DOYLESTOWN, Pa., June 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The second Doylestown Town Dinner occurred on Thursday night and attracted 80 participants from the not-for-profit, business, arts, religious and political communities as well as a host of Doylestown residents. The dinner is designed to be a fun way to connect, converse with and befriend other interested residents of the Central Bucks Community.
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Master iconographer and painter Niko Chocheli discussed and displayed a number of his works during the reception. Lee Milhous, the director of the Doylestown School of Music and the Arts, led an assembly of school student and instructors in three piano, vocal and wind instrument performances. Judge Ed Ludwig provided the keynote address discussing the meaning of community, the value of volunteerism and community participation, and how these values thrive in Doylestown. The judge also had some fun with the name "afinitas" and its possible definitions.
As part of the six-course meal where participants move freely from table to table in order to socialize, more than a dozen speakers took a turn at the dinner's Sixty-Second Soap Boxes to address the entire audience. Those taking a turn at the podium included: Matthew Wilcox of Samuel T. Freeman Auctions, the event's sponsor. Barbara Eisenhardt, a Doylestown Township Commissioner. Joy Stockey discussed the various programs offered by the Writers' Room. Dick Baum recounted his fond memories of Doylestown dating back to CB West in the 1950s. Eileen Kelliher of the Bucks County Opportunity Council described her group's efforts to help low income residents of Bucks county gain self-sufficiency. Tom Thomas touted the Bucks County Audubon Society's Free Summer Solstice Cocktail reception on June 23. Tim Baltz of Merrill Lynch amplified Thomas' announcement and added that there would be no speeches at the Solstice reception. Mike Mills, a partner of Anthiel Maslow and McMinn, described the magnetism of Doylestown that drew him back to the borough from the wilds of NYC. Becky Van Dine described Bethanna Foundation's works with the area's abused and neglected children. Steve Raab, of Goldenberg Rosenthal described his involvement with the Mercer and Fonthill Museums. Gene Smith described the incredible impact that the CBF YMCA has on Doylestown. Blythe Seese of Kreischer Miller described her longtime personal and professional involvement with Doylestown. Micki Gorman concluded with an eloquent discussion of the positive impact of volunteerism in Doylestown.
The dinner ended with participants nominating various non-profits to be selected for a drawing. The two winners of which split the gross profits of the dinner's ticket sales. The Central Bucks Family YMCA and The Bucks County Audubon Society each received checks for $140.00.
The Doylestown Dinner series will resume on September 8th at Doylestown CC. All are invited to attend. The Doylestown Dinners are arranged by afinitas town meetings. For more information on the dinner please visit www.afinitas.net , e-mail afinitas@comcast.net or write to afinitas, POB 107, Doylestown PA 18901. Jonathan McSurdy and Sue Saunders are partners in afinitas.
