Spaganza! 2014

Main Street Housing’s second annual Spaganza! Pasta Dinner & Silent Auction benefit event was a sold-out success.

More than 70 people came out to the Elks Lodge in Cambridge on the evening of Thursday, March 27 to celebrate and support MSH’s operations on the Eastern Shore.

Ken Wireman
Moving fast and serving many

Executive Director Ken Wireman acted as “Executive Chef” for the event, putting together a delicious menu of Italian favorites. Salad and fruit starters lead to linguini, meatballs and Ken’s signature homemade sauce for the main course. MSH staff and volunteers working in the kitchen were a blur as they chopped, stirred, baked, and dished out heaping plates for the biggest crowd seen yet at the Spaganza!.

John Allen, longtime MSH employee and Maintenance Worker for the Western Region, described the energy behind the scenes:

“Everyone was super busy at the event and our individual contributions combined to make for a joyous and successful evening. My challenge was to keep the dishes from piling up and have clean pots and pans as needed. To me, it was fun and rewarding, knowing that I am helping to feed so many people good food for such a good cause.”

John Allen: That's a lotta dishes!

Attendees were treated to a lovely view of Hurst Creek, a tributary to the Choptank River, at sunset during dinner, which was prepared and served by a volunteer crew of MSH Tenants, staff and supporters. In between courses, supporters took the opportunity to outbid one another on the wide range of gift certificates and items from local businesses on the overflowing Silent Auction tables. Easter Baskets bursting with candy, toys, chocolate and gift certificates, assembled by Eastern Regional Property Manager Gloria Bowen and volunteer Marsha Lewis, were some of the hottest items of the event.

We say mille grazie! (a million thanks) to all our Silent Auction donors: Zachary’s Jewelers Annapolis, Whole Being Health Group, What’s New Shop, Western Auto, The News Center, The Green Phoenix, Baltimore Spirit Cruises, Sherwin Williams Cambridge, Serendipidee, Sean’s Music, Price & Gannon Ace Hardware & Rental Centreville, Patti’s Petals, Miranda’s Shoes, Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery, Lanham Hall Designs, Kristen Myers, Kim’s Nails, Great Moments, Easton Cigar & Smoke Shop, Drapers, Diane McComb, Crackerjacks, The Clay Bakers, Chef & Shower, Centreville Liquors, Black Anchor Tattoo, Ashley Furniture Home Store, Andrea’s Papillon: A Handbag Boutique, Albright’s Gun Shop and Annapolis DoubleTree by Hilton.

During his brief presentation, Ken Wireman explained how the “Main Street Model” is different from the housing options traditionally offered to consumers of mental health services and how the organization continued growing and expanding:

“We bought [our first] house back in 2002, and since then we’re [now] up to 25 houses, with another one under contract in Easton, and another one under contract in Baltimore. We can serve 79 folks with mental health issues, in independent housing where they have the right of Tenancy… and affordable rent. They live independently and there’s accountability - paying your rent, keeping your unit in good order, and being a good neighbor. We have had great success and I want to thank you all!”

That great success has been sustained through MSH’s partnerships and patronage of local businesses and organizations in the communities where we develop quality, affordable and independent housing for individuals and families with psychiatric disabilities and low income. This year, a Local Sponsors placemat highlighted individual and Local Business Sponsors of the Spaganza!: A&B Lawn and Garden, B&B Floor Covering, Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc., Bargain Beverage of Denton, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, Diane Lane, Joe & Mary Mastrandrea and Sylonda Davis.

Perhaps the most exciting moment of the night
was when one of the youngest attendees, eight-year-old Katelyn Masden, was announced as the big winner of the 50/50 Raffle. Not only did she split the winnings with her sister, but they turned around and generously donated a portion of their buona fortuna (good fortune) to help support Main Street Housing's operations. This act of kindness was a real "superhero" move!

A Dolce Delizia (sweet treat) of cake and ice cream finished off the night, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Freestate & Son Insurance, along with bonus coconut cupcakes donated by Samantha Davis.

Ken Wireman & Katelyn Masden

Dolce Delizia: A Cake Makes All the Difference

Diane Lane, Executive Director of Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc. and member of MSH's Board of Directors summarized the evening as "a fabulous event! The food was delicious and seeing everyone gathered together to support such an amazing organization was heartwarming. I look forward to more Main Street Housing Spaganzas in the future!”

MSH is deeply thankful to the fine folks at Elks Lodge #1272 in Cambridge for hosting us once again at their Lodge, and to our Event Sponsors for making the event possible: Sage Title Group, Value Options Maryland, 1st Mariner Bank, Benson & Mangold Real Estate and McComb Consulting & Government Relations.

Gloria Bowen & Katie Rouse

Finally, we want to share our grazie di cuore (thanks from the heart) to the person whose many hours of hard work makes the Spaganza! possible: MSH’s Eastern Regional Property Manager, Gloria Bowen. Your passion, patience, and perseverance are extraordinary, and we are so lucky to have you on the Main Street team.