Editor’s Note: For the big Saratoga events this summer, such as the American Cancer Society’s Red, White and Blue Party, I am pleased to welcome the additional perspectives of Carrie Rowlands Johnson (L.) and Lisa Champagne – two outstanding communicators who bring ‘team coverage’ to outstanding events, such as what took place last Friday, June 23. AG
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A Palette Of Primary Colors
Reds, whites and blues melt into one another, creating a scene that very well could have originated on Salvador Dali’s canvas. As rain pelts the roof, a sold out crowd of more than five hundred mingles and introduces and nudges its way around the second floor of Prime at Saratoga National.
The American Cancer Society’s Red, White and Blue party was forced indoors— just one more victim of the soggy skies so common this year. The alternate venue might have been a bit disconcerting at first, as last year’s event enjoyed spacious tent area on Saratoga National’s back lawn; but with a backup plan in place, the ad hoc transition was as smooth as it could be. So, ticket holders quickly find space, locating food and drink stations, claiming table real estate, and wandering onto the patio.
Slowly, voice by voice, all chatter stops as Lizzie Hunter and the event’s committee detail the exact purpose of the evening, highlighting the night’s champions: the heroes among us who, with their family, fight this ugly disease every day of their lives. The “formal” presentation ends with a slideshow weaving together the fabrics of memories of so many in the room, all stopping to remember lives won and lost in a battle The American Cancer Society is dedicated to fighting every single day.
Carrie Rowlands Johnson
June 26, 2017
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Tri-Color Fashion
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Red, White + Blue… those mere words invoke immediate feelings of warmth, pride and camaraderie. American Cancer society couldn’t have chosen a more fitting name or theme for its annual gala and fundraiser! The brightest star perhaps is Lizzie Hunter who orchestrates this fabulous event; however, attendees and supporters were dressed to impress making red, white + blue hotter than eating freshly baked apple pie on a 90 degree day!
Tonight, simple was stunning and interpretation of Americana fashion boomed louder than the fireworks!
Local boutiques Violets, Piper and Lily Pulitzer were hot stops for a few of the galas best dressed but as every fashionista knows, good taste and great fashion sense can lead us almost anywhere. Take a look at where these ladies shopped for their party dresses:
Lisa Champagne
June 26, 2017
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Holding His Hand, I Can Never Fall
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The memories flood forth, it seems like only yesterday…
So many things impressed me mightily about the 2017 Red, White and Blue Party this year, But two stand out most prominently in my mind:
The first is that I am convinced that Lizzie Hunter has the ability to tap into forces that we mere mortals have no hope of grasping. How she can pull off fireworks on a stormy night is truly beyond me! Not to mention having to change the logistics – including the site of a big party that was to take place in a tent, to an inside location – with all the coordination that it takes – with volunteers, with VIP’s, with Prime – and still look perfectly calm and cool on a steamy, stormy night – well, keyword: unreal.
But don’t chalk it up to luck. Not a bit. This is skill, and excellent planning. Starting with an formidable Executive committee of Aspen Witt and Becky Kendall; an honorary committee that is populated with the current and next generation of our region’s leaders. And tons of volunteers, everywhere, and in sync.
I make it a point of pride, and perhaps difference, to always include the volunteers – the people who Lizzie would be the first to agree are the ones who do the work – in every event photo array. But today, I give them a prominent shout-out. Kudos to all of you!
The second prominent aspect was a special segment at the end of the formal program; in which lost loved ones were honored and remembered on the video screen:
In my case, I have a mother who is a long-time survivor of breast cancer; but we lost my father, gosh – 22 years ago. The Red, White + Blue Party organizers, on their event page, stated the following:
{This event} is all about making a difference in honor of those in our lives who are currently facing cancer, have faced cancer, or those we are protecting from hearing the words “you have cancer.”
Each and every one of us has someone in our lives whom we are celebrating in honor of. We want to join you honoring this person by highlighting them in our “mission moment” slide show.
The activities of The American Cancer Society will ALWAYS have my fullest support, because they allow me to feel connected to my father. In my mind, each day, I am still holding his hand.
And when holding his hand, I can never fall.
Arthur Gonick
June 26,2017
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And Now: To The Party!
