Fiona Breslin reports from Washington, CT.A constellation of stars – including Academy-Award-winning director James Ivory, television antique appraiser Leslie Keno, and former New York City Ballet principal dancers Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel – lit up the Litchfield Hills on Saturday, June 9, for the the Gunn Memorial Library & Museum’s 17th Annual Library Luminaries fundraiser. The luminaries and other supporters gathered at the library for cocktails before dispersing to one of 14 dinners at restaurants and private homes; guests had previously selected which dinner they wanted to attend in accordance with which luminaries would cast their glow over the table. One of the dinners, held at the Washington Club Hall, transformed into a dance party when Saturday Night Live’s Christine Ohlman, known as the Beehive Queen (at left, with Gene Wrabel) took to the stage and had the crowd on its feet in no time flat.
Becca Bergman and her mother Edie Bergman; Kimberley Blair, Anne Hayes, luminary Marcia Lippman, and Erica Lumiere, a former editor of Marie Claire magazine.
Trustees and event co-chairs Sandy Breakstone and Barbara Kohn flank Ron Garfunkel; Liz Peterson and trustee Susan Schoon.
Trustee Dan Sher, antique appraiser and luminary Leslie Keno, Thayer Hockberg, Ron Garfunkel, and Peggy Tagliarino.
Leo Atschul chats with luminaries Norman Sunshine and Alan Shayne; library volunteer Joe Mustich with fashion designer Linda Allard, who hosted Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel.
Gallerist Kathy McCarver Root, who hosted Marcia Lippman; luminary Pat Schoenfeld and event committee member Averil Smith.
Guests Viqar Shariff, Kimberly Shariff, Tal Copen, and Rob Copen.
Stacey Matthews and Anita Torizzo; director James Ivory, luminary Cathy Cash Spellman, and her daughter Dakota Cash.
Addo Ballester with former New York City Ballet principals Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel; Jeff Drubner, Cynthia Quinn, and actress Sophie Sutton.
Marco Valla and Monica Mandelli; event photographer Janet Hayes with her sister-in-law and evening co-host Susan Bishop-Wrabel.
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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
