Congratulations to Cheers Owner Thomas Kershaw and Janet Sharp!

Engagement Announcement

Beacon Hill Times

November 18, 2008

The phone has been ringing off the hook at the Hampshire House, where owner Tom Kershaw is thanking all the well-wishers calling about his big news; Kershaw popped the question to Janet Sharp of Winchester last week.

"We were sitting on my couch one evening. I don't know how the subject came up, and she said yes," said a beaming Kershaw.

Kershaw met Sharp over the summer in Nantucket at a fundraiser for his friend, Councilor Mike Ross. She was there with friends who also knew Ross. Smitten, he asked for her phone number and they ended up going on a date four weeks later. "It's been fast and furious ever since," he said.

The two announced their engagement on November 11. For now, Sharp is sporting a cocktail ring made up of a ruby arranged with diamonds, while they're having her engagement ring custom-made by a local jeweller.

"I purchased a cocktail ring as an interim to show that we are 'engaged'-there are a lot of things you can say, but you have to have something visual," says Kershaw. "It'll be a nice-sized diamond."

Sharp is the mother of two. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is in a post-graduate pre-med program at Columbia University in New York City, and her son is at the University of Vermont. Janet is a graduate of Hamilton College and has been in the real-estate business, is active in many charitable activities, and is an avid tennis player.

Kershaw is the owner of the Hampshire House on Beacon Hill, Cheers and 75 Chestnut, as well as an investor in two suburban restaurants, John Brewer's Tavern of Waltham and John Brewer's Tavern of Malden. Kershaw is a graduate of Swarthmore College and Harvard Business School and has been a resident of Beacon Hill for more than forty years. This year, he will be celebrating forty years of ownership of the Hampshire House property at 84 Beacon Street.

The couple plan to reside on Beacon Hill and in Winchester.

Wedding plans are being finalized and will probably be sometime in the month of May, says Kershaw. They're looking at holding the ceremony at the Church of the Covenant and having a small reception at the Hampshire House.

Save the Date for Cheers for Children 2008!

Save the date! On December 3, 2008, Cheers will celebrate our 29th Annual Holiday "Cheers for Children" Auction with a Gala Party and Silent Auction on all three floors of the Hampshire House.

Who would have believed that a little auction which was the brainchild of two Bull & Finch Pub bartenders would still be alive and going strong today?

In 1980, Bull & Finch bartender Eddie Doyle and then-manager John Grasso had both read a story written by Boston Globe reporter Doug Crockett about two brothers in their early teens trying to keep food on the table for their younger brothers and sisters. Their prospects of a dreary Christmas were suddenly brightened by a visit from the "Globe Santa". Doyle and Grasso decided to organize a fund-raiser to help the efforts of this worthy charity. With the help of their staff and friends, the "Auction" was born.

"Gimme ten bucks for the kids and I'll give you a shot of Schnapps," said Doyle, as he collected from one patron to another. Grasso got the crowd bidding on a handful of items. The first donation to Globe Santa was $570. Each year they became more organized, the crowds got bigger and the totals increased by the thousands.

Today, the "Cheers for Children" Holiday Auction is organized by a committee made up of volunteer staff and friends. Sports celebrities jump behind the bar to help out where they can and Matt Siegel from "KISS-108" has brought down the gavel for many years as our Auctioneer, "par excellence".

In addition to the "Globe Santa" three other charities have become associated with activities at the Pub and Hampshire House, and were added as beneficiaries of the Auction: The Jimmy Fund, Friends of Floating Hospital, and, most recently, The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care (Neely House).

Whether you are someone who has generously donated an auction item, or would like to enjoy the festivities, we hope you will join us for this special annual event.

Please join us on December 3rd, 2008 for our 29th Holiday Gala and Auction. If you would like to provide something for the auction or just make a donation, please contact Eddie Doyle at 617-227-9600 or at info@cheersforchildren.org.

"Cheers for Children", a fundraising activity of Kershaw Foundation Charitable Trust, is an opportunity to come together, be close with others, and make a difference.

Happy Holidays!

The 13th Annual Beacon Hill Decorating Days Fundraiser at the Hampshire House!

It takes: 2,860 yards of laurel garlands, 2,400 red bows, 100+ volunteers, 200+ sponsors, 20 ladders and YOU to bring holiday magic to this year's Beacon Hill Holiday Fundraiser!

On Thursday, November 13th, the Hampshire House will celebrate the season with a Beacon Hill Fundraiser! The event will include hors d'oeuvres and two glasses of wine or beer (courtesy of Tom Kershaw).

Tickets will cost $35 for adults.

A Children's Party will be held from 5pm - 7pm on the Third Floor. The event will include a Festive Kid's Buffet & Beverages (courtesy of Tom Kershaw), Letters to Santa and Holiday Crafts (sponsored by Hill House). Children will be admitted FREE with advance RSVP & adult ticket purchase, $10 at the door.

Please RSVP for children by 11/10/2008 to the Civic Association at (617) 227-1922 or info@bhcivic.org.

Tickets available at www.bhcivic.org or at 75 Joy Street, Cambridge Trust at 65 Beacon Street, or at the door (if available).