Fleischmann is a city councilor, and sends out letters on official city letterhead, with a return address marked for City Hall. The standard letter explains that the autographed item is for the town's 150th celebration and will be auctioned. The likelihood of obtaining a signed gift is greatly improved because of the city letterhead, he said. The auction will be held during the Brown County Fair in August 2004. Half the funds will go toward defraying the costs of the celebration, while the other half will be earmarked for area charities.
Some items are truly unique and one of a kind.
While most celebrities have sent autographed photos, a few gifts have been larger than Fleischmann anticipated. The script is hand-typed and highlights Stapleton's lines in that show. Some items are timeless. Steve Muscatello Ron Fleischmann has written letters and e-mails to musical acts that span the past several decades. Other top signatures come from former President Gerald Ford, former astronaut and senator John Glenn, actors Richard Gere and Dustin Hoffman and computer mogul Bill Gates.