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SPAC in Conversation: Julie Scelfo

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Presented by Saratoga Performing Arts Center Action Council

Join us for a conversation with Julie Scelfo, former New York Times journalist and author of The Women Who Made New York, in the Spa Little Theater followed by lunch and specially curated shopping in the Hall of Springs. 

9:30 a.m. Doors Open, Spa Little Theater
10:00 a.m. Conversation with Julie Scelfo and Elizabeth Sobol, Spa Little Theater
11:30 a.m. Boutique Shopping, Hall of Springs
12:30 p.m. Luncheon, Hall of Springs
1:30 p.m. Book Signing and Raffle Drawing, Hall of Springs 

Julie Scelfo is best known as the author of The Women Who Made New York (Seal Press/Hachette, 2016), a collection of intersectional biographies that reveal the impact women had in building one of the world’s greatest cities. 

She is also a former staff writer for The New York Times As the founder and Executive Director of Get Media Savvy, a nonprofit working to establish a healthy media environment for kids and families, Scelfo helps people discover the forces that shape human thinking. 

$100pp
Reserve by clicking the “Reserve Now” button at the top of this page.
Physical tickets are not needed as your name will be on the guest list. 

Lunch Menu 

Tray Passed Bites

Crab and Corn Fritters
lemon basil aioli 

Chicken Cordon Bleu Turnover
buffalo style, ham, blue cheese dip 

Porcini Arancini (GF, V) 
basil tomato sauce 

Heirloom Tomato Tartare (V)
black pepper focaccia, mozzarella, parmesan crisp   

Sparkling Wine
raspberry garnish 

  

1st Course   

Butternut Ginger Soup (GF, V)
maple mascarpone spuma, toasted pepitas 

Bread Basket*
house made rosemary focaccia, olive loaf, garlic twists, ciabatta 
olive oil, whipped ricotta, olive tapenade, white bean prosciutto passata
*GF rolls available on request 

  

Entrée Salad 

Grilled Chicken and Roasted Pear Salad* 
honey poached pear, bibb lettuce, walnuts, gorgonzola, champagne vinaigrette
gorgonzola cheese and champagne vinaigrette to be passed at the table
*Option to Omit Grilled Chicken (V) 

  

Wine 

 Red or White Wine served at the table 

  

Dessert 

  NYC Style Cheesecake (V)
graham cracker crust, cherry syrup 

  Coffee, Decaf, and Tea
cream, sugar, lemon, honey 

Confirmed Vendors

Amy Favreau Photography
Wave and ocean photography; Faux leather accessories, belts, bags, totes and phone cases 

Bumble B Boutique
Women’s Apparel and Accessories 

Buttercup Cookies
Handmade, decorated sugar cookies and cookie decorating kits, seasonal designs 

Cheyenne Mallo Pottery
Handmade pottery featuring maps of hiking trails, mountains, rivers and lakes 

Claudia Russell’s Homemade Jams & Jellies
Homemade jams and jellies in seasonally decorated boxes, wreaths and gift baskets 

Goodway Gourmet Bakery
Pre-packaged delicious rum cakes – every purchase helps to educate students and provides important career development opportunities 

French Table Linens and Accessories
French table linens and accessories 

Hannah Daye & Company
Unique handcrafted fine jewelry in silver and gold using natural precious and semi-precious stones 

KW Pottery
Handcrafted, functional and decorative ceramics, bowls, platters, mugs and vases 

Lifestyles & Union Hall Supply Co
Men’s and Women’s fashion and accessories  

M’s Handmade
7 styles of boxes covered in acid-free papers from around the world  

Native Farm Flowers
Dried flowers, eco-prints and pressed flowers 

Piper Boutique
Piper Boutique is a fresh and fashion forward clothing boutique 

Shuck & Awe
Artfully decoupaged oyster shells that can be used for rings, earrings or just an interesting objet d’art and tree ornaments 

Textile Studio
Handwoven accessories and apparel for men and women and handwoven home goods 

The Crafting Wino
Creatively crafted home decor and gifts 

The Fashion Dog House
Handcrafted pet accessories – collars, leashes, harnesses, toys 

The Savory Pantry
Home goods, tableware, kitchen accessories, specialty foods, candles linens 

Tree Huggers
Organic, fair-trade, sustainable infant clothing that you will feel good about your children wearing 

Raffle Baskets 

$5 per ticket/5 tickets for $20
Purchase at event only – Winner announced at 1:30pm at event 

 

Basket #1: Hostess Essentials for Autumn Entertaining 
Value: $500 
Donated by: Rita Forbush & Stephanie Markowich  

Entertain in style with hostess essentials from Pottery Barn and William Sonoma including pumpkin table runner; 6 coordinating napkins, autumn vine wood salad bowl, 2 Hurricane candleholders with Luminara flameless candles and a New York State shaped serving platter.  

  

Basket #2: Relax, Reflect, & Recharge 
Value: $500
Donated by: Sandy Markatos (quilt maker), Lifestyles (market bag), Northshire Bookstore (“Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett + a $75 gift card), SPAC Action Council (“The Women Who Made New York”), & Marsha Dolinsky (tea, teacup with infuser, & Honey Drops hard candies)  

Enjoy your handmade quilt, a cup of tea, and a good book as you relax, reflect, & recharge in preparation for a day’s shopping using your handcrafted market bag. 

  

Basket #3: Saratoga Dine Around 
Value: $550 
Donated by: Osteria Danny, DZ Restaurants, The Wishing Well, Panza’s Restaurant, Augie’s Family Style Italian & Eileen Whelley  

Forget about cooking and enjoy ordering in or dining out at your favorite Saratoga restaurants. Basket includes $100 gift certificates from Danny’s, DZ (Chianti, Forno Bistro and Boca Bistro), Wishing Well & Brook Tavern, Panza’s and Augie’s.  

  

Basket #4: SPAC 2024 Classical Season Lawn Passes for 2 with Picnic Accessories 
Value: $480 
Donated by: SPAC  

Start planning your 2024 summer at SPAC with lawn admission for 2 to all NYC Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra performances. Passes provide for up to 5 upgrades to amphitheater seating for $5 each (some restrictions apply). Basket includes SPAC branded Folding Picnic Blanket and 2 Tumblers. 

THANK YOU!
to our Sponsors and Honorary Committee

as of 9/29/23

Icons

Carol and Arnold Firestone
Doris Fischer Malesardi
GE Vernova
Sharyn Hiter Neble
Tas Steiner 

Benefactors

Sally Bott
Bouchey Financial Group
The Savory Pantry – Keeley DeSalvo 

Beacons

Zane Carruth
Susan Dake
Sandra Eng-Caulfield
Evelyn Estey
Carol Hammer
Barbara K. Hoehn
Rolanda Jetter
Land Rover Albany
Saratoga Dermatology
Andrea Spungen
Eileen
Whelley
 

Advocates

Judy Aronstamm
Moira Avanzino
Susanne Buhac
Laura Dehmer
JoAnn Duquette
Janet Equale
Mary Alyce Evans
Rita M. Forbush
Maria Harrison
Robin Kappler
Sylvia Kravis Phillips
Judy LeCain
Tiina Loite
Marcia MacDonald
Marcia R. Miller
Norma M. Quinn
Tracy Quinn
Elizabeth Rutnik
Cindy Spence
Catherine Szenczy
Valerie Wagner

Style Setters

Pam Abrams
Susan
Adinolfe
Mylea B. Aldrich
Elaine Alfert
Bart Altamari
Suzanne Anderson
Diana Casano
Nancy Casna
Anthony Cirillo
Dr. Lorraine Clarke-Sierra
Rhonda Cooper
Joan Dash
Susan K. DePaula
Marsha Dolinsky
Ellen Downing
Mary Durgee
Helen Susan Edelman
Jane Flynn
Mary Gavin
Judy Harrigan, PhD
Audra Herman
Lisa Higgins
Mary Huber
Harriet J. Kalejs
Teresa Kennedy
Rosemary Lamb
Amanda Luby
Pam Magnuson
Sandra Markatos
Stephanie Markowich
Ally Meyers
Cara Milde
Carolyn Montorio
Loretta Moore
Mary Murphy
Kathy Odabashian
Jane O’Malley-Flynn
Sandy Ponton
Emily Reilly
Katie Richman
A.C Riley
Kristie Roohan
Elissa J. Smith
Congressman Paul Tonko
Linda Toohey
Mary Tully
Tamara Valentine
Ruth Walters
Patricia Whelan
Lori A. Whitney

Additional Support Provided By 

Dehn’s Flowers
SPAC Action Council
Mary Lou Doyle
Elizabeth Rutnik

Honorary Committee & Sponsorship Opportunities  

JOIN THE HONORARY COMMITTEE TODAY!

 

Presented by the SPAC Action Council │ Action Council President: Stephanie Markowich

Event Co-Chairs: Marsha Dolinsky, Rolanda Jetter, Eileen Whelley   

SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit SPAC’s education initiatives and support the vibrancy of its classical season and year-round programming. 

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