Lisa Green reports from Spencertown. There were hors d’oeuvres and wine under the tent to commence the preview party for Spencertown Academy of Arts Center’s Festival of Books. But let’s be honest: everyone was there for first crack at the book sale. The Labor Day weekend festival is more than sale alone, however. The display of books just behind the wine bottles foretold of authors scheduled to speak in the following days, including Rural Intelligence familiars Simon Winchester and Ruth Reichl as well as historian and Williamstown resident Alex Kershaw, author of Avenue of Spies and Talia Carner, author of Hotel Moscow. Now completely volunteer driven, the Academy draws on the tireless efforts of volunteers to produce the festival, and proceeds from the event will go to fund the many art activities that the Academy hosts every year. [Above, Jill Kalotay and David Highfill, festival co-chairs, flank Nick Van Alstine, president of the board of directors.]
Polly Dufresne and Wayne Greene, who curate, manage and set up the specialty books room; Members Susan Grybas,Jane Hassler and Judith Choate, who is also a board member of the Spencertown Academy.
Chet Stark and Roberta Reynes of Spencertown; Handling cashier duties were Jo-Anne Billotti, treasurer of the Academy, Barbara Deisroth and Joy Weiner.
Gary Igleburger and Beverly Igleburger enjoy a glass of wine before the doors open for the book sale.
Film historian Peter Biskind,Tobby Cassuto and Elizabeth Hess; Lynda Cury and Jill Berman of Ghent.
Bostonians Alden Ward and Sergei Chirkov; What it's all about.
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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
