Rachel Louchen reports from Great Barrington.Barbara Manring (far left, with friend, Susie Weekes is a familiar face in the community for her multiple philanthropic contributions to numerous organizations. Barbara is currently President of the Board of Directors at Railroad Street Youth Project and involved with Construct Inc., but one of her longest philanthropic endeavors has been with Berkshire South, which honored her with a gala party on Saturday, October 18th. A supporter since 2002 (when it opened) she has served on the Board of Trustees, Co-chair of the Task Force, helped organize events, and even served as a fitness trainer before her current position on the Fund Development Committee. The turnout was diverse, filled with friends, fellow board members and people who have experienced firsthand Barbara's tireless devotion to her community. Despite a packed room plastered with photos of her ranging from childhood to now, Barbara was as modest and gracious as ever, thrilled to see so many familiar faces and friends who came out to celebrate her, and ready to plan her next event at Berkshire South.
Superintendent of Berkshire Hills Regional School District Peter Dillon, Diane Dillon, Maureen Hickey and Paul Hickey.
Sally and Fred Harris, owners of Saint James Place; Salisbury Bank Vice President Rich Aldrich with Mary Spina.
Longtime BSRCC member Lili Goldberg and Board Chairman Ethel Patterson; Salisbury Bank's Spring Burke, Pittsfield Rotary Club President Dave Hall and Mary Ann Hall.
Member Greg Fritch with Michael Bandzierz; Kwik Print founders Cheryl Raifstanger and John Raifstanger Jr. with Mary Saporito.
BSRCC Executive Director Jenise Lucey with Roger Manring and Barbara Manring.
Autobahn Service owner Dominic Lydon with his wife, Melissa Lydon; Sabrina Ruggiero, Joe Ruggiero and Maria Vitrano came out to support their friend Barbara.
Author Stephen Sagarin, his wife, Janis Martinson and Jack Spencer; BSRCC volunteer Hank Ferlauto and wife, lawyer Susan Ferlauto.
Mary Ann Norris with Jessica Speer-Holmes; member Aimee Raifstanger, gala committee member Becky Raifstanger and Paula Ungewitter.
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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
