Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
Editorial — An invite worth accepting
It should come as no surprise that this paper has been a supporter of Equine Advocates and its efforts to rescue and help abused and neglected horses. But it was a genuine surprise when Susan Wagner, founder and president of Equine Advocates, invited me and my reporter, Sesame Campbell, to their Eighth Annual Awards Dinner & Charity Auction last Thursday night.
The event, held in the beautiful Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, was sold out, said Wagner. The evening began with a cocktail party and the room was filled with beautifully dressed women and dapperly dressed men. Among the guests was former Sen. Joe Bruno, as well as special guest television host Carson Kressley.
After cocktail hour everyone filed into the most beautiful dining area. Sesame and I had the most distinct pleasure of sitting at the table with fellow Columbia County residents, author Elizabeth Hess of East Chatham, who was accompanied by her daughter, Kate; Karen Kazmar, owner of Chatham Wine & Liquor; and actress and director Suzanne Shepherd of Ghent. Also at the table was Wagner, Michael Korb, a syndicated columnist, and honoree Bebe Neuwirth and her husband, Christopher Calkins.
Admittedly, I was a little star struck, sitting only three seats away from Bebe Neuwirth, aka Dr. Lilith Sternin of “Cheers” and “Fraiser.” But I remember her best as Velma Kelly in Broadway’s “Chicago.”
But she was not there as an actress; she was there to accept The 2009 Safe Home Equine Protection Award for her “life-long commitment to helping and protecting animals and for her outspoken views against horse slaughter,” read the program.
Also honored was Josephine Abercrombie with The Ellen & Herbert Moelis Equine Savior Award for Philanthropy. This award is given annually to “honor and thank individuals for their contributions and generosity to equine and animal protection causes.”
Before dinner, guests viewed a video on Equine Advocates Safe Home Equine Rescue & Sanctuary in Chatham, as well as other horse related issues, such as slaughter. It was incredibly moving, with images ranging from the cutest to some rather disturbing and sad. In the video, someone said, the safe home is “the most peaceful place on earth.”
The evening wrapped up with a live auction. The money raised through the live and silent auctions, as well as ticket and advertising sales, which estimated around $180,000, according to Wagner, will be used toward Equine Advocates’ equine rescue, sanctuary and humane education programs. During the live auction, guests were also asked to donate to the Raise the Roof Fund, which will help replace the main barn roof at the sanctuary — a cost of $44,700.
Also a surprise was that Sesame and I were included in the thank-you list in the 63-page program. We couldn’t be more thankful to Wagner for the invite; she couldn’t be more thankful for the exposure.
You can visit the sanctuary on Route 66 North in Chatham any time or simply donate. I’m planning a visit myself. Visit www.equineadvocates.org to learn more or donate.
The event, held in the beautiful Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, was sold out, said Wagner. The evening began with a cocktail party and the room was filled with beautifully dressed women and dapperly dressed men. Among the guests was former Sen. Joe Bruno, as well as special guest television host Carson Kressley.
After cocktail hour everyone filed into the most beautiful dining area. Sesame and I had the most distinct pleasure of sitting at the table with fellow Columbia County residents, author Elizabeth Hess of East Chatham, who was accompanied by her daughter, Kate; Karen Kazmar, owner of Chatham Wine & Liquor; and actress and director Suzanne Shepherd of Ghent. Also at the table was Wagner, Michael Korb, a syndicated columnist, and honoree Bebe Neuwirth and her husband, Christopher Calkins.
Admittedly, I was a little star struck, sitting only three seats away from Bebe Neuwirth, aka Dr. Lilith Sternin of “Cheers” and “Fraiser.” But I remember her best as Velma Kelly in Broadway’s “Chicago.”
But she was not there as an actress; she was there to accept The 2009 Safe Home Equine Protection Award for her “life-long commitment to helping and protecting animals and for her outspoken views against horse slaughter,” read the program.
Also honored was Josephine Abercrombie with The Ellen & Herbert Moelis Equine Savior Award for Philanthropy. This award is given annually to “honor and thank individuals for their contributions and generosity to equine and animal protection causes.”
Before dinner, guests viewed a video on Equine Advocates Safe Home Equine Rescue & Sanctuary in Chatham, as well as other horse related issues, such as slaughter. It was incredibly moving, with images ranging from the cutest to some rather disturbing and sad. In the video, someone said, the safe home is “the most peaceful place on earth.”
The evening wrapped up with a live auction. The money raised through the live and silent auctions, as well as ticket and advertising sales, which estimated around $180,000, according to Wagner, will be used toward Equine Advocates’ equine rescue, sanctuary and humane education programs. During the live auction, guests were also asked to donate to the Raise the Roof Fund, which will help replace the main barn roof at the sanctuary — a cost of $44,700.
Also a surprise was that Sesame and I were included in the thank-you list in the 63-page program. We couldn’t be more thankful to Wagner for the invite; she couldn’t be more thankful for the exposure.
You can visit the sanctuary on Route 66 North in Chatham any time or simply donate. I’m planning a visit myself. Visit www.equineadvocates.org to learn more or donate.
Share this Article
 |
||
| Letter — Debating town’s birthday not worth arguing about |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
