Gala auction has something for everyone

by NANCY BERGER

It seems that these days, one or another committee person working on this year’s Black & White Gala is in the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s offices – using the computers, copiers, filling us in on the latest details, all in an effort to make this year’s event a resounding success. We’re glad they’re here, because they’re excited about the upcoming Gala that benefits us all.

Mary Ann Koller stopped by the other day to wax poetic about the silent auction that accompanies the gala, and had one of the donors in tow: Tina Jackson, who, since May 2000, has owned Hey Chef! Her company, Tina said, “is a time-management solution for families that offers both in-home meal prep and delivery.” In addition to delivering delicious food, she offers demo classes on how to cook fast, nutritious and delicious meals — restaurant-style — in the comfort of your own kitchen. What a great idea! For this year’s auction, Tina will be donating three entrees each for three people, complete with side dishes — ready to eat or freeze.

Holly Hughes, of the Fairmount section of the city, won one of Tina’s packages two years ago, and said, “the food was just wonderful ... very flavorful … haute-cuisine-like but suitable for the average taste ... and I would be delighted to have Tina cater a party for me sometime in the future.”

Mary Ann has also given the Local the inside scoop on a few of the other auction packages you can expect to have available for bid on September 18:

“Great Expectations:” Goodies for the mother-to-be include a photo portrait of your new baby by Susan Beard Design (8x10 fine art print and 30 proofs); a 5x7 silver frame; the Hey Chef offering, perfect for those first hectic days home from the hospital; a series of prenatal yoga lessons in the comfort of your home (think how tranquil you and the baby will be);and a baby book for keeping records of all those important milestones.

“The Children’s Hour:” Marie Collette will be creating a hand-decorated child’s rocking chair donated in part from Sugar Valley Wood Products; a $25 gift certificate from Borders so your child can pick our her favorite books; an intimate, private reading and discussion of a book of your child’s choice; French Bakery desserts for your child and her seven friends after their book club discussion.

“Hey, babe, what a bod!” That’s all you’ll hear after a rigorous three months of working out at the FitLife gym, decked out in your FitLife t-shirt. A $50 gift certificate from Chestnut Hill sports will help you get your home equipped with the right weights and mats — or shoes or whatever — to keep the juices flowing and energy going.

Among the other items on which you can bid are a private tour of Woodmere Art Museum, followed by dinner prepared by Woodmere director and gourmet cook Michael Schantz; a day in the studio with a local newscaster; a variety of framed fine art; a fabulous youngster’s ballet party package; items that will appeal to the crafter, traveler, fine-diner, art connoisseur, oenophile and much, much more.

The Bottom Line: The Black & White Gala will take place on Germantown Avenue between Highland and Evergreen avenues from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 18. The evening will feature a silent auction, swing music by the Tom Rudolph Orchestra and food by Culinary Concepts. Tickets are $55 for CHCA members and seniors (65+) or $60 for non-members. To buy tickets, click www.chestnuthill.org or call the CHCA at 215-248-8810. Black tie is optional.

Major underwriters are Michael Hickey Insurance Agency, CD Kaller, Inc. & Old Philadelphia Historic Restoration Co. and E.G. Rall Jr. Landscape Design. Gala patrons are the Concord Search Group and Stephen T. Piotrowski; supporters include Christie, Pabarue, Mortensen and Young and Seacrest Village. Friends include Fleet Bank; Kelly, Monaco and Naples; Oxford Legal Associates; and Fox, Rothschild, O'Brien & Frankel, LLP.

This year’s committee members include Leigh Filippini, Suzanne Lentz, Alison Grove, Deb Naish, Heidi Heller, Janine Dwyer, Liz Jobes, Mary Steelman, MaryAnn Koller, Maxine Dornemann, Stella Tsai, Tia Burke, Jane Piotrowski, Pamela Waters, Tara D’Lutz, Dina Hitchcock, Mona Ross Berman, Teresa Fay and Wendy Williams.

The primary purpose of this special evening is to raise funds to support the efforts of the Chestnut Hill Community Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization. Proceeds from gala will help keep community programs such as Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels, Teenagers, Inc., the Chestnut Hill Senior Center, Police Bike Patrol, the Bach Festival, Germantown Avenue beautification and the Pastorius Park concert series, as well as local organizations, such as Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club and Friends of Wyndmoor Station, vibrant for years to come.

Don’t miss this opportunity to have fun while supporting the community: mark your calendars and make your reservations.