by Adrianne Taft, Guest Contributor
The annual Snowmaker’s Ball Fundraiser will be held Friday, February 22 from 7 p.m. until midnight at the chalet at McCauley Mountain.
The event proceeds will benefit the Kinderwood Preschool Program.
“The Kinderwood Board works very hard to keep tuition down. While our scholarship needs have grown by 50% over the past couple of years, we haven’t raised tuition in six years,” said Kinderwood Director Page Hannah.
Diane Heroux, Kinderwood head teacher and coordinator of the event, said the program is dependent on outside funding to support its educational needs.
She cited some changes to this year’s program, including the addition of Amy Bartel to the staff, added curriculum, and an increase in teaching materials.
A Monday afternoon class for four-year-olds was also added, Heroux said.
Fundraising events such as the Snowmaker’s Ball helps to assure that the Kinderwood program will continue to provide the best pre-k program possible to local children.
The inaugural Snowmaker’s Ball was held in the winter of 1998.
The initial suggestion came from Kinderwood founder Mirnie Kashiwa who wanted to hold a fundraising event during the winter season.
Steve Uzdavinis, Nick Bankert, Donna Arancio, Page and Mark Hannah, Heroux, and Kashiwa thought hosting a ball would not only be a great fundraiser, but would also give people a reason to get out and socialize at the end of a long winter season.
The name of the event originated during the planning of the first ball. The employees of McCauley Mountain responsible for making snow were asked to dress up in tuxedos and act as valets for the event.
Even though people ended up parking themselves, the name stuck.
The first Snowmaker’s Ball also served as a surprise 50th wedding anniversary for Kashiwa and her husband Hank. Their children and grandchildren surprised the couple by attending the event, all of them in formal wear.
Tickets for this year’s event are $15 per person. The price includes dinner and entertainment by musician Al Nathan.
The dress code is “Adirondack Formal” so please come as dressed up or as comfortable as you are.
Tickets can be pre-purchased by calling (315) 369-6061 or can be purchased at the door the night of the event.
