LAEF slates April 6 auction

   The board of the Lambertville Area Education Foundation (LAEF) and community volunteers are making final arrangements for the organization’s 12th annual Auction and Benefit Party, to be held at the Eagle Fire Company Banquet Hall, New Hope, on April 6.
   The event “has a reputation for providing attendees with outstanding food and remarkable bargains,” said a spokesman.
   The silent auction will begin at 6:15 p.m.; the live auction, about 8:30 p.m. Proceeds support grants for innovative programs proposed by teachers at Lambertville Public School, South Hunterdon Regional High School, Stockton Borough School, and West Amwell Township School.
   LAEF President Jill Myers reports that the number and quality of this year’s auction items is particularly high.
   ”Attendees will be bidding on a really stunning collection of items,” she said, “thanks to the generosity of businesses, restaurants, artists, and other community members who support our efforts.”
   Works of art will be a highlight of the live auction, many of them created and donated by area artists. This year’s artists or donors of art works include Dot Bunn, James Cascio, Bill Claus, Jean Michel Dumas, Irma Fuhr, Gordon Haas, Kathryn Hackyl, Holly Hagy, Bob Heath, Jessie Krause, Tony LaSalle, and Nora Lewis, Porter Little, Mike Mann, Collette Sexton, John Treichler, Eleanor Voorhees and Jane Wesby.
   Tony LaSalle promises to let the winning bidder of his original painting trade it for anything in his gallery, if they so choose, and will provide a home consultation for the best place to hang it.
   Additional artists are in the process of creating or donating items for the auction.
   Other auction items that are likely to attract spirited bidding include:
   — A tasting menu dinner for eight, with wine pairings at Anton’s at the Swan;
   — A one-week stay at a vacation home on Lake Tahoe;
   — A one-year family pool membership at the Colonial Sportsmen’s Club;
   — Four major league baseball tickets;
   — A full year of free tuition at Mill Ballet;
   — A long weekend stay in Wildwood;
   — A long weekend stay in Vermont;
   — A Breweries of Brooklyn tour;
   — A Sneddon’s fireworks picnic on Lewis Island, plus a boat ride during the show;
   — A wine cellar, with 20 plus bottles of wine and a wine refrigerator;
   — Two sets of four tickets, plus parking passes, for a New York Giants pre-season game;
   — Four tickets to Roxey Ballet’s Spring and Nutcracker performances;
   — Fine jewelry, some of it designed by local artists; and;
   — 14 gift certificates for area stores, restaurants, inns and services.
   The event’s traditional “Best of Live” feature will raise the excitement level as it has in past years. The auction typically features 50 to 60 live auction items that attract bids of up to $2,200 each.
   ”Best of Live” allows the winner of a limited raffle to walk off with the item of his or her choice before the auction even begins. Tickets for Best of Live cost $50, and only 100 will be sold.
   Ms. Myers said: “Best of Live is also great for people who can’t attend the auction, but want to support LAEF. They review the items just before the auction or on line. If they win, we call them up and they just tell us what item they want. It doesn’t get any better than that!”
   The evening will feature food and drink provided and prepared by an all-star list of area restaurants and caterers, including Anton’s at the Swan, Bitter Bob’s, Buddies, Cafe Galleria, The Chocolate Box, Fulper Farm, Homestead Farm Market, Lambertville Station, Lambertville Trading Company, The Logan Inn, Nicola’s Pizzeria, Rick’s, South Hunterdon Regional High School Culinary Program, and Tortugas Cocina.
   Remaining tickets to the traditionally sold-out event, at $50 per person, are available at Lambertville Trading Company, The Medicine Shoppe and Walkers Liquor Store. Event tickets, “Best of Live” tickets and tables may also be reserved by contacting Kathy Ferry at [email protected], Kathrine Hunt at [email protected], or Jill Myers at [email protected].
   Community members who would like to donate auction items, such as art works, frequent-flyer miles, stays at vacation homes, and tickets to sporting events, plays, or concerts, should contact Kathy Ferry at [email protected].
   The LAEF is also seeking volunteers to help at the event.
   The LAEF, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization, run entirely by volunteers. Virtually 100 percent of its income is expended in grants to teachers at the four area public schools. More information is available at LAEF-for-the-kids.org.