Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires

VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE BERKSHIRES GALA

MONTE CARLO IN THE BERKSHIRES

The plans for VIM Berkshires’ 2008 Gala, the 3rd Monte Carlo Night, on Saturday September 6th at 7pm are proceeding at a furious pace.

The glamour of Monte Carlo will return to the site of its huge success two years ago, the gorgeous Lenox Club. After cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a delicious meal, prepared by the Lenox Club’s new Chef, Chris Amm, will be served.  Dinner will be available both indoors and al fresco on the veranda overlooking a well manicured croquet lawn. There will be dancing and games of chance and, for the first time, we are adding a live auction of outstanding donated items. Guests will then try to prevail at throwing dice, hoping that the spinning roulette wheel stops on their number, or color, and playing Black Jack and Poker. Numerous spectacular prizes that the Gala Committee has been busy gathering will ensure that the party will be a huge success.

There will be many ways to help VIM besides the raffles - such as the new Live Auction.   Of course, we hope that everyone will put on their dancing shoes and trip the light fantastic while all the other activities are occurring.

We are grateful that individuals and businesses have contributed so generously to the auctions and raffle. We have included photographs when provided by the individual donors. If you wish more information about the businesses, please click on the blue link to their websites.

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS include:

- A one-week stay in Santa Fe at La Casa Del Pez Espada, an elegant adobe home generously donated by Mary and Bob Crowell and a private tour of one of Santa Fe’s leading Art Galleries.

 

The house is located in the gated condominium community of Quail Run on the South side of Santa Fe, five minutes from the heart of the city and its many treasures. Located near a golf course, this retreat has 3 double bedrooms (all on the first floor), each with its own full bathroom. You will find all the amenities you could want for leisure and comfort such as a large deck with arresting mountain views, colorful gardens, and access to a health club, bicycles and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. 

- A one-week stay in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, located in La Baulas National Park, Costa Rica, generously donated by Darren and Colin Ovitsky in loving memory of Dr Dennis Ovitsky.

 

The main house features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a futon and has a studio apartment with a bed and a futon. There is a beautiful pool, luscious tropical gardens with birds, butterflies and monkeys. The house is a short walk from the beach, which is a leatherback turtle nesting site and offers world-class surfing.  Markets and restaurants are nearby as well as  an estuary with abundant wildlife, including crocodiles! 

- A special tasting menu with wines for EIGHT at the superb Inn, Wheatleigh, in Lenox.
Wheatleigh’s elegant dining room is the only AAA Five Diamond Restaurant in New England west of Boston (one of fewer than 50 in the United States) and deservedly has a reputation for some of the finest food and service in this area. Browse Wheatleigh’s website to learn more about this magnificent restaurant and hotel!

- A private photo session with the celebrated photographer Edward Acker
The session will result in a gorgeous poster size black and white individual or family portrait. Browse this artist’s website to find out more about his work!   

- The Old Mill in South Egremont
Terry Moore, owner/chef of The Old Mill, long a favorite of Berkshirites, is offering a festive Sunday Brunch or Monday evening cocktail party for your 50 guests! 

 - New York Mets vs. Florida Marlins - Saturday September 27, 2008, 4 Diamond Box seats plus two pre-paid parking spaces.                                                                                   The second to the last game ever to be played at Shea Stadium - a moment in history.  4 seats at field level directly behind home plate.  After the national anthem and the shout of “Play Ball”, you will be there to watch history and maybe to see the Mets win the pennant.  

- A still life painting from the Loring Gallery .  An oil painting on slate.  The artist, Daniela Giovannetti, earned her diploma at the Accademia Di Belle Arti in Florence.  

- Golf Package  A day of golf at the Wyantenuck Country Club for 4 people including carts and lunch as well as a day of golf at the Stockbridge Country Club for 4 people including carts with lunch generously donated by Gail Moscowitz.  The highest bidder also receives a day of golf at the the Pittsfield Country Club for 2 people including carts and lunch graciously donated by Jonathan Ball.

- An outstanding selection of wines especially chosen from the legendary wine cellar of Woody and Marjorie Sumner    

SILENT AUCTION items include:

- A unique chance to see Tanglewood behind the scenes and without the crowd!
During the summer of 2009, Peggy Daniel, the author of the newly published “Tanglewood, A Group Memoir” will accompany you next summer to a closed rehearsal chosen by mutual agreement and will autograph her book for you.

- A literary and humorous Sunday brunch for 10. The bidder will have the unique opportunity to hear selected short stories chosen and read by the one and only Matthew Tannenbaum, owner of The Bookstore in Lenox, while enjoying a delicious brunch at the home of Catherine and Matthew Mandel.    VALUE $150

- A photograph chosen by the winner from the portfolio of Clemens Kalischer’s stunning photographs and lunch. Meeting the legendary Mr. Kalischer is a rare treat and he will autograph the chosen picture, which will be framed by Frames on Wheels. Then you will have lunch around the corner from Mr. Kalischer’s Image Gallery at the world famous Red Lion Inn.  Value: $1500

- A knitting kit for an elegant black feather-weight bodywrap by Catherine Lowe.
Catherine is a celebrated designer and teacher and has designed both the pattern and the yarn for this item.  Browse Catherine’s website. Value: $295

- A Financial Plan by Jonathan Ball, Smith Barney Broker     Value: $750

- BOUQUET OF THE MONTH. THREE months of flowers from each of four fabulous florists.  Donated by Tulipan, Wildflowers , Dolby and Double Decker Farms.   Value   $600.

- A tasting dinner for FOUR including wine donated by the Church Street Cafe.  Value $400

- Metropolitan Opera Live HD Broadcast Series for TWO at the Mahaiwe.                                       11 performances in all including the Gala Opening Night on September 22.   Value $500

- Dinner for TWO at Nobu 57 Restaurant in New York and a ONE night stay in a private apartment nearby on Central Park South.      Value $550

- A landscape design offered by William Laska of Glendale Garden Design.
Includes an 11×17 perspective drawing and a plan view to scale 11×17 with  plant list. Design to encompass a single side of a house or patio space. Design can address walkway, patio, stone wall and plantings.  The package also includes a $100 gift certificate for plants from Ward’s.      Value: $500

- STEAK LOVERS’ SPECIAL.  Dinner for TWO at Morton’s Steakhouse anywhere in the world and dinner for FOUR at Pearl’s in Great Barrington.     Value $600

- BERKSHIRE GEMS.  A scenic flight over the southern Berkshires from Great Barrington Airport; Gayle Harmelin’s new book, Having Guests Means Never Seeing The View; and TWO bottles each of Vodka, Gin and Rum from Berkshire Mountain Distillers.   Value $ 350

- BERKSHIRE CULTURE TWO tickets to Berkshire Theatre Festival; TWO Flex Passes to Barrington Stage Company; TWO tickets to Jacob’s Pillow; TWO Booklets of 10 tickets for the Triplex Cinema.   Value $ 600

- A GOURMET’S DELIGHT.  Restaurants of the Berkshires: Lunch for TWO at Swiss Hutte, Lunch for TWO at Napa; Dinner for TWO at Castle Street Cafe; Dinner for TWO at The Dream Away Lodge; $100 gift certficate to Bizen    Value $ 310

- PRETTY WOMAN.  A haircut at Seven Spa; an assortment of Prescriptives Beauty Products; TWO Pilates sessions with Bridget Ford Hughes at her private studio; a beautiful pink scarf and gold earrings from Seeds.   Value $670

- GOOD CHARMA. A (gold) silver bracelet decorated with (garnets) semi precious stonesespecially designed for VIM by Pam Fink. 

_ DAN NAMINGHA FOLIAGE #7.  A framed painting, acrylic on paper.  This internationally known Native American artist’s work reflects the Tewa-Hopi culture as well as modern abstract art.  His work hangs in museums around the world.   Value $1200

 

Value $600

RAFFLE PRIZES include:

- Michael Wainwright: A Set of THREE Porcelain Serving Pieces.
Grace your home with a hand-crafted creation by one of the area’s truly renowned artisans whose work is esteemed all over this country.   www.michaelwainwright.com  Value: $1000

- A Spa day for TWO at Canyon Ranch.  At the turn of the 20th century the Berkshires was a haven for aristocrats. Now, you’ll be pampered like one.   Value $575

- ONE night stay at the spectacular Lenox inn, Stonover Farm; dinner for two at Finn Sushi. and 3 bottles of wine from NeJaime’s Wine Cellars.   $600

- A SPIRITED BAG. A case of white wine from Domaney’s; a $100 gift certificate from Guido’s including a tote bag and apron; a Cooking Class for TWO at Cafe Adam; a gift certificate to Bizalion; a gift certificate to Mistral; and a take out brunch for 8-10 from Great Barrington Bagel.    Value $800

- BERKSHIRE BEAUTIES. Body & Soul Massage, Manicure and Pedicure from Lucky Nails; Mulberry Hair services; and 5 training sessions with JD Reber of Personal Body Precision in Lenox.   Value $850

- A SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS’ PACKAGE. TWO Giants tickets, TWO Red Sox tickets, TWO Season Passes to Catamount Ski Area, 6 Training sessions by Brian Emerson Clapp of Personal Best and a football signed by Jets # 89 Jerricho Cotchery.  Value $1300

- A CATERING PARTY PACKAGE: Dessert and appetizers from John Andrews for TEN people; Wine from The Spirit Shoppe; a cheese platter for TEN from Rubiner’s; a gift certificate to the Bookloft; and a cake from The Marketplace.   Value  $800

- FIVE SERVING BOWLS AND PLATTER.  Designed by artist and potter Ani Kasten and manufactured in Nepal by Thimi village potters.   Value $500

 YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS EVENING!