<p>Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Hartford Fire Department who died in the line of duty while responding to a brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,”&nbsp;Governor Lamont said. “His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic. On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“This is a tragic reminder of the sacrifice and risk that our professional and volunteer firefighters face day in and day out when they put on their uniforms,”&nbsp;Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department, and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.</p><p><br></p>

<p>DANBURY, Connecticut — <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/art/gallery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Gallery</a> at <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/svpca/svpa-center/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Visual &amp; Performing Arts Center</a> at <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a>, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury, will present the exhibit “Meticulous: Methodical Approaches to Making Art,” on view October 24 through December 8, 2024. It features the work of artists <a href="http://www.darlenecharneco.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Darlene Charneco</a>, <a href="https://kathygreenwoodart.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kathy Greenwood</a>, <a href="https://www.michiyoihara.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michiyo Ihara</a>, <a href="https://nathanmeltz.com/home.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nathan Meltz</a>, <a href="https://www.aliyahsalmon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aliyah Salmon</a>, and Christopher Werner.</p><p>An opening reception is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.<strong> </strong>at The Gallery at the Visual &amp; Performing Arts Center. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Admission to the reception and exhibition is free and open to the public; donations to support the programs of the Department of Art will be accepted. Reservations to attend the opening reception should be made online at <a href="http://www.wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com</a>.</p><p>This exhibit gathers artists who have a methodical approach to creating art as an aspect of their practice, employing specific systematic procedures, processes, and techniques in the act of creation. These approaches may lead the artist to utilize distinctive media or introduce distinct parameters to their practice, whether in the initial conception of an artwork or in the physical act of making. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The methodology may or may not be conscious or by design; in either case it contributes to a compulsory, organic process that is unique to the artist. Participating artists work in a variety of media including </span>assemblage, drawing, printmaking, painting, textiles and sculpture.</p><p>Darlene Charneco has developed a ritual process to create her pieces using hammered nails that create a tactile carpet of “hopes, wishes, and aspirations.” Kathy Greenwood works with salvaged textiles from her home and family life, painstakingly knotting and weaving scraps into new, fortified structures that harken to their previous domestic existence. Inspired by nature, Michiyo Ihara’s abstract pen and ink drawings metaphorically explore the dynamic yet transient nature of existence itself. Nathan Meltz uses experimental printmaking techniques that depict industrial and mechanical imagery in his multi-media works, highlighting technology’s ever-encroaching role in society. Aliyah Salmon has embraced the “slow craft” technique of hand tufted rug hooking, where she combines culturally relevant symbols from the Black/Caribbean community that reframe simplistic narratives of Black American femininity. Christopher Werner mines his own collection of studio, workshop, household, and other objects to create a personal nomenclature that he catalogues and categorizes in assemblage and sculpture.</p><p><strong>Biographical notes</strong></p><p><strong>Darlene Charneco: </strong>Born in New York City, Darlene Charneco is a contemporary LatinX artist whose&nbsp;mixed-media artworks explore people, networks, homes, and communities as part of a larger organism’s growth stage. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States at venues including the Katonah Museum, the Hunterdon Museum, The Islip Art Museum, and the Parrish Art Museum, and is featured in the book “The Map as Art: Contemporary Artists Explore Cartography” by Katherine Harmon.&nbsp;She was awarded the 2017 Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant and is represented by PRAXIS, NYC.&nbsp;Charneco lives and works on the East End of Long Island. Her art is part of the Guild Hall and Parrish Museums permanent&nbsp;collections and she has created several large-scale commissions for private and national collections in Washington, DC.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Kathy Greenwood: </strong>Kathy Greenwood is an artist and curator. Since 2016, she has served as the Director of Exhibitions and Programs at Albany International Airport – a public art program recognized nationally for the quality and scope of its presentations. Greenwood curates exhibitions for the airport’s dedicated galleries, guides the selection and installation of numerous large-scale, site-specific projects throughout the terminal, and coordinates multiple satellite museum exhibitions. She has been a guest speaker, juror, co-curator and contributor to many exhibitions and events in the Northeast region and throughout the U.S.&nbsp;Greenwood earned an M.F.A. in textiles from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a B.S. in Studio Art from the College of Saint Rose. Her paintings and sculptures are based in the structure and character of domestic textiles and the associations they invoke.</p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Michiyo Ihara: </strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Japanese-born artist Michiyo Ihara uses just paper and pen or pencil to create artwork that expresses the complexity of the universe, inviting viewers into a world where a plant’s delicate beauty intertwines with the human spirit’s ever-changing nature. Through meticulously crafted drawings, she creates a visual narrative that explores the profound connection between the fleeting moments of blossoming flowers and the evolving essence of the soul. Ihara lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.</span></p><p><strong>Nathan Meltz: </strong>Nathan Meltz is the founder and curator of the Screenprint Biennial, celebrating its 10th anniversary with an exhibition at the Janet Turner Museum in Chico, California, through Dec. 13. He is a senior lecturer in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. Meltz earned his M.F.A. at the University of Albany in 2010 and uses collage, printmaking, animation and other graphic arts to comment on the ubiquitous presence of technology in contemporary life.</p><p><strong>Aliyah Salmon: </strong>Aliyah Salmon earned her B.F.A. in textile design from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2018 and currently resides and works in Brooklyn, New York. Her artistic focus investigates the intricate crossroads of black femininity and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in contemporary America. Through textiles and collage, her work challenges and reframes simplistic narratives surrounding Black identity, while delving into themes like isolation, childhood, and the subconscious. Utilizing traditional textile methods like hand tufting with an Oxford punch needle and bead embroidery alongside modern materials and collage techniques, Salmon embraces “slow craft” to construct dream-like compositions featuring tufted depictions of symbols, products, and culturally significant items from the Black/Caribbean community, serving as shorthand for broader discussions on black femininity, hair politics, and diasporic experiences.</p><p><strong>Christopher Werner: </strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Christopher Werner grew up in Columbia County, New York, where being in nature and working in his father’s construction business imbued him with a profound, experiential love for materials and process. He holds a B.F.A. in Sculpture and Drawing from SUNY Purchase, and a B.S. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he earned the Coonley Prize. Werner utilizes the synergistic benefits of these two disciplines in his studio practice, and as the director of Engineering at Ecovative (Green Island, New York), a mushroom mycelium technology company. He has been artist in residence at Rural Projects (Gallatin, New York), GREEN Projects (New Orleans, Louisiana), SOLAQUA (Chatham, New York), and Arts, Letters, &amp; Numbers (Averill Park, New York).</span></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Redding Roadhouse Luxury Travel Brunch - Thank You!</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Last Sunday, October 13, Brookfield-based Expedia Cruises, Connecticut’s first Expedia Cruises agency, hosted a Luxury Travel Brunch at Redding Roadhouse. While enjoying a delightful brunch, attendees learned about many travel opportunities and possibilities. Co-owner Mary Villamana remarked, “We had a fine afternoon today with our fabulous travel partners Dale Woods (Ponant Cruises) and Leigh Sassone (Kensington Tours). Many thanks to them for showcasing these amazing luxury travel providers. Also a big shout out to our Vacation Consultants - Bob Cristadoro, Linda Rich, Stephanie Bush and Ivy Pearson who helped make this a success!”</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Embark on Luxury Sailing Around Sicily Summer 2025!</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Join Mary and Jim Villamana, owners of Connecticut’s first Expedia Cruises location, for an unforgettable journey next summer on the Circumnavigation of Sicily with PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys! This unique voyage offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore Sicily's rich history and stunning landscapes while traveling alongside world-renowned experts in art history and ancient cultures, Gary Radke and Andrew Becker.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This luxury sailing adventure will take place August 29 – September 6, 2025, aboard the elegant 184-guest Le Bougainville.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Limited space! Secure your spot today by emailing Mary at&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://mailto:mvillamana@expediacruises.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>mvillamana@expediacruises.com</strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;or calling (203) 429-5589.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Highlights of the Trip:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Visit the ancient Greek cities of Agrigento and Syracuse, and the ruins of Carthage.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Discover Medieval Erice: Wander through this picturesque hilltop town, known for its two castles.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Wine-Tasting on Mount Etna: Savor the flavors of Sicily on the slopes of this famous volcano.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Witness Stromboli's Active Lava: Watch for lava flows from one of Italy's most active volcanoes.</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit Expedia Cruises in Brookfield&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/900221/contact" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/900221/contact</a></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Rolph Scarlett Exhibit by Portico NY at Gregory James Gallery</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.porticony.com/catalogs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Portico New York, Inc.</strong></a>, a fine art firm with offices in Soho and Kent, CT, is presenting its second guest exhibit at&nbsp;<a href="https://gregoryjamesgallery.com/gregory-james-gallery-is-expanding-in-new-location/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Gregory James Gallery</strong></a>, “Rolph Scarlett, Geometrics, Landscapes &amp; Drips.”</p><p>It follows a pop-up exhibit<strong>&nbsp;</strong>that opened with a reception in July in the gallery space devoted to more contemporary works.</p><p class="ql-align-center"><a href="https://gregoryjamesgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Rolph-Scarlett-paintings-at-GJG.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>See All the Works&nbsp;in the Exhibit</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.porticony.com/artists/rolph-scarlett" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rolph Scarlett</a>&nbsp;(1889-1984) was a prolific painter, jeweler, and industrial designer, according to Portico New York. He was discovered by the Baroness Hilla von Rebay, the founding director of the Guggenheim Museum, through the museum’s innovative education program.</p><p>Rebay considered Scarlett to be her greatest discovery. The Guggenheim collected more than 60 examples of Scarlett’s art, and he worked for many years as a lecturer and docent promoting the museum’s collection of abstract painting.</p><p>Born in 1889 in Canada, and taught to paint by his grandmother, Scarlett learned how to evaluate precious stones at an early age, as well as designing and executing settings for them, through an apprenticeship in the family business of jewelry making. He came to New York in 1907 for further training in this craft.</p><p>Scarlett’s romance with Non-Objective art began in 1924 with the purchase of a box of pastels and a stack of paper. As he began to test the pastels on the white sheets, he became enamored with the purity and power of these chromatic marks. He lost track of time and eventually fell asleep. When he awoke the next morning, he found he had created completely abstract compositions. The artist entered the best of this work in a juried competition at the Toledo Museum of Art. After much debate, the jurors, who had never seen a completely abstract work of art before, awarded it first prize. The drawing was so controversial that people waited in line to see it.</p><p>When Rudolf Bauer emigrated to America in 1939, Scarlett was anxious to meet the artist whose work dominated the Guggenheim collection. Despite the language barrier the two artists developed a strong rapport, and Scarlett had an open invitation to visit Bauer at his villa on the beach in Deal, N.J. In the Early 1940s Scarlett regularly visited Bauer with a portfolio of preparatory drawings which Bauer would critique. These drawings would then be translated into large scale paintings many of which were purchased by Rebay for the Guggenheim.</p><p>For more information about the Rolph Scarlett exhibit, contact art advisor and curator Steven Lowy of Portico New York, Inc. at 917-549-8248, or by email at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="mailto:steven@porticony.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">steven@porticony.com</a>.</p><p><strong>About Portico New York, Inc.</strong></p><p>A fine art firm headed by Lowy, Portico New York specializes in “The Art of Tomorrow” – 20th Century modernist paintings and drawings, with an emphasis on artists represented in the “Founding Collection” of the Guggenheim Museum.</p><p>Founded in 1981, Portico has established a reputation for identifying under-recognized non-objective art of superior quality and historical value, bringing it to the attention of both institutions and private collectors, and building a market for these works in the process.</p><p>Lowy has curated and published catalogue essays for numerous museum and gallery exhibitions and consulted for such venerable institutions as the S.R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Villa Stuck in Munich.</p><p><strong>About Gregory James Gallery</strong></p><p>Gregory James Gallery is a fine art framing shop and gallery whose core artists include some of the finest landscape painters in the Northeast, such as Thomas Adkins, Jim Laurino, and James Coe.</p><p>The gallery has an extensive collection of original, hand-signed linoleum block prints and watercolors by the late New York and New Milford artist Woldemar Neufeld – as well as a collection of non-representational works by such artists as Ralph Della-Volpe, Ralph Ferrucci, and Ira Barkoff.</p><p>Located at 149 Park Lane Road (Rt. 202) in New Milford, the gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is 860-354-3436, the email is<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="mailto:GregoryJamesG@aol.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>GregoryJamesG@aol.com</strong></a>, and the website is&nbsp;<a href="https://gregoryjamesgallery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>gregoryjamesgallery.com</strong></a>.</p><p><br></p>

<p>Norfolk, CT - Sign up for this year’s Tour de Forest bike ride, which will be held on Saturday, October 19, to support two local nonprofit organizations, the&nbsp;<a href="https://greatmountainforest.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);">Great Mountain Forest&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://norfolkct.org/rails-to-trails-committee/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);">Norfolk Rails to Trails</a>. This unique annual event offers gravel riders an unprecedented opportunity to spend a crisp autumn day enjoying the stunning beauty of one of the state’s largest undeveloped woodland areas -- Norfolk’s Great Mountain Forest. New riders are welcome. Register here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bikereg.com/66582" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);"><u>https://www.bikereg.com/66582</u></a>.</p><p>The Tour de Forest offers two different courses, allowing riders to choose the course that matches their level of endurance. The first course, the Icebox Gravel, kicks off at 9:30 am, taking riders along 30 rugged miles of gravel and paved roads, including sections conserved by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.norfolklandtrust.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);">Norfolk Land Trust</a>. The second course, the signature Tour de Forest, starts at 10 am for a 13-mile ride on a mix of gravel and paved roads wending through and around the spectacular Great Mountain Forest. Riders are advised to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife -- you never know what you might see! Great Mountain Forest’s roads are repaired and maintained annually to support the forest’s management, research, educational, and recreational activities.</p><p>The ride begins and ends at the Norfolk Curling Club, where registration begins at 8 a.m. All proceeds support the programs of Norfolk Rails to Trails and Great Mountain Forest. Great Mountain Forest is committed to responsible stewardship and conservation of the land for future generations and Norfolk Rails to Trails is a champion of public access to Norfolk’s unique natural resources.</p><p>At the ride’s end, bikers refuel with shots of maple syrup produced by Great Mountain Forest’s team. The fun continues at the pig roast offered by the Norfolk Curling Club for an additional fee; click here to register.&nbsp;<a href="https://norfolkcurlingclub.org/index.php/events/event-listings/fundraiser/pig-roast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://norfolkcurlingclub.org/index.php/events/event-listings/fundraiser/pig-roast</a>&nbsp;Registration fees for the Gravel Rides are $50 per adult, $25 per teen, and free for young riders. To register, click here.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bikereg.com/66582" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(25, 106, 212);"><u>https://www.bikereg.com/66582</u></a>.“This ride is perfect for people who want to get outdoors on a crisp autumn day and ride through one of Connecticut’s largest forests for a good cause,” said Mike Zarfos, PhD, Executive Director, of Great Mountain Forest. “When we are in the forest, we feel inspired, healed, and strengthened, and that is why we encourage everyone to come to Norfolk and join in the fun of this ride. Plus there will be sweet and savory treats at the end!”</p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Photo credit: Andrea Moss</strong></p>

<p><strong>RVNAhealth Celebrates 25 Years of Visionary Leadership by Honoring CEO Theresa Santoro at 2024 Autumn Dinner</strong></p><p>Last week, over 250 attendees gathered at the picturesque&nbsp;<strong>Le Chateau in South Salem</strong>&nbsp;to honor&nbsp;<strong>Theresa Santoro</strong>, RVNAhealth's CEO and President, for her extraordinary 25 years of leadership. The atmosphere was one of joy and heartfelt gratitude as the community came together to celebrate Santoro’s unwavering dedication and the impact RVNAhealth has had on so many lives.</p><p>The evening began with a lively cocktail hour, where guests mingled while enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres and the stunning surroundings of Le Chateau. Providing the perfect musical backdrop were three talented musicians from Ridgefield High School—Whyall Clifton, Tomas Groot, and Jackson Dell—who added to the cheerful ambiance.</p><p>As attendees transitioned into the grand ballroom,&nbsp;<strong>Ward Mazzucco</strong>, RVNAhealth Board Chair, welcomed the room with a warm message of appreciation for Theresa Santoro. He praised her leadership, describing it as nothing short of visionary, and expressed gratitude for the impact she has had in shaping RVNAhealth into the esteemed healthcare provider it is today.</p><p>The evening was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the organizing committee, led by&nbsp;<strong>MJ Heller</strong>, RVNAhealth's Director of Philanthropy, and&nbsp;<strong>Debbie Campbell</strong>, Development Manager.</p><h3>Honoring Theresa Santoro: A Legacy of Care</h3><p>Theresa Santoro's journey with RVNAhealth began 25 years ago when she joined the organization as a visiting nurse. Her dedication, skill, and leadership propelled her to the role of CEO, where she has overseen the growth of RVNAhealth into a regional healthcare leader, serving more than 5,000 patients and clients annually across Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. Under her guidance, RVNAhealth offers a full spectrum of healthcare services, addressing lifelong health and wellness needs with unmatched compassion and expertise.</p><p>The heart of the evening's celebration was a series of moving tributes from those closest to Theresa, representing the "4 C's" that define her character:</p><ol><li><strong>Character</strong>&nbsp;– Theresa's sister,&nbsp;<strong>Maria Bartiromo</strong>, spoke fondly of their childhood, sharing stories of Theresa’s nurturing spirit and role as the "big sister". She reminisced about their parents, who owned a restaurant in New York City, and how Theresa developed the strong work ethic and compassion that define her today.</li><li>Theresa's children,&nbsp;<strong>Nick Santoro</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Samantha Santoro Keller</strong>, also shared personal stories about their mother’s ability to juggle their busy schedules while earning her nursing degree and later, growing RVNAhealth. Their heartfelt words painted a picture of a true "supermom," balancing family and career with grace and dedication.</li><li><strong>Confidence</strong>&nbsp;– Longtime RVNAhealth Board member&nbsp;<strong>Dan O'Brien</strong>&nbsp;reflected on Theresa's confidence and assuredness as a leader, qualities that have inspired trust and loyalty throughout her 25-year tenure.</li><li><strong>Competence</strong>&nbsp;– Former RVNAhealth Board Chair&nbsp;<strong>Mary Jones</strong>&nbsp;spoke to Theresa’s incredible competence and how her nursing background has informed her decisions, ensuring that RVNAhealth continues to deliver the highest quality of care.</li><li><strong>Conductor</strong>&nbsp;–&nbsp;<strong>Eileen Walker</strong>&nbsp;brought the tributes full circle, comparing Theresa to a skilled conductor, expertly guiding the many facets of RVNAhealth to harmonize in their mission to provide outstanding healthcare to the community.</li></ol><h3>A Night of Giving, Auctions, and Joy</h3><p>In addition to honoring Theresa, the evening was filled with fun, laughter, and meaningful opportunities to give back. Attendees were greeted with friendly smiles at check-in and the chance to purchase a raffle ticket for the highly anticipated "Golden Paddle" raffle, offering $1,000 toward one of the exciting live auction items.<strong>Tom Pesce</strong>, auctioneer extraordinaire, energized the crowd as paddles flew up for incredible experiences, including:</p><ul><li>A&nbsp;<strong>private tour of the Walker Library of the History of Human Imagination</strong></li><li>A&nbsp;<strong>one-week getaway in Taos, New Mexico</strong></li><li>A&nbsp;<strong>Genoa Wood Fired Pizza Party</strong></li><li>A&nbsp;<strong>pickleball party at Silver Spring Country Club</strong></li><li>A&nbsp;<strong>ski week at Loon Mountain, New Hampshire</strong></li></ul><p>Guests also admired beautiful hydrangea and rose centerpieces by Rodier Flowers, owned by Mary Jones, and eagerly participated in the&nbsp;<strong>Date Night for a Year</strong>&nbsp;raffle, offering gift certificates to local restaurants, unique experiences, and an overnight stay at the West Lane Inn.</p><p>The night was a true celebration of RVNAhealth’s mission and Theresa’s incredible leadership, reminding everyone of the power of community and the profound difference RVNAhealth makes in the lives of those it serves.</p><p>To learn more about RVNAhealth’s services and support its ongoing mission, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rvnahealth.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">rvnahealth.org</a>.</p><p>*Image by&nbsp;<a href="https://deborahobrien.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Deborah O'Brien Photography</a>.</p>