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Greg Lehr, principal at Valley Center Intermediate School, talks about his pecan pie.

The pies have it
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: December 07, 2017

Auction raises money for Community Foundation

Whoever Greg Lehr was trying to impress with his plaid slacks and matching coat and tie, it worked.

Lehr, one of 24 “celebrities" at the Valley Center Community Foundation's inaugural pie auction fundraiser Nov. 28, managed to bring in a $650 bid for his pecan pie.

The winning bidder?

“It was my mother-in-law," the intermediate school principal confessed.

The event, which was held at Valley Center High School, raised more than $5,000 for the foundation.

“That blew away my expectations," said Spike Anderson, chairman of the Community Foundation. “The community is just unbelievable. This came from an idea, and to see what it produced tonight was incredible."

The foundation's mission is to raise money and provide a way for other groups to raise funds to support causes across Valley Center, including student scholarships, teacher grants and community-focused projects, such as the new Community Center & Library under construction in Lions Park.

“We're just trying to spread the word about the mission of our group, how we can benefit the community and make it stronger in the years to come," Anderson said.

Lehr said supporting the Community Foundation is worth the effort.

“The money goes to a great cause," he said. “The more we can raise for the community foundation the better. It's a good thing."

Lehr said his wife, Bria Lehr, actually made the pecan pie, which also managed to take the people's choice award by raising the most tips before the bidding even began.

“I think there were some very interested people that I have ties to," Lehr said. “… My mother-in-law is the one who bought it. She just kept bidding. I think she was just going to keep going until she got it."

Anderson said Lehr's enthusiasm for the event was contagious.

“Greg has set the standard for future pie auctions in Valley Center," he said. “Everybody will be measured by him for generations to come."

Lehr's wasn't the only pie on the auction block.

A sour cream raisin meringue pie from Intrust Bank brought in $290, while Mayor Laurie Dove's cherry pie fetched $325.

Ben Anderson (The Food Guy) made a chicken pot pie and an Oreo peanut butter pie that received a bid of $280.

Other school principals got in on the act, too. High school Principal Jamie Lewis entered a pie made by a foods class at the school and it sold for $225.

Middle school Principal Pete Bastian promised the honor roll and starting positions on sports teams to the children of the winner of his French silk pie.

“I'm going to hold you to that," Valley Center barber Nick Lewis said after submitting the winning bid of $300.

Abilene Principal Mary Carpenter, West Principal Mark Abilene and Wheatland Principal Adelyn Soellner combined to raise $710 with their three pies.

Superintendent Cory Gibson's blueberry pie, which he called purple berry and golden apple, attracted a winning bid of $310.

“I just want to thank the community for supporting our vision and opening up their wallets," Spike Anderson said.

Celebrity pie auction

Valley Center Animal League, Dawn Taylor, $200

Fidelity Bank, Victoria L'Ecuyer, peanut butter pie, $100

Emprise Ban, Chris Miskimins, $200

Halstead Bank, Casey Carlson, $190

Intrust Bank, Trisha Schmidt, sour cream raisin meringue, $290

LeVenue, Keith and Nancy Harimon, $200

Breezy's Snow Shack, Ben Scriven and Breezy, cherry pie, $200

Big Larry's Burgers, Larry and Heather Hall, two pies, $250

The Food Guy, Ben Anderson, chicken pot pie and Oreo peanut butter pie, $280

Ark Valley News, Lisa Strunk, pecan pie, $150

Citizen of the Year, Kristy Bruns, $170

Valley Center mayor, Laurie Dove, cherry pie, $325

Valley Center Recreation Commission, Steve Geddes, $200

Valley Center Library, Katie Goetz, two pies, $225

Avery Auto, Rachel McGettigan, $225

USD 262 superintendent, Cory Gibson, blueberry pie, $310

City of Valley Center, Scott Hildebrand and Frank Miller, apple pie, $150

Abilene Elementary, Mary Carpenter, pecan pie, $160

West Elementary, Mark Hoy, $250

Wheatland Elementary, Adelyn Soellner, coconut cream pie, $300

Intermediate school, Greg Lehr, pecan pie, $650

Valley Center Middle School, Pete Bastian, French silk pie, $300

Valley Center High School, Jamie Lewis, $225

Valley Center Lions Club, Laurel Anderson, cherry pie, $300





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