August 12, 2004 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

It’s Black & White all over again
by Nancy Berger

Colorful Chestnut Hill is about to go black and white, at least for a few hours on Saturday evening, September 18, as the Second Annual Black & White Gala unfolds from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.

The organizing team, again ably headed by Leigh Filippini and Suzanne Lentz, which brought you last year’s outstanding event, again promises an unforgettable evening under the stars — and a tent, of course — on the 8500 block of Germantown Avenue.

Building on the success of the 2003 Gala, Culinary Concepts will again provide delightful food and drink, including a full bar this year, and the Tom Rudolph Orchestra will contribute their wonderful swing music to dance the night away.

But perhaps some of you missed last year’s party, so picture this: the trees on the Avenue are a-sparkle with lights, the whole 8500 block is tented, there is a dance floor, a riser for the band, tables and chairs to rest your dancin’ feet. The sidewalks are lined with tables of enticing auction items, a bar or two, and food stations dot the area under the tent. Flowers abound. Most of the male attendees wear black tie, and the women, of course, look stunning in their variations of black and white attire. It’s a terrific party … the perfect way to kick off the “social season.”

There’s no reason this year should be any different.

(Of course, there was the issue of a hurricane just a few days before last year’s gala, but that problem, happily, blew away.)

This year, stores along the Avenue are being encouraged to decorate their windows in a black and white theme, and we’re sure they won’t disappoint.

But let’s not forget the primary purpose of this special evening: 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.

Already adding to the success of the event is the participation of major underwriters, including Michael Hickey Insurance Agency, CD Kaller, Inc. & Old Philadelphia Historic Restoration Co. and EG Rall Jr. Landscape Design.

This year’s committee members include 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 bottom line: the Second Annual Chestnut Hill 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. 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.