Not Just Another Party!

Planned Parenthood Winter Party at Racing Museum Smashes Attendance Records

SARATOGA SPRINGS – In an age of ‘alternative facts,’ numbers do not lie.

Last year, The Winter Party to benefit Planned Parenthood set an attendance record at 175.

This year, fueled by a theme of “Now More than Ever,” they did slightly better.

Try 400.

Numbers don’t lie.

Nor do emotions. While people were here to have a good time, this hardly was “just another party.” Above the festive atmosphere, there was a commitment on the part of attendees. You could feel the emotion – see the moist, yet steely-eyed, determination in the eyes of those present, as the Mohawk-Hudson Planned Parenthood leadership, led by CEO Bowman Kim Atkins, greeted them.

A commitment made long ago. A commitment reinforced, energized and enhanced.

The site, on Saturday, January 28, was The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. I remarked to one former Skidmore employee that I met about how much I enjoyed this setting. This was the place where Skidmore hosted its Annual Scholarship Dinner, before it built its own banquet facility.

Indeed, the Racing Museum does some fantastic annual events surrounding the Sport of Kings, and yet it is to be hoped that they expand their calendar and host more general events like this one.

While the crowd of 400 certain swelled certain rooms, there were plenty of opportunities to explore the Museum’s nooks and crannies, virtually alone. I was able to wander right up to Count Fleet’s 1943 Triple Crown Trophy display and enjoy it leisurely.

Speaking of enjoying, guests enjoyed the magnificent cuisine supplied by Kim Klopstock and Lily and the Rose Catering. Kim has a unique touch, call it food as art, and I only had to glance at the offerings to know it was from her kitchen.

She was farm-to-table before farm-to-table was cool. Kim is also a well-known social progressive, so it was no surprise to see her involved here.

The activity surrounding the silent auction items was brisk. I was gently shoved (picture middle-aged women with NHL hip check skills!) a few times by ladies looking to get in their last minute bids, whilst I was discussing this and that with photog Dev Dinon. I glanced at the numbers – they are going to end up with a ton of dollars… I can’t wait to hear the totals.

The money is, of course, the point – but hardly the main one on this night. No, this was a night to “represent.”

It was a night to show that, while many are obsessed with thinking about our future nationally, perhaps with foreboding, they are taking a stand locally. These 400 guests, by their actions, collectively Tweeted this – loud and proud:

Now more than ever!

Arthur Gonick
Feb. 1, 2017