Chamber of Commerce, Chaps of Glory

Some people collect memories. Others collect auction paddles. I, your local editor, appear to be collecting fundraising events, and this year's Sprague Chamber of Commerce auction did not disappoint.

First, let's address the elephant in the room, or rather, the margarita machine that I did not accidentally win this year. For those still emotionally recovering from the Odessa Hospital semi-formal soirée of last year, rest assured: no one pulled their own name this time. Growth. Maturity. Healing.

What did happen, however, was arguably better.

I walked out of the event proudly sporting a brand-n...