Week of July 29 – August 4, 2016
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THE SOCIETY PAGES WRITTEN BY MAUREEN WERTHER AND PHOTOS BY LISA MILLER STUDIO DILUCE
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Polo by Twilight Celebrates 37th Annual Palamountain Scholarship Benefit – Tuesday, July 26 ARATOGA SPRINGS — Clear evening skies greeted the long line of autos as they traveled up the path to the Saratoga Polo fields, dropping festively dressed passengers at the clubhouse entry for an evening of chukkers, cocktails and delectable culinary creations, courtesy of the Skidmore College chefs. The 37th annual Polo by Twilight is a shining star in the galaxy of summer galas and events held in Saratoga Springs each year, and this one was no exception. First held in 1979, the Palamountain Scholarship Benefit was a luncheon and polo match, honoring Joseph C. and Anne T. Palamountain for their 22-year stewardship of Skidmore College. The Palamountains believed a Skidmore education should be accessible to talented students, regardless of their financial situation. Thirty-seven years later, Polo by Twilight has fueled the Palamountain Scholarship Fund, thanks to the unwavering generosity of members of the Skidmore and Saratoga Springs communities. In that time, the Fund has grown to over $8 million, making it the College’s third largest scholarship fund.
Food and drink flowed, bidding on silent auction items was brisk, and, as guests reached their tables under the gleaming expanse of white tents for the gourmet dinner buffet that followed, the rest of the evening was punctuated by lively games and a chamber music performance by Decoda. The evening ended with an assortment of desserts featuring fair trade chocolate and other seasonal favorites, along with a live auction sponsored by Chris and Sarah Ward, of Bidforyourbenefit. According to Debra K. Townsend, Skidmore College’s Interim Vice President, Communications & Marketing, there were 540 attendees, including a record 75 junior attendees. The gross revenue estimate for the evening was a whopping $261,000, making it a truly stellar twilit evening.
Marcia White, Michael Okby, Maureen Lewi
Tim and Heather Mabee, Michael and Linda Toohey, Phil and Marie Glotzbach
Ben Juneau, Christine Juneau, Grace Juneau, Donna Nguyen
Bonnie Walmsley, Francine Nemer, Sue Towne
Beth Brucker-Kane, Nancy Trimbur
Kelly Armer, Cassie Fox
Auctioneer Chris Ward recognizes one of many generous bids
Tamie Ehinger, Christianne Smith, William Potts