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Community Corner

Birdhouse Auction Soars Despite Economy

Annual fundraiser drew a large audience with deep pockets.

More than 150 handcrafted birdhouses were put on the auction block during Project Return's 15th annual birdhouse auction Friday.

The pieces on display were whimsical, creative and colorful and made use of a variety of mediums, including paper sculptures, decoupage, shadowboxes, watercolor and oil paints, wood carvings and  mosaics. The materials used included buttons, glitter, wool, feathers, wisteria vines, seashells, picture frames, mirrors, Legos and much more.

Despite the recession, the event drew quite a crowd. Held for the first time in Wilton, at the Rolling Hills Country Club,  the venue's  parking lot was filled to capacity and, inside, people stood elbow-to-elbow to view, admire and bid on the birdhouses and other artworks.

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"I was afraid no one would come this year the event was held outside of Westport," Susie Basler, executive director of Project Return (www.projectreturnct.org), said. "I am so pleased. This year's event has exceeded all of my expectations."

Project Return's annual birdhouse auction is all about generosity, Basler effused. "It starts with the generosity of the artists, who donate their wonderful birdhouses," she said. "Then the local merchants show their generosity by placing the birdhouses in their storefront windows so people can see what the auction has to offer. When we get here, to the fundraiser, the generosity comes from the people who make the bids. All this is done to help a houseful of girls. It's a wonderful event that gets great community support."

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Silent auction bids began at $100 and, in many cases, people actively vied for specific pieces of art. "Bird Dog," a mosaic by Thelma Allen and "Bird Band" a watercolor by Hans Wilhelm fetched more than $1,000 each as did Carl Mirbach's structure, "Bauhaus, Townhause, Birdhouse."

The spirit of the fundraiser is joyous and the artworks on display, in many cases evoke humor. Painter Audrey Klotz's "Egg-cellent"  was a large-scale re-creation of a checkerboard, with playing pieces made from  painted hand-blown eggs laid by her own chickens.  Liz Beeby's submission, "Tiger Woods Pecker House," poked fun at the professional golfer's current notoriety.

However, there was a somber moment during the function. Monica D'Karmus, a former resident at Project Return from 1999-2003 spoke to the audience about her troubled family life, which included her father's suicide and a surviving parent who was a manipulative alcoholic. Her time at Project Return provided her with a nurturing, family environment. Since leaving Project Return she has joined the army and traveled the world. It was her time at the group home that had great impact on her life and inspired her life choices.

Although figures were not available regarding how much money was raised at this year's event, Basler deemed the event "a success."

During the event, a live auction added to the fun, and the funds. Items up for bid included several selected handcrafted birdhouses as well as vacation trips.

 Project Return has served adolescent girls and young women in crisis for 26 years through its therapeutic group home facility and a variety of other programs that develop self-esteem, resiliency, and independence.

Many of the young women who have lived at Project Return have been victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse; some suffer from eating disorders, depression, homelessness and substance abuse.
       
 Project Return provides them with a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they can rebuild their lives through programming that fosters self-esteem, communication skills, a sense of personal responsibility, and the understanding that they can both love and be loved.

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