Publications & Sites 
Adler’s Celestial Ball Raises $1.2 million for education programs
Greg and Anna Brown of Barrington
Adler Planetarium Celestial Ball
BENEFITING: Adler Planetarium community initiatives
DATE: Sept. 8
LOCATION: Adler Planetarium, Chicago
ATTENDED: 650+
RAISED: $1.2 million
Article Extras
Updated: November 9, 2012 5:48PM
The Women’s Board of the Adler Planetarium held its annual Celestial Ball at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, on Saturday, Sept. 8.
More than 650 guests attended, raising a record-setting $1.2 million for the Adler’s initiatives to improve science literacy and education in the community, especially among young people and minorities.
The gala was chaired by Erika Bartelstein of Chicago, with co-chairs Donna More of Chicago and Laura Myntti of River Forest. Members of the committee included Auction Chair Meg Sauer and Cynthia Ballew of Chicago, Amanda Bonnell and Loli DiSanto of Winnetka, Elisa Primavera Bailey of Northfield and Lisa Lewis and Michelle Vanderlaan of Oak Park.
Celestial Ball guests included Pat and Lydia Ryan, Chef Jean and Cynthia Joho, Joseph and Claire Gregoire, and Scott and Rhonda Swanson of Chicago. Guests from the North Shore included Ryan and Kristen Rivard of Evanston, former NASA astronaut, Captain James A. Lovell, Jr. and Marilyn Lovell of Lake Forest and Brian and Christy Cressey of Barrington.
Guests from the western suburbs included Brian Joss and Caroline Becker Joss of River Forest, Michelle Vanderlaan of Oak Park, Fred and Stephanie Brzodowski of Hinsdale and Gastone and Linda Celesia of Oak Brook.
The evening included an auction, sponsored by Graff, dinner and dancing to the music of Sway.
The museum decor celebrated the gala theme, the Milky Way. Motorola Solutions was the 2012 Corporate Honoree and was represented by its CEO, Greg Brown. ITW, Motorola Solutions and the Motorola Solutions Foundation, and John Estey/S&C Electric were Galaxy Sponsors.
