food&entertaining ✴ annual fundraiser
A Hard Day's Night CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE BEATLES IN AMERICA
I
By Lesley Francis ✴ Photos by Cobblestone Photography Event Photos by Courtni Gibson
It takes a village to make anything worthwhile happen. This expression is never more apt than when describing the annual Rotary fundraiser, which seems to get bigger and better every year. On the evening of Saturday, February 2, 2013, at the Richmond Hill City Center, the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill outdid itself once again – entering the City Center was like stepping back in time into Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club, where the Fab Four first performed in the UK over five decades ago. Britishmania, who is recognized as one of the best and most authentic cover bands in the world, flew in from New Jersey to not only perform a stunning range of Beatles hits, but to help recreate the look and feel of the 1960s with authentic costumes, musical instruments and amplifiers from that era. Our community enthusiastically celebrated 50 years of the Beatles in the USA by dressing up in ’60s attire and participating in the silent and live auctions, which featured many authentic Beatles-themed items from Liverpool. Local businesses were very supportive, becom-
ing corporate sponsors and donating wonderful gifts for auctioning. Extra authenticity was brought to the experience as the evening’s events were introduced by a resident of Liverpool, England, Roy Barber, who flew from the UK at his own expense – proof that Rotary really is an international organization. Roy remembers seeing the Beatles perform in his hometown at the Cavern Club during his youth and added his unique British style and humor to the evening by acting as emcee and running the live auction. Rotary is over 100 years old with over 1.2 million members throughout the world – over 50 of these members belong to our city’s own Rotary club, which was established in 1995. Most people are aware that Rotary is a good way to meet people and that it supports educational initiatives and people in need in our society, as well as addressing important global issues such as the eradication of polio and research into Alzheimer’s disease. Most people do not stop to think how all this good work is funded. The Rotary Club of Richmond Hill R IC H M O N D H I L L R E F L E C T IO N SM AG . C OM 9 7