Our 10th Birthday at Embassy of Haiti
Restore Mass Ave heralds 2 milestones at Embassy of Haiti
First we thanked those who make our work possible – 75 donors, volunteers, Board members, expert advisors. What a venue! The grand staircase showcased art from Galerie Morinn in Port-au-Prince. In the beautiful main rooms, the crowd was cheered by Magalie Pradel’s fare, birthday cake, and a tree-themed Haitian drink.
In remarks, Ambassador Paul G. Altidor said his Embassy’s renovation was partly inspired by Restore Mass Ave’s revival of the surrounding landscape. RMA Founder and President Deborah Shapley recalled RMA’s early days dragging hoses from the Embassy to water local trees; these are now thriving – like RMA.
Secondly, we announced that satellite imagery shows that tree canopy has grown by an amazing 13.2 % in ten years in the area where RMA has been planting protecting and nurturing trees. Another great reason to celebrate!
Photos by Embassy of Haiti unless otherwise noted.
Amb Altidor and Ms. Shapley will now –
RMA’s prizewinning logo
in cake format
Bobbie Brewster, Amb. Altidor, Nelle Goen, Nancy Folger (Photo: Carole Feld)
Marty Scherr (RMA Board), Jeanne Connelly, Bob Heggestad. (Photo: Carole Feld)
John & Ingola Hodges, Chris Chapin (Photo: Mary Bird/Georgetowner)
Nora & Chris Hohenlohe (Photo: Mary Bird/Georgetowner)
Welcoming early guests
Light fare from chef Magalie Pradel in the dining room
Guy Williams (DCA Landscape), Lindsey K. Larson (RMA Board) (Photo: Carole Feld)
Rebecca Stack, Mary Bird, John AC Umberger (RMA Treekeeper)
Mark Buscaino (Casey Trees), Jeanne Connelly, Amb. Altidor, Holli Howard (RMA Map Associate)
Magalie Pradel, Caterer, Audrey Nevitt (RMA Associate)
We exit via the side walkway from the renovated “Jardins de l’Ambassade” in the rear.