Taste of Millbrook raises $35,000

MILLBROOK ­— The rain stopped and the clouds lifted over Millbrook Vineyards & Winery just as the Taste of Millbrook benefit began Saturday, June 12, at 6 p.m. The people lingering past the 9 p.m. end of the event were advised to leave around 9:20 p.m., just before a torrential downpour began.

Under the big white tent with the view of the vineyards and Catskill Mountains, more than 300 parents, weekenders and town of Washington community supporters came together to raise more than $35,000 for the Millbrook Educational Foundation.

“So many people came who don’t have children in the district,†said event co-chair Marlene Weber Garnot. “There were so many gorgeous young couples and weekenders who attended the event.â€

Guests snacked on sizable bites from local food purveyors served by the members of the National Honor Society from Millbrook High School. The school’s Madrigal Singers, directed by Alexis Clements, sang as people arrived for the evening, and then the Jazz Band, under Craig Fryer, took over.

Bidders browsed the center tables filled with silent auction offerings from Item 1, a wagon of books, toys and school supplies donated by the Millbrook Teachers Association, to Item G85, 200 pounds of locally grown, grass-fed beef from Dawn Carolei of Millbrook Farmhouse. A week in a log cabin near Asheville, N.C., donated by Millbrook Educational Foundation trustee Diane Jackson Schnoor, achieved the highest bid of $1,000.

The Millbrook Educational Foundation was founded in 2001 and has raised more than $400,000 to supplement educational programs in the Millbrook school system. The focus of the grants has been in science and technology, the arts, literacy and athletics, according to Foundation Chairman John Dux. The foundation has provided for SmartBoards in all general classrooms, revamped the pre-engineering program in grades seven to 12, and sponsored artists-in-residence workshops and performances.

On the foundation’s wish list are the Science21 program, more SmartBoards, distance learning and training and transportation for the athletes helping athletes initiative. The major long-term goal is to help match $1 million received from Nancy Perkins to improve the high school’s track and playing fields.

This is the last year directing A Taste of Millbrook for Marlene Weber Garnot, who will turn the event over to her co-chairman-in-training, Eleanor Pelc, next year. The event met its ambitious goals between ticket sales and silent auction bids and planning is already beginning for next year’s Taste of Millbrook, which will add corporate sponsors. For more information on the foundation, go to millbrookeducationalfoundation.org.