Beacon Hill Nursery School (BHNS) celebrated its 55th anniversary on Saturday, April 9, at its annual auction, “Toast of the Town”.
The event, which took place at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in the Grand Ballroom, was a wonderful celebration of old and new, drawing inspiration for the décor and prizes from an elegant 1950s themed television show. Five parents – Brandi Dean, Nina Farmer, Andra Mattaliano, Allison Poster, and Jenn Stone – served as co-chairs for the event, alongside Micki Rowaan, the school’s development director and Ali Munroe, the Rainbow Room teacher.
“This annual auction is our one big social event of the year”, Mattaliano said. “This year we really wanted to tie it in with the schools 55th anniversary to create a celebratory atmosphere to the night”.
The money raised during the auction funds the schools operating budget, with additional funds going to financial aid in this year’s paddle raise.
During the silent auction, guests could try their luck at the table of “grab bags” and buy raffle tickets for a case of vintage champagne. The evening’s most coveted silent auction prize was an old-fashioned rocking chair engraved with the BHNS logo donated by a family and cookies of the month donated by Lucinda Ross, the school’s executive director. The cookies were part of a table of items put together by the teachers and staff to help fund staff development.
Welcoming the 230 guests into the ballroom was the a cappella group, Din & Tonics. The tables, set with orchids in stunning silver pots and a black laminated “55” commemorating the celebration, were illuminated with a brilliant blue light. Once inside, guests were treated to dinner during the live auction, slide shows and dancing.
Tom Cusack, a Beacon Hill Nursery grandparent, served as the auctioneer for the event. Dressed in the signature “BHNS Tote Bag,” he had the crowd in stitches as he sang his opening number, a parody of his experiences with the Beacon Hill Nursery tote bag, to the tune of “Red River Valley.” The always-popular tote-bag auction (created by each classroom at the school) was followed by the live auction with a VIP trip to the 2010 Grammy’s in Los Angeles, topping the night off in celebration.