Page 38 - Suburban Living Fuquay-Varina

Fuquay-Varina Gives“THE TRIANGLE’S MOST CREATIVE, ENGAGING AND FUN FUNDRAISER”Leaves are changing, temperatures are falling, and birds are flying south. It must be autumn in Wake County. Another sign of the season is the “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” fundraiser for the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. For the past 10 fall seasons, this unique event has raised over $900,000 for their Artists in the Schools program.Traditionally over three nights in early November, fans of the arts gather in private homes across Wake County to share a fabulous meal with an artist with North Carolina ties. Dinner guests may choose the home where they would like to dine, but – and here’s the twist – the identity of the artists attending each dinner remains a mystery until the night of the dinner.On Thursday, November 6th, residents of Fuquay-Varina came together to throw a Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? party to support the arts in local schools and raise awareness for arts education in a big way. Rather than a small, intimate dinner party, this party was a spectacular cooperative effort of several hosts and was held in the upper mezzanine of the newly opened beer/wine/espresso bar The Mill in the downtown Fuquay retail district. One of the hosts was Katie and Josh Dies, owners of The Mill and Stick Boy Baking Company.The second couple hosting the dinner was Linda Johnson from Senter, Stephenson, & Johnson PA, and her husband Steve. As long-time supporters of the arts, a fundraiser for the arts in Fuquay-Varina was not complete without them. Linda is also the owner of the building on Raleigh Street in the downtown Fuquay retail district in which Artistic Expressions – an art cooperative where local artists display paintings, jewelry, photography, glass art, and more – resides.The hosts of the Fuquay-Varina “Guess Who?” event appreciate and recognize the power of the arts in their community, and they put together a fabulous dinner to highlight just that. The night was definitely an affair to remember. Guests included Mayor John Byrne and his wife Patty, andmajor arts advocates Bob and Pat Barker.A successful dinner party would not be complete without incredible food. Kate and Steve Day, owners of Plates on Glenwood South in Raleigh, catered the delicious fare on tables beautifully decorated by Naomi Riley, owner of The Polished Table. Kate is also active on the United Arts Board of Directors.Page 36 Suburban Living Fuquay-Varinawww.suburbanlivingmag.comHOSTED AT THE MILL IN FUQUAY-VARINA