The Haldane School Foundation today announced that its winter fundraiser, the Crystal Ball, will be held March 19, 2011, from 7:30 to 11:30pm at the Dutchess Manor.

Members of the community are invited to attend the Crystal Ball: Funding the Future where they will enjoy a night of food, fortune telling, cocktails, a live auction, and prize raffles while raising money to benefit Haldane students. Formerly named the Snow Ball, the winter event is the biggest fundraiser for the Haldane School Foundation each year.

“We’ve changed more than just the name,” said Haldane School Foundation President Dani Locastro. “Instead of assigned seats and a sit down dinner, the Crystal Ball will have more of a less-structured cocktail party feeling, including an energetic live auction and a raffle for an iPad and a FLIP video camera donated by the current and former board of trustees. What hasn’t changed are all of the amazing items up for auction this year and the need to support our children by attending.”

Instead of the traditional silent auction, the Haldane School Foundation is bringing in a live auctioneer to help them auction off the unique items up for bidding. Items include a Sheryl Crow-signed guitar, a full share from Common Ground Farm, a round of golf at The Garrison, a custom song with original lyrics and music, a 10-pack of races to Grand Prix New York (Go-Kart racing facility), ski tickets to Okemo, a Bliss Spa gift certificate, two nights at the Cornucopia B&B in Southbury, CT, original artwork, sporting tickets, local dining experiences, and a one-ofakind polar-themed National Geographic book and photo package including a National Geographic Atlas, “Polar Obsession” book and a large framed and signed photo of Antarctica taken by Sven-Olaf Lindblad, the Founder and President of Lindblad Expeditions.

“The Crystal Ball is our most important fundraiser of the year and with even more proposed cuts to state aid for education, we need the community’s help to enhance and enrich the quality of our public education at Haldane,” said Eugenie Milroy, Haldane School Foundation Secretary. “We hope people will not only buy tickets to the event but also encourage their friends to join them for a fun-filled evening out.”

Unlike previous Snow Balls, the Crystal Ball will not be black tie-optional, instead encouraging eventgoers to dress in festive attire for an evening out. Attendees will still enjoy delicious food and an open bar, but in a less-structured environment.

Tickets, at $125 per person, are available at haldaneschoolfoundation.org or by contacting Diane Hughes at diane@haldaneschoolfoundation.org —845-265- 5569.