WESTFIELD-Stanley Park’s fundraising committee has set its sights on raising $40,000 this fall to benefit the restoration of its colonial village.
A “Pathways to Colonial Times” fundraiser is slated Sept. 9 at Stanley Park to benefit the colonial village.
Sarah the Fiddler and the Westfield High School Show Choir will provide the entertainment during a “Pathways to Colonial Times” event that promises to delight the senses.
The benefit, now in its 10th year, is slated Sept. 9 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in the Stanley Park Beveridge Pavilion and reservations must be made by Aug. 25 by calling (413) 568-9312, ext. 108. Tickets are $45 per person. Admittance at the door is possible if there is availability.
“This fundraiser is not a sit-down dinner as in previous years,” said Donna Herman, as she was organizing silent and live auction prizes in the park’s board room with Gina Delmastro, Stanley Park’s development coordinator, on Tuesday afternoon. “We will have a variety of table set ups and will encourage people to mingle more.”
Herman noted that in years past, the annual fundraiser was “very formal” and has changed focus in recent years with themes including the “wild, wild west” and a “Polynesian evening.”
Gina Delmastro, Stanley Park’s development coordinator, and Donna Herman, a committee member for the park’s annual fall fundraiser, display two of the many donated items that will be available during a live auction. Delmastro holds a birdhouse created by Bob Jensen and Herman flanks a Dumagat Rocker donated by Countryside Woodcraft.
Log Rolling Catering from the Log Cabin and Delaney House are catering the festive affair which features butler-style hors d’oeuvres including sweet potato and maple turkey risotto, Swedish meatballs, tempura shrimp with Thai sauce, and apricot chicken salad in pastry cups. Additionally, stations will include a seafood sampler (shrimp and scallop scampi), mini salad station, roasted vegetable polenta bake, Angus meatloaf, gourmet macaroni and cheese, buttermilk fried chicken, broccoli florets, and assorted cookies and brownies. Wine and beer will also be available.
“The committee has been working on colonial bouquets of flowers in mason jars as centerpieces and we will have unique items including an old ironing board and flat iron to transport attendees back in time,” said Herman, adding that candles and special lighting will add to the ambiance of the evening affair.
“The committee wanted to focus on local talent for our event this year,” added Herman, noting that Sarah the Fiddler will perform as a roaming fiddler throughout the evening, and the Westfield High School Show Choir will perform from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Memorabilia from Stanley Home Products will one day be among items featured in the Carriage House on the grounds of Stanley Park after renovations are completed.
As part of the festivities, Jeff Glaze, president of the park’s board of directors, will also present the annual President’s Award which recognizes a volunteer for his or her many contributions to the park.
Committee members who have been working behind the scenes since last August include Mary O’Connell, Linda Snider-Tryon, Kara Herman, Jeanne Young, and Hillary McEwan of the park’s Development Department. Herman and Angela Derouin are serving as co-chairs of the fundraiser.
Donna Herman, a committee member for the “Pathways to Colonial Times” fundraiser to benefit the Colonial Village at Stanley Park, inspects a diorama depicting life in the 1800’s in the city. The diorama is currently housed in the Carriage House.
Rock Palmer will serve as auctioneer during the live auction which includes “something for everyone,” said Herman, adding “Rock makes a great auctioneer.”
At press time, live auction items donated include a one-year adult membership to the Westfield YMCA, a three-credit course at Westfield State University, a foursome of golf at The Ranch Golf Club with carts and a box of specialty golf balls, a one-day park hopper pass for four to Walt Disney World, four tickets to Les Miserables at the Bushnell and dinner for four at Max’s Tavern, a handcrafted Dumagat rocking chair, handcrafted birdhouse, American flag with Stanley Park Veteran’s Memorial Stone, a Vera Bradley cobalt tile bag collection and limousine service.
Robert McKean, managing director, Stanley Park, and Donna Herman, a committee member for the park’s fall fundraiser to benefit the colonial village, look over the work needed to restore the blacksmith shop.
Silent auction items are also varied and include gift certificates for eight golf courses, Peter Pan round-trip tickets for Boston and New York City, Majestic Theater and City Stage tickets, admittance to Mass MoCA, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, The Mount, Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Berkshire Botanical Garden, a set of multi-metal jewelry from the Rene Taylor Gallery in Sedona, AZ, Ski Butternut lift tickets, lottery trees, wine baskets, restaurant gift certificates and much more.
“We hope the community comes out for the fundraiser to be part of something special,” said Herman, noting the private park is a jewel for area residents to enjoy.
As Herman and Robert McKean, managing director, Stanley Park, rode around in a golf cart Tuesday afternoon examining the colonial village, it was evident of the repairs needed – from new roofs to siding – and rehab inside each structure. The total cost to renovate all buildings – mill shop, blacksmith shop, meeting house and carriage house – is $200,000, according to McKean.
“It is our hope to have all of the buildings completed by the 350th celebration of the city,” said McKean, noting that donations in any denomination toward the restoration event can be made through the Development Department or by visiting www.stanleypark.org for more information.
McKean added that for individuals or businesses interested in naming rights for any of the buildings for a “sizable donation,” he can be reached weekdays at (413) 568-9312, ext. 102.
