Not even a steady early afternoon shower barred the Alabama Symphony Orchestra from entertaining an eager crowd of Greystone residents June 19.

The two–hour POPS concert required months of preparation from organizers who dreamed up the event almost two years ago.

“They opened with the Star Wars theme and I just burst into tears feeling the emotion of having worked on the project for 18 months,” said event co–chair Mindy Boggs.

Boggs and a handful of fellow Greystone residents poured their hearts into fundraising for and organizing the event. They sought out corporate sponsors and spent hours planning logistics.

Committee members included Brooke Beckham, Donna Francavilla, Eric Knouse, Cal Langford, Sue Nuby, Brad Rankin, Brenda Sheehan, Steve Vanderburg and Lisa Yamshak.

They hosted silent auctions, ladies nights, art events and golf tournaments.

In all, committee members raised $60,000.

“It was one of those moments when you look around and see it all come together and finally can take a breath,” said committee member Sue Nuby. “We were so excited to bring so much happiness to such a large group of people.”

The creation of an open–air concert originated with Boggs and just a few other Greystone residents.

“I could not have been more pleased –– the weather turned out beautifully in the end,” Boggs said. “Everyone raved about how wonderful the event turned out.”

Boggs said the committee hopes more sponsors and homeowners associations can bolster next year’s event.

“There are a lot of us that would like to see it as a tradition,” Boggs said. “We’ve already had a few sponsors say they are definitely on board for next year so that’s encouraging too.”

This year’s title sponsors included Butch & Deborah Flatt, Legacy residents and owners American Plant Services; Founders residents Ann and Don Capps; Greystone residents Janice Folmar and Richard Hayes, Greystone Residential Specialists with Re/Max Southern Homes; Founders resident Larry Boggs and Sarah Benton, Partners with NettWorth Financial Group; Retirement Planning Specialists;

Legacy Residents Brenda and Mark Sheehan; Founders resident Wes Steed and Hugh Parish, Advisors with Wells Fargo Private Bank.

Gold sponsors at the $1,000 level were Bancorp South, Inverness Branch on Hwy 280; Greystone Office Park, with special thanks to Neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas Staner; and Jackson, Renfro and Associates; The Painting Company, Peter Pastor and Grant DeJong; Residential Real Estate Specialists Caroline Haynes and Elaine Kennedy with Realty South; and Legacy residents Cathy and Roy Sewell.

Silver Sponsors were Founders residents La Rue and Paul Carter and Southeastern Jewelers.

The symphony event required a culmination of volunteers including Past Club President Ron Ward and the 2009 Club Board of Directors and Trustees, Club President Mike Washburn and the 2010 Club Board of Directors and Trustees, President Bob Hilton and The Greystone Residential Association Board, President Terry Smith and The Legacy Homeowners Association, Greystone Golf & Country Club General Manager Calvin Bolling and staff with special thanks to Director of Golf Steve Smith, Director of Operations Steve Janney and Staff and Immediate Past GLC President Debbie Benson & the Greystone Ladies Club.