6 November, 2017
On Saturday, October 28, 300 party-goers enjoyed a unique experience inside the newly renovated and expanded Hopkinton Public Library at “A Novel Affair – A Literary Cocktail Benefit”, presented by Middlesex Savings Bank. HPLF was honored to host this once-in-a-century Benefit as the capstone to Library fundraising and celebrate the reopening of our incredible new Library - the anchor of Hopkinton Center since first opening in 1895. With this event, Hopkinton Public Library Foundation raised over $50,000 for our gorgeous new Library, and reached and exceeded the community’s goal of raising $1 million!
Guests were amazed and elated with Hopkinton’s new 24,000 square foot, accessible and environmentally friendly Library during tours given by our dedicated and enthusiastic Library staff. Boston Rustic Wedding Rentals (recently opened in Hopkinton Center) set the mood with their themed décor for “A Novel Affair,” an evening based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1920s classic “The Great Gatsby”. Courtesy of Marty’s Liquors, guests enjoyed literary libations – crafted by 110 Grill’s mixology expert - including a Fizzy Flapper, Ritzy Rickey and Ossified Old Fashioned,along with local brews from Hopkinton’s Start Line Brewing. 110 Grill, Chef McFall, Not Your Average Joe’s, Tavolino, Kati Cakes, and Merry Confectionary generously provided the fabulous food and desserts, and Starbucks provided fresh brewed coffee.
Guests bid on unique auction items, such as a Rob Gronkoswki signed game jersey, a chauffeured brewery tasting tour from Hopkinton to Boston, a once-in-a-century Night at the Hopkinton Public Library, several Library keepsakes including granite and windows from the building project site, and much more. Photos of the new Library space and “A Novel Affair” festivities captured by Ashleigh Olson Photography will be featured on the HPLF website and Facebook page.
HPLF wishes to thank the fabulous guests and incredible volunteers for making “A Novel Affair” a huge success! We greatly appreciate our generous Presenting Sponsor Middlesex Savings Bank, as well as Corporate Benefactor Solect Energy, and Corporate Reader Sponsors Callanan Cronin Funeral Home, Hartney Greymont, and Elizabeth Blake Orthodontics. Corporate Supporters included Hopkinton Drug, ICS Tax Services/Egan Electric, Mirick O’Connell, Real Housewives of Hopkinton, and Reliant Medical Group. Putnam Pipe joined the event as a Corporate Donor. Guests took home event Gift Bags (bags and wrap courtesy of Hopkinton Drug) containing Love Pop Art Cards, a beautiful set of 4 postcards of the Historic Library, “A Novel Affair” bookmark, 2 Lindt truffles and a split of 90+ Cellars prosecco to continue the celebration at home.
The newly renovated, expanded and restored Hopkinton Public Library is the culmination of years of cooperation, planning and support from countless residents. “A Novel Affair” celebrated our newly improved Library, an essential community resource, as well as those who helped make this incredible project a reality. At the Benefit, HPLF honored five exceptional Hopkinton residents for their incredible impact on the Hopkinton community as well as Hopkinton Library: Sandra and Kevin Delbridge, lead donors of “1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library”, Sarah Duckett, former Library Trustee & Editor of the Hopkinton Independent, Beth Mezitt, President of the Friends of Hopkinton Library, and Ben Palleiko, former Selectman. Honorees were given a personalized, commemorative piece of granite from the historic Library building, as well as a custom made Hopkinton sign crafted from wood reclaimed from the Library project.
Naming opportunity plaques and the 1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library plaque were unveiled at this event. Until November 15th, your name can be still added to the final 1000 Homes plaque. The mockup of the plaque can be seen inside the Church Street entrance. Several naming opportunities are still available throughout the new Library building. For information about how to sign up for 1000 Homes or claim one of the remaining naming opportunities, more information about HPLF, the Hopkinton Public Library building project, or for photos from “A Novel Affair,” please visit the HPLF website at www.hplfinc.org or HPLF Facebook page at facebook.com/HPLFpage.
About the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation:
The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in September 2011. Its mission is to raise private funds to support the restoration, expansion and state-of-the-art renovation of Hopkinton Public Library. Over the past 5 years, HPLF has hosted over twenty successful events, raising over $300,000. In addition, hundreds of Hopkinton families, community organizations and businesses have come together to contribute to HPLF’s program, “1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library.” With all of these events and programs, HPLF has reached (and exceeded) the goal of raising $1 million to coincide with the re-opening of Hopkinton Library! For more information about HPLF’s mission, its fundraisers, and the Library project, please visit the HPLF website at www.hplfinc.org. Gifts to Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc., can be mailed to P.O. Box 16, Woodville, MA 01784, or made online at www.hplfinc.org.
