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Enjoying Kent’s Sip, Sparkle and Stroll Saturday, Nov. 29, are, from left, Pattie and Alex Camillone and Harry and Mechele Palmer of Wingdale, New York.
Ruth Epstein
The event was back after a six-year hiatus, and the response was huge. According to organizers, 470 tickets were purchased in advance, with many signing up on site. Attendance was capped at 600.
The money raised goes toward funding the chamber’s activities. The Lions Club’s share was 15% of the proceeds.
The nippy weather didn’t deter enthusiasm. The foursome of Pattie and Alex Camillone and Mechele and Harry Palmer, all from Wingdale, N.Y., were full of smiles as they exited 45 on Main with their glasses. “We were upset when it was canceled,” said Pattie Camillone. “We’re so glad it’s back.”
Volunteer Vicky O’Hara of Union Savings Bank greeted those outside 45 on Main, offering instructions along with sweet treats. “People appear to be very happy,” she said.
Sipping and strolling past sparkles Saturday, Nov. 29.Lans Christensen
At the registration center on the Kent Green, a host of familiar faces were in place to welcome guests. Dave Stoneback was tasked with checking drivers’ licenses, noting that everyone was very cooperative. Others secured bracelets on wrists, verified registrations and distributed the brightly colored plastic cups embedded with champagne flutes.
As Brittany Shelton of Guilford chose her glass, she said the trip was well worth it. “It’s beautiful here — a quintessential New England town — and this event is something different.” She shared that she and a group of friends celebrated her 30th birthday at the stroll back in 2017.
Patty Vreeland of Carmel, N.Y., attended eight or nine years ago, and this time brought her daughter, Jacqueline Vreeland. They are fans of “Gilmore Girls” and enjoy this type of activity. “Who doesn’t love drinking and shopping?” said Jacqueline Vreeland. Her mother said they started out with espresso martinis at the Fife ’n Drum restaurant before heading out on the stroll.
Lyn Stirnweiss, the chamber’s administrative director and one of the main organizers along with Gary Kidd and Darlene Brady, said the stroll stopped after six years due to COVID, and it has taken some time to bring it back. Interest was strong, as shown by the 38 shops that signed up to participate.
Stirnweiss praised the many sponsors who helped make the stroll possible. Follow other Chamber of Commerce events at KentCt.com.
From left, Lily Cowles, Brittany Sneed holding 7-week-old Elyse, and Elyse Harney Morris. Cowles and Morris served as co-chairs of the auction committee.
Debra A. Aleksinas
The benefit, which features a live and silent auction, is one of HVA’s largest fundraisers of the year, supporting land and water conservation efforts across the tri-state Housatonic watershed.
But this year, Harney Morris had a co-chair of a different sort — her 7-week-old granddaughter, Elyse, who made her unofficial debut at the event. The newborn attended tucked snugly into a swaddling carrier worn by her mother, Brittany Sneed, who arrived with proud father Tanner. The Sneed family resides in Lakeville.
“This is her first auction,” said Brittany, who noted that baby Elyse is the namesake of both her great-grandmother, Salisbury real estate maven Elyse Harney, as well as her grandmother. And that’s not all. “She is the fourth generation,” the proud mom explained.
Lively bidding and local star power
The live auction, once again featuring auctioneer Sherry Truhlar, brought both laughter and vigorous paddles in the air as guests competed for a series of celebrity-connected experiences.
One of the most sought-after items was a VIP experience with comedian, writer, television host, and actor Seth Meyers, another Litchfield County resident. The package drew fast-paced bidding, with guests cheering each escalation.
Also up for grabs were a Willamette Valley winery retreat; a pre-show, behind-the-scenes tour with Chris Hayes; a night on the town with Baranski; a lake house evening with Christine and Lily; a curated getaway to Chattanooga’s historic Southside; a long weekend in Chatham’s Old Village; four nights in Venice; and a long weekend at Stratton Mountain.
Included in the live auction was a dinner party for four couples at the winner’s home, with Warren General Store’s John Favreau doing the cooking.
The silent auction featured a treasure trove of items, getaways and services generously donated by local businesses, residents and supporters of the environment. Among donors were The Travelers Championship, Foxwoods, YardScape Landscape Professionals, Litchfield Paddle, Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, Merryall Center, The Silo, Lily & Vine Floral Design, plus a plethora of theatrical and musical venues, vineyards, inns and eateries.
An evening of community and support
Organizers said the turnout reflected both enthusiasm for the cause and the strong community spirit that has long sustained the association’s work.
“Amid ongoing climate concerns, we have an opportunity to act now and protect this beautiful place so many people love, and HVA’s auction is a fun and meaningful way to help,” said Baranski, who also is an HVA director and has been chairing the auction for more than a decade.
As baby Elyse slept contentedly throughout the event, the bids kept rising, and HVA closed the evening once again with a strong show of support for the region’s forests, rivers and wildlife corridors.
The Housatonic Valley Association expects to release fundraising totals in the coming days.
Debra A. Aleksinas
Christine Baranski, auction chair, enjoyed a light moment with Tim Abbott, executive director of the Cornwall-based Housatonic Valley Association, at the Nov. 22 Auction for the Environment.
