8.20.07: Carnegie Ball in Newport to the Golf Ball in Chicago

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Carnegie Ball in Newport to the Golf Ball in Chicago

Brian O’Neill and daughter Lawrencia with automobiles, boats and guests at the fifth annual Carnegie Ball, Carnegie Abbey Club.

Sleek and sophisticated, with a trendy lime and black décor, the fifth annual Carnegie Ball held at the Carnegie Abbey Club outside Newport passed the $250,000 mark towards its $500,000 pledge.

More than 430 guests watched the glorious sunset as the bagpiper played, and wine, champagne, and Grey Goose vodka martinis flowed. Classic cars and new Bentleys were on display, as guests partook of the special hors d’oeuvres by World Culinary Olympic Chef Daniel Scannell, and danced to a jazz trio in the Clubhouse. Richard Carbotti of Perfect Surroundings created the tent and event design. Relaxed, exuberant elegance was the dress. Carnegie Abbey Club owner Brian O’Neill, his wife Miriam, Ira Lubert, Martha McGeary, and a group of Philadelphia friends of Brian O’Neill, Jr., who turned 21 on the day of the party, attended the festivities.

Michael Semenza and Sister Therese Antone of Salve Regina University, host Brian O’Neill, and Allison Schumann

Patrice and Curtis Spalding, Director of Save the Bay, with Richard and Joan Abrams

Newporters included Melanie Delman, which just handled the sale of Gray Craig mansion to actor Nicolas Cage, Sister Therese Antone, President of Salve Regina University and Salve’s V.P. for University Relations and Advancement, Michael Semenza, and Scott and Grit Nanfelt. From Providence were Patrice and Curtis Spalding, Director of Save the Bay, attorney Zach Darrow, and John and Miranda Hearn.

A live auction with Mr. O’Neill as auctioneer, led to spirited bidding, with many of the auction items sold in multiples. Fetching $10,000 were a sail on Whitehawk, a Major League baseball All Star Game package from ESPN including VIP tickets to Yankee Stadium and two nights in New York, and a painting by Luc Leestemaker, with an reception for 10 at the artist's show and opening at Galerie d'Orsay on Newbury Street, Boston. A “Savvy Grenada trip,” a week at a luxury beach resort, brought $14,000 twice, and the Master Chef's Dinner for six in your home with Chef Daniel Scannell sold 3 times for $5,000 each. Silent auction items included works of art, design consultations, golf packages, sails and spa getaways.

Guests in the dinner tent dined on Chilled Filet Mignon while listening and dancing to New York’s Soul Supreme orchestra, and availed themselves of a whiff of fresh air at the Oxygen Bar, Tarot card readings, and temporary tattoos.

The evening included the traditional Carnegie Abbey Club display of breathtaking fireworks over Narragansett Bay, and ended with a spirited squirt gun fight in the tent.

Sister Therese Antone behind the wheel of a new Bentley while Richard and Marion Cicchitelli look on

Young partygoers

Bryn Sparkler and Miriam O’Neill

Silesia and Bill Karol with Hillary and John Olinger

John and Miranda Hearn

Scott and Grit Nanfelt of Newport with Karen and David Andrade

Lee Ann Miller and Andrea Yanoff with Kim and Matthew Kozol

Amy Page Oberg and Lou Pulner

Jeannine and Darren Pulito

Carolyn and Mike Clark

Bagpiper at Carnegie Abbey sunset

Hannah Cheng, Alan Alegado, and Jena Morano

Mrs. and Mr. George Price with Debbie Murphy and Maura Flaherty

Heather Savoie, Dennis McCool, and Jackie Savoie

The sensational Band

Donna de Valerio, Beth Repass, and Marion Heiss

Melanie Delman, Don Breen, Robin Nicholson, and Laura Fauntleroy

Miriam and Brian O’Neill

Blake and Melanie Henderson with Carnegie Abbey Club President Stephen Downes

Puppy Abbey, the Club namesake, is admired by Lindsey Johnson and Eric Turner

Inhaling at the Oxygen Bar

Jonathan and Dorri Kost

Getting a tattoo

Brian O’Neill auctioning art

Clockwise from top left: Brian O’Neill, Jr., and friend celebrate his 21st birthday; Gala fireworks over Narragansett Bay; Dr. James and Margaret Nolan.

The Guild Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) hosted its third annual summer gala, The Golf Ball, on July 27th at the Saddle & Cycle Club in Chicago. This festive summer evening, co-chaired by Katie Powell Brickman, Jennifer Martay and Anne Rockey was attended by nearly 300 of Chicago’s philanthropic and community leaders in an effort to raise funds for the BGCC.

This special summer evening began with cocktails on the green lawn and patio of the Club. Guests then sat down to a three-course dinner, complemented by wines generously donated by St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. Following dinner, guests flocked to the outdoor dance floor as The Smoking Fish entertained the party through the night.

As one of the premier sponsors, Tiffany & Co. graciously donated 25 shimmering prizes for the evening. During the cocktail hour, glass vitrines displayed “Tiffany Blue” boxes filled with diamond, silver and crystal treasures. Each vitrine, secured with a golden padlock, could be opened by 25 lucky keys. Kemper Sports facilitated a putting contest on the lawn, in keeping with the evening’s theme, to which the winner received a 3-day trip to the luxurious Greenbrier Sporting Club in West Virginia.

Maggie Meiners, Ashley Fischer, and Katie Brickman

Stephanie Degen, Cathy Cooper, and Roxanne DeGraff

This year, the annual ball raised over $100,000, a new record for the Guild Board, who has contributed over $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations since the group was founded in 2004.

"We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of The Golf Ball,” said Golf Ball co-chair Anne Rockey. “It was such a fun evening and, more importantly, the funds raised for this very deserving organization were well beyond any of our expectations."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago strive to inspire all young people, especially those who need us the most to realize their full potential as responsible and caring citizens. Juvenile crime, drinking, drug use and youth victimization skyrocket during those fragile hours after school and before working families make their way home at night. The Guild Board is committed to ensuring BGCC have adequate funds to serve the nearly 18,000 young people throughout the city of Chicago through their after-school clubs and day-care facilities.