Crystal Winter Gala lives up to its billing

'Lifetime achievement' SPECTRUM/Photographer, sculptor and community volunteer Ray Crawford of New Milford is honored Saturday with the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís Lifetime Achievement award during the Chamber's 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. More than 200 area business folks, town officials and other VIP were on hand for the event. For the story and more photos, see the Chamber's Business Quarterly section in the Feb. edition of The Spectrum, or check www.newmilfordspectrum.com. Jan. 28, 2012 Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Dawn and Leo Robitaille of Masterpiece Wood Floors in New Milford talk business with fellow guests at the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012, at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Gathered for a keepsake photo are, from left to right, Dana Clark of Clark Construction in New Milford, Kristina and Matthew Epstein of Epstein Productions in New Milford, and Kevin Bielmeier of Ability Beyond Disability and his wife, Josie, during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/A well-appointed table setting awaits a patron of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012, at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/More than 30 items, including jewelry, gift certificates and books, were featured in a drawing at the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Hedy Kinney of Kent, left, shares a lighthearted story with Cheryl Bakewell, president of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Bob Hanna, the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce first vice president, escorts his wife, Dale, to their table at the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Denise Del Mastro, the executive director of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, and Darren Piper, a member of the Chamber board, look on as the members of the board are introduced for a toast during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/The Board of Directors of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce shares a toast at the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. A majority of the board is shown above, from left to right, president Cheryl Bakewell at the podium, Jennifer Birdseye, Lou Abella, New Milford police Chief Shawn Boyne, Bonnie Blackman, Tim Clark, Cecilia Buck-Taylor, member-emeritus Annette Field, Lori Gordon, Patti Oberg, Richard Herrington, Tammy Reardon, Andrea Rynn and Katherine Webster-OíKeefe. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Nicholas/Tobin Insurance of New Milford is honored with the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Award. On hand to accept the award were Jeff Kilberg, left, and Richard Herrington. The award was presented during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Jeff Kilberg of Nicholas/Tobin Insurance in New Milford proudly holds up the necklace from Bella Jewelers won by his wife, Marina, in a drawing during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Bob Hanna, the vice president of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, anxiously waits to present a basket of spirits from New Milford Spirit Shoppe to a guest of the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield, during the drawing. Looking on is Chamber president Cheryl Bakewell. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/YardApes, Inc. of New Milford is feted by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce with its Large Business Award. YardApes president Shayne Newman, second from left in back, is joined by staff during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Celebrating their award are, from left to right, front, Ramiro Parra, hardscapes foreman, Elaine Lord, commercial client management, and Kristen Vogt, office manager; and, in back, Jennifer Burks-Newman, Mr. Newman's wife, marketing and public relations, Greg Kaiser, turfgrass specialist, Roberto Angulo, landscape and gardening foreman, Greg Malmberg, residential client management, Michael Herrick, equipment and facilities manager, and Tom Tuminelli, operations manager. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/A story shared by Michael Erickson of New Milford, not shown, keeps the interest of Matthew and Lisa Roush of Roxbury during dinner at the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Mrs. Roush is the curator at the New Milford Historical Society. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Gaylordsville residents Liba and Herb Furhman are among the first guests to take to the dance floor for the late Etta Jamesí ìAt Last,î performed by Higher & Higher at the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/State Rep. Clark Chapin (R-67th), right, who is seeking the 30th District's state senate seat, talks with Ray Crawford of New Milford, who was presented the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís Lifetime Achievement award during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Sherry Creighton looks on as her fiancé, Alfredo Calderon of Union Savings Bank in New Milford, snaps a keepsake photo of Jeff Kilberg of Nicholas/Tobin Insurance and his wife, Marina, during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Liba Furhman and Tom Pilla, longtime respective stalwarts in the Democratic and Republican parties in New Milford, come together for a photo during dinner at the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/John Lillis of New Milford smiles for a friendly camera during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Adeleís ìSomeone Like You,î performed by Higher & Higher, sparks guests including Chrys and Joe Valedon of New Milford to the dance floor during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Andrea Rynn, director of public and government relations at New Milford Hospital, an affiliate of the Western Connecticut Health Network, enjoys a dance with her husband, Joe, during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Webster Bank, which has several branches in the Greater New Milford area, was represented by several guests, including Jennifer Birdseye, who is a member of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and Frank Martire, during the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Ms. Birdseye is a branch manager at the bankís Main Street branch, while Mr. Martire is a branch manager at the bankís Lanesville branch. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/New Milford residents John Lillis and Barbara Payne dance to Lady Antebellumís ìI Need You Now,î as performed by Higher & Higher during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Christopher Blocker, who started his job Jan. 23 as New Milfordís economic development supervisor, dances and sings along to Creedence Clearwater Revival's ìProud Maryî during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Jennifer Brady of Warren savors a slow dance with her husband, Kyle Brady, during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Hearstís Shawn Palmer dances with his wife, Janis, during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Ray Crawford, who was presented the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís Lifetime Achievement award, and his wife, Marie, dance in a group with friends at the Chamberís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Gina Palmieri of Higher & Higher shares the microphone with Beth Werner Young of New Milford for Gloria Gaynorís ìI Will Surviveî during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT

SPECTRUM/Employees of the Savings Bank of Danbury liven up the dance floor during the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerceís 14th annual Crystal Winter Gala, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield. Above, George Herring dances in the midst of three of his staff members as they ìraise the roofî - Debbie Hartman, left, Erin Halsey, center, and Gretchen Barbiere. Photo: Deborah Rose / CT