A Roaring Good Time in Support of the Library

Photo Credit: Julie BalsamIf you walked into Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck, NY, on the evening of October 17, you may have thought you were back to the Roaring ‘20s. Gold, black, and white decor—from giant feather plume centerpieces to sparkling metallic balloons—dressed up the room, and guests wore their most glamorous 20s attire, adorned with beads, pearls, and boas (oh my!). Inspired by the famous novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this was the setting for the 2024 Friends of the Scarsdale Library Gala, which benefited the Scarsdale Public Library. With a theme of “A Roaring Good Time in Gatsby’s Library,” the event truly lived up to its name.

Beyond the decor and the festive attire, there was lots of fun and merriment for the 200 guests in attendance: food and drinks, including Gatsby-themed cocktails; music and dancing; interactive balloon raffles and a silent auction, both with prizes from national brands and many Scarsdale favorites; casino games; and a photo booth to capture it all.

Not only was the event a roaring good time, it was also a successful fundraiser in support of Scarsdale’s beloved library, raising over $100,000. Partway through the evening, gala co-chairs Daniela Retelny Blum and Toby Milstein Schulman took a moment to explain why supporting the Friends of the Scarsdale Library is so important. Photo Credit: Julie Balsam

“Our tax dollars help cover the critical operating expenses of the library but cannot cover all of the amazing programming, technology, and bigger projects that our community loves. That’s where the Friends of the Scarsdale Library come in,” said Retelny Blum. “The Friends work in close partnership with the Library team to bring relevant and inspired content to the Scarsdale community.”

All funds raised from the gala will go toward doing just that—ensuring that the library continues to be a cultural and intellectual hub for the Scarsdale community, sponsoring everything from book discussions with popular authors and adult writing classes to children’s concerts, teen study nights and the maker space.

“We truly want to make the Scarsdale Library a center for everyone in the community,” said Milstein Schulman.

The Friends of the Scarsdale Library would like to thank their headline sponsors:
Speakeasy Sponsor:
The Angela Retelny Team at Compass

Glitz & Glamour Sponsor: Photo Credit: Julie Balsam
The Longevity Space

Roaring ‘20s Sponsors:
Cheryl and Philip Milstein
Toby and Judah Schulman
Breaking Solutions
The Laura Miller Team at Houlihan Lawrence
Wilson & Son Jewelers
Shoreline Painting
Whispering Angel

They would also like to thank all of the gala's sponsors and contributors, as well as Sabine Poisson, event producer and designer, who donated the glamorous and festive decor that transported everyone back in time for the evening.

For more information about the Friends of the Scarsdale Library or to make a donation, please visit https://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/connect/friends. If you would like to get involved with the Friends, please email foslpresident@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Julie BalsamPhoto Credit: Julie Balsam