What’s for Dinner?

Wondering what has been served at Dinner in the Dark over the years? Here are the menus!

Dinner in the Dark 2025

This year marked our 10th Dinner in the Dark, held on November 1 at Foxwoods Resort Casino — a milestone we were thrilled to celebrate with new and familiar faces. Together, we dined, danced, and raised our paddles high in support of those living with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and other rare inherited retinal diseases.

1st Course: Shrimp & Tomatoes
Marinated Chilled Shrimp, Heirloom Tomatoes, Pimento Cheese, Red Onion Relish

Vegan Option:
Sugar beet, green apple, local cranberries, candied walnuts, pink ginger emulsion

1st Course, not vegan: Shrimp and Tomatos

2nd Course: Roasted Chicken
Lemon Zatar Seasoned Bell & Evans Chicken, Grilled Corn & Figs, Haricot Verts, Polenta, Chicken Jus

Vegan Option:
Olive oil polenta, wild mushroom ragout, grilled zucchini & squash, fire roasted grape tomatoes, fresh basil

Second course, non vegan: Chicken Dinner with polenta underneath and a fig next to it

Assorted Dessert Buffet

Dinner in the Dark 2024

This year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Hope in Focus at a new venue- Foxwoods Resort Casino. With 330 guests to feed, Foxwoods truly outdid themselves. Here are the fantastic meals we had on the menu!

1st Course: Autumn Panzanella
Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, Asian Pear, Dried Cherries, Bacon Lardons, Crispy Brussel
Leaves, Friese, Boston Brown Bread Croutons, Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Autumnal-colored salad sitting on a pasta bowl.

2nd Course: Land & Ocean
Citrus & Rosemary Rib Eye Cap, Langoustine, Butter Basted Lobster Tail, Potato Puree
Parisienne Carrots, Red Wine Demi

Vegan option: King Mushroom Oyster Scallop
Butternut squash puree, asparagus tips, sautéed green beans with charred citrus oil.

Portion on steak with a lobster tail sitting on top, sauce drizzled around steak with neatly cut up vegetables surrounding it.

3rd Course: Chocolate Napoleon or Sangria Tart
Chocolate Napoleon:
Crunchy Brownie. Pop Rocks, Crème Fraiche, Strawberry- St Germaine Coulis

Chocolate brownie, around it is strawberry drizzle

Sangria Tart:
Red Wine Mixed Berry Gelée, Lime Almond Cream, Raspberry Chips, Vanilla Chantilly

Flaky crust with mixed berries. On top, a dollop of whipped cream.

Dinner in the Dark 2023

We had one heck of a blast at our 8th Annual Dinner in the Dark gala fundraiser at the Mystic Marriott and Spa in Groton, Connecticut!

We hope you joined us Saturday, October 14th, for this extraordinary menu designed for our event by the Marriott, and to Foxwoods Resort Casino for their in-kind donation. If you did and could not read the menu scripted in Braille, here is the menu that you and more than 270 people enjoyed that evening:

1st Course: Appetizer
Orecchiette with Wild Mushroom, Sweet Pea Broth, Prosciutto Crisp, Duck Confit, and Caciocavallo Cheese

Vegan Option: Hummus Falafel

The first course, non vegan with a Hope in Focus sign next to it

2nd Course: Salad
Boston Bibb, Rosemary Pears, Goat Cheese, Dried Cranberries, Olive Oil, Garlic and Parmesan Gluten-Free Breadsticks

Vegan Option: Same Salad without the Goat Cheese

The second course, non vegan with a Hope in focus sign behind it

3rd Course: Intermezzo
Acai (Sorbet) with or without Prosecco Rosé

The sorbet with a Hope in Focus sign behind it

4th Course: Entrée Duet Plate Seafood & Short Rib
Pan Seared Cod with Leek Fondue and Beluga Lentil Casserole with Braised Burgundy Short Ribs in Braising Sauce, Truffled Potato Duchess, and Asparagus Gratin

Vegan Option: Plant-Based Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy, Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes and Gratin Byaldi

The fourth course, non vegan with a Hope in Focus sign behind it

Dinner in the Dark 2022

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
Butler passed beef wellington with horseradish cream
Lemongrass and chicken pot stickers with teriyaki dipping sauce
Truffle mushroom arancini

1st Course:
Aged Grana Padano Pan Seared 10/20 Scallops over
Sweet Potato & Cumin Cured Pork Belly Hash and Butternut Squash & Aged Grana Padano Caponata

2nd Course:
Burrata and Tuscan Salad
Petit Burrata/Aged Balsamic Reduction/Mixed Olives/Oven Roasted Tomatoes/Grilled Artichokes/Vermont Cheddar Curds/Micro Basil/Passionfruit Caviar/Focaccia Crostini

3rd Course:
Duet Plate of Filet & Salmon
Cocoa & Coffee Rubbed Filet with Pan Roast Chimichurri Mushrooms and Duck Fat Roasted Potato Lyonnaise
Petit Farroe Island Salmon with Peach and Orange Botanical Vodka Beurre Blanc, Black Lentils, Warm Fennel Salad, Cauliflower Puree

Dessert Buffet:

Dinner in the Dark 2019

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres

1st Course:
Asian Fall vegetable wrap with dipping sauces

2nd Course:
Wild boar & sausage Bolognese with bucatini pasta and shaved fennel

3rd Course:
Chicken Tamale

Dessert Buffet:

Dinner in the Dark 2018

1st Course:
Pan Seared Scallops
Sweet Pea Puree, Shitake and Bacon Hash, Charred Asparagus Tips,
Roasted Baby Heirloom Tomatoes

2nd Course:
Caprese Napoleon
Smoked Paprika, Roasted Herb Tomato, Black Truffle Burrata Cheese, Black Truffle Pearls, Pesto, Balsamic Fig Reduction, Micro Basil

3rd Course:
Pistachio and Raisin Chutney Stuffed Statler Chicken
Truffle Potato Puree, Carrots, Parsnips, Turnip, Citrus Beurre Blanc

Dessert:
Assorted mousse station
Raspberry, Blackberry, Nutella

Dinner in the Dark 2017

1st Course:
Japanese potato crusted Scallops with cauliflower curry puree
accompanied with segments of citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime) and scent of pine

2nd Course:
Warm zucchini soup topped with zucchini noodles and a cool red pepper foam

3rd Course:
Beef Wellington with red pepper ragout, grilled vegetables, potato gratin, rosemary scent

Dessert Station:
Smoked S’mores – Live action station
Graham cracker tart, chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse and torched marshmallow topping

Dinner in the Dark 2016

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
Greek salad skewers with cucumbers, kalamata olives grape tomatoes and a feta-oregano vinaigrette
Lemongrass chicken skewer with a mint-ginger rub and pickled plum jam
Lobster profiteroles
Micro arugula & grapefruit

1st Course:
Soup & salad duet plate with roasted chestnut mushroom cappuccino soup
& baby spinach salad with pomegranate, candied walnuts and a cider vinaigrette

2nd Course:
Smoked duck breast sliced over pumpkin flan, balsamic-fig gastrique

3rd Course:
Wild King Salmon en papillote with fennel, arugula, carrots and grapefruit

Dessert Buffet:
Pumpkin crème brulee
Apple tartlet
Mocha pot d’ crème
French macaroons

Dinner in the Dark 2015

Reception
International cheese display & vegetable crudite & dips

Parmigiano Reggiano, Vermont cheddar, smoked gouda, brie, herb-crusted chevre with artisan breads and gourmet crackers

1st Course:
“Popcorn” Shrimp – chili lime marinated grilled shrimp on a skewer served over avocado salad with pickled onions, mini seasoned popcorn & wine

2nd Course:
Sunburst Salad Trio served in savory cones with three types of dressings for dipping: sherried green goddess dressing, verjus feta vinaigrette, yuzo wasabi vinaigrette

3rd Course:
Moroccan braised beef short rib served with risotto timbale & roasted winter vegetables

Dessert Buffet:
Chocolate coffee & donuts
Apple cobbler in a mini apple
Fizzy fruit shooters
Pumpkin chestnut panna cotta in a mini pumpkin

Dinner in the Dark 2014

Reception:
Local artisan cheeses with artisan breads and gourmet crackers

1st Course:
Soup shooter duet: butternut squash bisque & dragon chowder

2nd Course:
Asian Fall vegetable wrap served with three dipping sauces: sesame ginger, thai salted lime and cucumber cream

3rd Course:
Stonington scallop risotto with truffle pearls

4th Course:
Pan roasted guinea fowl with parsnip mashed potatoes & brussel sprouts

Dessert:
Mini chocolate lava cake
Curry marshmallow popcorn
Frutta di bosco

Hope in Focus Grateful for 2023 Dinner in the Dark Success

So much more than a typical fundraiser, the 8th Hope in Focus Dinner in the Dark we advertised as “a unique sensory experience,” gave guests just that and much more Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, Connecticut.

Dinner in the Dark afforded the opportunity for guests to experience their dinner in a different way – wearing blindfolds. For a short time it offers a small taste of what it might be like for someone dealing with a rare retinal disease. This key fundraising event supports our mission of “Seeing a cure for blindness,” as we advocate for people living with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and other rare inherited retinal diseases (IRDs).

Attendees sitting at table with their blindfolds on

Hope in Focus counted 273 attendees this year, with the event raising more than $200,000, a record amount for our annual fundraiser.

The evening is about bringing people together to connect with the mission of Hope in Focus, as we work to transform the lives of those living with blindness caused by LCA and raise funds to support research treatments.

Our hope for those treatments is becoming a reality through the half-million dollars we have raised throughout the years with the vital support from contributors and from people like those attending the dinner.

These essential dollars fund myriad retinal research studies here and abroad, and they ensure access to free genetic testing, a critical step toward finding retinal-disease treatments.

“Even as science advances, we still have only one treatment on the market today for just one form of LCA,” said Laura Manfre, Hope in Focus Co-founder and Board Chair. “We need to do better. We need to continue advancing the science, but also move the science from the lab and the clinic to the community waiting for treatments.

“It is with deep gratitude,” she said, “that we thank all the people who came out to support our efforts to improve the lives of people living with rare retinal disease and help advance research for treatments. We could not do this without you, and we are forever grateful for your contributions toward our mission.”

Courtney Coates, Director of Outreach and Development, shared with the guests Hope in Focus’ work in delivering updates and research progress in our newsletter, across social, in our Let’s Chat About webinar series, and at our 3rd LCA Family Conference this summer, when we welcomed LCA families from across the country, as well as Canada, Mexico, China, and Turkey. She also shared news about our then-upcoming hosting of an LCA Patient Listening Session with the Food and Drug Administration.

Our zebra, Luca Priebe, with Courtney Coates

“Tonight for a brief time, you will get a taste of what it might be like to live with vision loss, including some of the social challenges that accompany it,” Courtney said. “We hope this will move you to join our journey, as we continue our work to fund research to treat blindness caused by LCA and expand our advocacy activities.”

Courtney, our sole full-time Hope in Focus staff member, thanked each of our sponsors, and there were many. Click here for a complete list of our 2023 Dinner in the Dark sponsors.

She also thanked our Dinner in the Dark Committee members – without whom the event would not have been possible – for volunteering their countless hours behind the scenes.

Laura described for newcomers the origin of Hope in Focus and its mission. She founded the organization in 2014 with her husband, Charles Priebe, and close friend Elisse Rosen, having been brought into the rare retinal disease community by her daughter Sofia, who was diagnosed with LCA at age 2.

Heading into its 10^th year, Hope in Focus has grown into a global patient advocacy organization, supporting the LCA community and researchers seeking cures and therapies for rare inherited retinal diseases.

Laura introduced the evening’s key presenter, Dr. Daniel Chung, as a “rock star.” Dr. Chung is Chief Medical Officer for SparingVision, an ocular genomic medicine company. His work focuses on therapies to combat blinding diseases. He made a point of praising the courage of participants in clinical trials. These patients offer themselves to science, not knowing what the result may be, or if there will be any result at all.

“The real rock stars,” Dr. Chung said, “are those who say, ‘I’m going to be part of a clinical trial.’”

The final speaker before dinner was probably the most instructive. Sofia Priebe spoke via a video presentation to provide tips for a successful Dinner in the Dark experience.

Sofia advised on such techniques as determining which side of your knife is sharp, using utensils to gently explore the food on your plate, and remembering to always identify yourself and the person you’re speaking to in conversation at the table.

Now a junior at college, she spoke with the poise and grace of someone beyond her years. In her final tip, perhaps the most important, she advised: “Food to face, not face to food.”

Roger Nicholson, Executive Chef of the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, prepared the dinner presented in four courses. To see the menu, please go to: https://old.hopeinfocus.org/whats-for-dinner/

Each course tasted delicious, and Sofia’s advice was put to good use as well, with one participant heard to exclaim, “It’s a square plate! Use the grid system!”

Image of two attendees holding up wine glasses.

Attendee Karen Clarke of Guilford said navigating a meal while blindfolded is challenging and humbling.

“The experience gives you a small glimpse into the challenges so many deal with every day. It’s a great motivation for us to help with research – and be thankful for our own sight when the blindfold comes off.”

Rosalie and John Maxham of Stonington attending Dinner in the Dark for the first time.

“We came away appreciating this organization devoted to helping find a cure for a disease we never knew existed, and we were very happy to lend our support to this zebra.”

The live auction, requiring no blindfolds, followed dinner, with Master of Ceremonies Mike O’Farrell auctioning up for bid items and experiences, a list of which can be found at: www.hopeinfocus.org/get-involved/dinner-in-the-dark/live-auction

After sweets for dessert, guests headed for the dancefloor for music by The Cartells.

We at Hope in Focus thank all the participants and faithful sponsors of Dinner in the Dark and look forward to an exciting event in 2024.

Not Your Typical Monday – Connecticut Car Dealership Embraces Hope in Focus Message

As general manager and vice president of Cardinal Honda in Groton, Conn., Kim Cardinal Piscatelli donates time and money to charities. But when she heard about Hope in Focus and the organization’s advocacy for people living with visual impairment, it struck a personal chord.

Piscatelli was a teenager when she watched her late grandmother slowly lose her vision to glaucoma.

“It was scary to watch her go through that,” Piscatelli recently recalled. “I loved her very much, and I saw her world get smaller and smaller.”

A small group sitting at a table with blindfolds on. — Employees blindfolded

Piscatelli and her family, including her sister, learned how to help her. They closed their eyes and folded laundry. They learned to present meals as if they were on a clock.

“The chicken is at 12 o’clock, and the coleslaw is at 3 o’clock.”

Hope in Focus’ Dinner in the Dark gala fundraiser, an annual culinary adventure that involves wearing a blindfold while eating food from a secret menu, immediately appealed to Piscatelli. She asked her sister to come with her.

“I was so excited,” she said. “As a child, I remember that the empathy I had for my grandmother would lead us to do things to learn to empathize with her.”

Though the concept brought back memories, it wasn’t exactly muscle memory. The two were eager to go, but a bit apprehensive.

“I remember holding hands under the table and being like, ‘I don’t know what is going to happen, but you are right here, right?’” Piscatelli said.

She loved it. Over the years, she’s brought her children, too. But she also has taken the concept back to Cardinal Honda. It started with a morning meeting four years ago. Employees wore blindfolds

“There’s a lot of conversation about diversity and inclusivity,” Piscatelli said. “It seemed like a good way to participate in that conversation.”

That conversation has grown significantly since then, as companies and individuals look to be more inclusive and empathetic to everyone. So, in 2022, the year Dinner in the Dark returned from a two-year pause due to COVID, Piscatelli resurfaced the exercise.

The group blindfolded, sitting at the table and eating. — The group blindfolded.

It was a surprise twist on the typical Monday morning meeting — Piscatelli hadn’t announced her plan. Still, nine of the 10 employees put on blindfolds, while one took photos. When the blindfolds came off, people expressed similar sentiments to those Piscatelli felt during her first Dinner in the Dark.

“They reported they were paying more attention and not worried about what everyone else in the room was doing,” Piscatelli said. “Someone said they felt lonely…because you are not looking around the room making connections or eye contact.”

But even with the uneasiness, people showed interest in trying it again. When Piscatelli asked for six volunteers to put on blindfolds for lunch, the hands shot up.

They tried using tips Piscatelli learned at Dinner in the Dark from Sofia, daughter of Hope in Focus Co-Founder Laura Manfre, and a young woman living with LCA: Bring your food to your face, not your face to your food. Piscatelli announced the clock placement of the meal for the employees, just as she used to do for her grandmother.They huddled up after to discuss.

“Someone said it gave them a whole new perspective,” Piscatelli said. “They didn’t know if they had food on their shirts. They were more aware of what they were eating and how it tasted better, but said it was hard to eat. They lost track of what food was where on the plate.”

Employees sitting in a meeting with blindfolds on

Piscatelli hopes the exercise allows her employees to feel more empathy for people with vision loss and think of strategies to make the world more inclusive for them.

“It forced them to think about different sorts of things,” Piscatelli said. “Instead of changing what was on TV, we had to announce what was going to happen next. It helped people be prepared without visual tools.”

In a home with a person with vision loss, people can announce who they are and why they are coming into the room. For example, “It’s me, Kim, and I am here to do laundry.”

In the end, the staff learned something new and embraced leaving their comfort zones.

“It turned their day…it wasn’t a typical Monday,” Piscatelli said. “Everyone was more aware: What else do I not know?”

Piscatelli hopes other businesspeople feel inspired to learn what they don’t know about vision loss.

“It’s one thing to talk about equity, diversity, and inclusivity.” Piscatelli said. “It’s another thing to immerse everyone in an exercise where they feel empathy for people who have low vision and compassion for other people as they are temporarily trying that on.

Our New Name – FAQs

Why did we change our name?

It’s simple: we’ve grown and matured as an organization. And we’re looking ahead to how we can best position this organization for the future. We were never about one individual – we’ve always been for all of the Sofias – all the individuals, all the families, and all the genetic variants associated with LCA. The new name has simply evolved to reflect that.

Why change the name now?

The pandemic gave us an unintentional break from normal operations, kind of like many of us since early 2020. Unable to plan and go forward with public events, such as our Dinner in the Dark gala fundraiser and our LCA Family Conference, we had time to work on a new name.

Who decided to change the name?

Our President and Co-Founder Laura Manfre has been thinking about changing the name for a long time. Researchers asked her and her family to fundraise when she learned of Sofia’s genetic LCA diagnosis in 2012. She and others founded Sofia Sees Hope in 2014 to advocate and raise funds for all in the LCA and IRD communities, and Sofia came to represent all Sofias. The organization was founded to be inclusive, and we are now updating the name to reflect that inclusivity.

Has anything else about the organization changed?

Nope. Our mission is the same; only our name has changed, and we hope this will better position us to grow and extend the reach of our work and focus.

Why did we work with a branding firm?

We’ve come to know a lot about rare inherited retinal diseases, genetic testing, clinical trials, federal drug approval, 27 different forms of LCA, and tons more about rare inherited retinal diseases, but we needed professional help in the branding department.

We found that help through an old friend, Bonnie Southcott, who has been with us since the beginning and knows our people and our mission. She also is Director of Patient Engagement at Toolhouse, a digital marketing firm in the life sciences sector.

She describes the essence of rebranding or renaming as carefully identifying a brand’s DNA and then capturing it in the new words, look, and feel of the name, the logo, and the tagline. The three-month process involved our founders, board members, staff, donors, and the people we connect with in the LCA and IRD communities. We think she did a great job and hope you do, too!

How was the rebranding funded?

We are very fortunate to have generous supporters who donated their significant talent, and their time to our rebranding initiative. For the expenses we did incur, these were covered with grant funding designated for administrative expenses and capacity building as we position our organization for the future.

It is important to us that contributions received from individual donors are used solely for the benefit of research and genetic testing. Meanwhile, our education, outreach, and advocacy programs, as well as our capacity-building activities and administrative expenses are supported by grants and restricted contributions designated for those activities.

What does Sofia think about the name change?

She is excited for the update! She has always known that the organization’s mission was to serve the broader community, and she looks forward to continuing her involvement, which has included everything from leading a book club for middle schoolers to supporting fundraising to representing the organization at partner events.

Will Dinner in the Dark return?

YES! And here is the date to save: Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Mystic Marriott in Groton, Connecticut. We cannot wait to gather safely again, for this, and for other in-person events like our LCA Family Conference, A Rare Opportunity, and more.

Making Connections in the LCA Community Provides a Path Forward

Danielle Senick of Norwich, Conn., reached out to Hope in Focus (formally Sofia Sees Hope) more than three years ago when she needed answers about her deteriorating vision.

Doctors diagnosed Danielle at age 6 months with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), and her parents learned that this rare inherited retinal disease (IRD) would cause retinal degeneration to the point of having little or no vision.

She could see light and shadows, but she noticed a pronounced deterioration in her vision in her early 20s. We asked Danielle to talk about her experiences since she connected with us. Here is her story.

Nancy, Danielle, and Patty with landyards on and looking at a phone that Nancy is holding — Danielle Senick, center, with her aunt Nancy (left) and mother Patty at the 2018 LCA Family Conference in Mystic, CT

“Though the (vision) changes were subtle, they caused me to realize how little I knew about my condition and I wanted to learn more. I did a little research and stumbled across Sofia Sees Hope. I was intrigued to hear about Sofia’s story, and I wanted to learn more, so I contacted the organization. I heard back, almost immediately, from Danielle Chiaraluce, who worked for the organization at the time.

“We had a lengthy conversation and she told me that she and Laura (Manfre, Co-Founder and Board Chair of Sofia Sees Hope) were interested to learn more about me, and they invited myself and a guest to Dinner in the Dark. I was honored to be invited, and it was a very fun, yet emotional, experience. It was wonderful to have my aunt learn a little bit about what my life is like to have no vision.

“At this event I met Laura, Sofia, Danielle, David Brint, his wife, Betsy, and his son, who also has LCA, and several other influential individuals. I was so honored during the auction to see how many people were willing to contribute their hard-earned money to the cause (including my aunt who bid on a trip to Bali).

Undergoing genetic testing

“Later I spoke with David and he helped me to get in touch with Spark Therapeutics, where I underwent free genetic testing. I had not seen a specialist or done anything about trying to learn about my diagnosis in several years because I often stumbled across roadblocks and it seems that the doctors that I previously had seen were not as educated about LCA. However, this experience was much different.

“I gave a blood sample and sent it to the lab and once my results came in, I spoke with Dr. Jill Harris in great detail about my results. She made me aware that my gene mutation is LCA-CRB1 (LCA8). Unlike LCA-RPE65 (LCA2), (for which there is a federally approved treatment), information about this mutation is still in the works. There is no cure, so I knew all along not to expect a cure and that with genetic testing you must be patient. I joined My Retina Tracker® (a Foundation Fighting Blindness free, secure online registry that helps connect families and enables researchers and doctors to track progress, prevalence and other variables of IRDs to move research forward) and receive emails about any new information on the condition and still remain hopeful.

“About a year later, through social media, I became connected with Kristen Steele of Iowa. (Kristen has LCA10 caused by a

Kristen holding up her diploma — Kristen Steele

mutation in her CEP290 gene.) She is a remarkable young woman who is extremely confident, well-spoken, and independent, and like me, a very passionate licensed massage therapist.

“When I spoke with her, I was in the process of attaining my license and still in school. I was having a little trouble getting the results from my license test in braille and she told me that was unacceptable and filled me in about her journey and how hard she had to fight to pave the way to get her testing accommodations. When I set up my accommodations with the testing center all I had to do was mention her name and request my accommodations and the center provided me with everything I needed.

“For that I am very thankful. I am now a licensed massage therapist myself and although we are both busy and haven’t talked in a while, Kristen is always available if I ever have any questions about my journey. I was fortunate enough to meet Kristen by attending the LCA Family Conference in 2019 (in Philadelphia). I also attended the family conference with my aunt and mother in 2018 in Mystic (Connecticut) and was quite intrigued by all the speakers.

LCA community welcomes Danielle

“At this conference I also met two individuals that are about my age who both have children with LCA. It was wonderful to meet with them and answer some of the questions that they had about what it was like growing up with LCA and any suggestions they had about being a parent of a child with LCA. As I have received so much guidance and help along the way, it’s wonderful to give back by helping others and giving them advice.

Deanna and Ashlyn show off their matching white cane tattoos on their arm — Deanna Carroll and Ashlyn Lincoln with their matching white cane tattoos.

“I have stayed in contact through social media and text messaging with these two individuals, Deanna Carroll and Ashlyn Lincoln, and have potential plans to go down to North Carolina and meet their children! I was able to meet up with them again in 2019 for the Philadelphia family conference. I brought my brother with me as a guest and he was also intrigued to learn so much about my condition.

“There was a plethora of informative speakers from all over the country, and it was amazing to see how far research had come even since 2018 at the last conference. I was especially intrigued to hear Tami’s story (Tami Morehouse, from Ohio, underwent RPE65 gene therapy as part of the LUXTURNA® treatment clinical trials) and how much it changed her life.

“I became quite emotional when she described all the little things that had come from it and changed her life, such as being able to go to her children’s socc

er games and cheer them on, actually being able to see them score goals, where before she had to rely on others to describe what was going on.

“The main takeaway from this process has been to continue to remain hopeful and stay involved. It is quite a process and the research is quite extensive and costly, so we would not have been able to come as far as we have without the generosity of others involved with Sofia Sees Hope.

“It’s amazing to see what a little bit of poking around on the Internet has led to and how much it has changed my life. My curiosity and doing a little bit of research to learn about LCA led to my becoming involved with Sofia Sees Hope, receiving genetic testing, attending wonderful events and conferences, and meeting truly amazing individuals, both sight-impaired and sighted.”

Dinner in the Dark 2018 Live Auction

Dinner in the Dark‘s live auction is like no other! With charming master auctioneer Mike O’Farrell to guide you, our committee has gathered amazing experiences, travel, and more! Get your bidding arm in shape!

FROM KIM’S KITCHEN TO YOURS!

What’s better than receiving a little piece of Southern California on your doorstep once a month for a whole year? Kim’s creations have won multiple awards and each month she will send you a package valued between $35 and $45 of seasonal jams and treats that will have you waiting by the mailbox. From homemade blueberry or cherry jams to Cherry Garcia cookies and more, this is a gift that keeps on giving, all year long!

Details: Kim will mail a package to you anywhere in the continental U.S. One package per month, for 12 months. Pick up the first month’s gift tonight, or let us know and we will mail it to you.

Value: $500

Donors: Kim Christiansen

MORE MYSTIC MARRIOTT: DINNER, OVERNIGHT STAY AND THE RED DOOR

EXPERIENCE FOR TWO

Come back another night to enjoy dinner at the award-winning Octagon restaurant along with an overnight stay and a little pampering for you both at The Red Door Salon & Spa.

Details: Reservations are required by calling 860-326-0320. Non-transferable and non-extend able. Not valid for cash. Dinner not to exceed $200 value. Gratuity not included. May be redeemed Sunday through Friday nights, based on availability. Certain restrictions and additional blackout dates may apply. Must present certificate upon arrival.

Value: $550

Donor: Mystic Marriott, Octagon Restaurant, Red Door Spa

CRUISIN’ ON MAMIE, OUR FAVORITE LOBSTER YACHT

Your private cruise on board Mamie begins from the dock at scenic Mystic Seaport Museum. From there, the boat cruises down river to Noank and Fishers Island Sound. Once in the Sound, why not have a picnic lunch anchored off a secluded beach followed by a swim? Or, you could tie up alongside a restaurant and get a traditional New England lobster lunch followed by shoreside explorations. You choose the adventure.

The cruise is available to a group of six or fewer guests, and you get the whole boat to yourself for four hours. BYOB food and drink is encouraged! The boat provides a cooler with ice and water to keep drinks and food cold. They also have all the eating and drinking utensils you may need including bottle openers and wine coolers. Mamie has a below-deck area that includes a head (bathroom).

Details: Charters available June 1, 2019, through Columbus Day 2019 and may be booked directly with Mystic Seaport Museum. Dates and times based on availability.

Value: $600

Donor: Mystic Seaport Museum

“TEARDROP” BY JEFFREY P’AN

Bring home a little bit of Mystic and a little bit of Murano with this beautiful original piece created by American glass artist Jeffrey P’an. This 11-inch tall purple teardrop was created in 2018. The teardrop was created using a combination of traditional glassblowing techniques combined with Jeffrey’s modern twist. Jeffrey P’an studied in Murano, Italy, and founded Prescient Studios in 1994 upon his return to Mystic. Today, Jeffrey’s work can be found in all corners of the world, and Studio Jeffrey P’an is a design house, artist’s workshop, and factory in the tradition of the factories of Murano.

In addition to Jeffrey’s one-of-a-kind sculptural work, all manner of glass-related work is performed—from jewelry making, to cut crystal, to glassware and repairs of historical pieces by an expanded team of apprentices and specialists. The winner may take home this gift tonight, or Studio Jeffrey P’an will ship this piece free of charge to your home.

Value: $650

Donor: Jeffrey P’an

DIRECT FROM MIKE’S WINE CELLAR

Look what we took from Mike’s wine collection! Valued at more than $1,000, this package includes:

2012 Caymus Vineyards 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon ($240)
2009 Louis Roederer “Cristal” Brut Champagne ($200)
2012 La Castellana Super Tuscan Blend ($125)
2013 Williams Selyem “Bucher Vineyard” Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($100)
2009 VinRoc Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon ($90)
2010 Clos de L’Oratoire Saint – Emillion Grand Cru Classe ($75)
2003 Chateau Raymond – La Fon Sauternes ($65)
2012 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)
Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne ($42)
2004 Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja ($40)
2007 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Rioja ($30)
2011 Portia Ribera del duero Crianza Tempranillo ($28)
2013 Bourgone Passetoutgrain Cuvee Desite Burgundy ($18)

Details: Dirty old wheelbarrow and flashing police light not included.

Value: $1,100

Donor: Michael Mondello – Former SSH Director

SIMPLY MAJESTIC PRESENTS

This exquisite three-piece set from Simply Majestic’s Classic Designer series includes a sterling silver double circle pendant, matching hoop earrings and a cuff bracelet. The pieces are a woven style with simulated diamonds.

Details: This gift is donated exclusively to Sofia Sees Hope and no cash, credit or exchanges are permitted in the store.

Value: $1,100

Donor: Simply Majestic

MIXOLOGY WITH A MASTER

Party for six people

A unique educational opportunity to warm you this winter! Two-time James Beard Award winner and Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff, also known as King Cocktail, will come to your home and teach a party of six how to mix the perfect punch, eggnog, and a winter cocktail. Includes one of Dale’s books on mixology and a bottle of his aromatic bitters made in France. Dale is a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient from Food & Beverage magazine and the Founding President of the Museum of the American Cocktail. He is credited with re-inventing the bartending profession, setting off a cocktail revival that continues to flourish.

Details: Winner is responsible for purchasing liquor and providing food for guests. Mixology party dates are subject to availability between January 1, 2019, and December 1, 2019, and must be mutually agreed upon and confirmed at least six weeks in advance. Dale will travel just about anywhere in the world, but the winner is responsible for Dale’s travel and lodging expense beyond a 50-mile radius of the Mystic Marriott or Nassau, Long Island.

Value: $3000

Donor: Dale DeGroff, King of Cocktail

ESCAPE TO ANTIGUA

Seven nights for up to four people

Enjoy this getaway to Antigua in the British Virgin Islands, where crystal waters lap more than 360 white sand beaches and ocean breezes carry the scent of jasmine and hibiscus. This getaway is for up to four people in a beautifully decorated two-level waterfront villetta in Jolly Harbor. It’s an easy stroll from your home for the week to all the exceptional restaurants, nightlife, beaches, weekly sailing regattas and access to land and water sports.

The villetta is newly renovated and features two bedrooms, 1.5 baths, open floor plan on the main level with a fully equipped kitchen, and a large terra cotta patio overlooking the water and boat docks. Perfect for outdoor dining and watching the sunset.

Details: There is no expiration date on this gift and the winner may postpone travel until any year in the future. No blackout dates. Dates are based on availability.

Value: $2,400

Minimum bid: $2,000

PARK CITY, UTAH IN SNOW OR SUN (OR BOTH!)

Seven nights for up to seven guests

Park City lies east of Salt Lake City in Utah. Framed by the craggy Wasatch Range, it’s bordered by the Deer Valley Resort and the huge Park City Mountain Resort, both renowned for incredible skiing.

Stay in Park City Parks Edge, a new luxury three-bedroom, three-bath condo that sleeps up to seven guests! This 1,671-square-foot property features a top-floor large master bedroom suite with a king bed, a large private bathroom with stone shower, soaking tub, and dual vanities. It offers great mountain views and private decks overlooking the mountains and surrounding open space. Across the road is the community clubhouse with pool table, full kitchen for entertaining, a large outdoor hot tub, a community pool, a well-equipped workout room. It’s an easy drive to ski, hike, mountain bike, or stroll the historic downtown for shopping and dining!

Details: This is for a seven-day rental from Saturday to Saturday. The owner is flexible if other days are required. Blackout dates include December 24 to January 1. Expires June 1, 2020.

Value: $2,000 to $3,000+ based on season

Minimum bid: $2,000

CARIBBEAN VILLA IN MONTSERRAT

Seven nights for six guests

Montserrat is a small, tranquil island described as the “best-kept secret of the Caribbean.” Unwind in a villa with three king-sized bedrooms, a private outdoor pool, outdoor terrace with dining area overlooking the ocean. Located in Salem, Montserrat, the area is known for its black sand beaches, coral reefs, cliffs, and shoreline caves to explore. For the more adventurous, visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, schedule a guide (we recommend “Sunny”) to visit the restricted side of the island, or hike up into the mountains. For lunch, ask John for the best roti on the island—tell him Laura sent you. In town, you can enjoy local bars and restaurants, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, motor boats, and shopping.

Details: This package includes a seven-night, eight-day stay. Dates are subject to availability. Blackout dates include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holiday weeks. Travel must be booked within 12 months and traveled within 24 months.

Value: $4,300

Minimum bid: $3,500

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

Seven nights for four guests

Situated at the top of two ancient Tuscan hills are the Etruscan towns of Pitigliano and Manciano, both with breathtaking views in all directions. This package includes seven nights of accommodations for four people in Manciano or Pitigliano, Italy, located 1.5 hours north of Rome on the southern edge of Tuscany. You may choose from among more than six different villas. Wondering how much fun this is or need pointers on the area? Ask any of the four couples who won this before and gave rave reviews!

Details: There is no expiration date on this gift and the winner may postpone travel until any year in the future. No blackout dates. Dates are based on availability.

Value: $4,550

Minimum bid: $2,500

Feeling the Mission

There was nothing in my life to prepare me for the experience of Dinner in the Dark. I’ve supported many nonprofits, as a board member, consultant, and donor. I’ve been to many luncheons and galas where I heard many speeches, sat through many tug-at-the-heartstrings videos, and joined in many silent or live auctions that inflicted varying degrees of pain or entertainment. However, never have I attended an event that immersed me as deeply in the mission of the organization as Dinner in the Dark did.

It’s pretty basic. Hope in Focus (formally Sofia Sees Hope) fights rare, inherited retinal diseases like Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in hopes of curing blindness. Dinner in the Dark offers a multi-course, gourmet meal with wine pairings. While blindfolded. To say it’s challenging, and life-altering, is putting it mildly.

It’s harder to enjoy a fine meal when you can’t appreciate the presentation. Sometimes it was even hard to tell what was served, though the scents and tastes were tantalizingly familiar! It’s hard to carry on a conversation when you can’t make eye contact to interrupt, or to share a joke, and when you don’t even know if someone is still at the table. And it’s hard to savor nice wines when you can’t see them – especially when you’re afraid of knocking over a wineglass while attempting to locate your knife.

Don’t get me wrong – Dinner in the Dark is a tremendously fun event that will have you laughing and reflecting for months afterward. It’s also very challenging and very moving, and will make you truly appreciate the gift of your eyesight. And the ability to take off the blindfold to bid and to dance!