Aiming to lick a serious disease

The fifth-annual Salt Lick Auction, which raises money for Parkinson's Disease research, is set for Sept. 24 in Baker City.

By LISA BRITTON
For the Baker City Herald

Every year Whit Deschner seems convinced that no one will show up.

And every year he is proven wrong — in this case, a good thing because the Great Salt Lick Auction has raised a total of $20,000 since it began in 2007.

The fifth-annual auction begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave.

This year is titled “Hoof Arted.” (Say it fast and you’ll get the joke.)

In case you’ve missed out the last four years, the idea behind the event is for people to submit salt blocks that have been licked into artistic sculptures by animals.

The blocks are displayed on pillars just like any fine work of art for viewing and judging. Then comes the auction, led by Mib Daily of Keating (who could probably sell just about anything).

Oregon Art Beat did a story about last year’s event, which raised $8,000 for the Parkinson Center at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland (Deschner has Parkinson’s disease).

This year will feature four bronzed blocks, and a wooden box to keep your block in.

“Sort of a pet block, if you wish,” Deschner said.

Andrea Stone has developed a logo for the contest and auction, and limited edition T-shirts.

“After five years it’s still growing out of hand,” Deschner said.

But, he said, this event is successful thanks to the folks of Baker County.

“It has really turned into a small town community event that people not only back but can have a good laugh,” he said.

And the list of supporting businesses takes up a good portion of the poster.

“The businesses have been extremely kind,” he said.

Get your licks in

There’s still time to enter a salt block in the contest — Saturday is the official deadline, but Deschner just wants blocks turned in well before the event so he can enter them online for anyone who wants to call in and bid.

Submissions can be taken to Richland Feed and Seed or Oregon Trail Livestock in Baker City, and be exchanged for a new salt block. Blocks can also be taken to Crossroads.

Entering can be lucrative, because this year features more than $1,000 in cash prizes.

Blocks will be judged for places first through fifth ($175 for first, and down to $50 for fifth), as well as People’s Choice ($100), Best Poem with a Block ($100), Block that looks most like Michael J. Fox ($75) and Best Forgery ($100).

The rules

And now, just like those advertisements on television, we have to go over the fine print — but the rules aren’t quite as scary as some of those medication side effects.

All entries must be licked by cows, other livestock, or wildlife.

The rules go even further: “Blocks licked by humans will not be permitted. Licks may be subject to DNA testing. Blocks with human DNA will be eliminated and offenders banned from future contests.”

All types of blocks are eligible, and will be judged for “originality and flair.”

Submissions must be accompanied by the name of the ranch or person “representing the animal,” contact information, type of animal who made the sculpture, name or number of animal and name of sculpture (these last two are not necessary, “but could help you win”).

More information is available by calling Deschner at 541-893-6403 or emailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

There’s also a website: www.saltlickcity.com.