The “area” of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction grew a little bit during the auction Friday and Saturday.

A live video feed of the auction was played online through Ustream and was available on the auction’s Web site at www.lyleareacancer.org.

This 31st year of the auction wasn’t the first time the auction has been streamed online. Last year, Jerry Sampson secretly streamed the auction as a test. His son, Steven, watched from Australia.

Sampson said he’s always seeking ideas to expand the auction. His dream would be for the Lyle auction to be as big as the Eagles Cancer Telethon in Rochester.

“I just try something new every year,” Sampson said.

Another family watched the auction from Montana. The family bought an item last year by calling a family member at the auction to bid for them.

However, people can’t participate in the auction online and likely won’t be able to soon. Not only does the Ustream video have a six second delay, the auction doesn’t use credit card machines.

“We need that cold cash before we make a pledge to the Eagles on Sunday,” Ricke said.

Sampson runs the sound at the auction. Live video of the auction plays on televisions in the Lyle American Legion.