ST. ONGE - About 10 years ago, Larry and Margaret Ryan of Deadwood were browsing at a Rapid City antiques sale, and Larry walked by a brass tea kettle and said, "Margaret, I want that."

So he bought it, she recalled, for about $50.

Saturday, the couple, now in their 80s, took the kettle and a number of their other antiques to the St. Onge Community Center for an appraisal event that raised money for college scholarships, given by the Lawrence County Community and Family Extension Leaders.

To their surprise, the object was appraised at about $800.

Margaret later called the news "a thrill" and said, "We're not selling."

The event was "lovely," she said, including the lunch. "We're in our 80s, and that's about what we do now for fun is to go to things like that."

The hot sandwiches and coffee lured a number of visitors in from the chilly day, and the community center buzzed with chatter and laughter as the four appraisers examined people's possessions.

All from the Northern Hills area and each with their own specialty, the appraisers worked together to evaluate items brought in by the public. When in doubt, they had about 30 antiques books to check.

Sheila Frost of Belle Fourche has been doing appraisals for years and has owned her own gift and antique shops. Although she appraises a wide variety of things, textiles and jewelry are among her favorites.

The local boy in the group was Bruce Newman of St. Onge. His father started his interest in antiques, and he has been working with them since he was a youngster.

Dolls and collecting them is a passion of Pat Lavoy, owner of Main Street Mini Mall in Spearfish. She, too, has been appraising antiques for years, and said a love for antiques is something that just grows on you.

Extension club member Ida Marie Snorteland said the appraisal fees and food sales raise about $600 annually, "and it's a good thing, because we give two $300 scholarships. This way we don't have to raise more funds."

To be eligible for the scholarships, a student must be a graduating senior or older, a Lawrence County resident and a 4-H member or the child of an Extension club member.