By SUSAN and CLAYTON PARK

The Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce's third annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auction was held Dec. 4 at the Lake City Community Center. Held in conjunction with the Lake City Lions Club, the event doubled the proceeds from previous years, reports Linda Skurdal, the chamber's executive director.

The fundraiser grossed approximately $10,000 due to the generosity of Chamber members who donated items.

The highest final bids were $750 and $650 for two sets of tickets to a Caribbean Cruise. One was donated by Alley Chevrolet. The other was donated by Kathy Anderson who received a free cruise after buying a car from Alley Chevrolet earlier this year and didn't wish to use it.

Other high bids were a Clock and Watch Restoration donated by Watch and Battery Center and a set of four tires donated by Bill Pierre Ford. Both brought in $225 each. A Lake Chelan Chalet getaway package donated by Chamber President, Bill Swanberg of Swanberg Realty, went for $200. An Edmonds Getaway donated by Russ Foisy of Rush Drake Insurance went for $120. Window washing donated by Inside Out Windows also went for $120. A flower centerpiece donated by Imogene Inglet of Arts and Flowers went for $110. An outdoor planter bowel donated by Claire Chamberlain of Ornamental Stone went for $60.

The real winners were the bidders who walked away with bargains.

Alex Rodriguez caps, baseballs, and jackets, also donated by Alley Chevrolet, went from $60 to $95 each. Roses donated by Lake City Florist went for only $25.

Two hats covered with Lake City Vigilante buttons donated by Bob and Bess Handy brought $10 each - a real steal! Leon Johnson of Cranium's Cool Collectibles (who himself donated a set of four KISS dolls) said that some of the individual buttons were worth that and more.

Gift certificates to various restaurants such as Romio's and Reid's Pit Bar-B-Q were a real bargain and went for just below face value - a real win-win situation for anyone who enjoys a night out. Similarly, gift certificates for items such as shoe repair at Taylor's and a savings account at Group Health Credit Union went for just below face value.

One of the event's major draws as a special appearance by former Sonics star Donald "Slick" Watts, who graciously donated his time to sign autographs, posing for photographs with fans and giving a speech, which included an update on his son, former Husky basketball star Donald Jr., who is planning to play professional basketball in Europe, with the goal of trying out for the NBA next season. Watts also gave high praise to the volunteers who served as cooks for the spaghetti dinner.

The evening included a children's auction featuring plush dolls, and collectible toys from the movie "Toy Story 2," Beanie Babies and videos. Other items in the grown-ups' auction included overnight accommodations in Victoria, British Columbia, a garbage disposal, a stained glass window, a handmade teddy bear, and office furniture from Don Willis and Clark Office Supply.

A '85 Chevy Citation donated by Alley Chevrolet which went for $825 was returned by the highest bidder who had unfortunately been unable to complete the purchase.

Skurdal expressed thanks to the community for the strong turnout and the participation of so many volunteers. "The Chamber had a lot of support from the Lions Club, the Lake City Western Vigilantes, the auctioneer, Fergus Prestbye, a long list of donors and the community," she said. "Their support made the event the success that it was."

To donate to or join the Lake City Chamber, call 363-3287.