THE FEBRUARY WINE AND CHEESE PARTY by Art Hewitt, first published: January, 1994 Our February regular monthly meeting has always (at least as far back as I can remember) been a social event for members and spouses/significant others. There is no charge for the event. And this shindig affords an excellent opportunity for members and guests to get to know one another. As the name implies, wine and cheese is served. Also pate, beer, soft drinks, tea, coffee and cookies. Although the party is free, it is me of the main sources of income in the club year. "How can that be?". I hear you say. Well, there is a silent auction during the evening, and that is what this piece is about. For those of you new to the TBS and who are not familiar with the concept of a silent auction, or for those of you who are members of longer standing who have not attended the February affair before (boo!), I will describe a "silent auction". The term is really not descriptive - it isn't "silent" at all, although there is no auctioneer with his "Bebobbledebebobsoldamerican". Tables are laid out around the room laden with donated bonsai-related or horticulture-related or anything-else-related articles. Members circulate around the tables, marking their bids on a sheet at each article, crossing out the last bid and upping it (by at least 25 cents). At a time known only to Bob Wiolcox, our able president, he will ring a bell or bellow or otherwise make known that bidding has stopped, and the people whose bid is tops on each sheet at that time buy the particular article. Money will be collected at that time, and the proud new owner can take his/her stuff. Bob will explain how that part works at the February meeting. So, dear members, you have two tasks. First, to donate the articles to be auctioned. Second, to bid briskly and enthusiastically for all the articles that you just can't live without, at least not conveniently. There are two mistakes that you can make. First, by not bidding enthusiastically enough (and ending up not buying anything). Second, by bidding far too enthusiastically, (and buying everything in sight). If you err, do it the second way - it's much more patriotic. I'm writing this in January to give you adequate time to root out priceless treasures to donate to the auction, and to save up your money for energetic bidding. So, enjoy yourselves - everyone always does, and why should this year be any different? I, myself, have numerous treasures that I have obtained at the February silent auction. I, myself, have certain bonsai-related items that I no longer need. Pots whose bonsai have graduated to other pots (or to that great Pot in the sky). Articles-that were bought because "some day they will be useful", and by now I realize won't. You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you? (Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink.) So, please make this auction the sterling event it always is - dig deep both for articles to auction and bids to buy great stuff.