Social - Here's to you

Well, all I can say is that my sister, Gina (“OOLALA”) would have been in Hat Heaven last Tuesday, August 5th, for the ‘LEND an EAR’ Because We’re Head Over Heels for the YMCA of Saratoga event. Bellissimo!

This fabulous luncheon at the Hall of Springs (oooh that Kevin Sykes is marveloso) was the place to be and be seen, indeed! For over 140 years the YMCA of Saratoga has lent an ear to families in need and now YOU lent an ear and donated your new or gently-used earrings (which were the featured silent auction). One-hundred percent of the proceeds of this wonderful event go to the Y’s scholarship programs and We Build People campaign. With over 125 groupings of earring offerings, ladies bid competitively while sipping champagne and shopping the millinery artistry of Le Beau Chapeau by Nancy Matt, Christine A. Moore Millinery, Ryan Wilde and Mona the Madhatter. The mood was set at registration by the tireless YMCA staff and volunteers, including Helen Leonowitz, Mary Madarez, Kelly Armer and Tracy Moore (great job on earring set-up and design!).

Harry Pellegrin serenaded everyone on guitar as they readied themselves to “BID, BUY & IMBIBE.” Entering the grand Hall, hats lined the entire back of the room while jewelry harkened the fainthearted. Adding to the enticement were jeweled belts with designer Wilson Kimball on hand, precious petite necklaces and earrings by Frenchy Loeb, wonderful ‘baubles’ to delight from N. Fox Jewelers, Mia Muratori’s Bangle purses, the natural wonders of stone and semi-precious gems of Christine Hearst and of course, Peter Ciesla’s irresistible beaded/embroidered works of art in neckpieces, cuffs and earrings. OK, so Ima had more champagne as she oohed and ahhhed the beautiful flowers bedecking all the tables and displays graciously donated by Kevin Smith of Hidden Gardens (flowers like no other and celebrating their one-year anniversary, Saturday August 16 from 12-5) and the interesting wallpaper and interior offerings by Michael B. Levinson. Goodness!

Suddenly the sultry and salsa sounds of Sonny and Perley filled the air as the gorgeous Trunkettes and local personalities walked the center runway, salon-style in exclusive Saratoga Trunk styles, featuring the House of Dereon, Beyonce’s line of cocktail and evening gowns, accompanied by Rebecca Schlossberg, VP of Sales (liked very much by Lou Ann Verdile and Kimberly Adams, looking sassy in her new hat by Nancy Matt)…silhouettes by Kay Unger, Nicole Miller, Badgley Mischka and more. The local models included Amy Raimo (Albany Medical Ctr.), Mary Ferguson (Stickly-Audi), Luci Cody (Comfortex), Star 101.3’s Brianne Young (STAR radio was a media sponsor and the lovely and generous Fran Dingeman was there in a Mona hat, with radio/TV talent Vince Gallagher), local television/radio personality, in PR, the fetching Kristina Krawchuk (kkrawchukimagemedia.com/ who worked non-stop to produce the eye-catching program); Jaclyn Sillery (RIT), Brenda Tholin,( Mary Kay), Maggie from Hattie’s (Hillary was helping out with Hat Sales as was the gorgeous Beth Alexander (owner of Hattie’s Restaurant – sporting Ryan Wilde), Elaine Sillery (Adirondack Trust), Tara Zablocky (Saratoga Trunk), Jayne McCarthy, Chris Harmon (Stadium Café on Broadway), and special surprise Trunkette guest from D.C., Katrina Schwing with new baby Sofie and husband Dave watching from Kristen Grasso’s table. Invaluable to the cause, Suzanne Allrich (Adirondack Beverage), April Hall, Christine Yakubec, and of course Joanne Finn made it all appear so easy and smoothly run. Co-Chair, Natalie Sillery (owner of Saratoga Trunk – wearing an oyster belted Kay Unger and Le Beau Chapeau) “called to post” the partying crowd, thanked her precious friends and Trunkettes, the Honorary Chair, Agatha Benton (always beautifully balanced, in an olive Kay Unger key-hole dress), the stunning Julie Bonacio, chic in an ombre Marc Bouwer dress, Le Beau Chapeau merangue hat with jewels by Christine Hearst; the lovely Mary Gavin, Joanne Orrefice, Marcia MacDonald (invitations graciously underwritten by she and her husband, Jerry), Michele Riggi (always loving Peter’s work, looking exceptional in gold) and so many others and then, introduced the YMCA’s President and CEO, Jim Letts and Umberto Chavaz, for the chaplaincy of the backstretch workers of NY’s racetracks - the other recipient of the day’s proceeds.

Co-Chair Margie Rotchford, colorful and tanned in purple/orange Badgley Mischka and a buccaneer brim by Ryan Wilde, thanked everyone again, including Joan Parker, Ambassador of Gemesis Jewels (the brilliant yellow diamonds were manned continually by Trunkette, Ilene Kahn) and brought special guest, Taryn Rose up to speak (Taryn, as you remember, is the orthopedic surgeon turned shoe designer.) Taryn is now embarking on her own line of foot/body creams, especially one that will help me Ima with my stiletto pain, and is always very excited about being here in Saratoga, particularly to see new best friend Margie, who originally brought Taryn up last year for another record-breaking fundraiser which Margie chaired. An exciting “If THE SHOE FITS” contest, where 11 earmarked tables had a shoe in the middle and if it fit anyone at the table, for $75 (instead of the reg. $500 price tag) donated directly to the Y, it was theirs! Ima thinks ‘Julie-O” was one lucky Cinderella that day, no? Mrs.Mayor? Something in suede, was it? AHHH, it was a glorious time had by all. Monies were raised (over $25,000…and counting) and a special check will be presented by Co-Chair, Board member, Margie Rotchford, on Friday, Aug. 22nd at the Racetrack to the Chaplaincy of the Backstretch Workers for all three New York Racetracks.

Such a successful day cannot be had without the thanks that were extended to Saratoga Living Magazine, the lead sponsor, and represented by Patricia Mazza, Director of Advertising, (looking stunning in a Tadashi purple and white dress with eye-catching necklace in amethyst by Christine Hearst- ala Saratoga Trunk), NBT Bank of Saratoga (many thanks to Kathy Donnelly), CSEA, Freixenet, Advantage Press and of course our own Saratoga Today… HERE’S TO YOU!!