Mount Desert Islander
400 Attend FOA Summer Gala
By Mount Desert Islander Staff
August 13, 2009

MOUNT DESERT — As the sun set Aug. 8, more than 400 guests at the annual Friends of Acadia benefit auction mingled among décor that recalled the park’s woods and trails, with centerpieces crafted from trail signs, local mosses, and pinecones. According to preliminary calculations, the event held on the grounds of the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor grossed more than $325,000.

“Unrestricted funds raised by the benefit are supporting programs that help fulfill Friends of Acadia’s mission to protect the natural beauty, ecological vitality, and cultural distinctiveness of Acadia and the surrounding communities,” said FOA President Marla O’Byrne. “Auction participants help fund park initiatives and community projects, including the Acadia Quest program, interns in the park, volunteer projects on Acadia’s trails and carriage roads, and the Wild Gardens of Acadia.”

According to FOA officials, the green team volunteer committee works extraordinarily hard planning the event, which includes acquiring donations for the silent and live auctions.

This year’s live auction items included cocktails and a tour of Skylands with Martha Stewart; a week for four in beautiful Auch, France; a 2009 Honda Metropolitan scooter; and an afternoon of sailing aboard the 139.7-foot ketch Rebecca, which attracted an “amazing” bid of $17,000. The selection of unique silent auction items featured furniture, art, travel adventures, and a handcrafted concert-size acoustic guitar built by luthier Thomas Bazzolo.

Among the evening’s innovations was a digital guide, replacing the traditional printed auction catalog. Designed to conserve natural resources while adding to the ambience of the event, the presentation was visible on large screens situated throughout the dinner and silent auction tents.

Since its inception in 1990, when the event raised $8,000, the annual auction has grown by leaps and bounds. “We are truly proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this wonderful event,” said Lisa Horsch Clark, development director for FOA. “Each year, its success is a testament to this community’s commitment to Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities.”

This year’s benefit auction was underwritten by Sotheby’s, Goldman Sachs and Classic Company, and supported by dozens of additional businesses, both local and national.