This year’s event changed things up a bit, opening with cocktails and dinner stations, rather than a full seated dinner. Guests dined on tasty morsels by Mazzone Hospitality, in addition to Western nuggets from Pies on Wheels and Eat Good Food. Elizabeth Macy and her crew from Image Photo & Events snapped souvenir pictures in front of the Dunkin’ Donuts mobile coffee cup as attendees posed with park characters.
Spotted saddling up for a good time were Janet and Richard Yulman, Brendan Flanigan, Chris and Kristin Grosso, Cassidy Norton and Dr. Joy Lucas. Also seen were Jen Page, Stephanie Hadcock, Radka Dooley, Mike Kalin, Rebecca Lambert, Monica and Greg Oberting, Todd Fox, Anne Putnam, Rick Murphy and Melissa Murdock.
The new format provided extra time for bidders to shop the event’s extraordinary silent auction. Items ranged from a custom wood bar crafted by Ranch Hands to an antique sideboard, plus toys, patio furniture, bikes and jewelry. A special table boasted artwork from “The Duchenne Duo,” remarkable brothers who have been members of the Double H family for seven years.
Peter and Phillip Frolish both have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Autism. The young men, 13- and 12-years old, enjoy what the Ranch has to offer not only during the summer, but in winter too.
Peter said, “Double H summer camp is amazing, super cool fun. I wish I could stay all year but would miss my mom and dad too much, but not Phillip because we go to camp together.”
Saratoga Springs middle school students, the pair found that painting offers a way for them to express feelings about the things that are most important to them, in addition to being a great form of occupational therapy for their fine motor skills. They are known to ‘auction’ off their work to support their causes, like Double H Ranch.
The Duchenne Duo weren’t the only children involved in the gala. In fact, 155 kids, ages 5-12, attended. A child’s ticket promised dinner and fun in the amusement park, with volunteers literally along for the ride!
Back under the Ranch tent, the fun continued with bids climbing higher and higher. Rob Saba and Mark Hogan caught up with friends Ed and Lisa Mitzen, while Patty Riggi shared some laughter with friends and family, including Kathy Goodwin, Mary and James Dewaard, and Mary Eckardt. Her sister-in-law Michele Riggi, sporting fabulous ‘Daisy Duke’ shorts with boots, jumped in the fun too, arriving late after opening a new exhibit at the National Museum of Dance.
Stones Mountain Band kept the crowd in a boot-scootin’ mood until it was time to sit down for Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and the ‘Digging into Dessert’ competition. Earlier in the evening, the self-dubbed ‘Baker Chicks,’ Robyn Magee and Kelly Emanuel had shared their entry with the RSVP team: mocha cupcakes with espresso butter cream frosting. But in the end, the cowpokes and lasses spoke, awarding the grand prize to Joshua Ives for his delectable caramel petit fours.
A tip of the ten-gallon hat to the gala’s honorary chairs: Charlene Wood Courtney and her daughter Chelsea Wood Hoopes Silver, Michael and Carmen Della Bella, Neil and Jane Golub, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Tom and Fran Indoe, Bill and Marianne LaRoche, John and Jo-Ann Lefner, Ed and Maureen Lewi, Agnes Pompa, Ed and Nancy Pompa and the Riggi’s.
Special cattle calls go to the event chairs, Tim and Lisa Higgins, and all of the event sponsors, especially McKenzie Burke and Kyle Klopstock of Dunkin’ Donuts, Christopher and Robin Della Bella of Della Auto and Erin Badcock of Hacker-Craft.
The mission of the Double H Ranch is to provide specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. As part of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, the Double H, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, has been providing memorable camp experiences in a safe and empowering environment since 1993. The gala is their largest fundraising endeavor each year.
