Winter Newsletter
President’s Message
Happy New Year, and welcome to the Lowell General Hospital Auxiliary
Winter Newsletter. I hope you all have memories of a beautiful holiday
season.
Thanks to all of you 2010 was a very successful year for the Auxiliary.
With the hard work and dedication of all members, and the addition
of a few new fundraisers we were able to donate $125,000 to the
Legacy Fund, the 2nd installment of our 6 year commitment to this
major expansion project for the hospital. It has been exciting to see
the ground breaking and watch the new buildings and landscape taking
shape.
For those of us who remain in New England during these long, cold, snowy
months, we all need some fun things to look forward to in order to get us
through to Spring. Please join us for our “Friend” raiser, “New Year New
You” on January 13, 2011 at the Clark Auditorium. This event is a great way
to get 2011 started off on the right foot. Hair stylists, makeup artists, pros on
accessorizing and more will be on hand to help us achieve our best look for the
New Year.
We will be holding our second annual “A Winter Affair” February 10, 2011
at the stunning Stonehedge Inn & Spa in Tyngsboro. You won’t want to miss
this great night of fun with wine tasting, putting contest, beautiful floral
arrangements, and fabulous silent and live auctions! Look for your invitations
in the mail. If you do not receive an invitation, please contact me at
tmari9083@aol.com or by phone at 603-321-9453.
As always, please be sure to check out the gift shop. Now that the holidays
are over, it’s a perfect time to pick up a little something for you such as a
beautiful scarf, fun ring, or a new bag to complete that special outfit! And, it’s
not too late to purchase a raffle calendar, as a terrific prize is being drawn
every day during the month of January, including the famous Trinity Triple
Play (donated by Trinity EMS ) to be drawn January 30, 2011. This
fabulous prize includes premium tickets and parking to a Red Sox, Celtics and
Bruins game. Many other outstanding prizes can be won simply by purchasing
a calendar for $10, available at the gift shop now through the end of January.
Thank you again to all who have donated to this calendar!
Before we know it, spring will be here. Keep an eye out for information
regarding future events including Daffodils and Desserts; our annual unofficial
kickoff to spring, raising money for LGH Cancer Center and the American
Cancer Society.
Thank you to all of you for your continued support of the LGH Auxiliary.
“If we had not Winter, the Spring would not be so pleasant.”
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)
Again, best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Tarina
Tarina Mansur,
President
Inside this Edition:
President’s Message
In memory of
Dr. Michael Gilchrist
24th “Taste of the Town”
2010
Festival of Holidays
Two Special Events:
New Year, New You
and
Winter Affair
The Art of the Invitation
Gift Shop News
Auxiliary’s
Raffle Calendar
& Thank Yu!
In Memory of Dr. Michael A. Gilchrist
On October 31, 2010, the LGH Auxiliary lost a longtime friend, and devoted supporter Dr. Michael A.
Gilchrist. Dr. Mike was a true Renaissance man—devoted family patriarch, beloved pediatrician, community
leader, and LGH trustee. His son Dr. Mark Gilchrist described it best as “a life well lived.”
Dr. Mike came to Chelmsford in 1974 and started his own practice 20 years ago. He was on the staff of Lowell
General Hospital for 36 years. He served as President of the Medical Staff and Trustee of the Hospital. As
Chair of the Legacy Campaign, Mike led the way in raising $11 million before the public announcement.
For many Auxilians, our last glimpse of Dr. Mike was at the 24th Annual Taste of the Town. With his charming
smile and easy demeanor, he enjoyed food and wine, friends and family, and helping the hospital. From
recruiting restaurants and chefs to counting ballots behind the scenes, Dr. Mike has been an integral part of this
Auxiliary event.
Dr. Mike leaves behind his wife of nearly 40 years Carol Gilchrist, an LGH Auxiliary board member and pastpresident, his sons and daughter-in-law, Dr. Mark Gilchrist, Greg Gilchrist and Dr. Kamie Yang and his granddaughter Kate Gilchrist.
When Dr. Mark asked LGH CEO and President Norm Deschene to speak at Dr. Mike’s funeral, Norm thought
Mark said “speak for 45 minutes.” Of course, Norm could easily fill 45 minutes with Dr. Mike’s
accomplishments and long history of helping the community and hospital. “No,” Mark clarified, “that’s 4 to 5
minutes.” In his farewell to Dr. Mike, Norm used the line that Dr. Mike has famously said to many parents,
“Take him home and love him.”
Because the LGH Legacy Campaign has been the passion and focus of Dr. Mike, the family has designated it
for his memorial gifts. In honor of his many accomplishments and generous support of the Auxiliary, the
Auxiliary board has made a $1000 donation in memory of Dr. Michael Gilchrist to the Lowell General Hospital
Legacy Campaign. Gifts can be sent to the LGH Legacy Campaign, 295 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854.
24th Annual Taste of the Town
The 24th Annual Taste of the Town was a smashing success! On Sunday, October 24, 2010, at the UMass
Lowell Inn and Conference Center, 400 guests dined on the culinary creations of eighteen local restaurants and
caterers. It was a fierce competition to capture the hearts—and the palates—of the crowd, but in the end, the
people chose well. We are proud to congratulate the following winners for the 2010 People’s Choice Awards:
Appetizer: Bailey’s Bar and Grille - Scali Shrimp
Scampi
Entrée: Two Chefs are Better than One - Porcini
Crusted Sea Bass with chive oil over Lobster Mashed
Potatoes
Dessert: I Dream of Jeanne Cakes - Chocolate Caramel
Tarts
In addition to the People Choice Awards, the Auxiliary
awarded a new category—the Chairmen’s Choice. This
prize went to the best table presentation and décor. And
the winner is Two Chefs Are Better than One.
Taste of the Town would not be possible without the
Linda Chemaly (left) and Debbie Lemos (right)
generosity and hard work of the eighteen restaurant
present Two Chefs with their two awards
and caterers who give so tirelessly of their time and skill.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to our participants:
Bailey's Bar and Grille, Bianco's Catering, Café Madrid, Cavaleiro's Restaurant, Centro Restaurant & Bar,
Cobblestones of Lowell, Fireside Catering, Gibbet Hill Grill, I Dream of Jeanne Cakes, L’Andana Restaurant,
Moonstones, Ricardo's Café Trattoria, Saffron Bistro, Sodexo, Sprigs Restaurant & Bar, Two Chefs Are Better
Than One, UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, and Westford Grille.
The evening included such traditional festivities as the Parade of Chefs, a live auction and the basket raffle.
Trinity EMS generously donated an Elegant Holiday Weekend at the White Barn Inn. After a round of fierce
bidding, Dr. Sebastian Sepulveda will be enjoying the
winter wonderland of Christmas Prelude in Kennebunk,
Maine and the luxuries of the White Barn Inn.
The eighteen baskets for the raffle contained something
for everyone: iPad, iPhone, Kindle, sports tickets, an
Adirondack chair, shopping spree, wine and crystal, and
much, much more.
And of course, there was the signature Taste of the Town
to Go. Who says you can’t take it with you?
The January 2011 Raffle Calendar made its debut, selling
over 300 copies at the event. But don’t worry, there are
still some available. Raffle Calendars are available for
purchase at the LGH Gift Shop for $10 each.
Tarina Mansur holds up the sign at the Live Auction for
the Christmas Prelude in Kennebunk, Maine.
Continued…..
The Taste of the Town is the largest fundraising event for the LGH Auxiliary. This year, we raised almost
$50,000 to benefit the Lowell General Hospital. And in the aftermath of an evening of culinary delight and
gluttony, we loosen our belts, reaffirm our commitment to diet and exercise and turn our thoughts to the endless
possibilities at next year’s 25th Taste of the Town.
~
Thank you to our Taste of the Town Auction and Raffle Basket Donors
The Auxiliary would like to extend a warm thank you to Trinity EMS for their generous donation of the Taste
of the Town Live Auction item: An elegant weekend at the White Barn Inn & Spa in Kennebunk, Maine.
Thank you also to the following donors for helping us to create fabulous raffle baskets:
Anne Marie Arcand
Mary Bennett
Dorette Berman
John and Linda Carson
Lynn Lemaire Chaput
Chelmsford Pedictrics
Nancy Clark
Cobblestones of Lowell
Karla Cook
Joy Deschene
Linda Emerson
First Eastern Mortgage
Christine Fraser
Fred C. Church Insurance
Mike and Carol Gilchrist
Graphlex Visual Communications
Greater Lowell Technical School
Harrington’s Wine and Liquors
Brenda King
Brenda Korwan
LACAT, LLC (The Mariano Family)
Pauline Lambert
Paula Leavitt
Kathy LeMay
Bill and Debbie Lemos
Lowell Bank
Lowell Five Bank
Lowell General Hospital Auxiliary
Lowell General Hospital Volunteer Services
Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Tarina Mansur
MEC Electrical & MEC Technologies
Eric and Carrie Meikle
Sheila Morehouse
Paul Nutt
Janiece Oblack
Scott and Kathy Plath
Stony Brook Primary Care
Annette Sullivan
Carol Sullivan
Joanne Sullivan
Debbie Trull
Joseph Vaccari
Lisa Vigliotta
Washington Savings Bank
Amy Werner
Pam White
Capacity crowd at the 2010 Taste of the Town
2010 Festival of Holidays
On November 4th and 5th, the Clark Auditorium was transformed into a holiday wonderland full of decorations,
baked goodies and gifts galore. Holiday décor from Vera Bradley ornaments to delicious cinnamon-scented
candles tempted shoppers. Ladies adored the jewelry displays, beaded purses, reversible jackets and painted
martini glasses. Donna Thoene, LGH Gift Shop Manager, said that the hot item was the scarves—every color
you could want from pashmina to velour. And if you need a lesson in how to wear that gorgeous scarf that you
bought for yourself—or a friend, there will be demonstrations of how to accessorize at the January 13, 2011
LGH Auxiliary Friendraiser: New Year, New You.
Santa’s Little Helpers Joy Deschene and Pam White
Volunteer Elf, Hilde Griffin
Two Very Special Events
New Year, New You
January 13, 2011
Clark Auditorium
Get ready for a great girls night out! The Lowell General Auxiliary will hold a friend-raiser New Year, New
You on Thursday, January 13, 2011. It will feature local hairdressers and make- up artists. They will
demonstrate ways to help you look your best. You will learn the best ways to achieve a professional look.
We will also have a demonstration on how to accessorize. It will be held in the hospital auditorium. Wine
and hors d'oeuvres will be served. $35.00 per person or bring a friend and it is $60.00 for both. Hope to see
you there!
Please contact Linda Gaetano at 978-937-6366 if you did not receive your invitation!
The Second Annual
~ Winter Affair ~
Thursday, February 10, 2011
6:00-9:00 pm
Stonehedge Inn and Spa
Tyngsboro, MA
Hors d’oeuvres, Salad Station, Carving Station
Desserts courtesy of I Dream of Jeanne Cakes
(Three time People’s Choice Dessert Award winner)
Wine and Beer tastings courtesy of Jim Young of Martignetti Companies
Jazz Band
Putting contest (for an additional fee)
Silent and live auctions
$65 per person
If you are interested in attending, please contact Mary Bennett at marybennetp@hotmail.com
The Art of the Invitation
Every fall, a little ivory envelope arrives bearing a chef
hard at work in his kitchen. It’s another LGH Auxiliary
Taste of the Town! But where did this chef come from
and why has his image become synonymous with this
event?
Twelve years ago, the Taste of the Town invitation was a
cut and paste design that wasn’t very special. Ellen
Donovan who was Auxiliary President at that time thought
we should come up with a more upscale invitation. She
knew a young lady who was a Rhode Island School of
Design graduate and asked if she would do it. She had her
brother and father pose to create the chef—and the rest is
history.
Last year, the Auxiliary established a new event A
Winter Affair. The first Winter Affair was a great
success! The Auxiliary decided to make this an
annual event. And following in the tradition of
having a great signature artwork on the invitation, we
asked Claudette Lambert Peterson to create it.
Claudette Lambert Peterson was born and raised in
Massachusetts and spent many years of her childhood
in Chelmsford. She studied illustration at the Rhode
Island School of Design. She has worked as a shoebottom designer, a picture frame designer, a muralist,
a teacher and a food illustrator among other things.
She lives with her husband and three daughters in a
small western Massachusetts town.
To see more of Claudette’s work, visit
her website www.claudetteillustrates.com
LGH Gift Shop presents
A Valentine's Day
Shopping Event
On Thursday, February 10th, the Gift Shop
will be holding a Valentine’s event with
special jewelry selected just for
the occasion!
We will also feature a wonderful array
of candy, including gourmet chocolates
and cute candies and stuffed animals
for children, too!
Stop by and check us out!
And Remember…
The LGH Gift Shop has become the destination shopping spot in town. We carry a beautiful line of jewelry,
including beautiful handmade pieces, handbags, baby gifts, sports items, candy and just about something for
everyone on your gift list. Yes, including something special just for you!
Our January Raffle Calendar is Still Available…
Happy New Year! And to start off 2011, the Auxiliary has a January Raffle Calendar with a fantastic prize each
day all leading up to the grand prizes of the Trinity Triple Play ( parking and two tickets for premium seats to
Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox games) on Sports Sunday, January 30th and a cash prize of $500 on Monday,
January 31st. The raffle calendar is still available for $10 at the LGH Gift Shop at (978) 937-6373.
The raffle calendar winners will be posted on our website www.lowellgeneral.org
Continued…..
We would like to thank the following donors for their generosity:
Bailey’s Bar & Grill
Pauline Beaulieu
Lynn Chaput
Chelmsford Pediatrics
Linda Carson
Linda & John Chemaly
Fishbones
Carol Gilchrist
Dr. Mark Gilchrist,
Dr. Mike Gilchrist and
Dr. Lisa Sevginy
Homa Skincare
Pauline Lambert
Paula Leavitt
Debbie Lemos
Lowell Five
Tarina Mansur
Carrie Meikle
Linda Pitta
Alex Regan
Ricardo’s Café Trattoria
Trinity EMS