Brian Gray

Marta Johnson and Susan Bragstad with oak plaque

On Saturday, June 29, nearly 150 guests gathered on the beautiful courtyard of Karmère Vineyards & Winery outside Plymouth for the Foothill Conservancy’s 19th annual dinner.

This year’s event honored Conservancy Director Susan Bragstad, the former mayor and current vice-mayor of Amador City. Bragstad is a Foothill Conservancy founding member and the owner of Amador Olive Oil. An 84-year old, award-winning retired architect, she a 35-year history of contributing to Amador County through environmental and historical conservation, land preservation, agricultural marketing and protection, and serving on the Amador City City Council and related boards and commissions.

In introducing Bragstad, Foothill Conservancy President Katherine K. Evatt noted that, “Susan is an inspiration and an example of a life well lived.” To honor Bragstad, Conservancy members planted a small grove of native blue oaks at the Kennedy Mine. At the event, they presented Bragstad with the plaque that was later installed near the oaks.

Those attending enjoyed a delicious meal prepared onsite by Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar while enjoying Karmère’s fine wines. Musicians Herb Boxhorn of Fiddletown and Klaudia Promessi of Sutter Creek provided smooth jazz stylings for the event.

Many local businesses and individuals contributed raffle and auction prizes to help support the Foothill Conservancy’s work. Highlights included a 25-person paella field dinner, three nights in a privately owned Lake Tahoe-area cabin, Dr. Bob Hartmann’s special shortbread, fine wines, original works of art and craft, and gift certificates for goods, dining, lodging and services.

Foothill Conservancy would like to thank all of the organizations, individuals and businesses that helped make our annual dinner a success. All proceeds benefit the Conservancy’s work to protect, restore and sustain the natural and human environments in Amador and Calaveras County for this and future generations.

Thanks to our hosts, caterer, musicians, sponsors, raffle and auction donors and dinner team!

Hosts: Karmère Vineyards & Winery, Hayley Hoopes, Marilyn Hoopes and Todd Pickens
Caterer: Taste Restaurant & Wine Bar
Musicians: Herb Boxhorn and Klaudia Promessi

Sponsors

• PT Ranch
• The Feed Barn
• East Bay Municipal Utility District
• Village Real Estate: Sara Allen and Denise Schank
• California Wildlife Foundation
• Richard Taylor & Tracy Grubbs
• Lynn Morgan & Pat Minyard

Raffle and Auction Donors

• Abbondanza Farms
• Amador Olive Oil
• Anne Hellman
• Bellflower Garden Art & Home Décor
• Bob and Paula Leitzell
• Buffalo Chips Emporium
• Caryl Callsen
• Casa de la Pradera
• Da Vine Alchimi
• Dr. Robert Hartmann
• Drytown Cellars
• Elaine Zorbas
• Emily Taylor Interiors
• Feist Wines
• Gold Trails Natural Foods
• Greg Motch
• Jeff Holman Auto Center
• JoAnn Levy
• Julia Costello
• Lagunitas Brewing
• Lucy’s Spice Box and UpCountry Farms
• Marelyn Johnson
• Mel Welsh
• Michele Grondin
• Mike Mahoney
• Mokelumne Hill Nuts and Gifts
• O.A.R.S.
• Patricia Noll, R.N., L-AC
• Petroglyphe Gallery
• PT Ranch
• Ruth Gottstein, Publisher Emerita, Volcano Press
• Scott Harvey Wines
• Sean Kriletich
• Sobon Wines
• Sorensen’s Resort
• South River Lavender
• Susan Bragstad
• Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar
• Terre Rouge & Easton Wines
• Volcano Union Inn & Pub
• Winterport Farm
• Yorba Wines

Foothill Conservancy 19th Annual Dinner Team

• Susan Bragstad
• Carolyn Schooley
• Katherine Venturelli
• Shelly Hance
• Marta Johnson
• Kevin Brady
• Greg Motch
• Anne and Sarkis Kel-Artinian
• Monique Klarich
• Bob and Paula Leitzell
• James Hackworth
• Lily and Lexi Himmel