Rachel Louchen reports from Lenox.On Saturday, December 1, the second annual Voices of Hope gala was held at the festively decorated Seven Hills Inn. The holiday event benefitted Berkshire United Way, the community organization which supports programs for employment, education, and emergency preparation. Dancing took place before the gourmet dinner, with auctions both silent and live happening throughout the evening. Some of the items up for grabs included gift certificates to local restaurants like Alta and tickets to Tanglewood. As guests mingled to the music of pianist Roy Gerson before dinner, carollers and actors from Shakespeare & Company roamed about the night, proving that a charitable gala can be an event as playful as it is worthy. At left, the hosts of the evening; owners Robin Wong and her husband, Denis Wong.
Maurice Peterson and Amy Boyington of Seven Salon Spa; Jeff Clifford with attorney Robert Fuster and Samantha Clifford.
David Hansen and Dayle Ballentine; Hoadley Gallery'sStephanie Hoadley and Tom Hoadley with Denise Ulick.
Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes with actor Ryan Winkles and Deborah Grausman.
Lenox Chamber of Commerce president Katherine Lockridge with Dawn Carberry; Nikki Knight with her husband, Greg White.
Ileane Karpg with Szuson Wong and husband, Richard Clarke; Berkshire United Way's Susan Beaudry with Nadine Atalla.
Festive carol singers provided some of the hopeful voices.
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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
