Last-Minute Ticket Sales

For Saturday’s Wine Tasting

By Kendra Bobowick

The last chance has arrived to buy tickets to Saturday’s fundraising gala benefiting capital projects at the historic Edmond Town Hall. Guests hoping to attend the Mary Hawley Society’s Tasting of Wines and Single Malt Scotches can still purchase a ticket on Friday, October 26, for the next evening’s event.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at the manager’s office (270-4285) located in the town hall, at Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor (270-9112) at the intersection of Church Hill Road and Washington Avenue, or by calling Marg Studley at 426-3651. For $35 per person, guests can sample wines, scotches, and enjoy light fare and music in the Alexandria Room at the Edmond Town Hall on October 27, from 6 to 8 pm, as the society hosts its first public event. Members’ immediate, short-term goals are to raise the financial means to renovate the Alexandria Room’s adjoining kitchen.

Available both at the gala and for those unable to attend will be donation cards spanning a series of levels of giving.

“A lot of people have said they can’t come, but would like to send a donation,” society member Sandy Motyka explained. Going through the levels of giving, she explained the donations. A member is between $1 and $99, a founder is from $100 to $249, a silver member is from $250 to $499, a gold member is from $500 to $999, a diamond is from $1,000 to $4,999, and platinum is $5,000 and up. “We’re optimistic,” Ms Motyka said. Realistically, while the group is hoping to garner immediate cash flow to support the short-term kitchen renovation project, long-term goals include creating an endowment to permanently support the building, she said. Large donations aside, Ms Motyka compliments the $10 and $15 dollar contributions. “We want to be accessible to everyone,” she said.

The society and its efforts have already attracted attention.

“A lot of people are interested in future fundraising to help us,” Ms Motyka said. An informational meeting is tentatively scheduled for a date in November in the evening for those who would like to learn more about the society and its future. Contact Marg Studley, Jane Sharpe at 426-5539, or Sandy Motyka at 426-0378.

Sandy hook Wine & Liquor is providing the evening’s beverages. Anne Scheurer will be volunteering as a server, along with musicians who are donating their time. The Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown and Lexington Gardens owners will provide decorative arrangements.