Silka Glanzman reports from Great Barrington and Lenox.The heritage of the Berkshires was served up two ways on Saturday, September 15, with an elegant plein air farm-to-table dinner in Great Barrington followed by a Gilded Age Gala in Lenox. The evening kicked off at Indian Line Farm — the site of America’s first CSA — with an event organized by the aptly named Outstanding in the Field and hosted by Indian Line farmers Al Thorp and Elizabeth Keen. While guests toured the historic grounds, Chef Brian Alberg of the Red Lion Inn masterfully prepared a four-course meal in the center of Thorp and Keen's bountiful acreage. Finally, primed with Black Queen Angus appetizers and Whiskey Juleps, 150 diners sat down for their much-anticipated, hyper-local meal.
Hewmun Lau and John Ringeling of Boston; Ryan Miler and Amy Turner of New York City.
Dr. Joe DeSimone with Angelina DeSimone, Michelle Morneau, and Sara Batcherder; Lindsey and Yuhgo Yamaguchi of Cambridge, MA celebrating their wedding anniversary.
Hanh Le, Matthew Barge, Preston Bottomy, and Joe Loy.
Angela Cardinali of Berkshire Farm & Table with the “glue” of Outstanding in the Field, Leah Scafe, and The Red Lion Inn's Stephanie Gravalese-Wood; Gary and Erica Siddell at their 4th OITF event.
Brothers Howard and Matthew Bliwise of NYC and Richmond; Brian Galik of New Jersey joins his friend Scott McFadyen of Lenox.
The talented crew of chefs: Chris Terrin, Brian Alberg of the Red Lion Inn , Daire Rooney, and Adam Brassard.
Outstanding in the Field founder Jim Denevan and Leah Scafe give their opening remarks; OITF’s signature long tables sat 150 diners in Indian Line's picturesque field. Good food and ambiance continued into the evening at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum "Hats Off to the Dames" benefit. Honoring historian and volunteer Cornelia Brooke Gilder, party-goers enjoyed the luxe interiors of George and Sarah Morgan's mansion along with a sprawling buffet prepared by SoMa catering. John R. Burbidge, designer of Ventfort Hall's current exhibit, Les Petits Dames de Mode, celebrated his 90th birthday with his stylish wife Cile by his side. Guests ended the evening on the dance floor, inspired by the music of the Greg Caputo Quartet.
Ventfort Hall co-founder Tjasa Sprague with Dr. Robert Brown and Beverly Rainy; fashion designer John R. Burbidge celebrates his 90th birthday with his well-dressed wife Cile by his side.
The evening's honoree, author, historian, and Ventfort Hall volunteer Cornelia Brooke Gilder, with board president Kelly Blau; the Greg Caputo Quartet kept the guests entertained and on their feet.
Ventfort Hall volunteers Debbie Douglas, Joanna Stengle, and Debbie Smith; restoration supervisor Steve Baum with his wife Sue and Director of Classical Excursions Thomas Hayes.
The Blau Family: Chris, Kathy, and Kelly with kids Samantha and Allison.
Sarah Jones and Isabella Palmer; Alice Nathan and Irving Marks.
Susan Merrill and Carl Sprague cut the rug; Abba Appelstein, Lorraine Becker, and Gerald Appelstein.
Table sponsors and Board members Shelley and Bob Barend with their guests.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
