Photo by Laura Fedak Pedulli
Themed “A Tropical Christmas” the club decked out Handy’s Tavern (the club’s lodge at 152 Front Street in Marion) with colorful tropical decorations – including a beach display complete with real sand, a small Tiki bar, flamingo décor, scuba suits and even palm Christmas trees.
“We’ve been working since the summer every week, seven days a week. At least ten people have worked since the summer to help out,” said club member Mary Faughner, of the event and decorations. Some of the tropical items – as well as specialized themed Christmas trees (Red Sox and Bruins trees included!) created by club member Jeanne Bruen – were up for bid.
The Handy’s Tavern was just one site of the event, which featured tours of prestigious houses old and new throughout Marion, as well as some of the town’s other establishments including the Elizabeth Taber Library, the Marion Art Center, St. Gabriel’s Church, and the Sippican Historical Society Museum.
Proceeds from the event’s ticket sales, silent auction items and other goods for sale in the Tour’s homes all are designated for one place: education.
“Everything goes to scholarships,” said Linda Elliot, the club’s president. About $13,000 per year is raised from the event to help high school students from Old Rochester Regional, Tabor Academy and Bishop Stang pay for college – and students pursuing continuing education also are eligible, she said.
What keeps the event live year after year is not just donations, the members stress.
“More than things, our volunteers donate time,” said Ms. Faughner.
Already, the 100-person strong club is looking forward to a major milestone next year: Handy Tavern’s 200th anniversary. Ms. Elliot said that club plans to decorate the lodge like it was in 1812 for next year.
“It will be interesting to see what it was like at that time,” she said.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli