Last Saturday the Manchester Historical Museum experimented with its annual fundraiser. Participants were treated to a square dancing demonstration (followed by the real thing, for those inclined), in the amazing barn, surrounded by animals and the incredible setting at Bothways Farm.
Leslie Hammond, Sarah Wolfgang, and Beth Davis at the Manchester Historical Museum fundraiser at Bothways Farm, Essex.
To the Editor:
The Manchester Historical Museum is filled with gratitude to the entire community for supporting our recent benefit at Bothways Farm. Megan Donovan’s generosity to allow the benefit to be held at her iconic venue set the festive tone for the evening. Her alpacas, goats, donkey and other animals had lots of excited visitors. Guests were greeted with a rum and cider cocktail. They entered the wide, green barn doors to the sight and sound of experienced square dancers drawing in newcomers. To the delight of attendees, the music was a compilation of favorites, all set to square dance steps by skilled and joyful caller Joyce Kutz. The barn’s ambiance, adorned with bales of hay and yellow mums, was the perfect place to dance.
Wine, beer and other beverages were enjoyed along with American BBQ’s spread of ribs, pulled pork, chicken, broccoli and bacon salad, baked beans, mashed potatoes and corn bread. The silent auction kept guests frequenting the tables, all hoping to take home one of the many fantastic items. The crowd drew together for the live auction and to the amusement of all, some lively bidding preceded the successful wins of one-week vacation homes in Florida and St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Thank you to our financial sponsors: Churchill Properties, Congress Asset Management Company, Crocker Boat Yard, Philio Cushing, Lauren Gudonis, Glovsky & Glovsky, J Barrett & Company, Susan and Jeffrey Parker, Axel and Sylvia Magnuson, Metaxas Brown Pidgeon, Marianne Round and The Von Metzsch Family Fund of the Essex County Community Foundation.
Generous silent and live auction donors: 525 Tavern, Abacus Computers and the MacDaddy, Alice Gardner, Alison Daley, Allie’s Beach Street Café, Anna Kasabian, Antique Table, Best in Show Pet Salon, Beth Gibley at Bravo by the Sea, Bonneville Design, Cala’s Food & Spirits, Cape Ann Golf Course, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Cape Ann Symphony, Captain Duty’s, Cargo Unlimited, Chris Virden, Christopher Cummings, Desjardin’s Jewelers, Doggie Depot, Harmeling PT, J. McLaughlin, James, Peter and Nicholas Hammond, Jay Sibulkin at Allen’s Pharmacy, Jeff Parker and First Parish Church Congregational, Jennifer’s Hair Salon, John Huss, Joyce Kutz, Juel and Co., Katie Schroeder at North Shore Restorative Yoga, Kimberly O’Brien, Leslie and Robert Beatty, Madam Had’em, Magnolia Service Station, Mahri, Manchester Fire Department, Manchester Hardware, Manchester Police Department, Marci and Bob Smallman, Marion Hall, Martha Framer and Steve Carhart, Manchester Historical Museum, Nor’east Cleaners, North Coast Too!, Olga Hayes, Pallazola Brothers Landscaping, Regina Villa, Sara Oseasohn, Sherry’s Corner Café, Silver Cloud Cakes, Sonne Bialy, Stuart Conant, The Scrapbook — Vincent Caravella and Yarn in the Farms.
Special thanks to Erika Brown who set up online ticket sales and provided exceptional coverage in The Cricket. Volunteers Gus and Theo Brown, Beth Davis, Paul Gudonis, Katherine Keith, Jeff Parker and Erica Williams were instrumental to the success of the benefit. Much appreciation goes to Fundraising Committee members: Co-chair Philio Cushing, Co-chair Lauren Gudonis, Joan Wogan, Sonne Bialy, Axel Magnuson and Susan Parker and special assistance from adept Director Beth Welin. Cole Caviston, thank you for your help; we wish you well in your new job.
With deep appreciation, the MHM Executive Board: President Susan Parker, Vice President Lauren Gudonis, Treasurer Dick Macklem and Secretary Leslie Beatty. Board members: Christina Bain, Sonne Bialy, Rus Brown, Leslie Hammond, Constance Leahy, David Lumsden, Mike Mack, Axel Magnuson, Stan Magnuson, John Round and Joan Wogan.
Susan Parker
President, Manchester Historical Museum
