Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman Jr. will be the subject of a “toast” Sunday, Nov. 9 at The Westin in Bellevue.

The event, 10th Annual Gridiron West Dinner, is billed as a fun-filled evening of comedy, songs, videos, slides and affectionate tributes.

The lineup of “toasters” includes John Carlson, Jim Melby, Warren Miller and Ron Sims.

The event is sponsored by the Washington News Council’ and is the organization’s only annual fundraising event.

An auction will be part of the event, including such items as a “Kemper Freeman Jr. will mow your lawn” certificate.”

As Freeman noted in his book, “Generations” about his family:

“Very few people wax more blissful about mowing a lawn than Kemper

Freeman Jr. ‘I would work for nothing if I just got to be around the

equipment. I’m fascinated by anything mechanical,’ he said. ‘I would

beg to mow the lawn at my grandparents’ house on Groat Point – just

to hear the motor run; just to get to start the motor and run it; and

have it run out of gas and get to gas it up and run it some more. I

love mowing lawns. I’ve mowed more lawns than anybody you ever talked

to. My folks lived in a house where it took 16 hours a week just to

mow the lawn. They never asked me to do it; I just did it. I love the

smells, the motor, the machine. I still have lawn mowers from the

1930s and ‘40s. They are beautiful. Mowing a lawn is a very fulfilling thing. You can see what you’ve accomplished.’”

The value of the auction item? “Priceless.”

Also, a miniature (42” high) version of the “Endless Celebration” statue that’s in front of Bellevue Place will be auctioned. The value is listed as $3,000.

More information or registration details are available at 206-262-9793 online at www.wanewscouncil.org.