15th Annual Taste of Millbrook fundraises for Millbrook schools

MILLBROOK — Beautiful weather, music and great food all came together on Saturday, June 8, for the 15th Annual Taste of Millbrook.

With about 350 people registered, this was probably the largest turnout so far. This event is an annual hit — for the ambiance, for the end of the school year relief and for the fact that it’s the Millbrook Educational Foundation’s (MEF) biggest fundraiser of the year. 

Held at the Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, a huge white tent was filled with blue and white balloons, tables with vases of white flowers and lots of food, not to mention plenty of wine. There were also several long tables set up with raffle and auction prizes, along with clipboards to make bids. The many contributions that MEF makes to the school district each year enables students to undertake projects in art, science and more, which would otherwise not be possible.

MEF was started in 2001, as a nonprofit originally formed to benefit district athletic facilities. Since then it has grown, helping fund artists-in-residence, general assembly programs, second language acquisition programs, the visiting authors program, the STEM/Maker Space program and an Alden Place Elementary School Science Fair. MEF also helps with application fees for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and with costs for specialty musical equipment and a new gymnasium scoreboard at the middle school. There is the John and Agnes Marona Scholarship and the MEF Scholarship, $1,000 each, awarded each year to two deserving students.

MEF Chair Chris Rosenbergen thanked all of the donors and supporters, who through their generosity allowed MEF to donate more than $1.2 million back to Millbrook in this, its 18th year.

At A Taste of Millbrook, music was provided by the Millbrook High School Jazz Band under Daniel Dunninger, the  high school’s Millbrook Trail Blazers, directed by Alexis Bresnahan, and The Differents. Student volunteers were provided by the National Honor Society and the Junior Honor Society.

Food was donated by local restaurants and caterers. A wide array of wines and other beverages were available. More than 78 businesses donated to the auction; the face value of the donated auction items was more than $25,000.

Philip D’Angelo, superintendent of schools, said, “The partnership between the Millbrook Educational Foundation  and the Millbrook Central School District (MCSD) is the consummate example of teamwork. The MEF and MCSD have a shared goal—to provide all students of the MCSD with a high-quality, well rounded educational experience that enables them to experience success and achievement after graduation. This team effort is a true success story that exceeds the goal and offers students daily learning experiences that will serve them for a lifetime.”

By all accounts, this Taste of Millbrook was the biggest yet. Each year tickets sell out well in advance.