Wine Tasting Benefits Edmond Town Hall

By Kendra Bobowick

Sounds of celebration in the banquet hall above tumbled down the marble stairwell at the Edmond Town Hall Saturday, February 20. Alive with laughter, wine, music, and a buffet, the Alexandria Room welcomed guests to the Wine and Scotch Malt Tasting fundraiser sponsored by the Mary Hawley Society.

Each guest sampled cheese, crackers, and other platters at a main table while extending complementary wine glasses etched with the society’s logo to receive a merlot or zinfandel at one table, or a chardonnay or pinot noir at another. Scotch bathed the bottoms of rocks glasses for guests who preferred a pungent whiskey flavor.

Guest Walt Motyka’s glance bounced from guest to guest over the rim of his glass. “You know, the guest list looks like the Who’s Who of Newtown,” he said.

Among those enjoying the evenings fundraiser to benefit the Alexandria Room and other efforts by the Board of Managers to promote and maintain the historic Edmond Town Hall were First Selectman Pat Llodra, former manager Jane Sharpe and her husband Don Sharpe, managers chair and vice chair Jay Gill and Walt’s wife Sandy Motyka, event organizer Marg Studley with her husband Don Studley. Also in the crowd was former first selectman Herb Rosenthal and his wife Michelle Rosenthal.

Town historian Dan Cruson meandered through the room sampling the sharp cheddars and sesame encrusted bread sticks as Diane Wardenburg of Lathrop’s School of Dance spoke with longtime former Board of Managers member and supporter Marie Sturdevant.

With more than 140 tickets sold at $35 apiece, Mr Motyka said private donations were also among the night’s contributions, along with silent auction sales of artwork by Ruth Newquist. Other prizes included copies of vintage postcards donated by Joan Crick, movie passes, a one-year pass to the track at the Newtown Youth Academy and two season passes to Friends of Music.

Enjoying the evening out and the sounds of musicians Jeff McGill, director of the Music Learning Center, and jazz duo partner Lou Pappas, were Dr Neil Randle and Donna Montaleone Randle. Raising her glass was Nicole Scoda with friends Tanja Gouveia and Ellen Adriani.

Newtown’s Dog Park Committee Chair Kaia Fahrenholz spoke with the Studleys, while Mr Rosenthal’s former assistant and current Legislative Council member Jan Andras stood with Phil Carroll and Carey Schierloh. Friends Sarah Findley, Beth Myer, and Jenn Whittle held their glasses for a brief toast.

Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor coordinated all the servers and samples for the evening’s event.

The Mary Hawley Society is a nonprofit group formed to raise funds in support of the Edmond Town Hall. It is currently focused on improvements to the Alexandria Room, which is equipped with a recently refinished adjoining kitchen open for use by caterers or others wanting to host celebrations or events in the banquet hall.