CELEBRATION IN THE GARDEN PARTY COMMITTEE HOSTS 6th ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN THE GARDEN PARTY RAISING $60K BENEFITING SHREWSBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Shrewsbury, MA- The skies cleared just in time for 6th Annual “Celebration in the Garden” benefiting the Shrewsbury Public Schools, held on Saturday, June 14th.  Known throughout the community as “The Garden Party,” the event was once again hosted at the historic Fallon House, home of Heather Logrippo.  The mood was festive as nearly 400 community leaders, neighbors and friends gathered together for the first time since the successful passage of the much needed operational override, to continue the tradition of raising funds to supplement the school budget.  With this year’s $60,000 goal being met, the Garden Party has raised $205,000 in 6 years, which has been proportionally and equitably distributed among the nine public schools in the district to purchase instructional materials and technology enhancements essential to day-to-day teaching and learning at every level from preschool to high school. 

Danielson Flowers once again generously provided table centerpieces to match this year’s color scheme of radiant orchid and fuchsia.  As always, guests were greeted by members of the host committee and a glass of champagne, courtesy of Global Wines, Inc.   A hosted bar with wine and beer was sponsored by Expose Yourself PR, Global Wines Inc., Five Rivers and Steven Greene of Glickman Kovago Construction, LLC.  Throughout the evening, guests sampled delicious passed hors d’oeuvres from Pepper’s Fine Catering, indulged in a wide variety of miniature cupcakes offered by CocoBeni Confections and Christopher and Maria Munro, and were entertained by the ever popular local band, TENSION, who graciously donated their time and talent and were sponsored by Beaton Kane Construction.  For the second year in a row, the party featured a signature drink served in a keepsake glass. The “Skinny Blackberry Margarita” was created and presented courtesy of Shrewsbury Counseling Center.

Notables in attendance included Shrewsbury School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Sawyer, State Senator Mike Moore, State Representative Matt Beaton, current Shrewsbury School Committee Chairman, B. Dale Magee, and School Committee members Sandy Fryc and Jason Palitsch, Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen Chair, Jim Kane, and Selectmen John Lebeaux, Moe DePalo and Henry Fitzgerald along with the Chairman of the Finance Committee, John Masiello, and Finance Committee members John Campbell, Judy Vedder, and John Cygielnik.  

The Garden Party would not be possible without the many local sponsors and individuals who offer their support year after year, including Presenting Sponsor 15-40 Connection –proudly presented by Columbia Tech, a Coghlin Company; George Abdien owner of Simon Jewelers, Hair-Lines for Paul Mitchell Systems, Danielson Flowers, Dunkin Donuts, Grossman Development Group, Jack and Jeanette Howard, Rollgiving, James Hardie, David Hebert and Mindy McKenzie-Hebert, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, Wheelabrator Shrewsbury, Jenny Boston, musical guest TENSION, Beaton Kane Construction, Expose Yourself PR!, Steven Greene of Glickman Kovago Construction, LLC, Five Rivers, Global Wines, Inc.,  Shrewsbury Counseling Center, The Duprey Family, CocoBeni Confections, Christopher and Maria Munro, Aurora Exterior Painting, Daniels Insurance Agency Inc., Gene J. DeFeudis Family Foundation, Jim and Paula Buonomo, Lamoureux Pagano & Associates, The Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia, Mirick O’Connell Attorneys at Law, Pepper’s Fine Catering, Scizzors LLC, Weston & Sampson, Young Rembrandts of SW Boston and Central MA, All-Access Physical Therapy, Avidia Bank, Central One Federal Credit Union, Child Health Associates, Encore Party Rentals, EVO Dining, Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors, John Barron/CVS Caremark PAC Program, Thrive Real Estate Specialists, Richard and Alison Ricker, Alison Kiefer, McLaren & Associates, CPAs PC, Polito Development Corporation, Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, Shrewsbury Child Development Committee, Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union, Ski Ward Ski Area, The Harbor Law Group, Tina Bilazarian, Inc., Price Chopper, Wicked Good Cookies, Dean Park Grille, Blue Coast Coffee and Design Sponsor, Amy Kotsopoulos.  

In keeping with tradition, the much anticipated Diamond Extraordinaire drawing was a favorite among guests.  This year, 125 chances were sold to take home an exquisite diamond pendant designed and donated by George Abdien of Simon Jewelers, the new Diamond Extraordinaire Sponsor this year. 

The extensive live and silent auctions featured a wide variety of items, many of which appealed to the gentlemen bidders in the crowd, including Red Sox tickets, rounds of golf at area courses, handcrafted cuff links and a sought after Ocean Front Florida Getaway, generously donated by Jim and Marcia Smith.  The husbands of the Garden Party Host Committee were auctioned to provide two hours of service and purchased by local business owner, Alexi Bobolia.  AnnMarie DeAngelis earned the spotlight for her children with her bid to help record the “snow day” message with Dr. Sawyer that wakes up every family in town after a snowfall in Shrewsbury.  For the second year in a row, Niche Hospitality generously donated a dining experience for eight at any one of their area restaurants which was bid on and won by David Lowy and his wife, Andrea. 

Host Committee Members Whitney Andrews, Sarah Cole Camerer, Beth Casavant, Mary Casey, Christa Duprey, Lisa Greene, Melissa Pride-Fahs, Hannah Kane, Kathleen Keohane, Heather Logrippo, Debra Page Mooney, Maria Munro, Kimberly Nobrega, Carrick O’Brien and Stacy Ravindranathan wish to thank those who have contributed to this extraordinary evening through their generosity. 

For more information about this event, to view the complete list of sponsors and donors, or to make a donation, please visit www.shrewsburygardenparty.com.  You may also send a donation via check made payable to the Shrewsbury Public Schools Foundation, c/o Hannah Kane, 32 Main Circle, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Please contact Hannah Kane at hannah@beatonkaneconstruction.com for more information.