BRIEF: Famous pie continues to break records [Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, Wash.]

Oct. 06--Burlington resident Elma Johnson has done it again -- her wild blackerry pie was auctioned to Brad and Debra Lang of Anacortes for a record-setting $2,800 at the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation's 13th Annual Auction and Gala on Saturday, Sept. 14.

For the past few years Elma's wild blackberry pie has generated a frenzy of bidding and excitement. In 2011 her pie sold for $2,000, in 2012 the bidding reached $2,700 and this year $2,800.

When asked what makes it so good, Elma gave all the credit to the wild blackberries she picks and uses to make the pie.

"Elma's pie is a legend in the auction world. I get asked about it all over the state," said auctioneer Patrick Grant in a news release.

Foundation Executive Director Wendy Rohrbacher said more than 280 guests and 40 sponsors helped raise $150,000 at this year's auction to support Hospice of the Northwest -- funds that help bridge the gap between Medicare and other insurance reimbursement and the actual cost of providing quality hospice care.

She said grant funds also help defray agency costs for clinical education, technology upgrades, complementary therapy, bereavement care and uncompensated patient care.

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