Three paintings by franchisee Larry Hill were auctioned off during the Retreat for $7,500. The money will be donated to Kids Across America, ColorTyme's adopted charity.

Photo RTO Online

ColorTyme Franchisees enjoy a fireworks display on Lake George during Saturday's dinner cruise. See 78 photos from the cruise and fireworks display here.

The 2008 ColorTyme Summer Retreat wrapped Saturday with a Dinner Cruise for franchisees, vendors and their families on Lake George aboard the Adirondack. The two hour cruise, sponsored by Ashley Furniture, was capped off by a fireworks display on the lake. See 78 photos from the cruise and fireworks display here. See all 248 photos from the Retreat here.

ColorTyme buyer Rhonda Davis announced before the cruise that three paintings by franchisee Larry Hill were auctioned off during the Retreat for $7,500. The money will be donated to Kids Across America, ColorTyme's adopted charity.

Kids Across America brings inner city kids to its camp in southern Missouri to experience rural life. Hill is thrilled that his art will help kids experience the Christian-based camp. "It's a world apart from what they experience in their everyday life," said Hill.

See RTO Online's videocast interview with Larry Hill, ColorTyme Franchisee from Woodward, Oklahoma here.

Hill said he has been painting seriously for about five years. Each of the three watercolors donated took three weeks to complete.

Hill operates four ColorTyme locations in Oklahoma - Woodward, Elk City, Ada and McAlister. Hill told RTO Online in a videocast interview Saturday that "everything" about ColorTyme has changed during his 20 years as a franchisee. "Nothing is the same," he said. "The products we carry are entirely different. Even the customer base is different. They want the best quality and a wide selection in all categories."

Hill said business Oklahoma is booming. "Oklahoma is an oil field state. We're enjoying the bubble."

In addition to Hill, RTO Online published videocast interviews Saturday with ColorTyme's Vice President of Operations Tim Hogan, Director of Marketing Amy Woods, and Pennsylvania franchisee Louis Hall.

See all 248 photos from the 2008 ColorTyme Summer Retreat.