Heritage Garden Party celebrates NOTL’s history

Guests in all their finery, mingle, sip wine and enjoy nibblies at the NOTL Museum’s Heritage Garden Party. Photography by Janice White

Denise Ascenzo portrayed sculptor Jacobine Jones as she chatted with garden party guests. Janice White

The first mayor of what became NOTL, Alexander Davidson aka Rick Meloen, mingles with guests Peter McKinley and Tom Catcher at what was once his home. Janice White

Guests Liz Klose and Hilary Bellis sported their finest garden party attire and headgear. Janice White

Stephanie and Greg McQueen.

Patty Garriock and friends Adrienne Jarrell, Carolyn Porter, Patty Garriock, Chris Earl, Carroll Baker and Bonnie Lamourie.

Pamela Gaio and Paulette Kennedy raise a glass.

Museum managing director Sarah Kaufman, Peter McKinley and Judy Thornton (as Dorothy Carnathan).

Margret Walker and Marie Gillespie.

Jan Ellis, Diane Mottram and friend enjoy the garden party.

Homeowner Patty Garriock, centre, with guests Doug Keller-Hobson, Patty Garriock, and Kathleen Keller-Hobson.

Heritage architecture expert Brian Marshall (a Lake Report columnist), with Pam Mundy (as Janet Carnochan) and Patty Garriock.

Etta Mills and Meg Shiels.

Diane Armstrong and Elizabeth Singh.

Deborah Williams and Catherine Novick were two of the many volunteers who made the Heritage Garden Party a success.

Colourfully attired guests Marie Marozzo, Kate McGeachin, Pamela Gaio, Barbara Webber, and Paulette Kennedy at the Heritage Garden Party.

Catherine Novick, right, the lead organizer of the Heritage Garden Party, with Liz Klose, Hilary Bellis and Judy Thornton (as Dorothy Carnathan).

Carroll and Ted Baker.

Carol Perrin, Shelagh Wallace, Shari Crickmore.

Brian Marshall and Brian Crow are flanked by David Hemmings and Megan Wood.

Adrienne Jarrell and Carolyn Porter.

Homeowner Bill Garriock, left, with one of the guests at the Heritage Garden Party.

John Kozik, Linda Anderson-Kozik, May Chang and Kevin MacLean.

Gerry Shelly and Peggy Larder.

Guests listen to speeches and anecdotes at the Heritage Garden Party.

Tammy Zalepa and her husband, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, were on hand. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANICE WHITE

September 7, 2023

About 150 people donned their summer finery – and some spectacular headgear – for a Heritage Garden Party last Thursday in support of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum.

The gathering, held on the grounds of Charlou, the historic home of the town’s first mayor, Alexander Davidson, raised about $15,000 for the museum. The Johnson Street property is now owned by Patty and Bill Garriock.

While guests enjoyed nibblies donated by Niagara’s Finest Hotels and wine from Konzelmann Estate, they were entertained by historic re-enactors (including Rick Meloen as Davidson).

The event was organized by Catherine Novick and a committee of volunteers who were all thrilled with the outcome and the perfect weather.

Word is there is considerable interest in making the Heritage Garden Party a regular summer celebration.