It was 8 degrees at 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 10, at Orleton Farm in Stockbridge, where the spectators huddled around a huge bonfire (which was stoked by shipping pallets) and sipped hot cider and hot cocoa to stay warm. Host Harvey Waller, the president of the Colonial Carriage & Driving Society, had promised a Currier & Ives day, and he produced a picture-postcard event. Many women wore their furriest and fuzziest winter clothing, but even the best dressed were chilled after an hour or so of standing outside and many guests took advantage of Waller's offer to go into his barns and view his stellar collection of exquisitely restored antique carriages.
Marylee Wagner draped sleighbells over her coat; Tjasa Sprague in one of her trademark long skirts.
Heather Pictrowski of Pittsfield-based Rosacea Care; Hilary Deely in an heirloom coat.
A two-horse carriage was part of the opening Parade of Sleighs.
Elizabeth Petty and Valerie Fagan
Sue Ryan and Chris Trombley
One of the most Currier & Ives competitors wore a top hat.
Musician Vicki Richards; Evangela Terpak with Scarlett, her Newfoundland.
Guests gathered around the bonfire stoked with discarded shipping pallets.
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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
