Long Island Food Critic

This year's Eastern Long Island Hospital Gala took place at the historic House of Seven Gables located in Orient. It was a wonderfully sunny day for a charity gala overlooking a bucolic farm on the water. The festivities began under a grand tent with live music performed a cappella as guests dressed elegantly in their summer's finest started to arrive. While indulging on passed hors d'oeuvres, delightful cocktails, a raw bar with fresh shucked clams & oysters, and a lavish seafood buffet, the sounds of America's Got Talent "Voices Only" serenaded the crowd.

Perennial ELIH Gala benefactors, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery, were in attendance presenting guests with charming flutes of their fine sparkling wines with fresh strawberries. The sparkling bubbles and the bobbing strawberry created a great visual effect perfect for the occasion. For lovers of craft beer there was a wide array of appealing brews supplied by Greenport Harbor Brewery.

Guests took a chance on some fabulous raffles and a luxurious live auction benefiting the ELIH Emergency Department. Some of the raffle prizes included kayak or spa packages, yoga classes, wine tastings, or a restaurant crawl. While the Live Auction prizes consisted of a Casino Resort Package with an overnight stay at the Mohegan Sun, a Gourmet Pizza Party for 50 Guests, an Up Close & Personal tour of the New York Stock Exchange, an Afternoon Sail with Olympian Amanda Clark, two nights and three days in an Manhattan apartment, and seven glorious days at St. John US Virgin Island.

All throughout the event, attendees enjoyed the waterfront that created a beautiful scene to compliment the wonderful generosity of all the participating organizations, establishments and guests in attendance. The day drew to a close with the lovely setting sun and The East End Arts School Students performing. It was a perfect conclusion to a perfect day, all in honor of the hard work of the Eastern Long Island Hospital that is committed to delivering excellence to their patients.