Fiona Breslin reports from New Marlborough.It is always an honor to report on events for Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), the Great Barrington-based organization that provides top medical, dental, mental, and other healthcare for uninsured residents of the Berkshires. On Monday, May 20, VIM underwriters, contributors, and friends gathered at The Old Inn on the Green for the 7th Annual Berkshire Chefs' dinner. The evening rounded up local culinary leaders Peter Platt and Shirl Gard of The Old Inn On The Green, Shelly Williams of Haven Café and Bakery, Adam Zieminski of Café Adam, and Daire Rooney of Allium Restaurant & Bar, to prepare an elegant menu for the evening that serves to recognize VIM's accomplishments and helps prepare the organization for the year ahead. While state efforts to close gaps in health insurance continue, demand for VIM services are expected to as well, as thousands in Massachusetts remain without adequate coverage. (Above, VIM board members: vice chair and co-medical director Matt Mandel, Ellen Rowntree, MD, and Jeff Blake, MD.)
Designer Wendy Darling and her daughter Lana Carron; Garrett Sadler and David Schecker.
Artist Betsy Dovydenas, event committee member Catherine Mandel, and Olga Weiss.
Larry Hazzard, Berkshire United Way president Kristine Hazzard, and VIM board member Marion Simon; Rita Kasky and VIM board member Elizabeth Goodman.
Pat Salomon, MD, with Elise Richman, and Julio Rodriguez; Bruce Rudin and Jerry Sugar, MD.
BIFF founder Kelley Vickery and Catherine Mandel; VIM development staff member Lesley Rubinger, realtor Mary White, and VIM board member Michael Richman.
Event chair Vicki Bonnington, David Schecker, VIM board member Robert L.W. McGraw, Lana Carron, and Wendy Darling.
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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
