An Evening of Community and Tradition

A beautiful fall evening was made the lovelier for all who celebrated community and volunteerism at The Community House’s 14th annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday evening, November 7. Our historic building was brimming with friends new and old greeting each other with smiling faces and cordiality amidst flowing champagne, signature cocktails and savory hors d’oeuvres. Our ballroom and library once again were transformed into a stunning, candlelit dining hall where guests enjoyed a traditional harvest dinner.

The Harvest Dinner is an important evening for us at The Community House. It is a time not only of celebration, but also of reflection on the value of a strong, engaged community. It has become our tradition, during this evening, to award individuals whom have shown commitment to community service and volunteerism.

The Joanne Holbrook Patton Community Service Award is presented to an individual who has exhibited extraordinary dedication and long term commitment to the betterment of our towns. Donna Whipple, of Hamilton, was bestowed this year’s award. She has spent decades in different capacities quietly serving our two communities. Donna was instrumental in founding the “School’s Out” Afterschool and Kindergarten Enrichment programs, serving on their board for 20 years, and was an active and generous member of The Community House board for 25 years, two of those as President. These are only a few of the examples where she made an appreciative impact on our communities. At presentation, Mrs. Patton, herself the embodiment of exceptional leadership in volunteerism and for whom the award was created, spoke a few touching, heartfelt words to Donna.

A Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a person who has made an outstanding impact through a volunteer commitment during a one to two year timeframe. Bill Cooke, of Wenham, displayed this commitment over the past year with the creation of a Hamilton-Wenham youth softball league.

We are grateful to all who shared the evening with us. We invite those who do not know us and our mission of enriching community through cultural, educational, and recreational events to become one of the thousands who come through our door each week. We would love to meet you!

www.communityhouse.org

Photographs by George Blaney

Photograph 1 - Donna Whipple receives heartfelt congratulations from Joanne Patton

Photograph 2 - CH Board President Bill Boardman, Donna Whipple, and CH Executive Director Melissa Elmer

Photograph 3 - CH Executive Director Melissa Elmer, Bill Cooke, and CH Board President Bill Boardman

Photograph 4 - Joanne Patton and guests

Photograph 5 - Harvest Dinner guests

Photograph 6 -CH Board Member and former President Thad Steward