BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

FRANKLIN—The recent third annual Gingerbread House Gala raised about $3,200 to benefit Southampton-Franklin Habitat for Humanity.

About 120 people attended the auction at Cypress Cove Country Club, where six gingerbread houses and a gingerbread village of smaller houses were up for bid. Also on the auction block were flower arrangements, duck decoys, a three-night stay at a riverfront cottage, 10 guys from the Chowan University baseball team for two hours of yard work, and a photography package, to name a few.

A gingerbread house replica of the International Paper mill with the Christmas tree on top will be on display at Ruth Camp Campbell Branch of Blackwater Regional Library in Franklin. Darren and Chandra Bittick purchased the entry made by students in the culinary arts program at Southampton Technical Career Center.

“We deem the gala a tremendous success,” said event co-chairwoman Sandy Kirkland. “We were very happy with the turnout.”

A board member with Habitat for Humanity donated one of the gingerbread houses, Kirkland said.

“For the previous two years, our auction has been held at the Pace House, but because of limited space, we had to change this year,” she said. “The country club staff was very helpful. Having the gala there proved to be a great choice.”

Board secretary Beth Luck said sales were as good as or better than previous auctions.

“Gingerbread houses went from $25 to $150 each, while other items sold on the high side,” Luck said. “We also were fortunate to have John Drewry as our auctioneer. He does a great job.”

The Southampton-Franklin Habitat for Humanity sponsors the fundraisers and operates the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in downtown Franklin to help pay for building and renovating homes for families in need.

Luck said the gingerbread house gala is a big part of their fundraising efforts.

“It is always held the Friday before Thanksgiving,” she added.