STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Richmond Evergreen Garden Club recently celebrated its 21st annual fundraiser by reviving a cherished tradition: a community tea party. The event was held at Hemsley Hall at historic Church of St. Andrew in Richmond with the club’s accomplished membership.
Event chair Jill Folino, an artist and event planner, hosted the event. She explained, “I just felt like that brought it back to the community feeling. Our membership is used to working with their hands. They take great joy in fussing with details and seeing the happiness that their work always brings.”
Held on a Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., the event was catered by Mark’s Bake Shoppe—a meaningful choice, as the bakery had temporarily closed earlier this year before securing funding to reopen.
“People were really disappointed when they closed, and we wanted to give them business to help them get back on their feet,” Folino said.
Mark Intoccia’s wife, Amanda, prepared traditional tea fare, including tea sandwiches, scones, muffins, coffee cake, baked goods, and salads. Garden club members supplemented the spread with antipasto and deviled eggs.
Live music added to the ambiance, with operatically trained singer Marissa Tornello performing three short sets alongside flutist Yoshi Weinberg, who has performed with several New York City orchestras, including the Philharmonic and the Lion King orchestra.
For refreshments with the garden theme, herbal mixed teas were provided by Ally Stoffo, also known as “The Glam Gardener,” who began her business during the pandemic. All of her ingredients were sourced regionally.
To enhance the authentic tea party atmosphere, Ariel Davis of Brooklyn Tea Cup lent specially curated floral teacups and tiered cake plates fashioned from thrifted china. Davis also donated an item to the fundraiser raffle.
Guests embraced the “festive florals” dress code, with some donning fashionable fascinators. The event featured ten “designer tables” with creative themes such as “Tea with a Famous Staten Islander” or “Tea in a Staten Island Neighborhood.”
Folino was particularly impressed with one octogenarian’s enthusiastic suggestion: “She shouts out, ‘Tea with Wu Tang!’ That was going to be her table. That was my favorite one,” Folino shared.
Sean Psomas of Wildflowers, an honorary club member, contributed charger plates, flowers, and table linens to elevate the setting.
Folino co-chaired the event with Toni DiMartino and Rosina Kiley, both of South Beach. Her sister, Lori Folino, also helped coordinate in the kitchen. Proceeds were raised primarily through raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and gift baskets donated by members.
This year’s event involved significant community participation in setup and organization. Folino said, “So this was really nice to have a community and group effort.”
Community and Conservation Efforts
Beyond their gardening activities, club members enjoy spending time together. They schedule group walks through parks and finish with a meal at a nearby restaurant.
Members of the four garden clubs—Castle Manor Garden Club, Great Kills Garden Club, Richmond Evergreen Garden Club, and Staten Island Garden Club—make up the First District. Their website is sigardenclubs.org, and the National Garden Clubs can be reached via gardenclubs.org.
The borough’s garden clubs take charge of public plantings and maintenance. Larger projects include the “Healing Garden” September 11 memorial on the median at Clove Road and Targee Street, and the Blue Star Memorial at the entrance to Fort Wadsworth, which is part of a broader initiative with the National Garden Clubs of America.
For decades, Staten Island’s gardening community also curated Amundsen Circle at Clarke Avenue and Amboy Road until the Parks Department took over its care.
