Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit

Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
The Asticou Inn, Northeast Harbor, Maine

Featuring auctioneer Mr. C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's

“We all fell in love,” began Ann Rockefeller Roberts, Honorary Chair of the 21 st Annual Friends of Acadia Benefit Auction, during her welcoming remarks Saturday evening. Roberts, the granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, who helped create Acadia National Park and who built the carriage road system that was the evening's theme, spoke movingly about the great love for Acadia National Park that inspires so many to devote their resources and energy to preserving this magnificent place.

Friends of Acadia's Annual Benefit had been kicked off the previous Wednesday, August 11 th , with a preview party hosted by Martha Stewart at her Seal Harbor home, Skylands. No detail was overlooked by Stewart and her staff, from a Scrabble board in the living room that spelled out “Skylands welcomes Friends of Acadia” to exceptional food and a beautiful setting for guests to view items to be offered in the auction. The preview party, a new addition to the annual event, helped create energy and buzz for the auction and raised significant donations even before the main event.

On Saturday, more than 500 people attended the Benefit Auction at the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor, the largest turnout in the event's history. The evening began with an energetic silent auction of over 100 items, including original art, special trips and outings, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and items for the home and for children. A fine dinner was served by the Asticou, followed by a live auction featuring Mr. C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's. Competitive bidding and a spirit of generosity resulted in a record-breaking live auction, with more than 50 people raising their paddles at the end to each donate $1,000 toward the restoration of the Eagle Lake Carriage Road Loop. The evening ended with dancing to the Martinis, a Maine-based band.

Included among the guests were more than 100 “Young Friends”—guests aged 40 and younger. This was the second year of offering specially priced Young Friends tickets, to engage the next generation of Friends of Acadia supporters and national park stewards. Their presence created great energy throughout the night.

A large volunteer committee organized the logistics and décor for the evening. It felt like an evening in the park, with rustic burlap tablecloths and centerpieces of native white pine and Queen Anne's lace, along with vintage trail and carriage road signs throughout the two large tents, reminiscent of the woods of Acadia. Said co-chair Gail Clark, “What a fabulous evening and huge success for Friends of Acadia! The team of volunteers should feel very proud of all the enthusiasm, the energy, the warmth, and the community support for what we accomplished for Acadia National Park.”

As in past years, the Benefit was planned as a green event, with power from biodiesel, recycling or composting of waste, the use of recycled/sustainable paper products, a digital guide projected on screens replacing a printed booklet, local sourcing of products and services when possible, and even “green” bubble wrap to protect fragile auction items.

In total, the Annual Benefit raised over $608,000 to support the work of Friends of Acadia. “We are grateful to all who made this Benefit such a success: including the event sponsors and underwriters; the many businesses, artists, and individuals who donated auction items; and everyone who attended the Benefit and took part in the auction,” said Marla O'Byrne, Friends of Acadia president and CEO. “Their generosity provides Friends of Acadia with crucial unrestricted dollars, which make us strong and best able to do the work of protecting Acadia.”

The event was underwritten by Gail and Ham Clark, Ruth and Tris Colket, Ella Vickers Sailcloth Collection, Diana and George Hambleton, Jim and Debby Lash, Heron Hill Winery, Honig Winery, Martha Stewart, and Sotheby's. Gail Clark and Juliet Van Alen co-chaired the Benefit Auction. For more information about the Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit Auction, or to find out how to contribute to next year's event, contact Lisa Horsch Clark at 800-625-0321 or lisahorsch@friendsofacadia.org.