Friends Old & New at Historic Sotterley's Holiday Party!

Every year, during this most festive season, Historic Sotterley's Emeritus Trustee and devoted supporter, Michael Whitson hosts a wonderful holiday celebration on Sotterley's behalf. And every year, special guest Majority Leader Congressman Steny Hoyer attends, along with many generous sponsors, Sotterley Board of Trustees members, staff and volunteers.

In the best of cheer, invited guests gathered at the J.T. Daugherty Conference Center for the 6:00 p.m. reception, thanks to the gracious hospitality of Tom Waring and Brian Norris. As the dinner hour approached, all received a votive candle and a hush came over the crowd ... the holiday music began, the screens were parted, and the oohs and aahs could be heard as guests were invited to dine in a wintry wonderland. Tables were elegantly set amid arrangements of sparkling icicles and red roses, with the mammoth winter scene backdrop. And it just kept getting better and better! Lisa and Michael Kelly of the Brome-Howard Inn (and introducing Canard's Catering) not only wow-ed the crowd with the most delightful ambiance, but also created a meal to remember: five delectable hors d'oeuvres, butternut squash bisque, baby greens with baked brie encrusted in almonds, rockfish bites and jumbo lump crab, braised short ribs with chimichurri, potato duchess, haricot verte and red pepper bundle, topped off with a winter wonderland of chocolate for the sweet!

We would also like to thank all of the evening's friends and sponsors, whose generosity is incredibly humbling - we would not be able to carry on our mission without you:

Butch Long & Cindy Salyard, MIL Corporation
John & Cheryl Blazer, Blazer's Custom Construction
Beverly Perry & Tom Graham, PEPCO
Dr. V.K. Shah & Dr. Na Shah, Shah Associates
Larry & Martha Wise
Michael Colina & Linda Cannon, RMC Corporation
John & Julie McAllister
Michael & Sara Middleton, Community Bank of Tri-County
Joe & Carmen Slater, SMECO
John & Julie Norris
Jim Cornelson, Old Line Bank
Charles McPherson, The Facchina Group
Charles & Rosine Downs, Downs Plumbing
John & Mary Bohanan
Lynn Erwin & Michael Whitson, Tri-County Abstract
Gregory "Steve" & Diane Proctor, G.S. Proctor & Associates
Tom Waring & Brian Norris
Lisa & Michael Kelly