By RACHEL SHALLENBERG
Auction Exchange Editor

BENZONIA, Mich. — As buyers arrived early to check out the merchandise, at Cole & Company Auction & Appraisal Inc.’s customer appreciation auction, they were greeted by the scent of roasting pork wafting through the air. In tough economic times, it’s rare to get something for nothing; but on Friday, Sept. 3, lunch was on the Cole family. To show their appreciation, they decided to have a free hog roast with all the trimmings, for the auction attendees.

Attendance was strong as the day started at 9 a.m. with antiques and collectibles crossing the block. Around 10:30 a.m. a second ring with blacksmith items, antique traps, railroad spikes and other general tools went up for auction.

At noon, the bidding was put on hold for the crowd to gather outside where Grant Cole, a second generation auctioneer, thanked the customers for the years of loyal business and his parents, Jerry and Mary Jo, for building the business into what it is today. The line extended out from the covered tent all the way back to the auction center with people waiting to be served by the auction service employees.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive among the crowd; one woman commented that she’s been going to auctions for more than 20 years and never heard of anyone doing anything like this before.

After lunch, the crowd moved back into the auction center, where the bidding resumed right where it left off. Both rings went into the late afternoon.

One item that drew much attention was a Markham air rifle, which sold to an absentee bidder for $500. Prices do not include a five percent buyer’s premium.

Beer signs and lamps were popular; a Miller “Lite on tap” neon sign went for $80; a hanging Pabst Blue Ribbon lamp and an extra shade, sold for $20; a Budweiser hunting sign went up to $75; a Mr. Boston Schnapps sign sold for $13; a Stroh’s lighted sign sold for $25 and an “Old Style” lamp that was hanging from the ceiling sold for $28.

A small minnow trap with the original lid went for $50; several mantel clocks were offered, one of which sold for $55; a wooden windmill lawn ornament went for $30; an Odin cigar sign sold for $80; a belt of sleigh bells sold for $40; and a pair of cowbells sold for $18.

A set of Coca-Cola Christmas trays sold for $18 each; a cricket cage went for $35; a coffee table book of Norman Rockwell covers sold for $15; OD Lake railroad locks sold for $38 each and a railroad signal lantern from Chicago, Ill., sold for $40. An Alaska ice crusher went for $45; a buggy bench sold for $40; a pie safe sold for $100; a drinking fountain taken from the 1911 Brown Shoe Factory sold for $45; an old wooden cash drawer sold for $45; a set of snow shoes rose to $65; a box of assorted marbles sold for $20 and several trays of costume jewelry went for $10 each.

A blonde dresser sold for $30; a butter churn sold for $35; a large, light up Coca-Cola clock went for $120 and a four drawer dresser with attached mirror sold for $80.

In the toys and collectibles category; a Lightening calculator with “GR MI” in the original box with all the original paperwork sold for $25; an Erector set, also in the original box with the original instructions sold for $20; a like new, in the box, Daisy BB gun sold for $45; and a Millennium model tractor, new in the box, sold for $165.