Written by Katherine Mitchell

Many thanks to all volunteers, auction donors and bidders who made the 96th annual hunt ball such an enjoyable evening and successful fundraiser. Together, we entertained  a record 142 landowners, members and guests, and raised a record $42,000 for the hounds! How wonderful to be able to secure the funds needed to supplement our membership dues while having so much fun! The caterer was impressed by the amount of wine and spirits we drank. Thank you Ed Mitchell and Troy Arnold for making sure we had enough for the evening!

Dee Dee Mausteller, MFH, was recognized by the Masters for her years of service and given a silver tray from the Board of Directors on behalf of the membership as a parting gift as she retires as Master this year. Dee Dee is moving out of the area to North Carolina, but will remain a member... and on speed dial.

Natasha and Brian Gealey did an excellent job, with Merri Musso and Sue Blackmore's photos, putting together a slideshow of photos from our season of hunting. Thank you Joe Svetina and Julia Bowman for letting us use some of your photos as well. When you watch the slideshow, please note the donors of our 12 auction items and the Hunt Ball volunteers who are recognized in the beginning.  Thank you to Marcy Molinaro who served as Hunt Ball Chair through January; oversaw the live auction; and worked with Linda Wenger, our invite designer, who came up with the graphics for the Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme.

One of the evening's highlights was the debut of a video that Master Ed Mitchell made with daughter Carolyn featuring scenes from the season:

View "A Day in the Life of Hunting" Video HERE

Our professional photographer, Ben White, the son of landowners’ Briscoe and Kenan White joined us once again this year to capture portraits of everyone in their formalwear and folks enjoying the Ball and dinner:

Hunt Ball Image Gallery  

You will notice the elegant Orchid centerpieces and Tiffany’s truffle party favors, inspired and made by Liz Elwell and Robin Somers-Strom with help from Robin Daniels. The live auction displays were designed by Christine Sweet with help from Judee and Gil Calkins. The band, En’novation, secured by Debbie and Doug Hackman was a blast and the dance floor was full until they finished at 11 pm.

Our signature blue champagne cocktail, Tiffany mimosas, set an elegant tone as everyone walked into Burlington, many for the first time. Burlington is a beautiful event venue right in the middle of our hunt territory. We were so lucky to have Madison Land who works at Burlington every day helping us to set up and break down; working with the caterer; and making sure that things ran smoothly the night of the event.

After the Ball, members opened their homes to folks to reduce the drive. We were lucky to have Rivers Rest close by as well. Many thanks to Granville for offering a discounted room rate AND transportation for guests to go safely to and from the Ball.

It was an elegant end to our 96th Hunt Season, and we look forward to more fun with Princess Anne Hunt in the coming months. We’ll stay in touch through e-mail, our website and Facebook.

Hunt Ball Portrait Image Gallery