Amy Krzanik reports from Great Barrington. Guests spilled out of the packed Wyantenuck Country Club and onto the front veranda on Monday, May 11 as Construct’s annual MayFest fundraising gala honored the memory of longtime supporter Ernest Schnesel. The evening’s theme, “The House That Ernie Built," represents Construct’s strategy for housing all members of the community. Ernest and his wife, Anne, were the lead underwriters for “Warm Up the Winter," a benefit concert to help community members with winter heating costs, as well as many other of the non-profit’s initiatives over the 32 years the couple has lived in the area. The balmy evening’s gala attendees had their choice of food, drink and dessert from 25 area purveyors, including Prairie Whale, Castle Street Café, Aroma, Catherine’s Chocolates, Glass Bottom Brewery and many others. Funds from the gala go to support Construct’s work in the community. Above, Gala co-chair Nick Arienti with Fran Arienti.
Author Stefanie Samek, musician Richard Waldburger and author Gayle Moskowitz; April Burch, Buzzie McGraw and Dan Alden.
Steve Mack and freelance stylist Elaine Mack with Howard Chezar and Purely Patricia; Catherine Shearn Chester and Matthew Chester.
The Schnesel Family, with honorary chairperson Anne Schnesel in blue jacket third from right, gathered together for a family photo.
Doone Marshall, Lori Rose and Sheila Thunfors; Patricia Elsbach with Luiza Trabka and Ananda Timpane of the Railroad Street Youth Project.
Pleasant & Main served up crepes for the guests; Wyantenuck's main building was packed with supporters.
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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
