For Cakes That Are Works Of Art, An Edible Auction

For Cakes That Are Works  Of Art, An Edible Auction

Whether you cherish the sweet things in life or enjoy the thrill of a bidding war, Sharon Historical Society and Museum’s Let Them Eat Cake cocktail reception and cake auction is an event worth attending. 

This biannual event features cakes by both local baking newcomers and experts for the in-person and online auction. 

While the Historical Society anticipates additional volunteers, there are currently 14 bakers, including the accomplished bakers Elizabeth Mayhew and Seth Raphaeli. 

Mayhew is famous for her works of art in frosting form (look for them on her Instagram page). She owns The Dutchy of Millbrook bakery in Millbrook, N.Y., and is an interior designer and a style writer for the Washington Post. 

Raphaeli is a former banker and the founder of Studmuffin Desserts. A self-proclaimed dessert fanatic, he specializes in cookies and brittles — but he’s also famous for his cakes, which have been  featured in Bon Appétit, Saveur and other magazines. 

But that’s dessert. During the reception there will be an open bar and hors-d’oeuvres including crab cakes, smoked salmon on crostini, whipped goat cheese and honey, all catered by JP Gifford. 

In addition to the live auction there will be an online auction that will include cakes that can be baked for a future date of the buyer’s choice. 

The live auction will take place at the historical society, 18 Main St. in Sharon, under tents, on Friday, July 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The online auction will also begin on July 2. 

All proceeds from the cake auction will go to the Sharon Historical Society. The annual auction provides 30% of the Historical Society’s operating budget. 

Tickets are $45 ahead of time, $55 on the night of the event. Go to www.sharonhist.org/event/let-them-eat-cake-2021.

Latest News

Back to school
Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.


Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton’s Demitasse shutters Main Street storefront, goes digital

Demitasse owner Hayden McIntosh Geer said she is excited by the shift to online sales.

Photo by Hayden McIntosh Geer

MILLERTON — Some might have argued that launching an in-person retail business during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t advisable. But against all odds, Demitasse in Millerton managed not only to build a thriving, mission-based brand in a small storefront on Main Street, it developed a loyal customer base and provided a welcoming space for visitors. Last week, Demitasse announced it is closing-up shop and moving fully online.

“We are excited,” said owner Hayden McIntosh Geer, who opened Demitasse with her husband, Richard, in 2020. “Though we will miss our customers and the camaraderie on Main Street, it feels right and there was no second guessing.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Historical Society talk to explore the life and times of a Revolutionary Era loyalist

AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.

Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.

Keep ReadingShow less
Townscape raffle reaches $7K pot

Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.

That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.

Keep ReadingShow less