Bidders’ Bounty: 2012 Spring Auction 
by Leslie Shields

Despite being held later than usual, the spring auction was a success, with a passel of plants, many beautifully potted, being whisked away to new garden homes.

About $4,100 was raised from 88 registered bidders at the May 11 event at the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon. Proceeds will help support scholarships for three students at the University of Connecticut and two students at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

 Auction runner Don Lukaszek delivers plants to their new owners. Photo: Colleen Fitzpatrick Michelson

The undertaking would have been impossible but for our many hard-working volunteers. They included Sarah Bailey and the master gardeners, for setting up and breaking down the room; Joanne Luppi and Phyllis Greene, for directing the team of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Fairlee Latawic, Faith Geist, Carol Mumford, Ken Stubenrauch, Nancy Brennick and Richard Kuzmak as they managed plant donations; Bob Mallory and master gardeners, for delivering plants to bidders; Fairlee Latawic and Sarah Bailey, for tracking bid amounts; Fran Schoell, Joanne Luppi and Phyllis Clark, for cashiering; Karen Ellsworth for feeding the crew; and countless other volunteers.

Our wonderful auctioneers were Kevin Wilcox of Silver Spring Nursery in Bloomfield and Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, who also donated plants, and Maryanne Gryboski and Bob Shipman. David Smith and Judy King auctioned treasures from their gardens, as well.

Other contributing nurseries included Garden Sales, The Plant Group, Cricket Hill, Meadow View Farm, Camp’s Greenhouse, and Agway of Southington. As you shop this season, please remember to support the nurseries who donated so generously to this important fundraiser. 

Finally, I’d like to thank the many bidders who helped make the event a success. I hope to see you at the fall auction Sept. 21at TAC.

Anne Holcombe (left) and Joan Stubenrauch fill a cart with plants dug from David Smith’s Litchfield garden.  Photo: Ken Stubenrauch 

David Smith pots up plants from his garden with help from (left to right) Fran Schoell, Faith Geist, Joanne Luppi and Donna Eriksen.  Photo: Ken Stubenrauch 

  Steve Totten gets a little “frondly” with his auction find.  Photo: Colleen Fitzpatrick Michelson