Gazebo Gala and fundraiser at Millbrook Winery

Gazebo Gala and fundraiser at Millbrook Winery
From left, Chair of the FRIENDS of the Gazebo Ashley Lempka, Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy, Millbrook Library Director Courtney Tshalis and volunteer Michelle Del Valle celebrated at the gala.
Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe

MILLBROOK — With perfect weather on hand, the Save the Elm Drive Gazebo fundraiser provided a good time for a good cause on Thursday, May 12, at the Millbrook Winery Loft. The event was held by the FRIENDS of the Gazebo with support from the Millbrook Historical Society.

The atmosphere at the winery was upbeat as guests mingled, some of whom went  onto the patio to look over the vineyards. Others stayed inside to nibble on the delicious hors d’oeuvres including crab balls, lox, skewered chicken, deviled eggs and more.

Each $50 ticket included the vineyard’s wine, and after so many people have been staying home due to the COVID pandemic, it was nice to break out some spring clothes and attend a more formal affair and meet old friends for a good cause. Those who attended enjoyed music by duo Larry Ham and George Potts.

More than 60 people attended the event to save the Gazebo, spearheaded by FRIENDS leader Ashley Lempka, who was assisted by Director of the Millbrook Library Courtney Tshalis and volunteer Michelle Del Valle.

The fundraiser included a silent auction with items from local businesses including Alicia Adams Alpaca; Juniper; All That Java; Canoe Hill; Babbette’s Kitchen; Millbrook Winery and Vineyards; Orvis Sandanona Game Fair; and more.

Lempka has made saving the gazebo her special project since last fall. She’s worked with the Millbrook Central School District and its school board, the historical society, local residents, businesses and local leaders to save the decaying structure.

Donations have been raised to help fund repairs, or even a possible replacement of the gazebo, which is located on a small piece of property owned by the school district.

After much planning the FRIENDS decided the gala at the winery would be a smart way to generate even more fiscal support and awareness for the cause.

The project is not totally without controversy, as the gazebo is not only closed but taped off and closed for use by orange caution tape.

The cost of repairs have been deemed prohibitive by the Millbrook Board of Education (BOE), which said the option to refurbish it isn’t favorable at this time. Just the demolition alone is estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars, according to the BOE.

Many residents, though, have fond memories of the gazebo, built sometime in the 1980s. Lempka believes it may have been designed by famous architect James Ware.

With help  from Millbrook residents, she thinks it can still be saved. Lempka said about 25% of the estimated cost to repair or replace the gazebo has already been raised. She has continued to work with the BOE to see the project through to fruition throughout .

The FRIENDS of the Gazebo is hoping the community will continue to donate to the fund; to do so or to learn more, go to www.millbrookgazebo.com.

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