
Amy Krzanik reports from Monterey. All the dapper dons and dolled-up dames were at the Bidwell House Museum’s 1920s garden party on Saturday, August 3, at Bill Brockman’s “Fiddletop" Estate. Music from the Jazz Age filled the ears of all the guys and dolls in attendance, as the East Egg Trio featuring Skip Parsons performed under the tent. Volunteers went all-out providing a grand selection of delectable hors d’oeuvres, fabulous flower arrangements, and Roaring Twenties-themed refreshments. (A homemade martini called The Bee’s Knees, anyone?) State Representative Smitty Pignatelli presented Bill Brockman with an official citation from the Massachusetts State Senate for his work in helping to preserve an important part of local and national history, and the night’s emcee Chapin Fish and gallerist Charles Flint led an auction featuring artwork, jewelry, and dinner and conversation with celebrated author Simon Winchester. All proceeds go to support the historic 1750s homestead, its education programs, and its upkeep. (Shown L to R above: Board Member Delight Dodyk, Executive Director Barbara Palmer, and Assistant to the Director Eileen Mahoney).


Bidwell House Vice President and party co-chair Kathryn Roberts, host Bill Brockman, Susan Popper, and RI Publisher Mark Williams; Board member and party co-chair Chapin Fish with fellow board member Christa Lindsay.

Emily McTavish, Charles McTavish, Lauren Goldfinger, Ron Charette, and board member JoAnn Bell.


Iris Lipke and Eddie Lipke, D.D.S. enjoy the views; Sonya Hamlin, Barbara Koz Paley, and Ellen Sills-Levy really know how to dress for a party.


Alford Town Moderator Michael Wilcox, Charlie Flint, Joy Flint, and Representative Smitty Pignatelli share a laugh; Bidwell Board President Rob Hoogs and Cindy Hoogs.


Al Kalish and Marilyn Kalish, who donated one of Marilyn's paintings to the auction; Global culture advisor Christa Dowling and Karen Carhart.

Aaron and Lynne Leavitt with former board member Barbara Tryon and retired farmer Richard Tryon.


Board member and descendant Paula Leuchs Moats, Judy Warren, and Helga S. Orthofer, who donated her artwork for the auction; Lovely gal Gige O'Connell and Siobhanne Pope.


Ilene Lander and Joseph Kaufman; Beth Bogart, Beth Timlege, and Esther Heffernan.


Teresa Carpenter, Steven Levy, and Mimi and Tom Parker; Nancy Kalodner and RI's Mark Williams.


Gil Schrank and Bidwell V.P. and party co-chair Kathryn Roberts; Lawrence Birnbach, Bev Hyman, Michael Keith, and Susan Popper.
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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