“Frog Pond” illustration in Fritz Baumgarten Feesten in kabouterland, ed 1980, ill S, p. 6 Giclee print for sale on Etsy. Used in an email greeting by dear friend Marie Gibson.
A Green Garden Gala: Music, Community, and Gratitude
How lovely to be brought together in the best way – live music, great conversations, and community friendship. A Frog House thanks each and every one of you for supporting our mission.
Click to hear the song!
Sara Gazarek sings Happy Birthday to A Frog House founder Margot Fass
A Pre-Party Cruise a Few Days Before
Photo Credit, Lindsay’s high school friend.
Lindsay Graham arranged a Colonial Belle boat ride for us on Wednesday evening. Robert Corby, me, Matthew Fass, Sarah Bissonnette-Adler with Lindsay in front.
One of Our Sponsors
Photo Credit, Rob Corby
Nico and Joseph helped all afternoon and were there when Charles Corby set up the Green Ice Cream cooler. By the time the party started, everything extraneous was tucked away in the garage, though that part of the property still needs some love.
Photo Credit, Jere Fletcher
We never have any ice cream left. We are so grateful to Charles Corby and his unending annual provisions, now in our seventh year.
Our Families and Our Volunteers
Same Family as on the boat – fancy that! Rob, me, Matthew, Lindsay, Sarah.
Photo Credit, Rob Corby
From the first notes, everything came alive and gave the evening its heartbeat.
Matthew always builds “families” with his sweet lively, fun music: Jason Vance, Laurie Leenhouts, Aashwin Katiyar and Matthew.
Photo Credit, Kerry Calkins
More great music followed, with Penny Nuth and Bonnie Abrams joining the others. Matthew is hidden but you can see his hat. In the foreground, are Neil and Sandra Frankel, a faithful and long term board member. We don’t have a good photo of board member Bonnie Garner, but she attended.
Photo Credit, Kerry Calkins
More family: Kristen Thornton-Brauksieck, Annika, Steve Brauksieck and Noah have attended for seven years. Annika was presented a Save The Frogs shirt for her work building vernal ponds, and Noah received special recognition for a Harley School project supporting A Frog House.
Photo Credit, Bonnie Abrams
A special shoutout to our amazing bartender, Sarah, who crafted the event’s signature sip, The Frog Pond. It was light, bright, and just a little surprising. It quickly became the most‑requested drink of the night. Prosecco. Midori. and?
Photo Credit Lindsay Graham
Kerry Calkins, writer for A Frog House, brought Frog. Kerry found her niche behind the food table. Without even a by-your-leave, but to our great delight, Sarah, our daughter in law, adopted Kerry and Frog into our family. Watch Frog though, because she will be hopping.
Our Mascot
Photo Credit, Kerry Calkins
“Well, this looks good!” Frog exclaimed.
Photo Credit, Kerry Calkins
“But this looks even better.”
Photo Credit, Kerry Calkins
“Hello, little tadpole! Sorry, Mom says I can’t swim with you for at least another half hour while I digest.”
A Few of Our Guests
Photo Credit Lindsay Graham
Our favorite sweet southern gal, Donna Payne.
Photo Credit Rob Corby
Gracious host to A Frog House for two years, Kara Kotwas arrived with a gorgeous pot of Echinacea, Echinacea is used medicinally to support the immune system and traditionally for snakebites, wounds, and toothaches.
Photo Credit, Robert Corby
Sue Buck, a frequent guest with her husband Bill Smith. Bill had his mouth full in this photo though, so I cut him out.
Photo Credit Rob Corby
Gary Rascopf and Kathrin Hopiavuori. She is a kindergarten teacher, and together they run a farm-based nonprofit focused on hands-on learning and land care. Gary kindly bought Kathrin a copy of Froggy Family’s First Frolic for her students. Lindsay met this couple on one of her many bike rides, when she is prone to befriend neighbors.
Did you meet Cynthia Suggs? She travelled all the way from North Carolina, where she had met and become friends with Lindaay, and has been a long time supporter of A Frog House.
Photo Credit Robert Corby
Events are about people, and we were honored to connect with so many. We can’t feature or name everyone, but all are “green flag” people (see description below).
We don’t have a photo of Elena Hollands, a paying guest, but she showed up near the end, as she always does, to help with the clean-up.
Like the Girl Scout song says “Meet new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold”, we had fine groups of both. Every conversation felt like a step toward a stronger community.
Our Food
Photo Credit Lindsay Graham
Cathleen Brauen (third board member) is behind me. Vegetarian delights, clockwise: fresh spring roll, Panang (savory sweet potato) with rice (not shown), Japanese noodles, Korean nachos (gone in a hurry!) and caramelized noodles.
Our Cake
Photo Credit, Bonnie Abrams
Rob, Cathleen, me and Emma Derisi. Rob has carried the cake for seven years, this time with Emma. Emma is mom to Nico and Joseph, who are interning with me this summer. All volunteered during the party. Cathleen also sang a beautiful different version birthday song, which I love listening to.
Photo Credit, Sarah Bissonette Adler
I ate all of the piece of cake except the frog, which I was saving for posterity, but he was swept away in the clean up. Cute frog, huh? Many thanks to Tops Bakery for providing this cake, and Bonnie Abrams for arranging the contribution.
Photo Credit, Sarah Bissonnette Adler
This close up shows the beautiful malachite amulet and small green frog – past gifts from Stan Spector (who attended) and Mary Krehling (who couldn’t attend) respectively. One of our April vernal pools will be named Spector Pond, honoring Stan’s generous donation of his required IRA distribution to build it.
Our Entertainment
Photo Credit, Jere Fletcher
Some thought Jason’s costume and reading of Froggy Family’s First Frolic were not quite right for a fancy garden party, but I was so glad that he helped us to sell books. He skipped the frog head, because he could not see or be heard through it. I think his suit was on backwards, but we love him anyway.
Our Auction
Photo Credit, Sarah Bissonette Adler
Ms. Lindsay auctioned off a gift from Gallea’s Florist and Greenhouse Nursery, a lantana arrangement, some fortune cards, and great coffee from her favorite country singer Claudia Hoyser. I can’t even begin to describe how much Lindsay did to make this party the success that it was.
Photo Credit, Lindsay Graham
Nico, a rising junior, confidently outbid everyone for the coffee.
Photo Credit, Lindsay Graham
This photo was not taken at the party, but a few months ago. Meet Lindsay’s 3 lb. Morkie, Binky and 2 lb. Poodle, Polly. At the Birthday Green Garden Gala Party they made the rounds, bestowing and receiving love and joy wherever they were planted.
A Bouquet of Thanks
To everyone who came, thank you. Whether you contributed money, helped set up or take down, worked registration, tended tables, made music, or lent a hand just by being there, you helped us feel happy, fulfilled, and full of life, reminding us of true community.
Following is a bouquet gathered by Rob Corby from just the garden at the top of the the path, as a gift for you to remember this day.
False Sunflower
Shasta Daisy
Garden Phlox
August Flame daylily
Dense Blazing Star
Swamp Milkweed
Oxeye Sunflowers and Mountain Mint
Mountain Mint
Oxeye Sunflower
Photo Credits, Rob Corby
Quiz Question
Which one of the perennials above is not native to New York State? I hope you talked to our guest Patty Love, founder of Barefoot Permaculture, at the party; she could tell you almost anything about gardening sustainability.
Our Volunteers
Bonnie Abrams, Axel Baker, Sarah Bissonnette Adler, Cathleen Brauen, Kerry Calkins, Emma, Joseph and Nico Desiri, Matthew Fass, Gabe Franchi, Lindsay Graham, Logan Holmes, Aashwin Katiyar.
The behind the scenes teamwork kept everything moving smoothly, with many smiles along the way. Somehow Bonnie was able to get everything on our list in just a few days.
We didn’t see much of Axel, who was in A Frog House most of the time, entertaining visitors by making origami frogs with them and providing encyclopedic information. Our good friend Donna Richardson, an origami expert in her own right, joined in for a while.
Our Sponsors
Photo Credit Bonnie Abrams
Galleas*, Impact Earth, Lori’s, Tent Brothers, Pittsford Dairy*, Tops, Wegmans. Above are two of the tent brothers (from different mothers) themselves, Christian and Sebastian, who were too adorable not to invite.
* had their own banners
Our Green Garden Gala was more than a great evening out. It was a reminder that A Frog House is built by people: performers who share their art, volunteers who give their time, families who pitch in, and guests who arrive with open hearts. Every person there was a contributor, participant, supporter, or someone newly inspired by our mission and energy.
Why It Matters
Photo Credit Margot Fass
Our motto is “Honoring life, one frog at a time” This little green frog was spotted on May 10 at the first pond, just a week and a half after completing our ponds, as was the mallard duck below.
Photo Credit, Margot Fass
“Build vernal pools, and the wildlife will come”
Photo Credit, Robert Corby
Rob wrote “One of the Arboretum residents inspects the Friends volunteers at work.”
What’s next
We covered our expenses, plus a little more, and created happy memories. Big plans are ahead in the Village Arboretum. Our collaborators include Mayor Plummer and the The Village of Pittsford Board of Trustees, SAVE THE FROGS!, The Friends of the Arboretum, The Pittsford Garden Club, The Town of Pittsford and others. You’ll hear more soon.
If you couldn’t attend but value what A Frog House is doing for Pittsford, please:
Green Flag People
If you weren’t mentioned above, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.
