Snow Always Generates the Sweetest Fruit and the Brightest Flowers
Photos: Arthur Gonick
New Magic Strikes
Carrie Rowlands Johnson
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Long, bare arms reach out, fingers curled and beckoning. Tall bodies made even taller in heels and clothed in sequins stand statuesque, one blonde and one brunette. Faces are smiling and genuine, echoing the sentiment of their outstretched arms. An invitation lingers in the air… to the dance floor, to the Snow Ball at the Hall of Springs, to any and every gala painstakingly organized for charity.
There are no certain “types” of people who attend parties such as this one. Business owners, doctors, reporters, politicians, electricians, financial advisors, bankers, store clerks, students, salespeople, landscapers, hairdressers… we are all ten years old again, dressing up as whatever we like in this life, paying the ticket price and walking through one single set of doors to both party and contribute to causes so dear to our hearts.
On this December evening, Saturday the 2nd, we are sitting around tables clothed in our holiday best inside the Hall of Springs in all its glory. We are sipping bubbly champagne, heads thrown back in laughter as we reconnect with old friends and say hello to new faces who may now forever hold a place in our lives.
Saratoga Socialite MaryLou Whitney sits at the very same table as every other ticket holder, proud to support Saratoga Hospital in the city so dear to her heart. {{Editor’s Note: Mrs. Mary Lou Whitney and Mr. John Hendrickson stepped up once again and contributed a generous $10,000 donation during Saturday’s Annual Snow Ball to benefits The Flower and Fruit Mission of Saratoga Hospital’s support of the Women’s Health Services Unit. This year’s funds will directly impact a multi-phased, multi year complete renovation of that Unit.}}
I stand next to my blogging partners, Lisa Champagne and Mandy Mittler. Memories of a delicious dinner still lingering, we transition quickly to the dance floor. Hips sway, feet keep rhythm, heads throw back in laughter. We have every reason to be joyful this holiday season. We are with dear friends, in one of the best cities in the world, dressed in sequins and lace and being photographed by more dear friends, Joe Putrock, Arthur Gonick and Cathy Duffy.
As a Saratoga Society reporter, I’ve covered dozens of galas in Saratoga and have created a blogging team to work with Arthur Gonick and saratoga.com. For the most part, I am always happy to have donated my time. Every event is special. Tonight, with hints of the holidays in the air, and friends all around, new magic strikes. Snow Ball, you feel like a cozy new home. You have captured my fancy… and my heart.
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Photo Interlude One
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GETTING IT RIGHT
Lisa Champagne
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Though Spa City will soon nestle in for its winters nap—It was only yesterday that crowds of horse racing enthusiasts filled the grand stand while the bugler played “Call To The Post,” and the biggest summer galas attracted not only the locals but tourists who desired to dress up and immerse themselves in Saratoga society. Yes, high season for Saratoga and its galas has come to a close, but what I love about this community is the spirit of generosity extends beyond racing season.
That spirit was in full-force last week when The Flower + Fruit Mission of Saratoga Hospital decked the hall (Hall of Springs, that is) and welcomed in the holidays with its annual Snow Ball Gala to benefit William J Hickey Women’s Health Services.
Hall of Springs is one of my favorite venues, and to see the décor during this holiday season was a treat. Tall Christmas trees donned with white lights, perfectly placed ornaments and gold colored ribbon cascading from the top accentuated the architecture of this Historic, world- renowned building. The setting was majestic. High vaulted ceilings, Belgian crystal chandeliers, marble floors and columns in combination with the holiday design added to the grandeur.
From the food to the entertainment, Flower + Fruit Mission committee members got it right!
Mazzone Catering provided a delightful dining experience. The passed hors d’oeuvres as well as the first and second course were amazing. But in my humble opinion, the show stopper was the main course which consisted of boneless beef short ribs with parmesan red wine risotto, + charred asparagus bathed in Chianti braising gravy.
Live music from the New York Players’ Body + Soul band entertained party guests throughout the evening. My blogging besties Mandy, Carrie and I enjoyed them so much, we couldn’t help but join the dance circuit.
The 2017 Snow Ball Gala was a wonderful success and well worth the ticket price of $150. Kudos to The Flower + Fruit Mission of Saratoga Hospital— It has officially become one of my favorite “off-season” galas in the Spa City.
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Photo Interlude Two
To learn more, see Mandy’s Event Preview Post.
Arthur Gonick
December 8, 2017
