4-H Hosts Annual Auction

The Middlesex County 4-H will host its annual auction Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Haddam Cooperative Extension Center.

The yearly auction helps the 4-H club raise money for programs throughout the county and and provide two college scholarships to county students.

The proceeds from previous Middlesex County 4-H Auctions have been used to send  Durham youths Audra Smigel, Bailey Basiel and Kristen Ciarlo to the state capital in April for 4-H Citizenship Day. While there, they met with state legislators and saw  how the state’s court system works. Kristen and Bailey will also attend Citizenship Washington Focus in Wash. D.C., this summer, along with other Middlesex County 4-H Members.

“We count on our old 4-H friends, such as Lyman Orchards of Middlefield. They have supported the 4-H program in our county for years, even advertising in the first Middlesex 4-H Fair Book over 80 years ago. Thank you for your years of support,” 4-H officials said in a prepared statement. “A new 4-H friend this year is TJ Lynn Designs, a brand new business; specialists in wedding and event floral designs. They are donating a wonderful fresh flower arrangement. Thank you to them also.”

This year’s auction starts at 5 p.m., with a preview and food both opening at 5 p.m. The extension center is located at 1066 Saybrook Road, also known as Route 154.

The auction items will include new and very gently used items, gift certificates and plants. Local 4-H clubs will create and donate “theme” baskets. Past auctions have featured garden baskets, movie night baskets, and baskets themed with Italian dinner items and chocolate.

Food for sale will include 4-H chili and UConn ice cream.

For more information contact the extension center, 860.345.4511.