The Carole Cascio Fund celebrated its Second Annual Community Benefit at the Mark Cascia Vineyards.
The Carole Cascio Fund celebrated its Second Annual Community Benefit at the Mark Cascia Vineyards with over 90 Friends of Carole, community members and dancers who performed. It was an exciting celebration!
Kristen Tyler, Director of Dance at Queen Anne’s County High School along with her dancers presented a fun dance number. Also, Shari Smigo and her Mid Shore Dance Academy company also presented a wonderful dance for six dancers with chairs. Amanda Showell director of Dancing on the Shore ballroom studio in Easton graciously donated a free ballroom dance lesson for all the benefit attendees. It was a lively session and fun for everyone who participated.
There were over 35 donated items that were all auctioned off. Mostly of the items were Carole’s watercolors and pottery. Everything sold! It was nice to know that Carole’s work would be out in the world and enjoyed by many who purchased her artwork.
Vineyard owner Mark Cascia generously left in place the tent, the dance floor, tables and chairs from a previous wedding the day before. It added to the overall comfort and look of our benefit. Mark and his wife Kim were good friends of Carole and Andy Cascio. Mark and Kim welcomed us with open arms and they were extremely generous with their time and hospitality.
Executive Director Peter Pucci and Trustee Ann Goodman along with committee members donated their time, their energy and their expertise. Many thanks to members Michael Bell, Supervisor of Instruction Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, Melinda Blomquist, Dance Coordinator & Artistic Director, Dance Company Community College of Baltimore County, Diana Curran CCF Advisory Committee Member, Janet DiNapoli, painter, Friend of Carole,
Randy Holofcener, Friend of Carole, Adrienne Kraus Latanishen CCF Teaching Artist, Anne Lefter, Director of the Arts Community College of Baltimore County, Mary Lou Pagella , Friend of Carole, Anna Rider, CCF Advisory Committee Member, Shari Smigo, Director Mid Shore Dance Academy, Leslie Tinios, CCF Advisory Committee Member
Rob Thompson, Associate Professor of Theatre Chair of Arts and Humanities, Chesapeake College and Maureen Wheatley, Clay Center Manager Kent Island Federation of the Arts. Special thanks to Debbie Dean Catering from Easton.
There was a presentation by Robbie Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA in Centreville about the new Carole Cascio Pickleball Courts at the Y. Carole was an avid Pickleball player and donated the funds to create the new pickleball courts.
Peter Pucci spoke about the new dance studios at CCBC that will be honoring Carole’s legacy. A poster display with photos of the new dance studios was shared with all the benefit attendees.
On November 10 there will be an official unveiling of the new Carole Drake Cascio Dance Studios East and West at the Wellness and Athletics Center on the CCBC Essex campus. The two new dance studios are state of the art and beautiful. The new dance studios were officially sanctioned by the National Dance Association.
