Silent Auction 2023 Fundrasier

Silent Auction 2023

7-night stay in Monterosso, Calabro, Italy—Minimum bid $1400

An Italian Adventure in the ancient village of Monterosso Calabro

From the village website, “Monterosso is therefore described as part of the Serre Calabre, one of the greenest and most beautiful wooded areas of Calabria. Small and concentrated all around the ancient Rocca Capana, it offers a historic center characterized by silent and characteristic alleys. Also relaxing is the nearby Lake Angitola, now a WWF oasis, which is home to many unique tree species, such as the white willow, and fauna, such as the Osprey. Passing through this place – explains Skyscanner – means merging with the wild nature of a place still magically intact.”

The two + bedroom apartment is located in the heart of the oldest and highest part of the village, near the Norman tower, at walking distance to a convenience store, pizzerias, bakery, fruit shop and more. There are several flights of stairs, most with handrails, to reach the apartment, with ample parking on the main street of the village. If you would like, the donors of this wonderful vacation opportunity can connect you with a local tour guide or you can take advantage of the many tourist guides in the village. From Monterosso Calabro you can book day trips via boat, private heritage tours of Calabria, hiking, and even cooking classes. It is a short distance to beautiful beaches. Visit the Stomboli Islands or go south a few miles to the village of Capistrano.

Monterosso Calabro may not be as popular a destination as other cities in Italy, but that is one of its advantages for visitors who want to see the real Italy, with few other tourists. Monterosso is small and beautiful, with welcoming inhabitants, in a peaceful bucolic setting. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. A regional airport (Lamezia Terme) can be reached easily from Rome or Milan, with a convenient car rental agency nearby, and the 50 km drive to Monterosso includes glimpses of the ocean and lovely winding hill roads giving repeated views of the village as you approach. At the highest point of the village is an ancient Norman tower that is the symbol of the village.

Ancient Roman villages, medieval castles, white houses overlooking the sea and breathtaking views of natural paradises: in the list drawn up by the portal in 2016, Monterosso Calabro figures alongside sites such as Saint-Pierre (Aosta Valley), Lovere (Lombardy), or Monteriggioni (Tuscany), among many others. Winding roads along ridges offer sites to walk, hike or run, with views stretching to the Aolian islands to the East, and to Mount Etna in Sicily to the South on clear days. A short drive will bring you to the seaside village of Pizzo, with seafood restaurants and beaches. From the road above Monterosso, the sea is visible in the distance as well as Lake Angitola, a natural preserve.

Monterosso Calabro is located on the north side of the Vibonese, on the hill between Lake Angitola and the Serre plateau, at the foot of Mount Coppari. The town has all the characteristics of medieval centers, narrow and winding streets, stone stairs, and passages with tunnels through the city wall. There are numerous palaces with splendid stone portals, noble coats of arms and decorations (Aceti, Basile and Massara palaces). In Palazzo Aceti is housed the Museum of Peasant and Artisan civilization of Calabria, which is recognized as a Museum of Europe, open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 09.00-12.00, Sunday 16.00-18.00. In the museum there are sections dedicated to the making of silk, processing of barrels, wrought iron, the pressing of olives and many other examples of craftsmanship important in the history of Calabria. Among the churches, of particular importance is the Parish Church of 1600 and the more recent Church of the Rosary of 1800.

A Day Sail — Minimum Bid $500

Captain Rick & Barbara (First Mate) will be your hosts on their sailboat, Elation, a Cabo Rico 42’ sailboat. Up to four people will be sailing from Padanaram Harbor (Dartmouth MA) to Cuttyhunk Island. Trip includes a picnic lunch in Cuttyhunk and “sundowners” (sailing term for cocktails) back in Padanaram. Mutually agreeable date to be decided by Captain and successful bidder.

Two-nights in Spacious Waterfront Studio in Dartmouth, MA—Minimum Bid $500

This waterfront escape in beautiful Padanaram Village boasts views of the bridge, a private dock, and a hot tub. Off-street parking in driveway, separate entrance, queen bed, sofa, flat screen TV, refrigerator, microwave, two burner electric stove, and gas grill. Private full bath. Three levels of decks and porches with water views of the harbor, Little Island, and many birds! Easy walking distance to village with shops, restaurants, and the New Bedford Yacht Club.

This package includes gift cards to the Sail Loft Restaurant (good at any Servedwell restaurants) and the Buzzards Bay Brewery

A Cajun Dinner made for 6 people—Minimum Bid $100

An authentic Cajun dinner cooked by a young man who moved here from New Orleans; to include red beans and rice, gumbo, and other delicious Louisiana delights! This meal will be prepared for 4 to 6 people winter/spring of 2023 and will be delivered to your home as long as it’s within a 30-mile radius of Boston!

Wine Basket — Minimum Bid $60

A Francis Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon that is highly concentrated with aromas of blackberries, cherries, and spice with flavors of plums, currents, dried herbs, and toasted oak.

This 90+ Cellars Rosé is a “real deal” rosé, not sweet, with a blend of several classic grape varieties harvested from vineyards along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and foothills of France’s Cévennes mountains. Aromas of ripe red cherries and strawberries with mild flavors of fresh wild herbs, white pepper, and watermelon.

From the North Coast vineyards of California, a Z Alexander Brown Sauvignon Blanc that balances citrus and passion fruit flavors with a brilliant acidity and subtle minerality

Rural Life: A Warli Tribal Painting—Minimum Bid $400

This is an original painting by an artist of the Warli Tribe. Dating back to 2500-3000 BCE, this traditional style of painting is still practiced today in India. The paintings are used mostly as a home decoration and depict daily life activities, special occasions, rituals, and nature. Since the tribal people are surrounded by nature, they have an intimate bond with it as every aspect of daily living is influenced by nature.

Painting “Refreshed”—Minimum Bid $75

18” x 22” Framed Watercolor

Painting of tulips in white frame.

Painting “Three Proud Women in their Field”—Minimum Bid $75

Photo: Karen Kayser

These three women participate in Kalangarai’s program on social entrepreneurship. They put together their resources to lease farmland from the owner. (Widowed women in India do not have property rights). In return for taking care of the field, the landowner allows the women to keep whatever they harvest.

21×21 matted and framed watercolor.