“We like to appeal to the interests of the residents while trying to spark new ones,” said Mary Holmes, Windemere’s member care program coordinator. “When the Island schools have band concerts, we like to take grandparents to see their grandchildren perform.” 

 

The evening began with hors d’ oeuvres donated by local catering companies and a silent auction. Items up for bid ranged from material goods, such as a 100 Sweet Neck Farm oysters, to a ride in the Classic Aviators’ red biplane (with champagne) or an evening sail for two on one of the Black Dog tall ships (also with champagne). 

 

Once the silent auction closed, the live auction began. Paul Watts, executive vice president of Edgartown National Bank, was the auctioneer. This was his debut year. 

 

There were 11 live auction items. These items, much like the silent auction items, ranged from material goods to exciting getaways. Top sellers included a stay at a cabin on Long Island, Maine donated by Mr. Watts and his wife, which sold for $1,900. Another highly sought-after item was an intricately crafted side table made by Joseph Mendolia and paired with a woven table runner by Louisa Williams, which sold for $775. A package experience for Boston sports fans sold for $525 and included a pair of tickets to a Boston Celtics game, a pair of tickets to a Boston Red Sox game and a pair of round-trip tickets to Boston on Cape Air. 

 

According to Betsy Burmeister, Windemere’s director of recreation, the auction’s success is crucial to providing residents with a wide variety of stimulating programming. She also said that every year brings more success, and often more improvements, to the fundraiser auction. This was the first year that the auction has had catering — and it was donated, no less. 

 

“It just gets better every year,” said Ms. Burmeister.