First auction set to sell artworks, saplings from historic Hobson Oak
Remember that tree along Hobson Road, the big bur oak across the street from the barn at Greene Valley Forest Preserve, the craggy old growth near Seven Bridges Golf Club between Naperville and Woodridge?
It stood there for 250 years, after all, before it was deemed a safety risk to drivers and bike path users and chopped down in November 2016.
But since it was cut down, the tree, named the Hobson Oak by those who worked to save it, has been taking new shape in pieces of art created by artists and in saplings grown from acorns.
Now some of these woodcrafts and baby trees are set to be sold for the first time Saturday, Aug. 25, during the Loaves & Fishes Community Services Night to End Hunger Gala.
"The artists have been very excited to share their creativity with whatever particular piece of wood has come from the Hobson Oak," said Mary Lou Wehrli, a member of the Naperville Parks Foundation, who has organized the preservation and reuse project.
The fundraiser, at $350 a ticket, will give guests access to at least 10 pieces of art or furniture created from the oak and 10 saplings tended by the Morton Arboretum.
Most items will be sold in a silent auction format, with bidders who don't buy gala tickets able to join in online, while a few will be auctioned live. Those not at the gala still can call in to bid during the live auction, said Michelle Iskowitz, associate director of marketing and communications for Loaves & Fishes Community Services.
The plan all along, since DuPage County cut down the Hobson Oak nearly two years ago, has been to give pieces of its wood to artisans, let them create masterpieces, then sell the works to benefit the Naperville Parks Foundation and partnering charities, Wehrli said. Loaves & Fishes is the first to join the effort.
Mike Havala, Loaves & Fishes president and CEO, called the Hobson Oak itself "magnificent" and the artisan works created from it "exquisite."
He said his organization is honored to be sharing in proceeds from the auction of oak-made items, which will be split with the Naperville Parks Foundation. The Morton Arboretum also will receive 25 percent of proceeds from auction of the saplings, which are among 356 tiny trees growing from acorns gathered at the oak's base.
"They'll be two years old and are as cute as can be," Wehrli said about the saplings.
After this first auction, Wehrli said the parks foundation board plans to meet to set the course for other future fundraisers. No other partnering organizations have been chosen and no other auctions have been scheduled.
If you go
What: Hobson Oak auction at Night to End Hunger Gala
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25
Where: Hyatt Lodge, 2815 Jorie Blvd., Oak Brook
Who: Benefits Loaves & Fishes Community Services, Morton Arboretum and Naperville Parks Foundation
Cost: Gala tickets $350 each; silent auction items also available for bids online beginning Aug. 18 at <a href="https://www.loaves-fishes.org/events/night-to-end-hunger/hobson-oak-auction-items/">https://www.loaves-fishes.org/events/night-to-end-hunger/hobson-oak-auction-items/</a>
Info: <a href="https://www.loaves-fishes.org/events/night-to-end-hunger/">https://www.loaves-fishes.org/events/night-to-end-hunger/</a>