The Art & Soul fundraiser was held Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Long Island Community Library. This biennial event benefits the Library, and features generous baskets (pictured below), an art exhibit with silent auction at The Dodwell Gallery, and a food sale.
“Raffle Bag” won by Fred Fuller
“The Raffle Bag features items from LeRoux Kitchen, Portland Food Co-op, Navis Cafe, and Belleville. This basket is donated by Marianna Stewart and Juliette McVey.
“The Moomins are here!” won by Kristen Drymala
“The Moomins are here!” basket includes popular items featuring Finland’s most beloved fictional characters. Written by author Tove Jansson in the mid-20th century, these books are still popular today among children and adults. This basket includes nine Moomin story books, a Finnish recipe book, and two travel books. Beth Marchak & Steve Hart collected items for this basket in Finland, including coffee, tea, chocolate, a tote bag and several Moomin-inspired games and Moomingoodies.
“Date with a Book” won by Rachel Nice
The “Date with a Book” basket combines thoughtful touches, tasty snacks, and books for cozy reading.
“Rainy Day with the Grandkids” won by Kay Dodwell
The “Rainy Day with the Grandkids” basket was created with a great sense of humor – there’s even a set of earplugs! It’s also very tidy way to keep all these toys together for the next rainy day. And who doesn’t need a bungee cord?
“Canopy Hotel Stay” won by Anne Hauck
The “Canopy Hotel Stay” basket entitles you one night in one of Portland’s nicest hotels, along with books for you reading pleasure.
“Happy 250th Birthday, America” won by Cori Nederpelt
This basket is a history lesson with some great goodies, including an American flag, a Liberty coffee mug, and 4 passes to the Maine Historical Society.
“Hawaiian Tropics” by Doug Gordon
The “Hawaiian Tropics” inflatable basket features a fresh pineapple, a beachtowel, and an assortment of drinks.
“Red, Red, Wine” won by Brian Arsenault
The “Red, Red Wine” basket donation creates a wonderful environment to read, sip to your heart’s content, and nibble on cheese.
“Gifts for the Gardener from the Long Island Community Garden” won by Peter Donovan
“The Gifts for the Gardener,” is a virtual shed full of tools, and gift certificates. This basket is donated by The Garden Committee, lead by Penny Murley.
“Romani Wagon Basket” won by Kathy Arsenault
The “Romani Wagon Basket” was created in honor of Gypsy Village. In addition to rolling wagon with a canopy, it contains several gypsy-themed items including books. This basket/wagon was donated by Becky Steele.
“Correspondence Basket” won by Judy Churchard
The “Correspondence Basket” is a literary paradise. It contains books, a Tommy Marr bird, and other wonderful items islanders really can’t live without.
“HopScotch” won by Doug Gordon
The “HopScotch” basket contains books, and Scottish delights including Walker’s shortbread. Combining “Hop” and “Scotch” in a Long Island sort of way for everyone in the family.
“Gifts from the Sea” won by Cheryl Boss
The “Gifts from the Sea” basket contains books and nautically inspired goodies that islanders will love. This basket was donated by Nathan & Barbara Johnson, Riley Johnson, Chomba Kaluba, Rosie & Steve Train, Paula Johnson, Rose Barter, Moira Johnson, Michael, Hazel & Aran Johnson; and David Johnson.
“Irish Gift Basket” won by Jean McMurray
The “Irish Gift Basket” contains food and other Irish delights and then some. This basket was donated by Rose Barter, Mary McAleney, Barbara Johnson, and Paula Johnson.
“Shop Local” won by Matt Jeffers
This “Shop Local” bag certainly has you covered on Long Island – virtually every island business is here. Donated by Ann Kremer and Elizabeth Du Bois.
“Day at the Beach Basket” won by Kim MacVane
The “Day at the Beach Basket” contains area gift certificates, sunscreen, wine glasses, a cutting board, and other delights. It was donated by Mary McAleney, Heather Horlor and Carolyn Willard.
“The Art of the Island Note” won by Maxine Harmon
“The Art of the Island Note,” combines a love of writing, correspondence, and the New England coastline. This basket was donated by Charlotte Hedge.
“Summer Entertaining” won by Dick Emerson
The “Summer Entertaining” basket sets up the winner for quite a lovely evening… or two. This basket was donated by Barbara Sullivan and Candy Dale.
“Pamper Yourself” won by Kathleen Floyd
The “Pamper Yourself” basket is surely something we all deserve. There’s a great list of self-care items. The items were donated by Nancy Thornton, Julie Donovan, Jeanne LaBelle, Heidi MacVane, Deborah Donovan, Kathleen Floyd, Elysa Donovan, Barbara Johnson, Chomba Kaluba, David, Sue, and Katie Donovan; Dick Emerson, and Paula Johnson.
“Play Ball” won by Erica Papkee
The “Play Ball” basket will keep the winner busy reading, enjoying a drink or two, and they get tickets to a Patriots game as well. These items were donated by Paul Thornton, John, Robin, Jess and Andrea Donovan; Chomba Kaluba, Libby Donovan, Peter Donovan, Jack Sullivan, Jim & Cindy Donovan; Nancy Thornton, and Paula Johnson.
A small library on an island on the coast of Maine
“The Moomins are here!” basket includes popular items featuring Finland’s most beloved fictional characters. Written by author Tove Jansson in the mid-20th century, these books are still popular today among children and adults. This basket includes nine Moomin story books, a Finnish recipe book, and two travel books. Beth Marchak & Steve Hart collected items for this basket in Finland, including coffee, tea, chocolate, a tote bag and several Moomin-inspired games and Moomingoodies.
The “Date with a Book” basket combines thoughtful touches, tasty snacks, and books for cozy reading.
The “Rainy Day with the Grandkids” basket was created with a great sense of humor – there’s even a set of earplugs! It’s also very tidy way to keep all these toys together for the next rainy day. And who doesn’t need a bungee cord?
The “Canopy Hotel Stay” basket entitles you one night in one of Portland’s nicest hotels, along with books for you reading pleasure.
This basket is a history lesson with some great goodies, including an American flag, a Liberty coffee mug, and 4 passes to the Maine Historical Society.
The “Red, Red Wine” basket donation creates a wonderful environment to read, sip to your heart’s content, and nibble on cheese.
“The Gifts for the Gardener,” is a virtual shed full of tools, and gift certificates. This basket is donated by The Garden Committee, lead by Penny Murley.
The “Romani Wagon Basket” was created in honor of Gypsy Village. In addition to rolling wagon with a canopy, it contains several gypsy-themed items including books. This basket/wagon was donated by Becky Steele.
The “Correspondence Basket” is a literary paradise. It contains books, a Tommy Marr bird, and other wonderful items islanders really can’t live without.
The “HopScotch” basket contains books, and Scottish delights including Walker’s shortbread. Combining “Hop” and “Scotch” in a Long Island sort of way for everyone in the family. 
The “Gifts from the Sea” basket contains books and nautically inspired goodies that islanders will love. This basket was donated by Nathan & Barbara Johnson, Riley Johnson, Chomba Kaluba, Rosie & Steve Train, Paula Johnson, Rose Barter, Moira Johnson, Michael, Hazel & Aran Johnson; and David Johnson.
The “Irish Gift Basket” contains food and other Irish delights and then some. This basket was donated by Rose Barter, Mary McAleney, Barbara Johnson, and Paula Johnson.
This “Shop Local” bag certainly has you covered on Long Island – virtually every island business is here. Donated by Ann Kremer and Elizabeth Du Bois.
The “Day at the Beach Basket” contains area gift certificates, sunscreen, wine glasses, a cutting board, and other delights. It was donated by Mary McAleney, Heather Horlor and Carolyn Willard.
“The Art of the Island Note,” combines a love of writing, correspondence, and the New England coastline. This basket was donated by Charlotte Hedge.
The “Summer Entertaining” basket sets up the winner for quite a lovely evening… or two. This basket was donated by Barbara Sullivan and Candy Dale.
The “Pamper Yourself” basket is surely something we all deserve. There’s a great list of self-care items. The items were donated by Nancy Thornton, Julie Donovan, Jeanne LaBelle, Heidi MacVane, Deborah Donovan, Kathleen Floyd, Elysa Donovan, Barbara Johnson, Chomba Kaluba, David, Sue, and Katie Donovan; Dick Emerson, and Paula Johnson.
The “Play Ball” basket will keep the winner busy reading, enjoying a drink or two, and they get tickets to a Patriots game as well. These items were donated by Paul Thornton, John, Robin, Jess and Andrea Donovan; Chomba Kaluba, Libby Donovan, Peter Donovan, Jack Sullivan, Jim & Cindy Donovan; Nancy Thornton, and Paula Johnson.