New Haven Independent

To showcase the new talents of the venerable institution, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce was invited to enjoy the facility and witness the transformation.

While folks always appreciated the ample parking and genteel surroundings, they were underwhelmed by the menu creativity of the past. Having added Darin Bahl as Events and Sales Manager and John Ruggiero as Banquet Manager, the club is now ready to market!

Jennifer Ford-Chatfield of Fleur de Lys (State Street) set a magnificent and dramatic stage. At a tapas cocktail buffet station, extraordinary floral arrangements were supplemented by traditional Spanish costumes and props. The sushi bar further evidenced her theatrical genius; huge decorative props and flowers transported the guests to the opposite side of the globe. Andy Rubenoff even postponed his planned vacation to entertain.

Pictured: John Ruggiero, Jennifer Ford-Chatfield, and Tony Rossley of Citi Bank.

The crowd was dazzled by this brilliant execution of two distinct culinary themes! The food was fabulous and the wine was top notch. The Dish is a “party animal.” (OK, make that a party maven.) There is no doubt that you owe it to yourself to check out the availability of the new New Haven Lawn Club before making a decision.

Meanwhile, The Arts Council of Greater New Haven’s “Off the Wall” event was also a wonderful success. The guests were a Who’s Who in the art world, both patrons and artists alike. Executive Director Cindy Clair did double duty, prepping hors doeuvres and officiating. Handsome philanthropists Len Suzio and John Wareck were pleased to manage the logistics with Maryann Ott, one of the events’ creators and sustainers for the past 15 years. ( Pictured: Arts Council Staff Liaison for Off the Wall Winter Marshall with acclaimed multi-media artist Tony Falcone.)

It is testament to the value that the artists place on the importance of the work of the Arts Council that they donate their time, talent and treasure! Those artists who have participated for all fifteen years were honored with golden camera lavaliers. They are: Peter Craig, Terry Dagradi, Matthew Garrett, Mara Lavitt, Michael Marsland, Frank McAuliffe, Harold Shapiro, Alan Shulik, Ken Stabile, and Melanie Stengel. Artists who celebrated a ten year milestone of participation were: Joe Azoti, Elizabeth Bristow, Peter Casolino, Michael Cavaliere, Don Douglas, Robert Giannotti, Sharon Hirsch, Charles Kingsley, Jay Misenck, Jan Murdock, Michael O’Reilly, David Ottenstein, R.F. Wilton, Marjorie Wolfe, Gale Zucker.

Pictured: Attorney and Greater New Haven Community Foundation Board member Jamie Cohen with wife Fran DiToro (making their lists and checking them twice).

Every donor had the opportunity to preview the photography and make their list of preferences in anticipation of their turn to take the photograph of choice “Off the Wall” in 20 seconds. There were no hesitations! Everyone “won” , including the community!

Those of us who thought the evening ended were in for a surprise. We were mesmerized to see an urban parking lot ‘s adaptive reuse as a playing surface for bicycle polo! It must be the next level up from old-fashioned stick ball on the street. The players never took a break to dish about their teams or league.

Pictured: Leon Bailey, Foundation V.P. and Chairman of the Board of the SW Regional Workforce Development Board and friends displaying their new acquisitions.

What a great and diverse place is New Haven-it really does “all happen here”!
………ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD!!!