At the "18th Annual TomorrowNite Gala," Anne Tamer Hajjar, left, and Frances Rivera served as gala chairperson and emcee, respectively. (Photo courtesy of Lisa Polucci)

The New England region's top fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital celebrated a banner year at the elegant Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The 18th Annual TomorrowNite Gala, themed "A Night of Hope," benefited the Memphis hospital that has become synonymous with hope and dreams. It is estimated that more than 160,000 new cases of childhood cancer will be diagnosed worldwide this year.

Milton resident, Anne Tamer Hajjar, hosted the event with WHDH-TV anchor, Frances Rivera, serving as emcee.

The gala evening included gourmet dining, a performance of a traditional Chinese Lion Dance by Woo Ching White Crane Institute students, dancing to the music of the Rollins Ross and Soul Source Band, and a silent auction featuring sports events, spa getaways, and major artwork.

All proceeds from the evening, approximately $335,000, will benefit St. Jude's. The Boston-based event has raised nearly $5 million over the past seventeen years. Congratulations!

For information about St. Jude's, visit www.stjude.org.

South End Open Studios Scheduled

On Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 we are all invited to the "South End Open Studios." We will have the opportunity to meet with more than 250 artists and see their works, ranging from highly traditional to cutting edge. We may even be able to find the painting, photo or vase "that truly speaks to us."

All the while we can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of one of Boston's most vibrant neighborhoods.

Our friend Anne Fitzpatrick Cucchiaro tells us that "... this is my 8th South End Open Studios at 450 Harrison Avenue Studio 307A. I will be open on Saturday 11-6 p.m. and Sunday 11-2 p.m." (Note: Most studios will be open until 6 p.m. on Sunday.)

For complete information regarding times, parking, participating artists and more, visit the United South End Artists Web site at www.useaboston.com. For more information about Anne Fitzpatrick Cucchiaro and her work, visit www.annefitzpatrick.com.

John Trexler Celebrates 25 Years at Tower Hill Botanic Garden

For 25 years, John W. Trexler has served as the Executive Director of the 167-year-old Worcester County Horticultural Society, providing the visionary leadership that catapulted the organization from a provincial horticultural club with a declining membership base in 1984, to a successful world-class botanic garden. Multiple events are scheduled Trexler's honor.

On Sunday, September 20, Tower Hill Botanic Garden will be open for free admission to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All are invited to discover one of New England's premier public gardens, with demonstrations on organic gardening, garden tours, slow food demonstrations, exhibits from the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, live birds of prey, hawk watching, wildlife photography, lectures on the interaction of plants and animals, videos, and a tree planting.

Tower Hill is located at 11 French Drive in Boylston, Mass. For more information, call 508-869-6111. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.towerhillbg.org.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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