I agreed to build the site immediately with only one stipulation. Having worked with James the penchant procrastinator on another project for the AHS, the André Bluemel Meadow, I made him promise to be as available and responsive as possible to me. (If you want to know more about the meadow project visit the Five Star Developer’s Blog.) With such a short timeline I needed immediate answers to my questions because even a 24 hour delay could put the deadline at risk… and I did mention I was tricked right? I assumed the auction web site would need to be finalized a few days before the auction started, but I was soon told there was going to be a preview period. The auction web site was going to be announced to 21,000 AHS members via an email newsletter and a printed article in the American Gardener Magazine two weeks prior to the auction.

Considering the short timeline and potential for disaster that accompanies every major project, this one went very well. I built the site using WordPress as a content management system and extending it with a custom plugin to manage information about each experience. James did a great job filling in the database with information, sending me graphics when necessary and keeping his cell phone on to answer my calls all hours of the night.

From what I hear the AHS office had a great time testing the site and out bidding each other.  I enjoyed registering my rabbit, Sneaky Pete Gagliardi, to outbid my brother while he slept. I am hoping the real bidders find the auction as fun as the AHS office. Even those who are not participating in the auction can watch the action in the sidebar where the highest bid and the first name, city and state of the bidder are displayed.

The six week auction started on Saturday, September 19th and is off to a good start with 4 items already having bids. If you want to place a bid yourself or just watch the action visit http://www.ahs.org/auction.