The Ravinia Women’s Board Annual Meeting for 2016 was held on October 26, 2016 at the Skokie Country Club in Glencoe.   Hostesses for the meeting included Sarah Barden, Nancy Bodeen, Mary Boyer, Jane Casper, Judy Castellini, Bobbie Denison, Jeanne Denison, Christy Fowler, Becky Murray, Kathy Paleczny, Sara Pfaff, Susan Schmitt and Penny Van Horn.

Chair Judy Castellini emphasized that the theme of the day was gratitude. The successes of the year would not have been possible without the ongoing efforts of all of the members of the Board, and she was particularly thankful for the work and dedication everyone displayed this past year.

Recording secretary Susan Spears remembered the life of Nancy Sweet and her 43 years of service to the Women’s Board. Nancy passed away in June at the age of 88 and will be missed by all those who knew her.

Judy Castellini thanked Marcie Stein for four years of service as Administrative Vice Chair. Nominating/Membership Chair Patty McGrath introduced the new Executive Committee which includes Judy Castellini, Chair; Rachel Davis Mersey, Vice Chair; Susan Elliott, Administrative Vice Chair; Susan Spears, Recording Secretary; Elizabeth Bergmann, Treasurer; Mindy DeStefano, Betsey Madden and Onnie Scheyer, Members at Large. Board members were informed about the status of the Annual Fund by Gayla Cox and the Tribute Fund by Christy Fowler.

Gala 2016 co-chairs Evey Schweig and Karen Ettelson presented a video wrap-up of the event which included many photos of a very memorable evening that featured the Ravinia homecoming of Maestro James Levine conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”) as well as an unexpected downpour that dropped 4” of rain on the park in five hours. Click here for a link to the video.

Judy Konen reported on the success of the CSO Musician’s Dinner and thanked those who helped organize the event as well as those who attended. There were brief reports on the Women’s Board Concert Sponsorship Dinner on August 12^th that preceded an outstanding concert by Joshua Bell and Chris Botti.

Betty McLean thanked all the Board members who participated as Master Class ambassadors.

Mary Boyer recounted the Membership Engagement trip on September 7^th to the new Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music.

Those in attendance also heard reports on the success of Ravinia Gifts and Chair Rentals this past summer. Judy Castellini thanked Marilyn Vender and Onnie Scheyer for their outstanding service as Ravinia Gift co-chairs and expressed gratitude to new co-chairs Mary Alice Miller and Kathy Paleczny for taking over this important job.

Details of the 2017 Poster Competition were announced by Beth Lambert and Andee Rein.   Click here for more information and entry forms.

Tori Stender and Ellen Falkof reported on the activities of Reach*Teach*Play, and Emily Knight brought attendees up-to-date on activities at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute.

Jeanne Denison and Becky Murray urged Board members to sign up for the last few spots on the 2017 Danube River Cruise.

Ravinia CEO Welz Kaufman ended the meeting with an interesting report on Ravinia’s plans for the future.

Upcoming events for Board members include the Sistema Ravinia Kick-off Celebration on November 3^rd at Ravinia, the “Love to Give” event at Neiman Marcus, Northbrook Court on November 4^th and the Board’s Holidazzle party at the Evanston Golf Club on December 7^th.