By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Doug Maser is not exactly sure how many years he has been the face of the Lutheran Island Camp Quilt Auction, but he knows this year may be his swan song for the popular quilt auction in rural Henning.  ¶  “I told then this year I would like to retire (from the quilt auction),” said Maser. “I’m in my late 50s and my kids are starting on their own and I am just tired. I gave them a list of licensed (auctioneers) in the county so hopefully they can find someone.”  ¶  Maser, who owns Amazing Auctions, LLC based in Hinkley, Minn., has strong family ties to the camp that date back nearly 70 years, which is why stepping away from his auctioneering duties is something that isn’t going to come easy. Maser’s parents were counselors at the camp in the 1950s and he spent portions of a number of summers growing up attending the camp as well.

“My parents were counselors in the late 50s when the camp was going,” said Maser. 

Their love of the camp was passed down to their family as they attended family camp activities growing up, which not only helped to strengthen their faith, but gave the children a week away from doing chores on the farm.

“As a family growing up Lutheran, and a large family, it was a good vacation to get away from the farm,” he said. “The food was pretty good and the music and singing was pretty good. (I also enjoyed) the peace and quiet and being able to do some boating and swimming.”

Those early connections to the camp led Maser to his role as head auctioneer for the quilt auction, which just completed its 35th annual auction. Maser entered the auctioneering business in 1991 and has been running auctions across the region ever since. The quilt auction is one of the highlights of his summer as it provides a way to raise money for a camp that not only impacted his life, but continues to impact the lives of people from across the region as well.

“It also gives kids and the counselors a good place to work in the summer during their college break too and keep them working in a good environment,” he said, adding that as a Lutheran it was important for him to support the camp through his gift of the cadence call. 

The quilt auction has changed a bit since the COVID-19 pandemic as about half of the quilts are now auctioned off online, but there are still a number of quilts that are awarded to the highest bidder at Lutheran Island Camp each August just as they have been doing for the past 35 years. 

And if Maser really does retire from his auctioneering duties at the island camp, it will not be before leaving his mark on the camp that has impacted not only his life, but the lives of countless people over the past 70 plus years. 

Proceeds from the quilt auction directly benefit Lutheran Island Camp and the youth/families that attend camp there each year. 

The online quilt auction will continue through 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. The online quilt auction can be viewed at www. charityauctions.com/event/auction/1693