The much-anticipated fifth annual Graycliff Gala will take place on March 28, 2014, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, at the historic Saturn Club, 977 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, NY. The Gala supports the mission of the Graycliff Conservancy, Inc. to preserve, restore and provide public access to the Graycliff Estate, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The celebratory evening will include wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and Live Jazz by the Party Squad. Terry Robinson will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the festivities. A basket Raffle, a Silent Auction, and a stellar live auction by Cash Cunningham will round out the evening. There is ample free parking adjacent to the Saturn Club. Admission to the Graycliff Gala is $125 per person, which are available on-line at www.graycliffestate.org
The live and silent auctions will feature a number of one-of-a-kind extraordinary packages; here is just a sampling:
Perfect Parkside Package
Enjoy dinner for two at Ristorante Lombardo, often considered the finest Italian restaurant in Buffalo. Then, spend the night at The Parkside House B&B, described on Trip Advisor as “the perfect getaway” with a five star rating. Following a breakfast nothing short of spectacular prepared by host/owner Chris Lavey, stroll through the Parkside neighborhood to the Darwin Martin House for an in-depth, two-hour tour.
An Unforgettable Niagara-on-the-Lake Experience: Great theater in lovely Niagara on the Lake, Ontario will be yours with two tickets to The Philadelphia Story at the renowned Shaw Festival, and a behind the scenes tour as well. Then overnight at one of the fine Vintage Hotels in this charming village. Your choice includes accommodations in at the intimate and elegant Prince of Wales Hotel; the stately Georgian-style, waterfront Queens Landing; or Ontario’s only five star country Inn, the Pillar and Post with breakfast in bed. Minimum Bid: $500
Is Tom Tower’s Farm the best in Western New York? You Decide! A private tour for four people of Tom Tower’s Farm, by Tom Tower himself, a wonderful raconteur and seventh generation farmer. Educated at Cornell University, and a frequent visitor to European farms for new (or “lost”) methods of growing, Tom Tower is legendary for his fruits (raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, heirloom tomatoes) vegetables (greens, squashes and much more) and wine grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.) After a tour of the fields and vineyards, enjoy a glass—or two—of wine with Tom (ask him how his ancestors dodged bullets during the War of 1812)…and then depart with a basket of goodies. (Not available Saturdays…for the best experience plan a date from Mid-August to Mid-September.)
Dinner for six at the Niagara Falls, NY Country Club
Relax and enjoy a gourmet dinner for six with cocktails, prepared by Chef John Burden at the private, members-only Niagara Falls Country Club. The club sits majestically on the edge of the Niagara escarpment and provides magnificent views of Lewiston, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Toronto. Vegetarian options are available.
Honorees for the Fifth Annual Graycliff Gala are:
Diamond Window Individual: James W. Cornell
Diamond Window Organization: Burchfield-Penney Art Center
Diamond Window Corporate: CJS Architects
Diamond Window Benefactor: Phyllis Pierce Charitable Trust
Diamond Window Community: Chuck LaChiusa
Lester Rickard Memorial Award for Professional Service: Patrick J. Mahoney, R.A.
Special thank you to the following (partial list, to date) who are making this Gala possible:
Porte Cochere
M&T Bank
Isabelle’s Balcony Sponsor
Goya Foods
National Grid
Darwin’s Balcony Sponsor
Damon & Morey
Fallsview Casino
National Fuel
Simoncelli Electric. Inc.
Verizon