Your time: The Masterpiece Ball, Holyoke
Sue Monks of Longmeadow, left, and Mary Ellen Scott of Wilbraham are served desserts by Captain Colin Sullivan, center, and the WGBY- sponsored Masterpiece Ball. The event was held in celebration of Downton Abbey on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »A five course meal was part of the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball on January 5, 2013. The sold-out event was held in celebration of Downton Abbey's third season premier.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Steve and Roxanne Bailey of Easthampton dance during the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball held in celebration of Downton Abbey on January 5, 2013. Roxanne wore elbow high gloves and a corsage as part of her costume.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Mary Pura of Greenfield, 18, dances with a friend at the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball held in celebration of Downton Abbey on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Steve and Roxanne Bailey of Easthampton dance to music provided by the WGBY Masterpiece Ballroom Orchestra at the Masterpiece Ball held in celebration of Downton Abbey on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Women dressed in British costume walk into the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball. The ball was held in celebration of Downton Abbey on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Oysters were served as an appetizer at the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Joan Haley of Conway, left, smiles at her friend Ann Steinhauser of Amherst at the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Jodi Fallon Fern of Holyoke, left, signs in Rhoda Crowell of West Springfield and Debra Mann of Springfield at the entrance of the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball. The ball was held in celebration of Downton Abbey on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »Historical items were displayed at the WGBY-sponsored Masterpiece Ball on January 5, 2013.
SARAH CROSBY Purchase photo reprints »
Men in formal attire and women wearing floor-length gowns, plumed hats, pearls and elbow-high gloves arrived at the Log Cabin in Holyoke last Saturday for the Masterpiece Ball sponsored by WGBY, the public television station for western Massachusetts.
The sold-out event, held in celebration of the third-season premiere of “Downton Abbey,” featured food and wine pairings of the Edwardian era. The event began with a cocktail hour, followed by a five-course dinner that included such dishes as poached salmon with mousseline sauce and cucumber garnish.
An orchestra provided music for dancing.
Steve and Roxanne Bailey of Easthampton said their shared love of ballroom dancing — and of the “Downton Abbey” saga — had prompted them to come.
The evening featured a silent auction, fashion commentary and a costume contest. “People watching is really the best part of the event,” Ann Steinhauser of Amherst said. “Some of the costumes here tonight are quite beautiful.”
Guests watched a screening of the season premiere at 10 p.m. “This is a perfect girls’ night out for us” said Rosie Caine of Greenfield, as she sipped wine and talked with Steinhauser, Beth Fox of Greenfield and Joan Haley of Conway.
To suggest a subject for Your Time, email Suzanne Wilson at swilson@gazettenet.com.
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