TimesLeader.com

June 17
Jewelry from Kristie Miller McMahon among Countryside Conservancy Auction offerings

The Countryside Conservancy’s Ninth Annual Auction is set for Saturday, July 12 on the green at Keystone College in La Plume. All members of the public are invited to join Conservancy friends for a great evening under the big tent. The event starts at 6 p.m., with a live jazz trio, cocktails, dinner and door prizes in addition to the Silent and Live Auction. Live Auction bidding will be courtesy of Ken Rivenburg of Rivenburgs Auction Gallery.

"Lily Lake," silver and borosilicate glass bead necklace by Kristie Miller McMahon.

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Live Auction Chairs Elaine Shepard and Kathleen Graff, and Silent Auction Chairs Kristie Miller McMahon and Gretchen Ludders, are assembling the auction lineup. Among the items on offer are: original artwork by Christopher Ries, Angelique Prevost, Brian Keeler, Robert Stark, Earl Lehman, Rodrica Tilley, Renee Emanuel, Thomas Wise, Susan Scranton Dawson, Jordan Taylor, Nan Burti, Matt Povse, Bill Tersteeg, Mark Chuck and more; a private cooking party at Michaelangelo’s; an assortment of fine wines and champagne; a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera; fine doggie furnishings to pamper your pet with; private wine tastings and dinner parties at your home; adventure outings; a down-on-the-farm barbecue with live music; getaways to Long Island and to Bainbridge Island; hand-tied fishing flies; jewelry from Kristie Miller McMahon, Michael Alexander and Wisnosky Jewelry; children’s parties, concert tickets, landscaping packages, home furnishings and more. Two packages of custom-selected home upholstering fabrics from MTL will be offered. A peek at Auction offerings is available at the organization’s web site, www.countrysideconservancy.org; just follow the “Auction - Details” link.

Auction Chairs Julianne Barrett and Amy Broadbent have led the organizing. The Conservancy thanks them and all the members of the Auction Committee: Karen Barren, Ali Breig, Penny Davis, Eleanore Ginader, George Ginader, Mary Gromelski, Elizabeth Karazim Horchos, Erin Kane, Lisabeth Maletta, Lori McHale, Caroline Seamans, Karen Thomas, Jim Vipond and Amanda Von Rudenborg.

A number of sponsors have already confirmed their support for the event: at the Sanctuary Society level, Marworth and Riverfront Sports Complex; at the Steward level, Action Personnel Services, Alliance Landfill/Apex Waste Services, Gentex Corporation, Peoples National Bank and PNC, as well as our host sponsor Keystone College; and at the Protector level, Condron and Company Inc., Erickson Group - Merrill Lynch, First Liberty Bank and Trust, Keystone Community Resources, Knowles Associates Insurance, Oliver Price and Rhodes, Pennstar Bank, Procter and Gamble, and R. J. Walker Co. Additional sponsors are welcomed.

Auction proceeds support the Countryside Conservancy’s mission of protecting lands and waters in and around the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed for the public benefit. The Conservancy works with landowners to permanently protect their land, creates non-motorized recreational trails, educates the public about land and water conservation, and manages almost 300 acres of nature preserves for public enjoyment and education. Several Conservancy preserves are adjacent to Lackawanna State Park, and the Conservancy’s exceptional Little Rocky Glen preserve is located just off Route 6 in Wyoming County.

Contact the Conservancy at 945-6995, email cconserv@epix.net, to reserve tickets. Tickets are $60 per person ($75 for Patron listing in the program).