Fiona Breslin reports from New Marlborough. VIM Berkshires held its 6th annual benefit dinner on Monday, May 21 at The Old Inn on the Green. The dinner raised funds for the local branch of Volunteers in Medicine, an organization of physicians, nurses, dentists, therapists, nutrition counselors, and other health-care professionals who volunteer their time and skills to provide free services to the uninsured. About 70 supporters (including Susan Peisner and Phyllis Biener at left) filled the Old Inn, attracted no doubt by good intentions, as well as the allure of an exceptional dinner prepared by six of the region's top chefs. In addition to Peter Platt and Shirl Gard -- cooking on their home turf -- and Gustavo Perez from the Inn's sister establishment, The Southfield Store, participating chefs included Dan Smith from John Andrews, Shelly Williams from Haven Café & Bakery and Adam Zieminski from Café Adam. After mingling over Prosecco and hors' d'oeuvres, guests took their places in the candlelit dining rooms to enjoy a multi-course meal that pleased the palate and warmed the heart with the knowledge that the dinner had raised nearly $18,000 for VIM.
Event chair Vicki Bonnington with committee member Catherine Mandel and VIM board member Marion Simon; Robert Caine and Susan Caine with Matt Mandel, volunteer physician and vice chairman of the board of VIM Berkshires.
VIM board member Richard Lindner, committee volunteer Laurie Lindner, Joanne Keator, and David Keator; comittee volunteers John & Tricia Bevan.
VIM underwriter Robert Baum with Dr. Herbert Rod; VIM underwriter Elaine Baum, Olga Weiss, Paula Rod, and underwriter Jesse Goodman.
VIM volunteers Dr. Nina Molin and Dr. Carol Reife; VIM underwriters Susan Peisner and board chair Arthur Peisner.
Executive vice president at Fairview Hospital Tony Rinaldi and VIM board member Dr. Ross Reife; Laurie Lindner, Matt Mandel, and Tracy Foster.
Cheryl and Michael Zaccaro; supporters Alan Salaman and Martin Biener.
VIM underwriters Rhee Kasky, William Cohn and, Lauren Spitz; VIM supporters Don Shapiro and Lee Blatt.
VIM board members Robin McGraw and Marion Simon; VIM underwriter Hildi Black with sculptor Jonathan Prince, VIM board member Bridget Ford Hughes, and VIM underwriter Walter Black.
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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
