We are thrilled to share some extraordinary items that have been donated for our 25th Anniversary Celebration!

If you are not able to join us but would like to get in on the “bidding” action, we are taking sealed bids until 9:00 a.m. on October 13th.

Take a peek at what our generous friends and donors are offering … and submit a sealed bid!

Please Note: One “Sealed” Bid per item – you can submit bids for as many items as you like, but each item bid must be submitted separately.

(Note: the highest sealed bid will open the live auction at our Celebration Dinner. If your bid is the winner, we will contact you the week of October 19th).

Questions? Please contact us at 860.347.0025

Item 1: Your Ship Has Arrived!

We know we live in a magical place … and in the summer, it’s just amazing!

Be thrilled by the natural wonders of our local waterways aboard the SINGULARITY, a glorious Palm Beach 70, a 76’ motor yacht with every amenity one could ever imagine … and then some!

Departing from Westbrook, a party of six (6) will enjoy a two (2) hour cocktail cruise in the summer of 2023.  Delight in good company, delicious fare, and the beauty of where we live, work, and play. Truly “A Cruise to Nowhere” not to be missed.

Gather a few friends and join together to take your partying to new heights aboard the SINGULARITY.

Generously donated by Deborah and Roy Moore.

Value: $Priceless$

Item 2: FORE! Honey, we’ll be gone for the summer!

Golf enthusiasts, gather your clubs, text your favorite foursome, and experience four (4) of the favorite courses in the state. (That’s right, four (4), not fore!)

Enjoy golf that is truly the best and unlike any others in New England … and beyond! Right in our own backyard.

This is a rare opportunity not to be missed. Each of the courses offer 18 holes of spectacular golf for an unaccompanied foursome (4 guests) with lunch and carts.

• TPC River Highlands in Cromwell is chipping right in to support the Community Foundation. Yes, that course – the one that challenges the best players in the world during the Travelers Championship!
• Fox Hopyard in East Haddam is 530 acres of rolling hills, dense forest, open pastures, running brooks, ponds, wetlands, rock outcroppings, and stone walls. The golf course winds through various areas seamlessly and effortlessly affording a myriad of different looks and feels. (It isn’t an easy course; you may need some extra golf balls!)
• Clinton Country Club in Clinton, one of the oldest golf clubs in the country, offers some of the finest golf on the Connecticut Shoreline. This 18-hole course, designed by Geoffrey Cornish, is both challenging and beautiful.
• Black Hall Club in Old Lyme is a private 18-hole Golf Club that embraces the ideals and traditions of the game of golf. The club is located on a serene 160-acre parcel of land offering an extraordinary golf retreat. Black Hall is a perfect fit for anyone who loves the game.

This package offers truly a unique opportunity for that lucky foursome to share their passion for golf. Let’s do the math:  4 friends X 4 courses X lunch X carts = $Priceless$

Generously donated by Black Hall Club, Clinton Country Club, Fox Hopyard, TPC River Highlands, David and Carol Director, Marc and Jude Levin, Deborah and Roy Moore, and Randall and Cynthia Clegg.

Value: $That Hole-In-One You’re Waiting Fore!$

Black Hall Club

Clinton Country Club

Fox Hopyard, East Haddam

TPC River Highlands

Item 3: Lights, Camera, Action! Film Buffs Rejoice and Earn Your Star On Wesleyan University’s Walk of Fame

Imagine entertaining up to 50 of your family and friends with a private screening for “A Special Night at the Movies” at the Wesleyan University Jeanine D. Basinger Center for Film Studies.

You direct the party scenes. You direct the film choice as you partner with Wesleyan’s College of Film and Moving Image to secure the rights to the movie.  The selections are seemingly endless!

You’re certain to sign autographs and collect applause for arranging that special birthday celebration or a way to reward your work team for a “job well done”!

Beverages and light fare to top off this evening to remember will be coordinated with the winning celebrity.

Flexibility is key as the time will be mutually agreed upon when classes are not in session

Generously donated by Wesleyan University Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies.

Value: $Only Hollywood knows!$

Item 4: Neil deGrasse Tyson, The Hayden Planetarium Has Met Its Match

Love the night sky and gazing at the stars? Then you’ll love this as we “Reach for the Stars” at Wesleyan University’s Van Vleck Observatory.

Imagine your own Astronomy Guide as you and 9 friends observe the celestial wonders above us. No offense, but who needs Neil deGrasse Tyson when we have Wesleyan University’s Astronomy Department to bring light into the night and answer our “cosmic queries” about the mysteries of the sky?!

Learn about the countless discoveries that have taken place at the Van Vleck Observatory at Wesleyan University since its founding over one hundred years ago. The rich history of scientific work and innovation has drawn astronomers and spectators from around the world – and you could be next!

Time to be mutually agreed upon when classes are not in session. Beverages and light fare will be coordinated with the lucky winning “star”.  This “out of this world experience” is weather dependent and flexibility is key!

Generously donated by the Van Vleck Observatory of Wesleyan University.

Value: $Astronomically special$

Item 5: “Rollin’ on the River” for Fun and “ADVENTURE”!

Your celebration awaits you … and all you have to do is have the winning bid.

ADVENTURE, a magnificently restored classic riverboat, will delight up to 40 guests for that special corporate team building event, family gathering, rehearsal dinner, big anniversary or birthday celebration – or just a friendly neighborhood party.

Departing from Deep River, you’ll enjoy the wonders and attractions of the beautiful Connecticut River as you create a perfect day or evening on the water. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres served with beer, wine, and soft drinks.

The two (2) hour exciting cruise will be available between June and October 2023 and arranged by mutual agreement between the lucky winner and the generous donor, Essex Steam Train & Railroad.

We can just see your entire neighborhood floating away and “Rollin’ on the River” to the merriment and delight of all!

Generously donated by Essex Steam Train & Railroad.

Value: $The value of this celebratory cruise just can’t be calculated!$

Item 6: You Deserve a Special Get-Away! (After COVID-19, we all do!)

ALOHA! The “HOUSE OF THE HEAVENLY SEA” is calling you – your family – and maybe your best friends – for up to ten (10) days to enjoy a dream vacation in MAUI!

Close your eyes and imagine:

• The soothing sound of the magnificent blue Pacific
• Spectacular water and mountain views
• Beautiful, sandy (almost deserted) beaches nearby including Ho’okipa Beach, the wind surfing capital of the world
• Island cuisine at the world-famous Mama’s Fish House within easy walking distance
• Starry, starry night sky gazing from the primary suite lanai

Sound tempting? Just imagine enjoying sand and surf in the “HOUSE OF THE HEAVENLY SEA”, a Plantation-style home featuring three (3) bedrooms, a comfortable kitchen/dining/living area, all with a spacious rear lanai overlooking a charming yard. Relax with Mai Tais (or your favorite beverage of choice) in the nicely landscaped lot boarded by lava rock walls.

Tempted? Well there’s even more to this incredible opportunity …

A separate studio apartment with its own entrance offers a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious bathroom.

The backyard has a “tiny house” with a mini-kitchen, loft, and enclosed WC, and private outdoor shower.

All rooms are air conditioned and the ever environmentally conscious owners run the house on solar power.

This get-away is sure to be a trip of a lifetime. The only thing you need is your airfare – and your bathing suit!  ALOHA!  Let’s go!

Time to be mutually agreed upon between May 9 and November 7, 2023.

Generously donated by Rhode Van Gessel and Rick Weiner.

Value: $HEAVENLY$

We would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous donations:

Black Hall Club, Randall and Cynthia Clegg, Clinton Country Club, David and Carol Director, Essex Steam Train & Railroad, Fox Hopyard, Marc and Jude Levin, Deborah and Roy Moore, TPC River Highlands, Rhode Van Gessel and Rick Weiner, Wesleyan University, and Cathy and Seth Weiss.