Canterbury Communiqué A monthly online newsletter for the friends of Canterbury School
April 2015
Canterbury Celebrates 2015 Extravaganza! By Jeri Goetz, Director of Development
Do you want to help Canterbury celebrate 50 years and support the School at the same time? You can do both by attending the 2015 Extravaganza 50th Blue & White Gala, the biggest anniversary bash of the year, on Saturday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the Murphy Sports Center. This year’s event is generously presented by FineMark National Bank & Trust. Led by Co-Chairs Carlo Lawrence and Michael Pickett, the Extravaganza Committee is comprised of more than 20 parent and alumni volunteers. Many local celebrity chefs will join this year’s line-up, preparing signature dishes for your dining pleasure. Restaurants and chefs include Bistro 41, Blue Moon, Crave Culinaire, Fathoms and many more. Quench your thirst by sipping on special libations by Point Ybel Brewing Company, Suncoast Beverages and Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill. Satisfy your sweet tooth by sampling desserts by Murder Mystery Dinner Train, Bennett’s and our own Chartwells. After your appetite is satiated, dance the night away to tunes spun by Robert McDonald of New Beginnings Event. Visit the event website and take a look at the more than 100 amazing silent, super silent and live auction items including one-of-a-kind experiences, vacation homes, retail items, restaurant packages and more. The ever popular class baskets are back, including the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind fingerprint platters created by Lower School students. You can bid online and during the event, and all bidding will be mobile. This year’s Grant A Wish effort will provide resources for two important efforts – for the teachers and for the students. Your support for the teachers will enable Canterbury to purchase gift cards in the highest possible denomination for every employee. Your support for the students will help strengthen Canterbury’s school-wide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. Tickets are still available and you will find an evening full of fun around every corner! Extravaganza is a long-standing Canterbury School tradition. Last year’s event raised more than $185,000 which was directly invested in student technology, faculty professional development and need-based financial assistance. Visit http://bidpal.net/extravaganza2015 to purchase tickets, bid on an item or make a donation.
Head’s Up Happy 50th Anniversary, Canterbury! Thank you for joining us for this year’s 2015 Extravaganza 50th Blue & White Gala. As we come together, we recognize and celebrate Canterbury’s 50th anniversary, as well as honor our faculty and students with a special Grant A Wish effort. An annual tradition, Extravaganza serves as Canterbury’s premier fundraising event that provides resources to enable us to further our extraordinary vision of excellence. Our sincerest appreciation to FineMark National Bank & Trust, our presenting sponsor, and to each of our sponsors, donors, committee members, signature chefs and guests who plan to make this year’s event a success. This event would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our Extravaganza volunteers ably led by our co-chairs Carlo Lawrence and Mike Pickett. Together with their committee, they exemplify the Canterbury mission of character, leadership and service. As we celebrate Canterbury’s 50 years, our volunteers have planned an evening we will never forget, full of fun festivities and wonderful food. On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, Administration, Faculty and Staff, we look forward to seeing you at this year’s event.
Canterbury in Pictures
This month’s photo gallery includes pictures from our Spring Musical and the making of Extravaganza Finger-painting Platters! Spring Musical - Addams Family
Extravaganza Platters
To submit your photos, please send them to socialmedia@canterburyfortmyers.org.
2015 Extravaganza 50th Blue & White Auction Items Interested in some of the items being auctioned off at 2015 Extravaganza? This year’s auction promises to provide unique, priceless and unforgettable items that will have you vying for the top bid! The items below are just a few of the special pieces you can expect to see at this year’s event! Head of School for a Day Bid now for your student to run Canterbury for a day. Your student will trade places with our next Head of School, Mr. Richard Kirschner. The schedule for the day will include meetings with key administrators and a tour of the facility. The day will be capped off with a special lunch for your student’s class/advisory.
Three (3) Night Penthouse Stay at the “W” Just steps away from the Atlantic, “W” South Beach hotel offers a cutting-edge oasis in the cosmopolitan heart of South Beach. Iconic design and swaying palms set the stage for an unforgettable experience, where the pulsating worlds of music, fashion and design meet contemporary luxury. Kick off your shoes (or slip on your stilettos), and discover our vibrant paradise, where your wildest wishes become reality. Arrive in style in a 2015/2016 Jaguar with this complimentary one week use of this certificate. Four (4) One-Day Park Hopper Passes to Disney Walt Disney World is the happiest place on earth, besides Canterbury. Travel for the day to this family destination to use your one-day park hopper passes.
A Night of Culinary Delight Dinner by Chef Gloria La Trattoria Cafe Napoli is offering a night of culinary delight for you and 5 friends. Spend an intimate evening with friends and family catered in their restaurant, featuring classic Mediterranean cuisine and wine. Guests will delight in food and wine hand selected and prepared by Chef Gloria. This is a truly one-of-a-kind experience! Learn to Sail for the Next America’s Cup Race Let the wind catch your sails with this learn to sail tuition certificate from Offshore Sailing School.
Volunteer Spotlight(s): Carlo Lawrence and Michael Pickett, Co-chairs of 2015 Extravaganza
Carlo Lawrence Parent of Brie L. ’16 Why did you want to be involved in this year’s Extravaganza? For many reasons, I served last year on the committee and enjoyed it very much. I like to do anything that promotes the school financially and socially. Those would be the main reasons that I help out. It’s also nice to bond with other parents and involve myself with the culture of the school and its community. How is this year’s Extravaganza event going to be different from past years? This year, I am one of the coaches. This role comes with more responsibility and I’m in charge of making sure everyone is achieving their goals. This year marks 50 years and it brings a lot of pressure and excitement. We do have a lot of challenges with the space provided but what we have planned is very exciting. Our theme this year is going to be a 1960s Blue & White gala. It is going to represent going back to school, as in going back to Canterbury’s roots to when everything started. What can attendees expect? They can expect to be wowed by some of our auction pieces and the overall atmosphere. We are trying to create a comradery, a fun-filled evening with family. This is a night in which we will all be celebrating a new milestone for Canterbury.
What has been the most enjoyable aspect of being on the Extravaganza committee? Being able to meet with my team during our meetings has been the most enjoyable. I enjoyed being able to get to know the new members and more about the people that have been there before. We are like a family and it’s very rewarding to create and build these types of relationships at our school. It’s truly priceless. Our school and the Extravaganza event is a unique experience that everyone in and out of our community should experience. Go Cougars!
******* Michael Pickett Parent of Gabriela ’14 and Lili ’20 Why did you want to be involved with this year’s Extravaganza? I believe it may have been my time to get involved. In the past, my wife Elizabeth was more involved in school activities, but this gave me another opportunity to help out and get more involved. I wanted to assist in any way I could, and when they asked for volunteers I couldn’t help but raise my hand. Carlo has been very helpful and has been a pleasure to work with on this event. How is this year’s Extravaganza event going to be different from past years? This is my first year, but from listening to the feedback from other parents on the committee, we can say the biggest difference is bringing it (the event) back home. We are on campus this year, and it’s all about tradition and lineage. It truly is the best way to celebrate the 50th anniversary. What can attendees expect? They can expect to experience a very fulfilling and fun evening with delicious food and great companionship. What has been the most enjoyable aspect of being on the Extravaganza committee? The most enjoyable and rewarding aspect is that through this process I am able to meet new parents. In any sort of capacity, not just being the chair, its enjoyable spending time with the other parents. It was my first experience, and definitely very eye-opening to see what it takes to put something like this together. When you have an idea of what it takes to put this event together, you appreciate it more and find it more important. In addition, the most rewarding feeling was during my last meeting with Carlo, Jeri and Lou Ann they asked us if we would be planning the event next year. It was such a rewarding feeling to be accepted again. The fact that people who have been doing this year after year want Carlo and me back next year, that’s an amazing feeling. I’m glad they are not excited it’s over, but instead, excited to start planning the next one.
Upcoming Events Extravaganza 2015 You’re invited to celebrate Canterbury’s founding at the 50th Blue & White Extravaganza. Sample signature dishes by local chefs, bid on silent and live auction items, and dance the night away. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://portal11.bidpal.net/Portal/bpe273369/main/ home.html. When: Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. Where: Murphy Sports Center Spring Sports Recognition Night Join us as we honor our extraordinary Canterbury athletes at this special event! When: Wednesday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m. Where: Performing Arts Center (PAC) Senior Showcase of Distinguished Artists Celebrate Canterbury’s aspiring artists at this special event! When: Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. Where: Performing Arts Center (PAC) Barnes & Noble Book Fair The Annual Barnes & Noble Book Fair will be Thursday, May 14, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble store located at the intersection of Daniels and Hwy 41. Special events will be performed by students from the school. When: Thursday, May 14, at 9 a.m. Where: Barnes & Noble (intersection of Daniels and Hwy 41) Cougar Athletic Club Cougar Classic Fore! Get your golf clubs ready for the 4th Annual Canterbury Cougar Athletic Club Cougar Classic on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club. Registration and Breakfast will be at 7 a.m. For more information, contact Frank Turco (fturco@canterburyfortmyers.org). When: Sunday, May 17, 2015, at 7:00 a.m. Where: Crown Colony Golf & Country Club
Why I Volunteer and Give to the Canterbury Fund – Heather Creighton I have enjoyed volunteering at Canterbury because it has given me the opportunity to see how I can directly benefit my children’s school experience. It has made me appreciate how important volunteerism is to making a school great, and reinforces to my children the value of giving time to important causes. As a family, we donate to the Canterbury Fund each year because we believe in the success and quality of our children’s school. We contribute to the school to help create the best learning opportunities for our children.
Want to make a difference in your child’s education? You can with a donation to the Canterbury Fund! Every gift turns possibilities into realities, so donate to the Canterbury Fund today!
Stay Connected As students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni, we know it is important for you to stay connected to Canterbury. From class projects to sporting events, to science experiments and theater plays, our students are always on the move and you want to know about it! Whether you “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, watch us on Instagram or connect with us on LinkedIn, we’ve got you covered when it comes to Canterbury news, contests, events and much more!