May Magic Benefit A Great Success for Gramatan Village

From Gramatan Village:

Written by Gramatan Village Board Member Carol Godfrey

The weather outside was rainy and gray but inside Siwanoy Country Club the atmosphere was warm and cheerful. Gramatan Village hosted its seventh annual benefit on Sunday, May 1, with a record crowd of 240 guests. While the guests enjoyed cocktails and conversation, mentalist Oz Pearlman circled the room working his magic as he appeared to read their minds.

The event was co-chaired by Erin Krestinski and Alex Portner, ably assisted by Working Committee members Pippa Colvin, Sue DeJoy, Katie Krieg, Jeanne Murrer, Executive Director Julie Dalton and Member & Volunteer Services Coordinator Kathryn Urbina. The highpoint of the evening was the presentation of the J. Rockhill Gray Award to Marcia Lee and Sarah Thornton-Clifford, founders of the online newspaper Myhometownbronxville. The award was presented by Kerry Walsh, President of the Board of Directors of Gramatan Village.

Gramatan Village Executive Director Julie Dalton offered several examples of the different ways that Gramatan Village allows older residents to age in place within a caring and supportive community. Chris Coughlin traveled from Virginia to pay tribute to the many ways Gramatan Village assisted his late aunt during the past few years and enabled her to live independently and happily.

Oz Pearlman then took the stage and involved many audience members in his amazing mix of mentalism, magic and sleight of hand. Once again, the guests left amazed wondering “How Did He Do That?” as they made their way home.

Gramatan Village supports aging-in-community with a network of volunteers, experts, professional referrals and peer connections that enable members to stay independent, vital and fully engaged as they grow older. For more information, call 914-337-1338 or visit us online at www.gramatanvillage.org.