Amy Krzanik reports from Great Barrington. A large crowd of local businesspeople and community advocates gathered at Berkshire South Regional Community Center on Saturday, October 19 to celebrate the 10th Annual Community Gala, this year honoring the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce (SBCC), along with the Stockbridge, Lenox and Lee Chambers. An array of silent auction items were fanned out on tables in the Jaffe Auditorium and everything from Canyon Ranch spa sessions and stays at the Devonfield Inn, to Blue Q goodies and dinners at local restaurants like Alta were up for grabs. As guests snacked on creatively good appetizers from SoMa Catering, music was provided by Berkshire South's own Berkshire Sings! and Berkshire Ukulele Band. Dinner was served buffet-style in the Beinecke Gymnasium, which also was set up for the evening's live auction and entertainment by the band Petrichor and DJ Jesse Stewart from Millennium Music. (Pictured: Current Berkshire South Board Chairman Adam Hersch with incoming Board Chairwoman Ethel Patterson.)
SBCC Vice President Richard Aldrich, SBCC Executive Director Betsy Andrus, and SBCC President Pat Seward; Malinka Jackson, Bob Climo and SBCC Board Member Karen Climo.
Aimee Raifstanger, Cheryl Raifstanger, Barbara Manring, Berkshire South Executive Director Jenise Lucey, Bill Cohn, and Roger Manring; Kathy and Paul Bernal.
Claire Naylor-Pollart, Mary Carol Rudin, and Vickie Shufton; SBCC Secretary Scott Rote, Alice Reilly, and Kelly Fahey.
Bobbie Jo Segalla, Aidan Gilligan, and Doug and Sara Goudey of Wheeler & Taylor; Photographer Richard Migot and SBCC Board Member Liana Toscanini.
Berkshire South's Berkshire Ukulele Band, led by Rob Sanzone (right) and featuring Lauren Ambrose (left).
Berkshire South Board Member Rita Kasky, Terry Webb, and Paul Kopperl; Mary Hart and John Hart.
Hallie Leblanc and sister, Berkshire South Executive Director Jenise Lucey; Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Zanetti, Bill Kotek, Jim Hallock, and Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce President Michele Kotek.
Sherri Gorelick and Rob Navarino, with actor and Lenox Chamber of Commerce Director Ralph Petillo; Karin Watkins and Karen Climo
Berkshire South Board Member Steve Meyerowitz, former Board President Eliza Crescentini, Diane Chase, and Marco Crescentini; Brad Burrall, Barbara Case, and Mame Wells.
Mary and Chuck Hamilton with Kathy and Tom Roy; Berkshire South's own Berkshire Sings!, led by Robert Kelly, performs for the crowd.
Written by
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
