Anyone interested in pasta bowls, historical novels or walnut wash stands may want to wander down to the Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society before July 15 and put in a silent bid.
A fundraiser for the museum - at 513 Court St. - starts at noon today, according to Barb Huddleston, museum director.
"We have 32 items," she said. "They're all in the window, except for this item right here, this bench."
Item No. 18 is interesting - an oak table from the old Mokane School. The walnut wash stand is No. 22, and there also is a tobacco basket.
Item No. 4 is a quirky Bossons hand-painted wall ornament, "Poncho and Rawhide." The W.H. Bossons Company created pottery figures and faces of people at their factory in England between 1948-96.
People sometimes get competitive while bidding for items of their choice, all of which are donated.
"One year, we had sauerkraut," Huddleston said. "We had three people bidding on it, and that went a little high."
Sometimes, bidding can be emotional.
"Several ladies got in a bidding war over a framed picture," she said.
One item stands out as having been highly desirable.
"Somebody donated a wooden library card file," Huddleston said. "They were down to the wire, bidding on that. I had to blow the whistle and I thought there would be a knock-down, drag-out on that."
One bidder several years ago got distracted by conversation and knowing that, another person snuck in with a higher bid at the last minute. Anything can happen, according to Huddleston.
Anyone willing to join the fray can stop by the museum, inspect the items and get a number. Bidding sheets are inside the museum. A minimum price is set for each item, and a bid of at least $1 is required to better the previous bidder.
If people make a bid, they can stop by or call the museum to check on the status.
Other events also are planned this summer.
Howard Marshall will discuss his new book, "Fiddler's Dream: Old- Time, Swing and Bluegrass Fiddling in 20th Century Missouri." The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church's Fellowship Hall, 718 Court St. in Fulton. Fiddling will occur. No admission.
From 2-4 p.m. July 23, the Society will host Fashion and Fun: Centuries of Accessories, a fashion show co-chaired by Jo James, Pat O'Rourke and Marianne Stone; Fulton Sun newsroom staff have volunteered to be among the models. Tickets to this event are $10, and people can bring along family heirloom accessories and their stories to share. People may also buy ads in the program honoring a special woman; ads are $15.
The 12th annual Callaway Vintage Tractor Drive will be Aug. 26 with lunch at the community building in Williamsburg.
Call 573-642-0570 for more information.