"Party In The 'Ville" Brings Donations, Good Times

For the second year running, the Brown Derby Lounge hosted the “Party In The ‘Ville,” an event, which featured local bands, raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Montville Senior Parents and brought in canned food donations for the Montville Food Bank.

“It’ll be a feel-good thing for our town to help out the community,” said Doug Adams, who owns the Brown Derby. He and his wife Lizz had conceived the idea last year as a way to bring the town together and raise money for a charity. There was no cover charge for the event, but donations were encouraged.

The setlist for the evening was packed with local acts: The Berry Brothers, Special 20, Resumé, Revelaria Reunion and DJ AIC.

Around 6:30 p.m. there was already a lively crowd of people at the bar and at tables, socializing and taking in the music. The mayor was also expected to make an appearance.

Members of the 386 Montville Fire Company were at the doors with a boot for visitors to fill with donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. According to Mike Swanson, the president of the union, the “Fill The Boot” drives normally take place at crowded intersections, which carry a degree of risk for the fundraisers—this made it easier to get to people. 

Mary Chapman and Dawn McDermott of the Senior Parents Association, were at the event to raise money for the Class of 2011 graduation party. With help of fellow members Nancy Stanky and Dawn Skinner, they had set up a table of T-shirts for sale along with two tables of raffle items, such as gift baskets and Bon Jovi tickets.

The Board of Education had moved the graduation date to a Friday specifically to accommodate the party, which has been a 20-year Montville tradition. None of the seniors will know where the party will be staged until they arrive their by bus.  The secrecy is partly intended to keep the event controlled as well as drug and alcohol free.

“We kidnap the kids for the night,” said Chapman. The money that the group raises will go towards party events like music, a hypnotist and inflatable art.

Also present at the event was Danielle Stoubley, Montville’s Senior and Social Services assistant, enjoying a meal with her family. She was glad to see that visitors were donating cans at the front and back of the building for the food pantry, especially at a time when more and more people are finding themselves in need.

“The list grows daily,” Stoubley said. “Very seldom a day goes by when we don’t have a new individual or family joining.” The social services building, offset from the town hall, will provide free food assistance to Montville Families that qualify.

Though the event would be raising donations for serious causes, there was plenty of room for a good time. James Paul, a regular, was hanging out with Noelle Taylor of New London at the bar.

“I’m enjoying this a lot,” he said.

In the other room, the band shook the house with hard rock licks. Some more members of the Friday night crowd filed in through the doors.