Elachee fundraiser celebrates spring

GAINESVILLE - The Elachee Nature Science Center celebrated spring Friday night with its annual fundraiser, "Flights of Fancy."

The evening featured live entertainment and both live and silent auctions. Items up for bid included an array of hand-decorated birdhouses, garden sculptures, whimsical yard art, bird feeders and butterfly houses created and donated by local artists and friends of Elachee.

A live auction was added last year, and this year more unique items were donated, such as garden fountains, painted glassware and hand-painted furniture and windows.

All proceeds from the evening benefit Elachee's education programs for students and families and its environmental preservation efforts.