From Magic Carpets to Singing Telegrams: A Look Back at UU Lansing Auctions (Copy)
by Ed Busch
Have you noticed the table in the Social Hall for this year’s Spring Auction? Our annual auction runs from Sunday, April 27 through Sunday, May 4, and it's already stirring up some fond memories.
Curious about the origins of our church auctions, I took a deep dive into the archives—annual reports, old newsletters, and church records. Here's what I discovered.
The First Auction (1966)
The earliest auction reference I found dates to November 13, 1966, when a rummage sale included an auction component. The December 13 newsletter recapped the event and gave shoutouts to key organizers: Edna Heidgerd, Evelyn Osborn (yes, the same Evelyn from the Flaming Chalice dedication I mentioned in my first blog post), and Helen Weaver. The “clever” auctioneer? Swart Evans. It seems this was a one-off, as I didn’t find any other rummage sales with auctions in following years.
The Art Auction (1972)
In 1972, we got a bit fancier. The church hosted an art auction featuring original pieces from a Los Angeles-based gallery. The gallery even sent staff to run the event. Unfortunately, church records don’t reveal how successful the event was—but wouldn’t you love to know what kind of art made its way through our doors?
Maxine Herbert, Rev. Robert Green, and Elizabeth Winder. (2007.0075)
The Magic Carpet Auction (1979)
Fast forward to February 17, 1979, for one of the most creative events: the Magic Carpet Auction, named for its goal of raising funds for new carpeting in the church.
This wasn’t just an auction—it was a full evening event. There was a sit-down dinner at 6:30 PM, dessert at 7:30 PM, and the auction kicked off at 8 PM. The room was transformed with a Middle Eastern theme, and the auctioneer, George Lokken, even debuted as a turbaned swami.
Elizabeth Winder and Billie McCant co-chaired the event, with dinner hosted by Don Grigg, Judy and Mike Martin, and Ann Mellen. The menu? Baked chicken followed by baklava, butterscotch brownies, and coffee or tea.
Flyer for the 1979 Magic Carpet Dinner and Auction.
The items on the auction block were as charming as they were diverse. Below is a sampling of items offered:
Garden consultation (Marion Vaughn)
Legal advice (Paul Lincolnhol)
Electrical work (Roy Erickson)
Window washing (Cathy Vaughn)
Tax counseling (George Smith)
A singing telegram (Dorothy Carlock)
Homemade granola and pies
Two-hour massage sessions
Even piano playing for a wedding (Marie Bohnhorst)
One of the most memorable moments came when Cathy Lowman, who had won the wedding piano-playing service, used the moment to announce her engagement to Charles Rettke—complete with a July 14 wedding date!
A Lansing State Journal article on February 21, 1979 shared some further information about the event. Elizabeth Winder told the reporter that the idea for the event came from the congregation of the First Unitarian Church of Detroit which had been hosting an auction for many years. According to Alice Erickson, “All in all, it was a real fun evening – and profitable.” Approximately 80 attended the dinner and 100 came for the auction, which raised around $3,100. Elizabeth Winder summed it up perfectly: “Not only have we found a way to share our interests and talents, but it’s been a great way to get to know each other better.”
Today’s Auctions
Over time, our auctions transitioned into the silent auction format we know today, but the community spirit is just as vibrant.
Service Auction 2013.
The 2013 Auction Tech crew - who’s that guy on the right? :)
Got Auction Memories?
Do you have photos, stories, or memories from a past auction? We’d love to hear from you! Send them by email or stop by the auction table in the Social Hall to chat.
Sources:
UU Lansing Church newsletters, 1966, 1979
Lansing State Journal, February 21, 1979, page 27.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Ed Busch, the writer behind these blog posts exploring the history of UU Lansing. After retiring in 2023 from a 15-year career as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections, I’m thrilled to dedicate my time to sharing our church’s rich history.
I hold a Master’s in Library and Information Science, specializing in archival administration, and my academic background also includes a degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Before shifting to a career in archives, I worked across diverse fields, including fisheries, aerospace, and IT.
My wife, Leigh White, and I have been part of the UU Lansing community since the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been actively involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters enjoyed growing up in UU Lansing’s Religious Education (RE) program.
I look forward to connecting with you through these blog posts as we delve into the stories that have shaped UU Lansing over the years.