[one_full class=”acb-address” ]Annapolis, MD
September 30, 2012The Taste of the Chesapeake 2012, our hallmark annual fundraiser, was a great success! On September 20th, the Alliance hosted over 200 guests at Quiet Waters Park to celebrate its many programs affecting the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and enjoy an evening of local food, drink and music. The Taste also presented awards to noted conservationists for their environmental leadership. The Taste is intended to highlight the restoration and conservation successes of the Alliance and its partners and to raise money to expand our restoration efforts.

The Alliance raised over $75,000 to initiate new restoration programs and to expand existing community-based efforts. Generous Donations came from over a dozen committed sponsors, and exceptional silent auction, and guests who conducted spirited bidding for live auction items– including a variety of Bay adventures! The Taste was made possible by fabulous caterers and vendors from the Annapolis community. Guests enjoyed fresh oysters and a Fordham beer tasting, along with tastes of local delicacies served by Palate Pleasers, The Main Ingredient, Caroline’s Gourmet, and Graul’s Market. Dan Brellis of the Alliance cooked up doughnuts and pierogi  to add a personal touch to the Alliance effort; all culminating in a memorable event!

Al Todd, Executive Director of the Alliance, presented awards to noted author and columnist Tom Horton, recipient of the annual Environmental Leadership Award, and to Gary Waugh, recipient of a Special Recognition Award for his efforts to build new environmental programs within the Virginia state government.

Guests gathered from throughout the Bay watershed to support the Alliance and its important work. The live auction included a river kayak trip with Tom Horton and Alliance staff, a unique 18th century Bay experience with a crew position on a legendary Bay sailboat called a log canoe, and a home stormwater audit and Rain Garden designed by the Alliance.

Inspired to honor all Taste guests… The Alliance will create a “Rain Garden Do-It-Yourself” page on its website starting in November and continuing throughout the winter, to encourage all Alliance guests and supporters to design and plant a rain garden in May!!!

Our sincere thanks to all who participated in the Taste. The success of the Taste was an enthusiastic community effort ranging from our auctioneer Stephanie Kenyon, President of Sloans & Kenyon, Auctioneers and Appraisers, to Annapolis Green which donated recycling stations and Veteran’s Compost who composted all the leftovers and the compostable plates and flatware.

We look forward to seeing you at the Taste of the Chesapeake 2013. In the interim, please keep track of our work on the Alliance website, and stay tuned for the rain garden tutorials debuting in November 2012.