A town staple has switched up its location: Wood-n-Tap has moved from the Route 4 and Brickyard Road intersection to the old Apricot’s building across the street from the high school. The restaurant held a grand reopening on October 5, which served as a Project Graduation fundraiser for the Class of 2020.
The fundraiser was organized by the Project Graduation Committee, headed by co-chairmen Laura Arena and Trish Guglielmo. The pair worked with owners of the Wood N’ Tap chain Mike Hamlin and Phil Barnett to organize the event, and raised $8,640 for the annual Project Graduation event.
“The Wood-n-Tap Fundraiser was a huge success, raising over $8,000.00, but also brought out
over 600 people into the newly renovated amazing restaurant. We are very appreciative of [Woodn-Tap’s] interest in supporting the communities in which they have establishments,” Arena said.
As this fundraiser benefits the senior Project Graduation celebration at the end of the year, senior Jake Conrad saw it as a chance to aid in the fundraising process that would ultimately benefit him and his friends come June.
“I saw the volunteering opportunity at Wood-n-Tap for Project Graduation as a good way to help out the senior class, in order to make project graduation possible. At the event a lot of people were able to relax and enjoy the new Wood-n-Tap venue. It was good to be a part of
such a big opening in [the town], and I’m glad that I could be a part of giving back to Project Graduation,” Conrad said.
This event was also a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate the grand reopening of a pillar and icon of the town community. Parents across all grades turned out to support Project Graduation.
“I thought it was wonderful that Wood-n-Tap hosted this event and while I recognized some
people it was so nice to see a lot of support from the community, not only for the opening but to support [Project Graduation],” senior parent Wendy Ives said.
Guglielmo and Arena are planning numerous other fundraisers throughout the year, including the annual Comedy Night in March and the traditional flamingo flocking the spring. The pair have a few other fundraisers in the works at the moment as well.
“All parents, not just senior parents, are invited to get involved with Project Graduation. It is truly a wonderful tradition and great way to send the graduating seniors off after their awesome years at [the high school],” Arena said.