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Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates pavilion grand opening

Ray Sander, Sheryl Swed handing over reins as Dagsboro-area garden begins new phase
The Delaware Botanic Gardens celebrates the opening of the Annette Pennoni Meadow Pavilion during the annual Party in the Garden. Delaware Botanic Gardens board members, local elected officials, donors and friends participate in the Sept. 18 ribbon cutting. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
September 27, 2025

Story Location:
Delaware Botanic Gardens
30220 Piney Neck Road
Dagsboro, DE 19939
United States

The Delaware Botanic Gardens broke ground for the Annette Pennoni Meadow Pavilion at its annual Party in the Garden in September 2024. A year later, the pavilion made its public debut at the same event.

Brent Baker, director of communications for the garden, said it came down to the wire, but that’s how it goes. He addressed a few hundred people at the grand opening of the pavilion Sept. 18.

The pavilion is named after the late wife of Celestino “Chuck” Pennoni, founder of the Philadelphia-based engineering firm and decade-long supporter of the gardens. There are still a few small things to take care of, but the pavilion allows the gardens to host events in an air-conditioned and heated space.

The husband-and-wife team of Ray Sander, board president, and Sheryl Swed, executive director, has been the public faces and driving force behind the continued growth of the gardens. Sander ended the recognition part of the dinner by saying he and Swed would not be hosting next year’s dinner. They’ll still be around, but it’s time for the next group to take over, he said, before house musician Vince Varrassi started a standing ovation.

Sander encouraged attendees to send him and Swed out with a bang.

The morning after the event, Sander said about $220,000 was raised, and more was expected to come in.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” said Sander.

SoDel Concepts catered the sold-out annual party, Bin 66 provided wine, and Vince Varrassi and 5th Avenue entertained with live music.

For more information on the Delaware Botanic Gardens, 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, go to delawaregardens.org, call 302-321-9061 or email Executive Director Sheryl Swed at sherylswed@delawaregardens.org.

 

Delaware Botanic Gardens President Ray Sander and Executive Director Sheryl Swed share a quick kiss while receiving a standing ovation. The husband-and-wife team announced this year’s dinner is their last as hosts.
Chuck Pennoni acknowledges the kind words of Delaware Botanic Gardens President Ray Sander.
Chuck Pennoni said his late wife Annette loved the Delaware Botanic Gardens, and that’s why he thought the perfect gift in her memory was to name the pavilion in her honor.
Delaware Botanic Gardens President Ray Sander talks to a guest about the pavilion.
The new pavilion allows for air-conditioned and heated events at the gardens.
Over the years, George Robbins, Denise Kaczmarczyk and Ron Bass have funded the challenge match portion of the dinner. Shown are (l-r) Robbins, Kaczmarczyk, Bass, Executive Director Sheryl Swed and President Ray Sander.
Ray Sander announces he and Sheryl Swed will still be involved with the gardens, but they’re stepping down from their executive roles.
Bin 66 provided a glass of bubbly to all guests.
The new pavilion has sliding doors and lots of open space.
Singer Vince Varrassi and the Fifth Avenue entertain with live music.
SoDel Concepts’ Mickey Downes shucks an oyster.
The SoDel Concepts crew works hard behind the scenes.
Guests begin the evening with hors d'oeuvres and bubbly in the Gallery Garden.
Chris Powers, left, and Alvin Ross walk the trail hand in hand.
These purple balloon flowers are some of the flowers blooming in the Piet Oudolf Meadow Garden.
These chicken of the woods mushrooms add some color to these logs.
It’s no Aragog, but this is still a pretty big spider in the woods at the Delaware Botanic Gardens.
A big bird needs a big nest.
It’s not undersea, but it is an octopus in its garden in the shade.
With fall coming, there won’t be too many open buds for much longer, which is why this bee is taking advantage of this cup plant.
A black swallowtail on ginger lily.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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