (NHAA) annual meeting was conducted April 29 in this town that is home to “Auctioneer Extraordinaire” Richard W. “Dick” Withington, who on March 31 celebrated his 89th birthday.
Approximately 40‴5 NHAA members attended the gathering at the meeting house, according to Jan Bixby. In addition to regular annual business, such as the election of officers, attendees enjoyed a meal that was prepared over an open hearth by local reenactors, a miniauction that when combined with proceeds from the group’s Raise-A-Fund initiative totaled $7,000, presentations by guest speakers and the presentation of a special award to the man who holds New Hampshire Auctioneer’s License #1.
“Dick was there for the full time,” said Bixby, who presented the award recognizing Withington for his more than 60 years of dedication and service to the auctioneering profession. The award itself was an enhanced version of a photograph showing Withington in tennis whites auctioning a statue of a firehouse dog. Rather than formal prepared remarks, Bixby said she wanted to keep it “low key,” coaxing Withington to recall how he got started in the auctioneering business.
“Dick is such a generous man,” said Bixby. “He absorbed all of our costs this year so that we were able to put the money we collect for registration into a contingency fund.” Bixby said the organization is having to deal with the high cost of lobbying for state legislation.
On that front, Devin Moisan and Charles Clougherty of the New Hampshire State Board of Auctioneers spoke at the meeting on upcoming legislative changes relating to statutes governing auctioneers in New Hampshire, including the makeup of the board of governors and the conduct of Internet auctions.
Those attending the meeting also heard a representative from the National Auctioneers Association speak about real estate auctions.
For information, www.newhampshireauctioneers.org or write: New Hampshire Auctioneers Association, 26 South Main Street, PO Box 189, Concord NH 03301.