Spaceship auction is out of this world

By JONATHAN CHARLES FOX
Posted 9/9/20

LACKAWAXEN, PA — On Saturday, September 5, Growing Lackawaxen President Jeff Shook, artist Laurie Guzda and a large crew of dedicated volunteers made final preparations for a close encounter of …

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Spaceship auction is out of this world

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LACKAWAXEN, PA — On Saturday, September 5, Growing Lackawaxen President Jeff Shook, artist Laurie Guzda and a large crew of dedicated volunteers made final preparations for a close encounter of the fundraising kind. “We’re so excited to have the chance to raise money and bring the community together for an enjoyable day. 2020 has been a tough year for many residents,” Shook said of the Area 590- Aliens in the Park party and live auction held last weekend. “So having fun, raising money and putting it back into the community where it is most needed is a privilege.”

Headquartered in Hawley, PA, Growing Lackawaxen is an organization created to “enhance and improve the quality of life for the residents for our township through art, music, community gatherings and the support of neighbors in need.” In partnership with the township, the nonprofit also manages the Care Cabin, a food pantry that helps to provide food and necessities.

“I have been an artist for the Stamford [Connecticut] Downtown Sculpture projects for 20 years,” event co-organizer Laurie Guzda said, explaining how the spaceships landed in Lackawaxen’s Veterans Park.

 “They usually auction their sculptures at the end of an event but [in light of] competing events happening at the time, they decided to cancel their auction and offer them back to the artists, including me.” When Guzda learned that Stamford Downtown was willing to donate some of the other artists’ large fiberglass “spaceships” to assist Growing Lackawaxen in a fundraising effort, she jumped at the opportunity.

“Hmm, I thought,” Guzda recalled. “What about a mini-spaceship display in Lackawaxen? When I suggested it to the board, everyone looked at me like I had two heads—except Jeff. Jeff got it right away. We rented a 28-foot monster truck and the folks at Stamford had a crew of six amazing guys to help us load. It must be noted,” Guzda added, “what an outstanding job Jay Knapp did in originally placing the spaceships around town.” Knapp installed the nine UFOs last April, in what started as a scavenger hunt for the township and became a self-guided driving art tour for residents and visitors alike.

All in all, last Saturday’s party drew hundreds of enthusiastic friends, neighbors and families happy to be enjoying the games, food and insanely successful and lively auction held with “social distancing” protocols in the great outdoors.

“The folks at Stamford Downtown couldn’t be happier to have helped us raise so much money,” Guzda said. “Their auctions benefit a nonprofit. This one benefited us in a year that we were unable to hold our spring fundraising event and helped us raise more than we ever had.”

All told, the amazing flying saucers and rocket ships, each originally designed and stunningly executed for the Stamford Downtown project, brought in nearly $15,000. As always, “it takes a village” and Guzda and Shook enthusiastically acknowledged the small army of volunteers that it took to get the Unidentified Flying Objects to Lackawaxen and beyond.

“Growing Lackawaxen does an outstanding job of providing food to those with need,” Guzda said of the organization that she and so many others dedicate their time and hard work to. “But art is food for the soul that benefits everyone, even if for a brief moment. I like that about the impermanence of art... the impermanence of ourselves. Enjoy art, enjoy today, the best you can. And be kind to each other.”

For more information on Growing Lackawaxen and the Care Cabin, like them on Facebook and visit www.growinglackawaxen.com.

growing Lackawaxen, sculptures, ufo, aliens

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