‘Wild about Flowers’ slated April 25 at Bowman’s

Gala will be held on the grounds of the Preserve from 5-10 p.m.

   Despite gloomy economic news, sponsors for the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve’s Spring Garden Gala,” Wild about Flowers,” have “surpassed our expectations in their commitment to the Preserve, a precious regional resource,” noted Gala Co-chairwomen Dee Dee Bowman and Karen Ulrich.
   Now in its sixth year, the Gala will be held on April 25 on the grounds of the Preserve from 5-10 p.m. This year’s celebration coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Preserve’s founding. With its “black tie and muck boots” theme, the Gala is an evening in the woods, with cocktails, raw bar and hors d’oeuvres in the historic Pavilion, and dinner and dancing under a grand tent.
   Sponsors thus far include an anonymous Friend of the Preserve at the Bluebell level of support and Twinleaf sponsor Lisa James Otto Country Properties. At the next level, Spring Beauty sponsors include Addison Wolfe Real Estate; Albertjohn DePalantino, CPA; Davidson Trust Company; Fox Rothschild LLP, Attorneys At Law; I.E. Shaffer & Co.; Modern Group and The Uehling Group at Smith Barney.
   Trillium sponsors include Biersmith Associates; Bowman’s Tavern; Monty Blanchard; Carter Van Dyke Associates, Planners/Landscape Architects; Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors with Mortgage Mobility and Cross Keys Abstract; Dear Garden Associates, Inc.; Edit Home LLC, Karen Ulrich/Interiors; Fulton Bank, Dave and Jacqui Griffith; Groundswell Design Group LLC, Landscape Design/Build Firm; Hugh A. Marshall Landscape Contractors, Inc.; Johnson, Kendall & Johnson Inc.; Kale’s Nursery & Landscape Service, Inc.; Donna and Michael Lacey, Associate Realtors; John and Barbara Lehman; Munds Landscaping & Nursery Inc.; Princeton Hydro LLC; Bob & Chris Reilly; Rusty Thomas Event Designs; Joseph Lewis Santoro; Stratton Management Company; and The First National Bank and Trust Company of Newtown.
   Tickets for the Gala are $175 per person. Patron tickets are $250 per person; patrons will be acknowledged in the Gala Program. RSVP required by April 13. To request an invitation, call 215-862-2924 or e-mail Joyce Burian ([email protected]). For more information, visit www.bhwp.org, and click on the muck boots photo on the homepage.
   MaxHansenCaterer and Bob Egan Entertainment respectively will provide an evening of fabulous food and lively music.
   The menu will emphasize food that is local, organic and sustainably grown when possible. The dinner will be served plated, with a choice of three entrees, rather than buffet, resulting in far less waste. Also new this year, TerraPass carbon offsets will be purchased on behalf of participants to make this a carbon-balanced conference. (TerraPass funds clean energy and carbon reduction projects nationwide.) Music will be provided by classical harpist Alison Simpson and by keyboardist Egan, with dinner and dance music by the Scott Gurney Ensemble.
   Guests will have the opportunity to tour a section of the Preserve to see spring native wildflowers in breathtaking bloom. They can choose from a guided walk or a stroll on their own.
   There will be two auctions — one silent, the other live — featuring items including: rare plants and trees, restaurant gift certificates, spa visits, high end local organic fruit and vegetable packages, vacation getaways and other special offerings from local vendors and service professionals. Larry Keller, New Hope mayor and owner of Hobensack & Keller, will serve as auctioneer. Vendors will offer uncommon garden statuaries, antiques and plants for sale. The indoor pleasures of the evening will take place in a magical atmosphere created by Rusty Thomas, of Event Designs.
   The Gala Committee also includes Lynell Antonelli, Laura Biersmith, Hilary Borthwick, Lisa Callaway, Marne Dietterich, Betsy Falconi, Jean Falconi, Stephanie Garomon, Michael Glenn, Allison Hamilton, Sally Henriques, Donna Lacey, Stephanie Lovenguth, Bill MacDowell, Karen Moffatt, Jane McNeill, Pam Newitt, Jamee Pemberton, Sue Ross, Sandy Ryon, Naudain Sellers, Sue Shaffer, as well as staff members Miles Arnott, Nancy Beaubaire, Joyce Burian, Kathleen Muth and Jeannine Vannais.