The Open House was a fundraiser, the first of a series, to raise money to refurbish the Angle Fly Preserve’s 18th-century Reynolds House and its pond area.
“Between the ticket-buyers, the private donations and the silent auction, we made nearly $10,000,” said Somers Land Trust Secretary Denise Schirmer, who served as chair of the event. “Everything was donated -- the hors d’oeuvres, the wine and the silent auction items."
Referring to the owners of the Stone House, Schirmer said, “Christine and Robert Beshar deserve a huge thank you. It was very generous of them and they were very gracious.”
Ten locals acted as docents during the afternoon, guiding people around the house and telling a little of its history. Every room was open and each had a special distinction.
“The best thing for me was the front door,” said Schirmer. “It’s 4 inches thick. It floored me. I opened it for every guest. It was the best workout I’ve ever had.”
The Somers Land Trust is sponsoring the Reynolds Farm Area Restoration through a series of fundraisers. “We don’t want to ask the town for funds if at all possible,” said Schirmer. “So far we’ve gotten a lot of help. People are getting excited because the Reynolds House is so old. That was the idea of this fundraiser – an event in a historic house to rebuild a historic house.”
The next event will be a musical production for children. “We received an offer from the musicians, Alyssa and Peter Reit,” Schirmer said. “They’ll tell the story of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ with a harp and a horn, one Sunday afternoon over the summer. It’ll attract a different crowd, definitely family-oriented.”
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