Volunteers Get Some Love

O'Rourke's Diner treats Buttonwood volunteers to special dinner!

After O'Rouke's Diner officially closed for the day, Brian O'Rourke kept going to show his support for his North End neighbor. Gracious as ever on the Summer Solstice, he laid out a beautiful dinner party for the volunteers of The Buttonwood Tree. Anne-Marie Cannata, Executive Director of North End Arts Rising / The Buttonwood Tree, returned to the kitchen to help prepare and serve the meal.

Brian made special accommodations for vegetarians on the spot, but he warned everybody that there would be no cheesecake for anyone who didn't eat their brussels sprouts. And never so tasty a tiny cabbage was there ever served up in a Middletown dining establishment. Salad was fresh with house made dressing and fresh herbs, soup was rich, and everything was delicious. It really was a special way for the Buttonwood to say thanks to the people who have, in testament to the importance of The Buttonwood, donated their time, talent, energy, and services over the years. Anne-Marie would like to thank each and every person and hopes she has remembered everyone when she says that The Buttonwood Tree IS:

Eileen Albrizio | Mike Arafeh | Francine Augeri | Reverend Ronnie Bantum | John Basinger | 
Ed Biofore | Bill Biski | Abe Bobman | Lisa Bosco | Brian Burness | J- Cherry | Breanne Coates | Tom Cushing | Matt Donahue | Brad Devlin | Kelly DiMauro & daughter Kelsey | Mike D'Amico | Matt Earls | Matthew Evangelisti | Brad Devin | Deb Flynn | Ambur Fulse | Annaita Gandhy | Bill George | Bob Gotta | Tom Hahn | John and Jen Halfinger | Colin Haskins | Joe Hoyadilla | Ty Hunter | Jim Keating | Terri Klein | Kunle Mwanga | Kay Lani | Isaac Lichter | Roy Lisker | Topher Polack | 
Ian LaForce | Suzy Lampson | Laura Lawton | Roy Lisker | 
Dr. Maryott | Ted Paulsen | Topher Polack | Abby Reynolds | Paul Rice | Cocomo Rock | Erin St. Pierre | Phill Salafia | Ann Smith | Rev. Sandra Steele | Tim Sparks | Melissa Spencer | James Stoetzle | Dave Stott | Karen Swartz | Elizabeth Thomas | Ken Villines | Ashley & Sheryl Wescott | Terri Johnson & Martha Johnson | Dottie & Barry Ten Eyck | Fred Carroll

Here Stephan and Susan Allison talk about the origins of The Buttonwood Tree (TBT), now also called NEAR. The Allisons are pleased that TBT is thriving under Anne-Marie Cannata's leadership, and were delighted to receive the new TBT mug! The Allison's talk also focused on the original goals of The Buttonwood and some history and reminiscing. It was a great opportunity for the volunteers to learn some of the stories of the people and events and changes over the years.

As always, The Buttonwood has a full slate Thursday night and throughout the weekend with lots of great music scheduled. The details can be found at www.buttonwood.org