St. Mary’s Ball celebrates 80 years of community

It seems like everyone’s marking a milestone birthday this year, including St. Mary’s Ball. The event recently marked its momentous 80th with a swanky soiree at Windsor Station, presented under the esteemed co-presidency of foundation board member Geoff Molson, owner and president/ CEO of Le Club de hockey Canadien, the Bell Centre and Evenko (attending with lovely wife Kate), and brother Andrew Molson, chairman of Res Publica (with elegant wife Helen Antoniou). For your Social Notes pleasure, the oh so dazzling details …

THEME: Nothing sets the tone for a gala like a good theme — a party particular not lost on those behind the annual ball. For the special festivities, they embraced a Family, Community, Collaboration theme that captured the spirit of St. Mary’s team, and informed the palpable warmth and togetherness of the night.

CHOW: A Champagne start to the soiree bubbled guests off in style as one and all engaged in quality champs and schmooze before sweeping into the exquisitely appointed ballroom (bravo, decor chair Bridget Fetterly!) for the main event. Here, palates were well catered to by Ristorante Beatrice chef Adele Forgione’s four-course mastery. Honourable mention to Brahm Mauer for the spirited bar services and the exit candy table that was deliciously “buh-bye carb free, hello fouryear-old me!”

POP: While good gravitas was very much in evidence, it was tempered by frequent pops of light and fun, prompted by a rocking raffle sold by chic Dynamite-clad volunteers and packed auction (cheers to auction designer Dorine Perron), and superfine entertainment courtesy of the likes of Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal and, of course, king rhythm himself, Paul Chacra and his 1945 squad. Kudos, too, to Eclipse Productions for their riveting video retrospective of the history of St. Mary’s, choreographed to live song.

A-LIST: One of our most venerable institutions attracted a crowd as supportive as it was powerful. Apologies in advance for this lengthy A-list, topped by the high-ranking likes of ball committee chair/foundation member Arthur Wechsler, with wife/committee member Arielle Meloul-Wechsler; legendary Montreal Gazette cartoonist Terry (Aislin) Mosher with wife Mary Hughson; Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard with wife Suzanne Pilote; Health Minister Gaétan Barrette (who, along with the premier, Geoff Molson and others, gave an inspiring address underscoring St. Mary’s importance); TNG Corporation chairman/CEO Richard J. Renaud with wife Carolyn (fun social note: Richard invited Terry!); ministers Hélène David and Kathleen Weil with husband Michael Novak; MNA Rita de Santis with husband Jean-Marcel de Magistris; RBC vice-chair Tony Loffreda with wife Angie; CIUSSS West-Central board president Alan Maislin with wife Gloria and daughter Jojo; CIUSSS ODIM board president Richard Legault with wife Ginette; dean of McGill family medicine Dr. David Eidelman; foundation board president Anne-Marie Boucher with husband, Cirque chair Mitch Garber; board president of Roasters Foundation’s Rachel Renaud with husband Jim Hare; gynecology and obstetrics chief Robert Hemmings with wife Dr. Gisele Hemmings; orthopedic surgery chief Dr. Ron Dimentberg with Tammy; HaiVision founder Mirko Wicha with Colleen; Evolocity Financial Group CEO Neil Wechsler with Andrea; Nova Steel president Scott Jones with Sophie; Sagar Foods president Tony Fata with Teresa; J. Sonic Services president Jean Aucoin with Cynthia; Trudeau Corporation chair Robert Trudeau with Deborah; Power Corp vicepresident/ MUHC board chair Peter Kruyt with Claire; Groupe Park Avenue president Norman Hébert with Diane; and so. Many. More.

TALLY-WOW: Thanks to patrons, committee members like Pheroz Austin, Doug Buchanan, Sylvie Chagnon, Terry Didus, Stephen Kelly, Guy Laframboise, Curtis Millen, Josée Noiseux, Mario Rigante and Peter Thompson, and event partners including Power Corporation, National Bank, Roasters Foundation, Air Canada, Anne-Marie Boucher and Mitch Garber, Hydro-Québec, BMO, Nova Steel, Northbrock Capital and BCE, the milestone ball raised a milestone-worthy $1,060,250 — funds integral to the St. Mary’s maternal/child department and McGill chair in family and community medicine and research.

JULIAN HABER 80 YEARS BEAUTIFUL: Guests enjoy dazzling decor and a surprise-filled evening at the sold-out 80th-anniversary St. Mary’s Ball at Windsor Station.

KAREL CHLADEK MAGIC MOMENT: Ball co-presidents and dashing brothers Andrew and Geoff Molson with legendary Montreal Gazette cartoonist Terry (Aislin) Mosher and his memorable gift to them.

KAREL CHLADEK PREMIER TABLE: Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and wife Suzanne Pilote.

KAREL CHLADEK WITH THE GLAM SQUAD: Paolo Cattelan, wife Bita, Jennifer Campbell, Colleen Wicha and husband Mirko Wicha share laughs.

KAREL CHLADEK DRIVERS OF THE NIGHT: Committee chair/foundation member Arthur Wechsler, wife and committee member Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, CIUSSS West-Central board president Alan Maislin, daughter Jojo and wife Gloria wear proud smiles to the ball.

JULIAN HABER YPTASTIC: Members of the foundation’s Young Professionals and the forces behind the Wonderball Caitlin Rose, Candice Bangsund, Phil Mancini, Jessica Concannon, Katherine Didus and husband Luigi Morelli.

KAREL CHLADEK PRESIDENTS’ CORNER: Ball co-president Geoff Molson, wife Kate, co-president Andrew Molson and wife Helen Antoniou.

KAREL CHLADEK LOOKING THE PARTY: Glam guests Pina Paventi in Bella di Sera and Diana Ferrara Scalia in Éditions de Robes.

KAREL CHLADEK ELEGANCE X 2: Cynthia Aucoin and husband, J. Sonic Services president Jean Aucoin, pose prettily at St. Mary’s Ball.

KAREL CHLADEK ON SCENE: Cirque du Soleil chair/ private equity investor Mitch Garber and wife, foundation board president Anne-Marie Boucher, enjoy festivities.

KAREL CHLADEK POWER GAL PIC: Ball committee member Josée Noiseux and Vidéotron tops Manon Brouillette in Self Portrait pause for a pic.

KAREL CHLADEK HAND IN HAND: Diane DunlopHébert and husband, Groupe Park Avenue president Norman Hébert, glow big.