Scheduled for Saturday, May 20, Havana Nights will be held at The Waterfowl Building in historic downtown Easton. Vibrant colors, authentic cuisine, crafty cocktails and salsa music will transport patrons of CASA’s Spring fundraiser to Havana, Cuba. This unique party promises to be an exciting night for all attendees.

“For the last four years,” says Executive Director, Robin Davenport, “our Off to the Races event has been held outdoors and generously hosted by Bill Davenport and Bruce Wiltsie. After a last minute venue change last year due to severe weather, this year’s event committee decided to change the location to avoid weather issues altogether. In doing so, we also changed the theme and are very excited to unveil Havana Nights!”

This annual event raises funds for CASA of the Mid Shore’s work with children who are under court protection in Talbot, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Kent counties due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Event Co-Chairmen Patricia Spitaleri and Sidney Davenport-Trond, along with their team of talented committee members, are planning a unique evening that will tantalize guests’ senses of smell, taste and vision with creatively authentic Cuban cuisine, beverages, décor and lifestyle, and they encourage guests to join in the fun.

“Not only is this new theme timely as the US and Cuba have re-opened their borders,” says Patricia, “but it’s a fun and different focus for our spring event. We encourage attendees to really engage in the theme by dressing the part. Guests might choose to wear all white; ladies could wear rumba-type dresses; and men could wear Panama hats, linen pants or the famous Cuban shirts known as Guayabera.”

This year the committee is focusing on soliciting sponsorships from local corporations and businesses to help cover the event costs. At the event a Challenge Grant will be the primary focus of the fundraising. CASA has engaged the professional services of Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions to help with this aspect of the event.

A special unveiling will also take place during Havana Nights. Local waterfowl artisan WG Sutter graciously donated a special work of art to help raise money for CASA prior to his untimely passing in October 2016. WG created his last work of art specifically for CASA. Appropriately named Legacy, this sculpture will feature a family of ducks – hen, drake and three ducklings – expertly and meticulously carved from individual pieces of solid white pine. After WG suddenly passed away in his sleep, his mentor and good friend, world renowned Master Carver Glenn McMurdo, agreed to complete Legacy.

“WG felt strongly about these carvings, of which there are five individual pieces, and about CASA,” says WG’s wife, Nancy Snyder. “I feel having Glenn finish the sculpture on WG’s behalf [is] the best way to honor WG’s work and his passion for children. I know he would be proud that Glenn will see his vision through to the end.”

Legacy will be unveiled at the event and then marketed online to the local community as well as to collectors across the country. Glenn McMurdo will be present at Havana Nights to discuss the carvings and to answer questions from guests.

To make reservations ($150/person) or to learn more about sponsorships, visit www.casamidshore.org or call 410-822-2866, ext. 3. Follow the progress of Legacy on CASA’s Facebook page at CASA Mid Shore.