Wilton annually plays host to the Annual Dancing with the Stars Gala Benefit for ElderHouse, but now Wilton is also home to one of this year’s champions, as resident Scott McKessy took the title of “Best Performance by a Male” of the participating volunteer “star dancers.”

The DWTS event showcased talent resulting from months of dedicated practice by McKessy and six other high profile local business leaders who, along with their professional dance partners from Norwalk’s Fred Astaire Dance Studio, brought enthusiasm and skill to the dance floor at Wilton’s Rolling Hills Country Club this past Saturday night, March 23. All dancers donated their time to the competition, executing routines that impressed yet another enthusiastic sold-out audience.

The fun, high-energy evening centered around the local business leaders who lit up the dance floor and captivated the audience, and was a smash hit, according to organizers.

“Every year, it gets better and better and this year’s 6th annual DWTS was no exception. Our star dancers gave it their all, both on the dance floor and raising funds for ElderHouse. The funds raised will help support programs for older adults with aging diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease. What a successful evening it was! When everyone has a great time and we can surpass our fundraising goals, it is a great day for ElderHouse!” said Denise Cesareo, executive director at ElderHouse, the Norwalk-based nonprofit adult day care center.

All proceeds from the event support services provided to older, frail adults who live at home and attend ElderHouse during the day.

In addition to McKessy, a partner at Halloran & Sage LLP (Westport), this year’s dancers also included fellow Wilton resident Nancy Pantoliano, officer leader, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties (Norwalk). Others who took the dance floor were Karen Bradbury, design director and owner of Closet & Storage Concepts (Norwalk); Lukas Macniak, co-founder and vice president, ABR Builders LLC (New York City); Duane R. Morgan, partner, Morgan Levine Dolan PC (New York City);  Karen K. Scott, partner/realtor, KMS Partners | Compass (Westport); and Debbie Spinola, owner, Partner’s Café & Pizzeria (Norwalk).

Other star dancers taking titles were:

  • Best Performance by a Female:  Karen Bradbury
  • People’s Choice Award (voted for by attendees):  Debbie Spinola
  • Best Friend to ElderHouse (most money raised for ElderHouse pre-event):  Duane Morgan

Judges for the event were Christine Titus, owner and artistic director of Wilton’s Conservatory of Dance; Ted Thomas, director of the New England Academy of Dance in New Canaan; and Kristen Prescott, also with the New England Academy of Dance.