Sep 20 2009
A Very Nice Event Indeed
New Surry Theatre was honored earlier this year when we were notified that we were being awarded a grant from the Quimby Family Foundation (www.quimbyfamilyfoundation.org). Shari and I traveled to Freeport to accept the grant on August 21. We had requested funding for two major items that we would not otherwise be able to afford. (1) upgrade our theater lighting and (2) rake the audience (i.e. improve visibility by installing portable risers.)
We arrived at the Harraseeket Inn about a half hour early. We found the large conference room where the luncheon was being held and proceeded to look at displays of photographs, old maps and as others started arriving, we met some interesting people. Shari suggested we reserve a couple of seats at the round tables as she didn’t want to have to turn around to see the podium. She left her bag on a chair and we leaned the chair next to that one on the table, in the universal sign that it was “taken.” We continued to meet other folks - one of the most interesting was Roxanne Quimby’s aunt (Liliane Willens) who was born in China and always gives the keynote speech at the awards luncheon. I guess it’s always an interesting time for the family as Liliane never reveals her subject matter in advance.
When the luncheon was starting and folks were starting to sit down, we moved back to our table to see that someone had taken our seats! Shari told the man who had evidently moved her bag that we had saved the seats earlier and he pointed out that she could sit next to him. She thanked him (nicely) but assured him that she’d rather sit with her husband. We were quite disappointed as no one else had their reserved seats taken and there weren’t a lot of empty chairs left, at least not together. I grabbed one of the waitresses and explained our predicament. She told me not-to-worry-there’s-plenty-of-places-sir. She beckoned us to follow her and after touring around all the tables, proceeded to seat us at one of the two head tables reserved for the family and Board of Directors! So things worked out alright after all.
We almost felt like intruders but enjoyed meeting Hannah Quimby, her brother Lucas and some others on the Board who were at our table. Liliane made a wonderful speech about Percival Baxter, one-time governor and the man who gave land to the State which eventually became Baxter State Park.
Grants were awarded to forty-four different groups in the areas of conservation and the arts. We were honored and humbed to be included with those fine organizations. Each representative shared a few words about their work and we were really amazed at all the good things going on in our state.
New Surry Theatre is very grateful to The Quimby Family Foundation for their support.