Rachel Louchen reports from Hillsdale. Stacks of books were replaced by fields as far as the eye could see on Saturday, June 18 for the seventh annual Party in the Park for The Roeliff Jansen Community Library. Held in the Harvest Barn at Roe Jan Park directly across the street from the library, the annual event outsold all previous years. The decorating committee made good use of the barn's exposed beams for stringing lights while hay bales held the large food spread donated by local restaurants. The silent auction included items such as lunch with former New York Times food writer and best-selling author Mark Bittman, house seats to Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, and a catered dinner with wine pairings. A regular theme of the gala is recognizing dedicated patrons for their service, and this year, longtime philanthropists Pat and Jack Shakshober were honored for their over 40 years of support for multiple local organizations, including the library. The event funds the library all year and the significant turnout is unsurprising; the attendees at the event are actively and passionately involved in the library through their donations, volunteer work or just visiting regularly to take out books. [Above, Pat Placona, president of the library’s board of trustees and event chair Chris Atkins.]

Library volunteers Adrienne Orbach, Regina Colangelo and Lauren Lettelier.

Hillsdale residents Beth Gordon and Elliot Sobel; Attorney Jeanne Mettler with Sara Kahn.

Dave Pells and library trustee Meg Wormly; Shelly Barnham, trustee Marilyn Goldman, who was a major volunteer for the event and Susan Krim.

Elayne Dix, Debby Goldberg and her neice, Molly Goldberg.

Eve Schatz, Anita Podrid and Bill Podrid; Howard Blue, Maj Kalfus and Lonny Kalfus, head of the arts committee for the gala.

Ellen Winner, Cathy Redlich and David Lewis; New Hillsdale residents Steve and Kathy Bluestone.

Father-daughter volunteers Steven and Aelxandra Smith manned the cocktail station.

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