Posted on Monday September 26
The 6th annual Great Escape Auction is THIS FRIDAY, September 30, from 6-9:30pm at The Abromson Center, USM Campus, Portland. The event includes a cocktail hour, live and silent auctions, dinner and dessert, all to benefit The Community Schools at Opportunity Farm and Camden! Here’s a sampling of just some of the fabulous auction items you’ll find at this year’s event… Call 926-4532 to reserve your tickets today!
Girlfriends Gourmet Getaway
Treat 7 friends to a trip they’re sure to remember! Enjoy a seasonal mid-week OR an off-season weekend in a beautiful 4+ bedroom Sugarloaf “Commons” condominium in the heart of the resort. Then experience a tour of Italian cuisine with a Private Cooking Class for 8! Kathy Bechtel, Culinary Director and owner of Italiaoutdoors will guide you and your friends through a fun-filled evening with her unique recipes, instruction, wine tasting and dinner. Spend your days enjoying the beautiful outdoors and relax in the evenings with a select case of wine. Date to be mutually agreed upon. Compliments of Kathy Bechtel, Peter Hawkes & Christopher Lorenz
White Water Rafting Trip for 8
Located on spectacular Pockwockamus Pond, The Penobscot Outdoor Center sits under the shadow of mile high Mount Katahdin. The center blends a Maine wilderness experience with the comfort amenities you want on your vacation: a restaurant, bar, hot tub, and comfortable cabin tents. This package includes a two night stay. Transportation to the center is not included. Compliments of Jim and Mary Ellen Giffune
Fall in Love with Old Cape Cod
Dig your feet into the sand, catch some surf and enjoy the sun in the delightful town of Harwichport on Cape Cod. Your accommodations are at a private and charming summer cottage, with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, located near the beach. Come experience all that Cape Cod has to offer and enjoy a vacation your whole family will cherish for years to come! Compliments of John & Marcia King
Experience the Magic of Saddleback
Spend a week skiing slope side at a beautifully appointed Saddleback condominium in Rangeley, Maine. Comfortably sleeping 8+ people, this condo features 4 bedrooms (2 BR, 1 bunkroom w/4 beds + loft) and 3 bathrooms. This package includes accommodations for one week, 2 complimentary ski tickets, a private ski lesson with instructor Mark Dorsett and a $100 gift certificate for dinner in town at the Loon Lodge. Invite your friends and family and experience all that Saddleback has to offer. Dates to be mutually agreed upon with owners (date restrictions include Christmas vacation and February vacations). Generously donated by Jim Hauptman & Jenny Ellis, Saddleback Mountain, Mark Dorsett & The Board of Directors
Cooking Club Catered Dinner
Back by popular demand, The Sunday Night Cooking Club will cater an in-home dinner for 8. And not just dinner! This group of accomplished women home cooks will also provide pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, table service, wine, a choice of 4-course dinner menus, table settings and complete clean-up. You have nothing to do but invite your friends and enjoy. Mutually agreed upon date between January- April 2012. Compliments of Karen Watterson, Susan Koch and members of Sunday Night Cooking Club
Ladies Who Lunch
Howsie Stewart, long time friend of Opportunity Farm, has invited you and 6 of your best girlfriends to a luncheon at Portland Country Club. How will you prepare? Choose something to wear from Couleur Collection of Falmouth ($100 gift certificate) or Jill McGowan ($50 gift certificate), try a new hair look from Ferricchia Salon in Portland ($50 gift certificate) and enjoy a mani/pedi from Rejuvenations of Falmouth. Also included are 2 gift certificates for massages at Aon in Falmouth and 3 in-home personal training sessions with fitness trainer Susan Nabor. You’ll remember the day all year long, when you receive one case per month of San Pellegrino sparkling water for an entire year. Compliments of Howsie Stewart and all the wonderful organizations listed above.
The Next American Idol?
Have you–or anyone you know–ever dreamed of becoming a recording artist? Here’s your chance! hearstudios is donating 10 hours of studio time at their professional audio recording studio in Camden, ME where you can record or mix a project of your choosing. Join forces with producers, engineers and musicians trained at Berklee College of Music in a creative environment with cutting edge equipment. The finishing touch? Skaar Design will create a custom printed, two-sided cover design for your recording. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Compliments of Jason & Heather Hearst and Skaar Design
Pat’s Tickets & Signed Football
Calling all Pats fans! Here’s your chance to see the team in action. We’ve got 2 Patriots tickets for a 2012 game! But wait, there’s more! We’ve got a football signed by our own #12, quarterback Tom Brady. A priceless piece for any fan or collector. Go Pats! Compliments of Berry, Dunn, McNeil and Parker & Don Desbiens and Stephanie Takes-Desbiens
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Score four box seat tickets to a Red Sox game in April or May of 2012, with access to dinner service. You’ll travel in comfort on the Amtrak Downeaster train from Portland to Boston (4 people, round trip). No need to hurry home – spend the night at The Commonwealth Hotel just around the corner from Fenway, for the full Boston experience. Sounds like a home run! Compliments of Verrill Dana & The Board of Directors
Best Seats in the House
Treat yourselves to not one, not two, but four nights out this year at some of the area’s best restaurants then head to a Portland Ovations event. This package includes a $200 gift certificate to Seagrass Bistro in Yarmouth, $100 gift certificate for Hugo’s award-winning restaurant in Portland and 4 sets of two “A” tickets to Portland Ovations performances, including: the infectious rhythms of the Creole Choir of Cuba, the acrobatic genius of Circa, Trey McIntyre Project dance company and renowned violinist Jennifer Koh. Share this generous package with friends or take a well-deserved night on the town yourself. Compliments of Stephanie Brown, Hugo’s and Portland Ovations
Romantic Islesboro Boathouse Cottage Weekend Get-Away
Experience real ocean-side living in the lap of luxury in this charming converted boathouse perched on the shores of Islesboro, Maine. Cozy and romantic, this designer decorated one bedroom cottage was photographed for Architectural Digest in June 2001. Spend the weekend taking walks, relaxing by the fire, or enjoying the amazing views of Penobscot Bay and the glorious fall foliage. Mutually agreed time. Compliments of Mark Umbach
EASTPORT – An Unforgettable Getaway for Two in Extraordinary Eastport, Maine
From the eastern most point of land in the country, watch the sunrise from the deck of your WatersEdge suite overlooking Campobello on Passamaquoddy Bay. Explore Eastport’s walkable downtown and enjoy 29 galleries, studios, shops and museums.
Yes, we’re talking Eastport, Maine.
The women of The Commons (2011 winner of Maine Department of Tourism Director’s Award) and several other fabulous Eastport businesses are offering a spring or autumn week long getaway for two in Maine’s most talked about little city. This extraordinary package includes total comfort in The Commons 2 bedroom, 2 bath suite with full kitchen and grill on the deck; two dinners, three lunches and two breakfasts – all at different downtown restaurants. Add to that a nightcap at “The Happy Crab.”
But that’s not all! Choose a kayak or advanced paddle lesson for two with Cobscook Hike and Paddles, or a gourmet cooking class and dinner for two at Blueberry Point Chefs and Wine Shop or experience a whale watch into The Bay of Fundy aboard the schooner “Ada Lore.” AND if the dates of your stay allow, you will have tickets for a theater performance or concert at The Eastport Arts Center. Compliments of The Women of The Commons at Eastport
Chebeague Island Inn Getaway
It may be just off the coast but you’ll feel far away from it all when you spend a weekend (for two) at the Chebeague Island Inn. This gracefully restored property has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Coastal Living magazines as a top Maine destination. You’ll savor 2 nights at the inn and a 4-course dinner with wine pairings at their superb restaurant. Available dates from inn’s seasonal opening through the end of June and any time after Labor Day. Compliments of Prentice Hospitality Group
Southwest Harbor’s Finest Hospitality
Luxuriate at Southwest Harbor’s beautiful Claremont Hotel for a three-day, two-night stay for 2 including breakfasts and dinners! Situated on six acres of shorefront property on Mount Desert Island, this 24 room historic hotel is the definition of the way life should be. Enjoy candlelit dinners, with fresh flowers and linens, featuring the finest local seafood and organic produce. During the day take advantage of all that this region has to offer: hiking, biking and of course eating popovers at the famous Jordan Pond House ($25 gift certificate included). Compliments of Claremont Hotel and Jordan Pond House
Experience the Magic of Camden
A very special weekend is in store for you including luxury accommodations and dinners prepared by some of the finest chefs in New England. Start your weekend by checking into The Inn at Ocean’s Edge for a two night stay in a deluxe room. Be sure to arrive early afternoon on Friday November 4th, because you will need time to doll yourselves up for an exclusive dinner for 60 in celebration of The Community Schools, with world renowned chef Melissa Kelly at Castlerock, a spectacular private residence on Camden’s shores. Wind down your weekend with dinner Saturday night at the Inn at Ocean’s Edge gourmet restaurant, savoring a delectable three-course dinner for 2. This is truly a special all inclusive package for two. Compliments of The Inn at Ocean’s Edge & The Board of Directors
