The gala will feature both silent and live auctions, as well as fabulous food and, of course, great company. See below for more info on our venue, including bios of our highly-reclaimed chef, Daniel Gendron, of GENDRON CATERING, and pastry chef Leslie Balassone, of CALICO RESTAURANT & PATISSERIE.

This year's auction to benefit PDS will once again feature a wide-range of affordable and "priceless" items in both the silent and live auctions.

Whether or not you've been to an auction before, this one promises to be lots of fun. If you've been a regular at PDS auctions over the years, you'll find familiar favorites as well as exciting new items. There is something for everyone!

To download an auction donation form, click here. Complete the form and return to Mary Lou Hudak (ext. 109) in the development and communications office. For more info about the auction, contact co-chairs Valery Einhorn or Kim Roellke.ecome Involved in Poughkeepsie Day Scho

OUR VENUE

The Dutchess Golf & Country Club
POUGHKEEPSIE NY

Founded in the the late 19th century during the first boom period of golf club organization, Dutchess Golf & Country Club has become one of the leading private clubs in the Hudson Valley area. Originally a 9-hole course, it was first designed by a member of the famous Park family of Scotland, one of the first golf professsionals to come from the area of St. Andrews, golf's birthplace.The grounds were later improved to create a challenging 18-hole course by noted golf course architect Devereux Emmet. Today, Dutchess Golf & Country Club boasts the only golf course to have hosted all championships in the New York State Golf Association.

The newly constructed Club House is elegantly appointed and graciously managed by Club House manager Lisa Redfern.

OUR CATERER, CHEFS and FLORIST

GENDRON CATERING
DANIEL GENDRON, CHEF (Rhinebeck, NY)

Born in New York City, raised in Tokyo Japan, Daniel Gendron, a 1981 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America is now very much at home in the Hudson Valley. Daniel favors local ingredients and artisanal products to create his flavorful dishes. His presentations are always artistic but not contrived. Daniel has catered everything form weddings to commencements and will even cook in your kitchen for a special occasion.

CALICO RESTAURANT & PATISSERIE
LESLIE BALASSONE, PASTRY CHEF (Rhinebeck, NY)

Leslie Balassone, along with her husband Chef Anthony Balassone owns and operates the charming Calico Restaurant in historic Rhineback. They have garnered many awards and have been guest chefs at the Culinary Institute of America as well having been asked to create five meals at the James Beard Foundation in New York City. Leslie combines the best of French pastry traditions with innovative twists of her own creation.

RALPH PITCHER & SONS, INC.
JERRY TRAUDT (Rhinebeck, NY)

A family run business for 102 years, like others in the Hudson Valley Pitcher's used to specialize in violets. As tastes change following the close of World War I, and upon the advice of a gardner from the nearby Astor estate, Pitcher's imported anemone seeds from Holland originally obtained in Jerusalem. Pitcher's continues to grow their own anemones and ranunculas as well as carrying an array of cut flowers. Dawn Valentine is their floral arranger.

What's on the block...

Here's a quick preview of four items that will be offered at auction and won by the highest bidder. Buy your tickets today! View entire catalog (PDF). View catalog addendum (PDF) as of 3/22/07 Can't attend the auction but want to bid on these and other items? Download absentee bid instructions and form.

Slient #800 A Wonderland Armoire

Who knows what lies inside this lovely hand-painted armoire. Click here for larger image

Silent #650 Mandy's K-Class Project

Click here for larger image A unique and gorgeous silk-angora merino wrap, decorated with genuine pearl and shell beads using a laminated felting technique, created and decorated by Mandy's kinder- garten class with the help of artist and PDS parent Petra Eichenseher. Elegant enough to be at Bergdorf 's where it would cost a mint!

Silent # 202 Exquisite Collectible Harry Potter Doll

Fantastic and highly detailed, this doll version of Harry Potter will cast spells over every-one who sees it. Hand-painted and intricately costumed by the famed doll-maker Robert T onner. Click here for lrger image

Live #14 A Painted Portrait

Click here for larger image PDS parent and famed local artist Nestor Madalengoitia will paint a portrait of someone or something you love. Nestor's work can be seen in galleries along the Hudson, on outdoor spaces in Poughkeepsie and rolling downhill at the Kingston Soapbox Derby, where he won first place for painting a picture in the time it took to get to the finish line! Oil portrait will be 25"x30".

al Au

ction