This year’s fundraiser, Hammock Haven, on August 28, 2016, was a great success! We had over 200 attendees who enjoyed the delectable “low country boil” cuisine created by Chefs Marion Ohlinger of Hill & Hollow and Mark Tasker of Table 9, with Tutto Gelato on hand to provide refreshing gelato on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year.
The band Magnolia Warbler, formerly known as Sawbriar, with lead performer and sculptor Jamie Lester entertained the crowd with lively rhythms transporting us to the South.
Aaron Sears, owner of Plantology Emporium, enhanced the mood by decorating for the event with a touch of mossy intrigue throughout the Event Lawn and into the Shade Garden where everyone enjoyed their dinner and a reprieve from the late summer sun.
Allen Poe, our friend and auctioneer, got the crowd bidding on all of our wonderful silent and live auction items.
FirstEnergy sponsored the main theme of this year’s event, which was the installation of our six hammocks and the unveiling of artist Michael Loop’s whimsical butterfly and queen bee sculptures.
Special thanks again to all our many sponsors, auction item donors, and volunteers who helped us raise $17,000 toward supporting the ongoing expenses of our beloved Garden.
Please stop out to the Garden soon and enjoy our new additions!
By: Victoria Cather, Event Chair
originally published in our Fall/Winter 2016 Newsletter

Serving up gelato (from left to right): Victoria Cather, Jenny Joseph, and Sarah Straface.
Photo by Carl Cather

All smiles from Nancy Stout (left), Anne Walters, and Irene Liberatore.
Photo by Victoria Cather

Local Chefs (from left to right): Sam Yokum, Micheal Bowyer, Marion Ohlinger, Mark Tasker, and Jason Fickes.
Photo by Victoria Cather

Guests enjoy dinner and the new hammocks.
Photo by Victoria Cather