Fundraising and donation update

More good news from the Ivy Chapel HarvestFest crew! So far, we’ve already collected $669… and HarvestFest is still over a month away. Thanks to everyone who has donated.

Donations for auction items are also rolling in, including:

Gift certificate to Granite City Food and Brewery
Gift certificate to Garden Walk Massage Therapy (thanks to Rich and Emily Collop)
Flower Arrangement for the altar (thanks to Ruth Houston)
Gift certificate to Creve Coeur Camera
Gift certificate to Paul Manno’s
Pearls from Genovese Jewlers
Gift Certificate from Drury Inns
Gift Certificate to Nail Studio
Gift certificate to Schnucks
Gift certificate to to Salon Branca

HarvestFest gourmet appetizers

We’re a little more than a month out from Ivy Chapel’s HarvestFest 2009, and things are already starting to take shape. Here’s a sample of the delicious appetizers we’ll be featuring during the event:

Meatballs with an apricot sauce
Feta and caramelized onions in phyllo dough
Rumaki
Rye bread pizzas
Cheese logs served with crackers (cream cheese, dried apricots,dates,orange flavored liqueur rolled in nuts)
Cheese olive balls

Thanks to all the creatures who joined us…

Dogs and cats — and even a rabbit, hampster and Russian tortoise — descended on Ivy Chapel in record numbers on Sept. 12th for the Blessing of the Animals.

This was Ivy’s ninth year for the Blessing of the Animals, and it was the busiest yet. It was also the ninth straight year we have been fortunate to have perfect weather.

This year, we were proud to accept donations for C.H.A.M.P. assistance dogs. Donations will ensure C.H.A.M.P. will be able to continue providing service dogs free of charge to adults and children with disabilities.

Thank you to everyone who shared their pets with us… and see you next year!

Here’s a short video of Moose the Russian tortoise, who stopped by to be blessed and to sample Ivy’s turf…

Click on the photo below to view our photo album from the 2009 Blessing of the Animals at Ivy Chapel. If you would like hi-res versions of any of these photos, please e-mail the Ivy Chapel webmaster.

First sponsor and entertainment announcements

A couple of exciting HarvestFest 2009 developments to report…

Thanks to Ivy’s own Paul Hertenstein, who will be playing the piano during the silent auction.

Marsha and Carl Ramey have arranged for Wines of Wildwood to serve the wine. Be sure to visit their website or stop by their store at 2418 Taylor in Dierbergs Town Center, Wildwood. Their phone number is 636-405-0800.

And Gail Thoele has arranged for Coldwell Banker Gundaker Realtors to print the programs.

Thanks to everyone… and check back here for more updates.