Good News Happens: An evening of art, heart and hope

By Christine Price
Columnist

Amidst all the stress, anxiety, craziness and bad news, my goal is to spotlight and share the good news in our community.

The moment I walked into St. Noel Banquet Center, I could feel the excitement in the air.
Everywhere I looked, guests were laughing, chatting and wandering from one display to the next, admiring the incredible artwork created for the 2026 Friends of Lake County ADAMHS Celebrity Art Auction.
It wasn’t just another fundraiser, it felt like a celebration of creativity, community and generosity.
As I made my way through the room, one surprise after another caught my eye. A whimsical grandfather clock stood proudly nearby, while a beautifully painted picnic table practically invited guests to gather for burgers and conversation.
Across the room, a gorgeous green vanity with delicate yellow flowers adorning its drawers looked as though it belonged to the pages of a decorating magazine.
Every piece reflected the imagination and personality of the celebrity artist behind it, making it impossible to choose a favorite.
But admiring the artwork was only the beginning.
Once the live auction got underway, the room took on a whole new level of energy.
Laughter echoed throughout the banquet hall as friendly bidding wars broke out over one-of-a-kind creations.
It was obvious everyone was there for a worthy cause, but they were also having a wonderful time.
Auctioneer Pam Morse masterfully kept the momentum going. Paddles shot into the air from all corners of the room as the 310 guests enthusiastically competed for their favorite pieces.
She has a knack for keeping the excitement building and the bids climbing.
One of the evening’s most entertaining moments came when Pam invited a group of women to sit at the picnic table they were bidding on.
She affectionately nicknamed them “The Book Club” and before long they were celebrating as the proud new owners of Jeffrey Taylor’s beautifully painted picnic table.
Several pieces sparked spirited bidding.
Dr. Libbie Stansifer’s breathtaking photograph of a sunset along Route 90 had paddles going up all over the room.
Tricia Johnston’s framed coyote photographs drew plenty of admiration, while Jennifer Pealer’s beautifully accessorized potting bench was both practical and artistic.
I also found myself spending quite a bit of time admiring Sarah Bals’ stunning painting.
Friends of Lake ADAMHS (FOLA) is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and recovery while supporting the work of the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
Events like the Celebrity Art Auction help ensure vital behavioral health and recovery services remain available throughout Lake County.
Community leaders, healthcare professionals, business owners and local artists generously donate their time and talents to create unique works of art, with every dollar raised through the live auction benefiting this important mission.
This year’s celebrity artists represented an impressive cross-section of our community, each bringing their own creativity and personality to the event. Together, they transformed ordinary furniture, décor and artwork into extraordinary pieces that reflected both talent and heart.
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I would be remiss if I didn’t report that Pam Martin and I were thrilled when our friendship bench turned out to be one of the evening’s hottest items, ultimately bringing in the highest bid of the night.
On behalf of Friends of Lake ADAMHS, David Schick thanked each of the celebrity artists for sharing their talent, creativity and heart.
Final numbers are still being calculated, but early projections suggest this may have been the organization’s most successful celebrity art auction yet.
The evening proved that when a community comes together with generous sponsors, talented artists, enthusiastic bidders and a mission worth supporting, incredible things happen.