Event chair Margaret Keeney greeted guests at registration, thanking them for braving the weather and pointing out the display of live auction items waiting to be ‘won.’ Nearby, committee member Annie Krasnicki encouraged people to purchase chances for New York Yankees tickets, a Kindle Fire HD and $500 in restaurant gift certificates (won by Ed Spickler, Mandy Whalen and Joe Bokan, respectively). With so much to see, the crowd lingered in the lobby; parents, friends and alumni all catching up and excited for the festivities ahead.
Upstairs, Keeney’s Co-Chair MaryAnn Penney welcomed friends and sponsors on their way to the silent auction. Close to 90 packages included sports memorabilia, Opera Saratoga tickets, Saratoga Polo passes, overnight escapes, wine, teeth whitening, fitness classes, jewelry, an autographed Tory Burch tote, and even dinner for eight at Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant with transportation provided by St. Clement’s Church Pastor, Fr. Paul Borowski.
There were also hours of lessons, for everything from polo with Will Orthwein, who was chatting with friends near the bid sheet, to swimming with Skidmore coach Jill Greenleaf. Other popular items were hot lunch for a year, reserved parent parking and bowling with ‘Mrs. McFadden,’ the Pre-K teacher. Keeping a close watch on their bids were Augie and Lisa Vitiello, Lisa Sondhof, Kevin and Cheryl Theriault, Guy and Helen Mastrion, Dan and Ann Frankowski, Jeff and Heath Ames, Chris and Liz O’Brien and Suzanne Barrick.
The highlight of the silent auction was a showcase of incredible projects created and assembled by the St. Clement’s students and homeroom parents. Among the treasures were a handmade pasta bowl with Italian specialties, a child’s chair and side table decorated with Junior K handprints, a pair of Adirondack chairs painted by second-graders blowing through straws and a Rosary assembled of beads handmade by one of the first-grade classes. Bidding was particularly high on a sunflower painting that featured first-grade hands as the petals and fingerprints for the center.
Frank Mihalek claimed an art easel with fingerprint flowers and butterflies from one kindergarten class, and Lucy Forester was thrilled to win the other kindergarten’s gardening package in a flowerpot covered with fingerprint bees and bugs. The most expensive masterpiece, however, was a pint-sized, decoupage picnic table designed by Joanne McFadden’s class. Sponsors Bob and Lisa Moser took home the original piece for more than $2,200.
The silent auction action slowed a bit when Prime rolled out their delicious food stations. Once again, Mazzone Hospitality delivered a fabulous feast. Seen enjoying the fare were Michael and Margie Rotchford, Chuck and Erin Judge, Liz and Tab Beauregard, Stuart and Susan deVoe, Brian O’Donnell, John Conley, Nikki Roche, Maureen Parker, Jen Weaver, Emily Thomas, Rachel Ward, Peter Pedrotty, Kim and Eric Purdy, John Burke, Melody Loftus, Martin Sharp, Lee Wishart, Brian Conerney and Pat Kyne.
With the captive dining audience in the ballroom, Master of Ceremonies Shirl Penney opened a brief program by introducing Fr. Paul and the school principal, Jane Kromm. In turn, the pair recognized Kathy and Joe Bokan, the evening’s Honorary Chairs, before handing the microphone back to Penney for the live auction. While the rest of the band took a break, The Audiostars’ Jay Yeager served as co-auctioneer, bantering with Penney to rally the crowd and increase bids on the fourteen packages.
Mike and Jill DeAnzeris will be returning to Saratoga National to golf and dine after their winning bid, and Joe and Josey Kakaty now have a week-long Lake Placid vacation to plan. Jodi and Carl Leuchten are prepared for braces as high bidders on a package from Byrne Orthodontics, and Bonnie and Larry Farrelly can look forward to a personal Iron Chef experience with Tribecca’s Marc Forgione.
In the end, both auctions raised a total of $69,000. And, thanks to the generous support of lead sponsors The Adirondack Trust Company, Rich and Mary Flaherty, Morgan RV Management, John and Judi McSwieney, Dynasty Financial, The Rigabar Family and AYCO, Pirate’s Booty (who provided bags and bags of snacks scattered on the tables) and Tom and Kerry Selfridge, The Spring BALL grossed a record-breaking $126,000.
“It was wonderful to see the tremendous support for St. Clement’s School last Friday night,” said Keeney. “It felt like our event was the place to be in Saratoga!”
“We had a fantastic team of volunteer parents who worked tirelessly to put this fundraiser together and it showed. We are very grateful to our sponsors and the countless businesses and individuals who donated to the auctions and raffle. Our success would not have been possible without everyone’s support. I am so proud to be part of the St. Clement’s family.”
Adding to her co-chair’s remarks, MaryAnn Penney stated, “I am overwhelmed by the turnout and generosity. It was great to see so many from the community side-by-side with parents and alumni, supporting our children’s school. We really can’t thank our sponsors and attendees enough. They made the event our most successful yet.”
