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Mixer at The Mount
October 13, 2011
Mount St. Alphonsus, or “The Mount,” as it is locally called, provided an astounding backdrop for the Ulster Chamber Mixer yesterday, October 12th. Built by the Redemptorist Congregation between 1904 and 1907, this magnificent building and its sprawling grounds have hosted countless retreats throughout the years and now can add the membership of the Ulster Chamber to its roles.
Arriving at The Mount is impressive from the moment you move along the long, paved driveway to the massive central building. Especially in mid-October, the property is a sight to behold with it’s well-kept lawns and plentiful trees. As is usual for Chamber mixers, it was packed as cars lined up along the front of the building.
The Main Hall
In a unique configuration for a networking event, the action occurred mostly in the main hallway, a long space that allowed attendees to walk from one end to the other and easily get a glance at all present. The setup from Coffee Systems of the Hudson Valley, directly beside the registration table, served tasty cups of espresso and cappuccino in much the same way that they have been serving coffee to the Hudson Valley for the last 40 years.
At one end of the hall stood a bar stocked with beer and wine, a beautiful chapel at the other, flanking about 2400 square feet of networking between. With several food and dessert tables along the way, it was quite the comfortable environment to mix it up with the county’s businesspeople.
Door Prizes
President Ward Todd took the spot at the entrance to the chapel to thank the sponsors and host, and to announce door prizes. Once again, a fantastic selection of generous gifts were offered by the attending members, among them wine, massages, potted plants and more. Below, Mike Sweeney of Mount St. Alphonsus receives recognition as the host of the event, and John Wilcox does the same on behalf of Coffee Systems as sponsor. Each was presented with an award for their contribution.
As night fell on The Mount, the steps leading out the back of the building offered a lovely view of the countryside and a place of retreat for those looking to take a breather from high-volume socializing. We can only imagine that the quiet step back is a microcosmic example of what it might have been like to experience a retreat at the Mount sometime over the last century.
Did you enjoy the mixer? What was your
favorite Ulster Chamber event?