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Ridge Manor Residents Want Hurricane Shelter

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By TONY HOLT, Hernando Today

Published: November 26, 2007

Updated: 11/25/2007 09:55 pm

RIDGE MANOR - Where can you go to buy wood spoons one minute and a 1996 Buick the next?

An auction in Ridge Manor - that's where.

In 2005, tropical storms flooded portions of the community and residents were left helpless searching for shelter and supplies. They realized then they needed to do something to avoid an unwelcome repeat of that dreadful season.

On Saturday, they held their 18th auction in nine years. The proceeds are going toward the building of a new hurricane-resistant community center. It is expected to be built on the same lot where the auction was held - at 34240 Cortez Blvd.

Buyers gathered inside the area's existing community center and placed bids for all kinds of furniture and equipment.

Bed sets were leaning against the walls, boxes of tools occupied some of the chairs inside the venue and the stage was cluttered with all kinds of miscellaneous items.

John and Laurie Kennedy, of Brooksville, recently purchased a new home out of state. They were transfixed on the mic-wielding auctioneer as he continued to offer tools, decorations and other house-warming gifts they could use.

"I just bought a new cabin in Tennessee and we're trying to supply it," John Kennedy said. "We really like auctions. They are goldmines."

Just then his wife motioned to him to pay closer attention. Kennedy politely put up his hand to say he would finish the conversation once the current bidding for a table saw was over.

He raised his hand over his head - "I see 85," said auctioneer Brian Weller, speaking with that famous rhythm always heard at such events.

In less than a minute, the price shot upward to $125. Kennedy had long given up on the saw.

He already had a sander and kitchen utensils. In a few more minutes, he would collect a scale saw and more kitchen supplies.

He laughed along with his wife.

"We've got something for mamma and something for daddy," Laurie Kennedy said.

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. By noon, there were still several big items left to sell - including the Buick outside. There were also bedroom suits, electric tools, grills and picture frames available.

Some of the most lucrative items already sold by the afternoon included an oriental rug and a crystal candle holder.

Organizers of Saturday's auction said they hope to build a center that could sustain 165 mph winds and be large enough for everyone who needs shelter during a cyclone-like storm.

Mostly everything on the auction list was donated. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from those items would go to the shelter.

The auctioning company, Jack Brooks Auction House out of Bushnell, volunteered its services free of charge.

"I was excited up there," said Brian Weller, one of the auctioneers. "Everybody wins at these things. It's a fun time for everyone."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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