If you weren't at the Viking Training Center on Saturday night, then you missed out.
You missed out on an opportunity to help Communities in Schools and at-risk youth. You missed out on rubbing elbows with some of the area's finest authors and artists. You missed out on food and drink and good company.
And if you were there, then Linda Whittington, executive director of Communities in Schools, has a special smile for you today. Because you made it a success.
"I don't know exactly how much we raised," Whittington said after the silent Books 'n Blues auction had been under way for about 11/2 hours Saturday. "I can tell you about 200- 50 people have come through all ready."
Lottie Ware and her husband, Dr. Bill Ware, perused books, jewelry and photographs for auction before making their way back to the back to enjoy some of the food and drink provided by supporters of Books n' Blues.
"I really like this," Lottie Ware said."It shows you what we can do for a good cause."
A group of authors sat at desks in one of the classrooms, many of them visiting with people who had come to purchase their books and get an autographed edition. Even some of them took breaks during the evening and mingled with the crowd.
Donna Warner, the planner in charge of books and authors, sat at the classroom's entrance and handled book sales.
"Now, you need to go and drink you some more wine," Warner told a guest, "and come back here and buy some books."
Special guests wandered through the training center, looking at items up for bid.
Robert McElvane, a history professor and author from Millsaps College in Jackson, and his wife maneuvered through the crowd to bid on some items.
Barbara Biggers and friends visited around the counter laced with movie posters and autographed photographs of Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman.
Freeman's wife, Myrna Colley-Lee, met and greeted people as they wind around the showroom.
"We want people to have fun," Whittington said. "This is fun."
The auction raised $14,000 in donations to help Communities in School
