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Picher - One small Oklahoma town has seen its share of trouble, from toxic dumpsite to a series of destructive tornadoes.
Picher is about 100 miles Northeast of Tulsa, where many former residents have moved away. Now the school system is shutting down. Now school supplies are going to the highest bidder.
At Picher-Cardin Public Schools they wheeled and dealed with hopes of making money. Rodney Hobart did his part.
"We bought some kids' tables and chairs," said Hobart.
And he is not alone, hundreds turned out to save some cash, and maybe even take home a piece of school history. Because of a shrinking population Picher-Cardin Schools are shutting down for good, and everything is for sale -- and we do mean everything.
"Books, supplies, filing cabinets, computers, football jerseys, cheerleading uniforms," listed auctioneer Chad Masterson.
Even a 500 pound concrete gorilla, the school's mascot, was on the auction block. But one thing they cannot sell is school spirit. Jack Abernathy is Picher Class of '54.
"Real close bunch of people in '54," said Abernathy.
But in '09 there are not enough people, which is why officials made a very difficult decision to shut down, and that brings us to Sunday's auction.
Item after item, memory after memory, sold to the highest bidder in hopes of making new memories.
Hobart, who home schools his kids, is happy to oblige.
"Kind of expensive on the internet. I got a good deal," said Hobart.
Picher-Cardin Public Schools will officially shut down July 1.
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