As chair of Bexley’s 2008 Inaugural House & Garden Tour, I’m thrilled to report this event was a stunning success, thanks to the support and participation of so many members of this generous community.
This event raised almost $60,000, far exceeding any previous fundraising effort in the 70 plus year history of the Bexley Women’s Club! Proceeds will go to the Bexley Women’s Club scholarship program, which supports college-bound high school seniors residing in Bexley and undergraduate students nationwide.
Our sincere thanks go to Molly and Larry Ruben, who believed in and supported this event from its infancy, served as Gala Host Committee chairs, and provided the Bexley Gateway as the backdrop for the "Taste of Bexley" portion of the Gala event.
A very special "thank you" goes to Ohio’s First Lady Frances Strickland for serving as hostess for the Gala event (June 21) and for opening the Governor’s Residence and Heritage Garden to our 300 plus Gala guests. I’d also like to thank the former First Lady of Ohio, Hope Taft, for sharing her knowledge and creative vision of the Heritage Garden with more than 1,000 visitors during our public tour on June 22.
Special thanks to our many generous corporate sponsors, including Bexley Gateway; Yard Solutions; The Avant Garden; BYERSAUTO.COM; First Bexley Bank; Pete Foster Residential Designs, LLC; Lasting Impressions Event Rentals; Rogers Krajnak Architects, Inc.; Schieber & Associates/Architectural Gardens, Inc.; AmeriTitle; Bexley Beat; Bexley Stationers & Gifts; W. E. Davis Insurance Agency, Inc.; The Depot Trolley; Hummel Title Agency; University Hospital East; Wagenbrenner Company/Barbara Hoyer; and Dean A. Wenz Architects, Inc.
Many thanks to our family and individual sponsors who helped ensure the success of this inaugural tour, including Lisa Baas, Mary and Carl Bauer, Ann and Don Casto, Beth Grimes Flood and Tom Flood, Barbara and Bill Hoyer, Nancy and Tad Jeffrey, Monique and Matt Lampke, Mary and AJ Myers, Bobbie Ruch, Jeanie and Jay Schottenstein, Andi Wobst-Jeney and Stephen Jeney, Jack and Betty Ann Jeffrey, Brad and Holly Kastan, Ron Negron and Mike Gritzmacher, Linnea and Brian Blanchard, Mike and Linda Carruthers, Steve and Kim Germain, DeeDee and Herb Glimcher, Robyn Jones, Brett and Katie Kaufman, Linda and Barbara Lucks, Andy and Carrie Madison, Dorothea and Gerald Maloney, Dr. Christopher and Leslie Masoner, Jane and Tim Stehle, Fred and Nancy Zantello, Nancy and Thomas Beck, Bev and Bob Darwin, Barbara Giller, Mrs. Mary Virginia Horn, Bruce and Bev Langner, Barbara and Eric McInturf, Carol Ann Pfau, Lee and Marilyn Skilken, and Jennifer and Eric Wasserstrom.
It’s significant to note that more than 300 individuals from throughout Bexley and the Columbus area volunteered their time to serve as tour guides and aides for the Saturday Gala and the Sunday tour. I am so grateful for their efforts in making this inaugural effort an enjoyable event for all who attended.
Finally, I wish to thank our remarkable Tour Committee for their tenacious and resourceful efforts that made Bexley’s 2008 Inaugural House & Garden Tour a success. Members include Mary Acree, Lisa Baas, Mary Bauer, Julia Blankenship, Mary Bonelli, Elizabeth Dunham, Margaret Hahn, Libby Koetz, Monique Lampke, Stephanie May Beaumier, Dinah O’Dell, Betsy Randle, Jennifer Ritchey, Kim Rogers, Ann Russell, Amy Sarver-Cihon, Stephanie Southard, Heather Forrest Weiland, and Nancy Zantello.
I’m humbled by the overwhelming support we received for this event and am hopeful that participants, volunteers, sponsors, and even onlookers enjoyed this kickoff centennial celebration. And as Bexley’s centennial celebrations continue, I’m proud to call myself a resident. I have a renewed appreciation for why "Bexley is a special place to live." Thank you, Bexley!
Paige Sifford Bilotta, chair
Bexley’s 2008 Inaugural
House & Garden Tour
