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Polo Ball Goes "Down Under", Celebrates "Surfing Safari"
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Newport Polo Captain Dan Keating, Mike Short,
Jamie Masterson, Gail Short & Dave Masterson
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"G’day, mate!"
The energetic, exuberant players of the Australian polo team were the honored guests at the International Polo Foundation’s 10th annual Charity Ball, hosted at Newport, RI's Marble House this August. The theme this year was “Surfing Safari,” which found guests dressing in an astonishing assortment of styles – some formal, some funky, all vibrant and colorful. None brought surfboards, however!
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Buffalo artist Mark Griffis with Newport Polo players
Jonathan Kaye and Dan Keating
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The weather that night complied beautifully (save for a few stray gusts of wind early on, which mischievously knocked over a couple of surfboards on display and a few framed posters at the silent auction); as a glowing pink sunset lit up the water behind the Chinese Tea House, the view from Marble House’s elegant terrace never looked better.
Agnes and Dan Keating, event co-chairs and founders of the Newport International Polo Series, were on hand to welcome guests to a cocktail hour (and a half) with hors d’oeuvres featuring passed egg rolls, lamb chops, and jumbo shrimp, while a few members of the Mac Chrupcala Orchestra played low-key music on the lawn. Guests, including player Brooke Still, cricket bowler James Langston, Captain of the Australian team Chris Howard, and Newport's Jim Garner were invited to bid at an extensive silent auction including a vast array of signed sports and celebrity memorabilia, “excursions & events,” and art.
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Patty Griffis & Agnes Keating
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Auction proceeds went to benefit 2010’s charity of choice: Wounded Warrior Project, whose mission is “to honor and empower wounded warriors” from our armed services. Several guests meandered over to see the Tea House up close, only to find themselves serenaded by a man playing an enormous didgeridoo – a low, bellowing instrument from indigenous Australia, accompanied by a violinist
Dinner and a live auction followed beneath a large tent on the terrace, starting with a few words from Auction Committee Chairman Dave Carrington and Dan Keating. The auctioneer was none other than John Rooke, the “voice” of the New England Patriots, who led a boisterous bidding session on prizes such as a pro sports “Owner’s Box Getaway” and a South African photo safari for two.
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Rosemarie Polles & Jean Ahmad, back to back!
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9:30 p.m. found a new crop of chic young things arriving for the “after-hours” dancing and dessert portion of the evening. Things really started to heat up as the full Mac Chrupcala Orchestra played sizzling rock, disco, Motown, and pop hits from the past several decades. The dance floor was on fire as the Australian boys showed everyone up with their dance moves.
Despite (or perhaps, thanks to?) their energetic evening, the Australian team’s on-field prowess won them the polo season championship match the following afternoon. Better put another shrimp on the barbie!
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Michael Rokos, Kara Malkovich, & Gene Michael
Addis
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In the match on the following Saturday, the Aussies bested the Newport team 12 to 6 in a spirited, exciting match cheered on by spectators. The traditional post-game gallop around the field, with the slapping of spectator hands occurred, with a fabulous Lobster Bake by McGrath Clambakes following as the culmination of a lively and spirited weekend.
--Amanda M. Grosvenor
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Courtenay Eversole & Patrick Noonan smile
for Newport Seen
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A signed Yankee poster elicited high bids
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The wayward wind! Broken glass...
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Steve Fielding with Christine MacDonald
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Mark Urman, "Gilded" author Deborah Davis & Gene
Michael Addis
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Dave Carrington in his martini jacket, with
Jim Garner, of the Newport polo team
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Chris Hannon with stylish boots
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Brooke Pastore Still with cricketer
James Langston & Heidi Jones
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Captain of the Australian team Angus Campbell
& Annamarie Ringheim
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Mac Chrupcala Trio played on the terrace
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Captain Mike Waters in traditional garb
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The Surfin' Safari truck, with boards
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Kara Malkovich, Jane Delamare, Jennifer Paolino
& Chase Hogoboom
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Marble House terrace at dusk
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Mikki Micarelli & Jean DiBona
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The sea was calm...
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The vivid lawn vignette
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Heather Savoie, the peripatetic James Leach,
& Madeleine Savoie
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Natlia Shubitidze & Laura Zaporojan
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James Langston & Brooke Pastore Still
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Alessandra & Kurt Dolnier
look elegant
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Newport Polo Team Member
Wayne Grover & Christie Cheshire
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Buffalo artist Mark Griffis with Dan Keating
& Pierre Merle
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Sara Abbotts (in vintage Chanel), with fiance
Christopher Szécsényi
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Sophie Plowright, Patrick Jardon, Agnes Keating
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The Trio!
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Merri Russo & Ron Dimauro pose
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Bruce DiPietro, Bob Chell & Allen Hodges
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Frank and Diane Saia on the lawn at dusk
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Scott Mawhinney, Andrina Placks & artist
John McGowan
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Mike Short, Shane McLaughlin (Australian polo team),
Dave Masterson& team captain Angus Campbell
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Liz & Allen Highley
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Newport Polo player Jim Stanton with his wife Tiffany &
player Kathleen Reagan and husband Ian Fyfe
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Newport Polo commentator and former English
polo player William Crisp
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Christina & Annelisa Gee
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Festive table setting
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Chase Hogoboom & Jennifer Paolino
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Night falls at the Chinese Tea House
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Didgeridoo player David Brown with Pierre Merle & Dan
Keating
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Australian music at the Tea House!
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Regarding the starry night
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Kara Malkovich, Kathy Merrill, Mike Tillett &
Stacie Mills
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Ed Iannone & Roberta Portugal
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Annelisa Gee, Pamel O'Connor, Christina Gee,
& Newport Seen's Amanda Grosvenor
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Erica Sousa enters a bid
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Seated for dinner
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Dan Keating welcoming guests
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...and introducing speakers
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Tom Eberhardt & Bruce DiPietro
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The after party: Steven Schwimmer &
Yixiu Zheng-Schwimmer
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Ellen Kerzer, Deborah Zaki, Caroline Plamondon
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Belles Alexandra RiceViens, Victoria Melllo,
Heather Rasulis
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The band heats up the dance floor!
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Dance floor crowded with dancers
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Kristine & Sean Bagley
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Amanda Grosvenor, Whitney Catanio,
& Erin Harrington
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Spirited play the next afternoon in the
Newport International Polo Series at Glen Farm
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The post-match hand slapping
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Tailgaters reliving the plays!
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Jim Garner watched
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Captain Angus Campbell (c) & with Philly friends
Jamie and Dave Masterson
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The players. Angus Campbell, Jonathan Kaye, Chris Hannon;
Shane McLaughlin and Lachlan Graham relaxed with beers
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Agnes Keating in Missoni, with Christopher Still
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Captain Dan Keating
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Andrina Placks in a sassy dress at the
post-game Lobster bake
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Sunset at the polo field
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TR McGrath preparing the lobster bake...ummmmm
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Dan Keating talks polo with young fans
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The lobster bake is ready!
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