2024 Live Auction Gallery

Our Holiday Auction & Christmas Party "Live Auction" will feature unique and outstanding items and experiences, up for bid and auctioned off by professional auctioneer Brian Rowley. We will also have many items available in our silent auction, as well as a raffle for the Party Basket and a 50/50 raffle. 

ALL  proceeds from this event directly benefit Seven Ponds Nature Center.

Many of the item descriptions can be clicked for additional information.

If you are unable to attend our Holiday Auction but would still like to bid on an item, you may place a remote bid by contacting Board member Charlie Turner via email at charlie@detsales.com.

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Glass Beadmaking Workshop at FIA

Using glass, you will learn to make beautiful, colorful glass beads that can be made into a necklace, bracelet, earings, or other decorative art. This certificate is good for up to six people. The three-hour workshop will take place at the Flint Institute of Arts and must be redeemed before November 9, 2027. Anita Spencer will be your instructor - to see her work check out anitasbeads on Etsy. Provided courtesy of the Flint Institute of Arts.

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Rick Pas Original

Rick Pas is an award-winning artist who specializes in contemporary realism. His work is stunning in detail and accuracy, and is featured in exhibits in museums and galleries throughout the US. Rick donated this beautiful original acrylic piece featuring a maple leaf over oak leaves, framed and ready to display. Check out more of Rick's work here: www.galleryvictor.com/rick-pas. Provided courtesy of Rick Pas.

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Personal Pet Portrait

Artist Casey Wise will create a special, one-of-a-kind 9" x 12" pen and ink drawing of your cat, dog, horse, or other treasured companion. The winning bidder of this item is sure to treasure this unique capture of your four-legged friend. Provided courtesy of Casey Wise.

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Huntsman Membership

The Huntsman Hunt Club is a private shooting preserve with over 900 acres of fields designed for the finest upland hunting. The club also offers dog training, shooting lessons, sporting clays, and wobble trap. Gourmet dining is offered in the club's spectacular dining hall. This membership is valid through December 1, 2025, and is available to new members only. Provided courtesy of The Huntsman. 

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Country Smoke House Gift Box

What better way to celebrate the season than with a tasty selection from our favorite local shop, the Country Smoke House? Note: gift box pictured is a sample; actual gift box will vary. Provided courtesy of The Country Smoke House.

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Property Plant Inventory

Seven Ponds expert naturalists will visit your property to take an inventory of plants and help you develop a plan that fits your vision. Whether you want to plant for pollinators, create a bird sanctuary, start a backyard prairie, identify and remove invasive plants, or just find out what you have, our naturalist staff can help. Provided courtesy of Seven Ponds Nature Center. 

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Bee Hive Tour & Honey Tasting

The Seven Ponds Bee Club is offering a personal hive tour and honey tasting experience. This would be done next summer around the June. We'll take a close look at the beehives on the nature center property where you will participate in a hive inspection. During the inspection, you will hold frames of bees and handle other beekeeping equipment. You will also have the opportunity to see bee eggs, larvae, drones, workers, and hopefully the queen bee. The inspection will be followed up by a honey tasting where you will learn how to taste honey and sample local honeys as well as unique flavors from around the world (we'll do this inside the center). Total time: approximately 2 hours. Number of participants: four at one time at the hives so a larger family can be accommodated. Bee jackets and gloves will be provided for use and all participants will need to sign waivers. Provided courtesy of the Seven Ponds Beekeeping Club.

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Nature Outing with Joanna

Joanna Pease is an experienced and enthusiastic field trip leader and will lead a nature trip to either Harsens Island or the Lapeer State Game Area: your choice! Harsens Island is renowned for its summer breeding birds especially Black and Forster’s Terns, Common Gallinules, and Pied-billed Grebes but also has great wildlife during any season: a wide variety of ducks and passerines in the spring and fall and in the winter hawks and possible Northern Shrikes. The trip would include the ferry ride to the island and a driving tour around the island. Lapeer State Game Area is a destination site especially in the spring with a wide variety of migrant and breeding warblers with specialties being Cerulean and Hooded Warblers. The trip would include a driving tour to various habitats in the state game area including lakes, woodland, marsh and meadows with easy hikes on the most scenic trails. Both trips include lunch and can accommodate four participants. Provided courtesy of Joanna Pease. 

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The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit - One Night Stay

The Book Cadillac glistens above Washington Boulevard, a towering symbol of Detroit's renaissance. For decades, it was the city's most opulent hotel and - after nearly 25 years of abandonment and blight - has reclaimed its throne. Step into a realm of timeless elegance and modern luxury at the newly renovated Westin Book Cadillac. Good for one night's stay 12/7/24-12/7/25 including breakfast for two in The Boulevard Room. Provided courtesy of the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit.

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Dinner on the Farm!

Dinner on the Farm for 4 people at the Ankley Farms. Enjoy a farm-fresh, home-cooked meal including appetizers, dinner, dessert and mocktails, served family-style with communal seating on two long tables situated among the vast flower fields of Ankley Family Farm. A large majority of the food items are sourced locally with most grown right on the farm. If weather permits, enjoy a quick walking tour of the farm after dessert. Dinners are served on Mondays, when the farmstand is closed, rain or shine. You will be notified when the 2025 schedule is available. Advance reservations are required. Ankley Family Farmstand is located at 6767 Clear Lake Road, Imlay City. Provided courtesy of Ankley Family Farm & Nancy Buck. 

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Mackinac Island Golfing at The Jewel

The Jewel at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel is one of the most unique courses in the United States. Enjoy unparalleled scenic beauty, lush landscaping and meticulously manicured tees, fairways, and greens. The Grand nine is located across the street from the hotel, with views of Lake Huron and Round Island. After completing the Grand nine, you and your clubs will be transported via horse-drawn carriage a mile and a half to the Woods nine. The leisurely 15-minute ride includes parts of the island unseen by many visitors. The Woods nine is set in the interior of Mackinac Island, with views of the Mackinac Bridge and the Upper Peninsula.  Package includes four certificates, each good for one 18-hole round of golf including cart. Certificates expire 10/26/25. Provided courtesy of The Grand Hotel. 

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Detroit Pigskin Barbeque for 25

Gather your friends for a tailgate or party to be remembered! Greg Brooks of Detroit Pigskin Barbeque will cater your event with tasty barbeque for up to 25 people. Winning bidder will have a certificate valid for a complete BBQ meal for up to 25 guests, with time and date to be agreed upon by both parties. Must be used by December 31, 2025. Provided courtesy of Detroit Pigskin Barbeque. 

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Detroit Red Wings Tickets

Let's go, Red Wings! You and a friend will enjoy an exciting evening in downtown Detroit as the Red Wings host the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena. Game night is Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 PM, and you'll be close to the action just 11 rows up from the ice. Your seats will be Section 119, Row 11, Seats 13 & 14. Provided courtesy of Steve D'Arcy. 

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Custom Handmade Quilt

Stay warm and cozy this winter with this handmade quilt adorned with Michigan’s favorite winter birds. At 53” x 74”, it’s just the right size to snuggle up by yourself or with a loved one. Provided courtesy of Nancy Buck.

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Detroit Tigers Tickets

Enjoy a ball game at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit during the 2025 season! This package includes four box seat tickets in the Tigers Den, located behind the visitor dugout between home plate and first base. You'll enjoy padded chairs and a table, where any food or beverages you order will be delivered to you at your table. A parking pass for the Tigers garage is also included. Specific game day to be agreed upon by both parties. Go Tigers!

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Old Red Barn Purple Martin House

Attract beautiful Purple Martins to your yard with this unique martin colony house. Made by Home Bazaar, this piece is part of their Bird in Hand Collection, made in the Amish Country in eastern Pennsylvania from reclaimed and recycled barn wood.  No two pieces are alike. Designed to be placed atop a 4"x4" post. 

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Photography Instruction with Noah

Spend a full afternoon honing your craft with expert photographer Noah Ford. Noah will cover how to operate your camera for better photographs, including ISO, aperture, shutter speed, composing, and lighting. Whether it's macro, architecture, landscape, portraits, abstract, or nature, let Noah know your area of interest and he will help you become a better photographer. Provided courtesy of Noah Ford. 

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Barefoot Blossom Farm

Escape the busy life and come out to the flower farm! Enjoy wandering through the rows of beauty while you create a majestic bouquet to take home with you. Barefoot Blossom Farm in Ortonville welcomes you to spend a relaxing time at their farm, surrounded by colorful flowers. You will pick your own flowers to create a beautiful bouquet. Good for two participants. Provided courtesy of Barefoot Blossom Farm.

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H.O. Model Trail Set

Surprise the train lover in your family! Set includes new-in-box engine, several new-in-box cars, station, buildings, bridges, track, electronics, and a plethora of landscaping supplies. Provided courtesy of Nora Hummel. 

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Land Stewarship Tools for Seven Ponds

Our naturalists manage nearly 500 acres of forests, fields, and waters, working hard to keep invasive plant species in check and improve habitat. This work requires quality equipment, and we are in need of upgrading our tool shed! Your $25 bid will go directly toward purchasing new loppers, shears, saws, and other needed equipment to be used by our staff and volunteers. Thank you for your support!