Writer proposes a novel idea: Item on silent auction to benefit Pay-It-Forward House

NIU English professor Philip Eubanks will auction off his services to the highest bidder on July 22 to benefit Pay-It-Forward House. He will write a 40- to 50-page book covering the winner’s personal family history. Provided photo

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SYCAMORE - Philip Eubanks, an English professor at Northern Illinois University, will offer his talents for a silent auction item for Pay-It-Forward House. The auction is part of a fundraiser for Pay-It-Forward, &#8220Meet Me at the Fair,” to be held from 3-7 p.m. July 22 at 719 Somonauk St. Eubanks has come up with a unique idea for the silent auction: For a minimum bid of $500, he will conduct two interviews of the winning bidder and produce a 40- to 50-page hardcover book detailing the individual's life. &#8220I have a list of questions that will help the winner prepare for the interviews,” Eubanks said. &#8220Some are basic, such as ‘Where did you go to school?' Others require a little more thought, like ‘What is the most satisfying thing you've done in your life?' The book will be a chance for a person to tell his or her story and have it captured for posterity. &#8220If your great-grandfather had written a book about himself, would you want to read it?” Eubanks asked. &#8220If your great-grandmother had written a memoir, would you want to know what she did with her life and what she thought of the world around her? Of course you would. You'd cherish it, and you'd pass it down to your children and grandchildren. So - why didn't they record their life stories? My guess is they were busy. The fact is, writing your own story takes time and effort, and most of us have pressing commitments that simply keep us from it. That's where I come in.” Eubanks will take on the task of asking the questions, transcribing the conversations, arranging all of the information in a logical order and making it all look neat and professional. Eubanks figures that at the minimum bid of $500, his efforts will pay for 20 nights of lodging for a family staying at the Pay-It-Forward House. The Pay-It-Forward House is a hospitality house that provides rest and respite for the families and friends of patients at Kindred Hospital in Sycamore. It opened in the spring of 2005 and provided 1,218 nights of rest in its first year of operation. &#8220We were planning our very first official fundraising event, and Phil offered to put his talents to work for the silent auction,” said Amy Voigt, Pay-It-Forward fundraising chairwoman. Other items include a package of White Sox tickets and an autographed picture of Juan Uribe from the 2005 World Series. Corporate sponsors for the event are the Ideal Industries Foundation, Engineered Storage Products Co. and The National Bank & Trust Co. &#8220Meet Me at the Fair” will be a family event because families are the primary focus of the hospitality house's mission. The theme is based on the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1893, which occurred a few years after the house that is now Pay-It-Forward was built at 719 Somonauk St. Besides featuring the silent auction and various raffles, the event will include old-fashioned games and entertainment and food that were featured at the 1893 fair. For example, the hamburger was a novelty in 1893. The ice cream cone was invented at the fair when someone wrapped a waffle around a scoop of melting ice cream. &#8220We won't be able to feature the huge Ferris wheel with its own orchestra and room for 60 people per car,” said Joyce Mathey, board president, &#8220but we guarantee good food, fun games and period entertainment.” The Sycamore Historical Society will provide artifacts of the time from Sycamore. Admission is free to &#8220Meet Me at the Fair.” Tax-deductible donations can be made to Pay-It-Forward House NFP. For information, call Mathey at (815) 895-3803 or send e-mail to advoigt@earthlink.net.