The dates for the 53rd summer auction have been selected by the Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft and its charitable arm, Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities. Auction dates are Thursday and Friday nights, July 26 and 27, and Aug. 2 and 3, starting 6 p.m. at the Piscataquis Valley Fair Grounds in Dover-Foxcroft.

The final auction night on Aug. 4 will be part of Dover-Foxcroft's annual Homecoming Celebration.

Kiwanis Club members are canvassing neighborhoods in Dover-Foxcroft for a door-to-door solicitation for auction items. If you have items you would like to have picked up, contact Dennis Lyford at the Southern Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, 564-7533, to arrange a pick-up date and time.

Donations of items for the auction can be deducted from state and federal income taxes. With this benefit, old items that are no longer of members can provide receipts for any auction donation received.

Last year the Kiwanis auction raised nearly $16,000 to help support a variety of activities and programs in the Dover-Foxcroft region. The Kiwanis Club helps fund the swimming education programs at the YMCA, the food cupboard, and scholarships for Foxcroft Academy graduates; supports the Builders' Club at SeDoMoCha Middle School, the Key Club at Foxcroft Academy, and the Terrific Kids program at Morton Avenue School. Auction proceeds also support Kiwanis Park, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, bicycle safety program, Mayo Regional Hospital's Heartwise cardiac rehab program, the Forest of Dreams in Sangerville, and Dover-Foxcroft Homecoming.

The Kiwanis Auction includes the auction block itself, plus a book barn, bargain barn and food concessions. Kiwanians are also selling raffle tickets at $2 each and three for $5, with a grand prize of $500 cash or a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond.