By Beth David, Editor
The lawn of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven is quite elegant in its own right, with the magnificent church in the background and the strikingly beautiful canopy trees.
But on Saturday, 8/13, an added touch of elegance complemented the beautiful locale on Walnut Street in the center of Fairhaven.
The third annual Picnic on the Lawn took over the space, with tables all decked out in white and humans all decked out in white, too. The requirement to wear white and decorate with white creates a special photogenic visual.
SusanHaskill and GenevaWoodruff make their way to their table at the third annual Picnic on the Lawn. Photo by Beth David.
The event, inspired by “Diner en Blanc, which started in Paris more than 25 years ago, is a chance for friends to get together, have fun, and share a meal together.
The Fairhaven event is underwritten by Howe Allen Realty, with Tim Evans as the main organizer. Instead of individual tickets, people buy a whole table and invite their friends and relatives to join them.
This year, organizers held a contest for the best-decorated table. Mr. Evans said that at the first two picnics, he and Howe were delighted and surprised at how well people rose to the occasion with so little direction on decorating.
“They just knew what to do,” said Mr. Evans, as he emceed on Saturday.
So, this year, they decided to reward the effort. Winners of the table decoration were Tom and Michelle Crotty. They won bragging rights.
According to Mr. Evans, “Their response to winning was most exuberant.”
Mr. Evans told the crowd that he and his husband Howe love living in Fairhaven.
“We love this community, we love all of you. Thank you,” said Mr. Evans, adding that they also love “talking part in unique events that enrich where we live.”
Barbara Gracia, Vanessa Gralton, Jane Kilmer, take a moment to pose for the local free sheet at the third annual Picnic on the Lawn in Fairhaven on Saturday, 8/13. Photo by Beth David.
Barbara Gracia got a table, and invited her sister, Jane Kilmer, to join her.
“I’m her date,” said Ms. Kilmer, who was attending her first Picnic on the Lawn. “I’m delighted to be here.”
She joked that her sister was bringing her into “Fairhaven high society.”
“I think it’s wonderful, warm, very accepting, she said. “It makes you feel comfortable with a gang of people.”
“I love it,” said Ms. Gracia. “It brings the community together. It’s pretty classy.”
Jimmy Tavares, who had a warm and fuzzy mini-reunion with Ms. Gracia, echoed her comments.
“I love this event,” said Mr. Tavares. “I think it’s very classy, beautiful.”
He added that he was happy to be able to support the Historical Society, and loved seeing his friends and clients, including Ms. Gracia.
“She’s a gracious friend,,” said Mr. Tavares.
At the Nugent table, Barbara Wallace was getting a little extra attention. The 90-year-old just had a poem accepted for publication in an anthology, her third.
She started writing when she was 80, said her daughter Debra Wallace, and got her first poem published when she was 82.
Debra traveled from Newton to be part of the event, saying she would travel for hours to go.
“You meet such wonderful people,” she said.
At the self-proclaimed “Irish Table,” Sinead Glynn, Hal and Paul Chaisson, and Irish guest Audrey Kirwan (Sinead’s sister), said they “brought the Irish” to the lawn.”
Ms. Kirwan, who was visiting from Ireland, said she loved the town, calling it “quaint.”
The Nugent Table. Photo by Beth David.
Gail Isaksen said she thought it was a “great event.”
“It adds a little class to Fairhaven,” said Ms. Isaksen. “It’s a very classy thing to do and anybody can come.”
Click to download the 8/18/16 issue: 08-18-16 RogersBell
