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Christopher Baetz (Hall Manager), raised in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, and graduated from Syracuse University(BFA/Illustration), has enjoyed a 20 year career in New York in retail management/buying(Charivari, Aveda, Silk Trading Co). In 2003, he and his husband moved to Sharon CT, then Millerton NY where they restored an 1820's historic house. While living in the Northwest Corner, he has owned and operated a drapery workroom, managed/co-curated Passports Antiques(Salisbury), worked in hospitality for Hunt & Harvest(captain/site management)and Lion Rock Farm(event coordinator). He's served on several boards and committees, including Project Sage, Townscape(Millerton), Salisbury Economic Development Committee, and Salisbury Housing Committee. He is drawn to Dewey Hall's mission of celebrating community through the many activities and events it hosts.
Oona Sellew (Operations Assistant) was born and raised in and around Berkshire County. She graduated from Ithaca College with a BA in Philosophy and Religion, and has since become a Jane-Of-All-Trades. She has a background in hospitality, farming, and community engagement, and, most recently, started a small cut flower business.She is excited to bring her diversified skill sets to Dewey Hall and to help connect even more people in the community with the cultural events and opportunities the Hall provides!
Kate (Programming Assistant)
Olivia Sblendorio (Operations Coordinator) is a retired Ringling Bros. flying trapeze artist, with a BA (Asian Studies) from Vassar College. Since moving to the Berkshires in 2017, she wears the many top hats of vaudevillian, actress, embodied intuition coach, somatic empowerment practitioner, and family budget counselor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she'd never even heard of the Berkshires when she met her now-husband who was born around the corner from Dewey Hall. Certified in feminine leadership, Olivia is honored to support the everyday magic that happens when a community gathers, transforming Dewey Hall into a true reflection of the people it serves.
Robbi Hartt (Sponsorships) earned her MA (English) from Georgetown University. She served as founding director (in 2000) of the Horizons Program at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT and subsequently built a 20-year career there as an English teacher and Writing Center director. After coming to the Berkshires for many years, she and her husband moved to New Marlborough full time in 2019, renovating a 1795 farmhouse to create a respite for families dealing with pediatric cancer. She writes regularly for The Berkshire Edge/Out & About, The B, and New Marlborough’s 5 Village News. After being introduced to Dewey Hall through a Business Monday spotlight, she became enamored with its mission of promoting “good and kindly feelings” and began working as a consultant to raise sponsorship funds.
Patricia Strauch (Bookkeeper) was born and raised in Allendale, NJ. Patty and her singer-songwriter husband, Bruce Mandel, (proud “crazy-cat-parents” to Wolfie and BB), now reside at the top of a mountain in Otis, where their closest neighbors are the herons, moose, and beavers that frequent their pond, along with the occasional visit from a bald eagle. After retiring from a corporate legal career at Merck, Patty became involved in many of the region’s extensive music and other cultural venues; as a performer, organizer, and volunteer. She now enjoys using her organizational skills to assist nonprofits with streamlining office and financial procedures, both as the Treasurer at her church, and as the Bookkeeper at Dewey Memorial Hall. Patty is proud to be a member of the team at Dewey Hall working together to promote “good and kindly feelings”.