If you didn’t buy your ticket to the Preserve our Legacy Fundraiser before October 6th, you were out of luck because it was SOLD OUT! Nearly 185 conservation minded people came to mingle for cocktails, hug hello to long-lost friends, enjoy dinner and dance their hearts out to the music of the eight-piece band, Shaded Soul at the Farmington Polo Club. All to support the Farmington Land Trust. The theme was “Celebrating our Trees”. The event sponsor, ION Bank, created a delicious signature cocktail, Take It To The Bank, of course it was green! Connecticare sponsored the photo booth complete with tree accoutrements and Thomaston Bank sponsored the gorgeous appetizer table. During cocktails a drawing was held. For $20, you could buy a chance to win local artist Kate Emery’s lovely, pastoral, Impressionist painting, Birch Lit Path. You could also purchase a beautiful maple tree or flowering bush from Dunning Trees in Farmington where 30% of the proceeds go to the Land Trust.

 

The night’s theme was reflected in the eye-catching tree branch crowns modeled by Executive Director Cate Grady-Benson, and Board President Francie Brown-Holmes who both addressed the lively crowd about the importance of our trees. We couldn’t survive on this planet without them. Grady-Benson and Brown Holmes then proceeded to hold a Raise the Paddle to fund the Stewardship of the trees with the first bid starting at $2,500. The bids provide much needed funding for the stewarding of the many trees on the 67 properties the Land Trust is entrusted with. Finally, both women auctioned off their headdresses for a total of $350. The Gala has raised over $60,000 so far!

 

Dancers filled the dance floor as Shaded Soul sang and played their tunes. Outside, on the patio, a firepit kept people warm. The Land Trust’s legacy is about stewardship—taking care of and preserving open land. Farmington will continue to be a lush oasis because of the passionate commitment of the Land Trust and its members.

​

Article Contributed by Marie Lavendier