Silent auction will be key part of ‘Under The Tent' party

| 29 Sep 2011 | 09:17

    Warwick - As in the past, this year’s “Under The Tent” party at Lewis Park on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 26, is a major fund raiser for the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick. Last year, the effort generated more than $28,000. Not to be outdone, the members of this year’s “Under The Tent” Centennial Event committee - Marina Alario, Jane Glazman, Sheila Warner, Debbie Iurato and Michael Bertolini - have gathered a selection of silent auction items and raffle prizes. Not only are many items in keeping with the theme of historic treasures, but many are exclusive, one-of-a-kind grouping with a special focus. Here is a peek into this year’s collection: • Baird Tavern Holiday Candlelight Dinner. The winner and guests will experience fine dining in one of Warwick’s landmark properties. The Baird Tavern was once host to George and Martha Washington. You will be served aperitifs and hors d’oeuvres in the Tavern’s keeping room. Dinner will be served by candlelight on authentic linen and china in the main room. The Tavern will be decorated with seasonal trimmings including a colonial Christmas tree. The winning bidder will also receive a 2007 membership in the Warwick Historical Society. • Old School Baptist Meeting House for a wedding, renewal of vows, naming , baptism, or memorial service with reception in the Herb Garden of the 1810 House. • A personal guided tour of the buildings and collections by the Society Curator, Michael Bertolini, followed by a catered gourmet picnic on the ground of Lewis Park. • A child’s birthday party in the Herb Garden of the 1810 House, with a demonstration and storytelling on the use of herbs in early Warwick. • A child’s birthday party on the grounds of the Shingle House and Sly Barn with a demonstration and storytelling about old time farming in Warwick. • Luncheon for six in the Garden of the Ketchum House. • “Take Home Chef.” Celebrity chefs Eric Johansen, a CIA-trained chef from the Iron Forge Inn, Bellvale, and Michael DiMartino, a CIA-trained chef of the Landmark Inn, Warwick, will assist you in planning a menu, selecting the wine and shopping at your local grocer, then off to the comfort of your own kitchen to prepare a sumptuous meal for you and your guests. • Night on the town. Sip champagne as you travel in luxury by limousine to Manhattan. There you will dine at LeBilboquet, a discrete and exclusive restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Awaiting you at your table will be your personally autographed copy of Celebrity Chef Daniel Boulud’s cookbook, “Daniel’s Dish: Entertaining at Home With a Four-Star Chef.” • “IN Pass” certificate from Ricardo Dacosta of Integral Nutrition. Select services from a full range of Oriental Healing Arts Center offerings such as Tai Chi and Yoga, cooking classes, Shiatsu (Japanese Acupressure), Spiritual Cinema, and nutritional counseling based on traditional Chinese medicine. • Wine of the month. You will receive an expertly selected bottle of wine each month for twelve months. The wine experts from Pecks Wines and Liquors will personally select each wine and provide educational information on the wines as well as information on food pairings. • N.Y. Mets vs. Florida Marlins. Four tickets in a field box for Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7:10 p.m., including pre-paid parking • Hand-thrown vessel by Ray Boswell Pottery, Sugar Loaf. A teacher, guest speaker, retreat facilitator and performance potter, Boswell left the public school system in 1983 and devoted himself to full time pottery production. Since then he has studied, explored and produced a wide range of creative work. Raffle prizes include: • Mystery Chest filled with 100 years of treasures collected from society members. • A colonial revival rocking chair circa 1890, mahogany with carved scroll arms and back and seat upholstered in faux horsehair. • An Empire footstool, circa 1845, frame of grained mahogany, and inset cushion upholstered in velvet. The public is invited to attend this traditional Warwick event and enjoy a summer’s evening of music, dancing, wonderful food and refreshing drinks from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person and may be purchased at the event, on line at www.warwickhistoricalsociety.org, by e-mail to whs6@optonline.net or by calling 845-986-3236. All proceeds support the activities of the society and preserving the society’s historic buildings.