(L to R) Commodore Winter Hill Yacht Club Bill Rogers, Groundwork Somerville Executive Director Jenn Lawrence, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Groundwork Somerville Mystic River Project Manager Brad Arndt. - Photo by William Tauro

Friday evening The Center for Arts at the Armory hosted  “Greening the City Gala”  celebrating an “evening of gritty elegance and success” for Groundwork Somerville  and its achievements.

The event  included the “1st annual Tommy Barry Award”  presented to Tommy Barry of the City of Somerville Department of Public Works for his, as quoted from the program,  “endless support and guidance of Tommy- Groundwork Somerville would not be a success”.

The “4th annual Golden Trowel Award”  was presented to Douglas Evans of Rivers, Trail and Recreation assistance Program National Park Service as their “fearless leader in the Groundwork USA Network. Doug has ensured the success of Groundwork organizations across the country” thanking him for years of service and “most importantly, for founding Groundwork in the USA.

Also presented that evening was the “2nd annual Innovative Community Partner Award” to the four yacht and boat clubs that are located on the Mystic River including Somerville’s Winterhill Yacht Club who’s commodore Bill Rogers of Somerville accepted the award.

The award was presented, as quoted in the event program,  for ” in 2010, Groundwork Somerville was lucky enough to partner with the Friends of the Mystic River and the Mystic River Watershed Association to create a comprehensive invasive removal project on the Mystic River. GWS work would not have been nearly as successful without the partnership, support and the guidance of the four local yacht and boat clubs. This year’s award is jointly presented by GWS, the Friends of the Mystic River and the Mystic River Watershed Association.” GWS also noted a sincere thank you to the Medford Boat Club, the Mystic Wellington, Riverside and Winterhill Yacht Clubs.”

A live and a silent auction were also on the evening’s agenda  followed by raffles, live music by local groups and artist  as well as plenty of dancing throughout the night.

The well attended event  included Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Alderman Tom Taylor and State Representative Denise Provost.

By William Tauro