Amy Krzanik reports from Stockbridge. A sold out crowd packed Berkshire Country Day School's impressively transformed Fitzpatrick Hall on Saturday, October 5 as The Literacy Network of South Berkshire (LitNet) held its annual fundraising gala. Before the sit-down dinner, guests mingled over drinks and appetizers, and perused a fantastic selection of silent auction items that included everything from gift certificates for local shops to far-off vacation getaways. This year's honoree, Aso O. Tavitian, an Armenian-American philanthropist and inspirational advocate for education, accepted LitNet's Fifth Annual Founders of America Award. Proceeds from the night go toward funding LitNet's free adult one-on-one tutoring in English, math, reading, and GED studies. (Shown L to R: Marilyn Nejaime, Aso O. Tavitian, and the very first Founders of America Award winner, Nabih Nejaime.)
LitNet Board Member and Auction Chair Sue Weintraub, Board Secretary Adrienne Cosel, and Board Co-president Lois Lenett; Executive Director Laura Qualliotine, Executive Assistant Shelley Wojtkowski, and Tutor Coordinator Mary Spina.
Board Member Cris Raymond, Massachusetts State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Art Sherman, and Board Member Sarah Boyd; Katti Paquette and Lee Library Director Dan Paquette.
Joe Nejaime, former American Ambassador to Canada Judy Ney, and Terry Webb; Marty Gottron, Stewart Edelstein, and Lynn Edelstein.
David and Indre Boaretto-Sarti; Kim and Virgil Van Gerven with Matt Chester and Catherine Chester.
Peter Herbst, Tim Eustis, Sarah Eustis, and Ann Herbst; Nancy Kalodner and Annie Rye.
Former LitNet student Sylvana Proanio, Robert Unda, and MA State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier; George T. Smith and Board Treasurer Bill Dunlaevy.
Harvey Tessler and Marsha Tessler; Ingrid Taylor, Mary Harrison, and Mary Jane Turner.
Jeannie Reilly-Ortega, Sue Dunlaevy, and Jackie McNinch; Michael Conforti, Isabella Meisinger, Laurie Norton Moffatt, and RI Publisher Mark Williams.
Neil Chrisman, Ginger Schwartz, Kathy Chrisman; Michael P. Hale and Georgia Massucco.
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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
