Amy Krzanik reports from New Lebanon. It was a perfect night for a party, as Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon threw its Country Dance and Dinner on Saturday, July 13. This year’s benefit party honored pre-eminent Shaker historian Dr. Stephen J. Stein, who unfortunately, due to health reasons, couldn’t make the occasion. Museum President David Stocks greeted guests as they arrived at the large tent set up on the Darrow School grounds next to Tannery Pond. A champagne reception gave attendees time to mingle and browse the silent auction offerings. A summer buffet from SoMa Catering followed, and led into a live auction with the humorous and fast-talking Larry Benson. The auction included artwork donated by Terry Winters, Melora Kuhn, Joshua Marsh, and Eric Wolf. To wrap up the night, square dancing led and called by The Zillionaires got people on their feet to swing their partners round and round. Proceeds from the benefit go toward the Museum, including restoring buildings and reuniting the most comprehensive Shaker collection with the largest Shaker site in America. (Shown above: Shaker Museum President David Stocks and Museum Trustee Doug Welch)
Dani Sammet, Museum Board Chair Jeff Daly, and Doris Cassar; Benefit Committee Members Herb Teitelbaum and Ruth Abram, with retired head of the Darrow School Nancy Wolf.
Karen Ross, Christine Benson, Jeffrey Ross, and New Lebanon Town Supervisor Mike Benson; Jeffrey Pines and Board Member Doralynn Pines.
Lois and Chris Herzeca, with Kari Murad and Dan Beaudry.
Larry Kramer poses with Terry Winters' Fate Map, which sold at the night's live auction for $6,000; Nicholas Haylett, Patty Martin, former ICP Director Buzz Hartshorn, and Tim Husband.
Allie Middleton, Special Events Committee Member Patsy McDonald, and Darrow School volunteer Geoff Miller; Sarah Conly, Michael Deegan, and Special Events Committee Member Thea Bennett.
Bruce Grivetti, Scott Evans, and Paul Feuerman.
Georgeanne Rousseau, Board Member Jeff Bailey, Lainie Grant, and Greg Lind; John Broome and David Pearce.
Benefit Committee Members Dawn and Tony Murad; Shaker Museum Staff Members David Zick, Wyatt Erchak, Caroline Correia, Krista Mangiardi, Geoff Miller, and Hanna Pageau.
Benefit Committee Members Peter Hansen, Ann Pearce, and Petra Krauledat; Board Member Jeff Bailey, Jackie Sheinberg, and Jay Morganstern.
Written by
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
