Winter Social Schedule

The dinner scene at The New York Botanical Garden's annual Orchid Dinner.

One of the most anticipated evenings of the New York winter social schedule is The New York Botanical Garden's annual Orchid Dinner. This favorite event took place on Monday, February 24, 2014 at the Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle, overlooking Central Park with its glorious views of Manhattan. The Hearst Corporation, VERANDA, and BNY Mellon served as underwriters for the evening.

The Orchid Dinner began at 7 p.m. with cocktails served during a sale of rare and exceptional orchids. Some of the world's leading orchid specialists were on hand to assist guests with their purchases. Followed at 8 p.m., dinner and dancing took place in the Grand Ballroom.

"Key West Contemporary," the theme of the 12th Annual Orchid Show at the Garden, served as the creative source for each of the imaginative centerpieces.

The evening raised $600,000 which will underwrite the development of the Garden's orchid research collection, which helps maintain the highest horticultural standards of orchid conservation. The Garden has been designated a Plant Rescue Center through the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Improperly documented shipments of endangered wild orchids are seized at international borders and sent to these Centers. Through careful research and the application of appropriate horticultural techniques, Garden staff members have been successful in bringing a majority of these ailing specimens back to health. Many are on view year-round in orchid displays at the Botanical Garden.

Gala Chairs included Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan C. Clay, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce, and Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Swartz.Clinton Smith, Editor in Chief, VERANDA, served as Chair. Decorations Chair was Carolyn Englefield, Director of Decoration and Special Projects, VERANDA. And Honorary Chairs were Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Davidson and Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sullivan, Jr.

The Garden was thrilled to continue its collaboration with VERANDA in assembling an illustrious roster of over 25 of New York's leading designers from the worlds of fashion, architecture, horticulture and literature, who each created and donated a dramatic orchid centerpiece and table setting for the event. "Key West Contemporary," the theme of the 12th Annual Orchid Show at the Garden, served as the creative source for each of the imaginative centerpieces. The evening was stunning.

In addition, The New York Botanical Garden presents the annual Orchid Show March 1 through April 21, 2014, the nation's largest exhibition of its kind. A mosaic of classic and exotic orchids will be displayed throughout the galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory – a living design inspiration taking its cues from a modernist Key West estate garden.

Caroline Englefield, Tina Swartz, Gregory Long, Deborah Royce, and Whitney Clay

Kevin Sharkey and Martha Stewart

Deborah Royce and Mark Gilbertson

Susan Johnson, Martha Stewart, and Henry Johnson

Roric Tobin

Alison Spear and Alex Reese

Loni Ludlow and Laura Bohn

Ilene Johnson

Francesca Vuillemin and Megan Zilis with friends

Danielle Rollins and Marilyn Kirschner

Dotty Goldfrank and Lionel Goldfrank

Susanna Salk, David Scott, Sherrill Canet, and Doug Roach

Whitney Clay and Tina Swartz

Alexandra Lebenthal and Jay Diamond

David Thiergartner, Carolyn Gregg, and Steven Delatorre

Phillip Gorrivan and Caroline Englefield

David Easton and Katharina Plath

Marilyn Kirschner and Daniel LaGuardia

Grace Matelich and Susan Matelich

Martha Stewart, Gregory Long, and Elliot Nolen

Carl Weatherly-White, Allison Sampson, and Tripp Sampson

Allison Sampson and Whitney Clay

Barbara Tober, Gregory Long, and Barbara Cirkva

Last Thursday evening, J.McLaughlin launched an exclusive Pop-Up Shop at The Society Boutique-The MSK Thrift Shop to support The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's leading-edge patient care, education, and research programs. Filled to the brim with J.McLaughlin's iconic pastels, prints, and must-have accessories, this is a not-to-be-missed shopping event just in time for resort and spring styles.

For four days The Society Boutique on the Upper East Side at 1440 Third Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets) was transformed into a preppy-chic oasis filled with J.McLaughlin's distinctive clothing and accessories for women and men at 30% to 60% off with J.McLaughlin contributing 30% of all sales at this event to The Society of MSK. If you missed it, keep your eyes peeled for next year's Pop-Up Shop.

The Pop-Up Shop marks J.McLaughlin's first collaboration with The Society and its Boutique, which has been a fixture on the Upper East Side for more than 25 years and plays an integral role in The Society's fundraising programs.

Kevin McLaughlin, Martha Glass, Barbara McLaughlin, and Melanie Holland

Polly Onet, Jack Lynch, and Martha Glass

Karen Glover and Lindsey Pryor

Kevin McLaughlin and Jeffrey Banks

Kate Pickett and Leslie Coleman

Sonya Verny and Gay Schaye

Caitlyn Rodeo and Dr. Christine Rodeo

Mary Darling and Amy Hoadley

Eileen Holcombe and Scott Fazzini

John-Mark Speal and Ashley Speal

John Glass, Amy Hoadley, and Chappy Morris

Deborah McGovern and James McGovern

Mark Gilbertson and Dara O'Hara

Elizabeth Fuller and Barbara McLaughlin

Richard Leonard and John Glass

Kent Sevener and Melanie Holland

Karen Klopp and Rosemary Audia

Earl Jones, Katherine Miller, Melanie Holland, and Leah Johnson

Gordon Connor and Hilary Dick

Jennifer Creel and Barbara McLaughlin

The International Red Cross continued its tradition of bringing together ambassadors, dignitaries and philanthropic leaders from around the world in support of its humanitarian mission when 450 guests gathered at the 57th Annual International Red Cross Ball, held Friday, February 7th, 2014 at The Breakers.

The 2014 ball, considered to be highlight of the Palm Beach social season, was chaired by Kathryn C. Vecellio. Ambassadors attended from The Netherlands, Italy, Hungary and Georgia, as well as many former United States ambassadors.

Amanda Schumacher, Paula Butler, Mei Sze Greene, Kathryn Vecellio, Monika Preston, Laurie Silvers, and Rhonda Wilkins

Founded in 1957 by Marjorie Merriweather Post, the white-tie and tiara affair raised significant funds in support of the vital mission of one of the nation’s premier humanitarian organizations, the American Red Cross. For almost 100 years locally, The American Red Cross Palm Beaches – Treasure Coast Region has given hope and help to people in their greatest hour of need – meeting the physical and emotional needs of disaster victims, teaching lifesaving skills such as CPR and First Aid, and supporting military members and their families.

“Tonight, we celebrate the 57th anniversary of the Palm Beach International Red Cross Ball, which has raised many millions of dollars for this charitable organization, which does so much for our community, our nation and the world,” noted Mrs. Vecellio. “This evening is a tribute not only to the organization and all that it accomplishes, but to the volunteers and the generosity of so many in this room who contribute support. We are honored to host local and international leaders coming together with that shared goal.”

Bonnie McElveen-Hunter with Kathryn and Leo Vecellio

John and Carolyn Yurtchuk

For the last 40 years, Mrs. Vecellio has worked as a full-time organizer, fundraiser and development volunteer for dozens of nonprofit organizations. She has received countless awards for her lifetime of service. Her tireless efforts as a member or chairperson of myriad committees and boards have helped raise awareness and millions of dollars for more than 40 community, charitable and educational organizations.

Mrs. Vecellio leads an impressive group of co-chairwomen for the event including Honorary Chairman, Patrick Park; Ambassador Chair Mary Ourisman; and Event Co-Chairmen: Paula Butler, Mei Sze Greene, Monika Preston, Amanda Schumacher, Laurie Silvers and Rhonda Wilkins. Honorary Co-Chairwomen are Mary Mochary and Beverly White Yeager.

Earlier this season, Mrs. Vecellio and husband, Leo Vecellio, honored leading benefactors of the prestigious ball at a kickoff cocktail reception aboard the M/Y Lady Kathryn V.

Mary Ourisman and Stuart Bernstein

Mei Sze and Jeff Greene

Participating sponsors included Mr. and Mrs. Leo A. Vecellio and Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Greene as Grand Benefactors and Mr. Patrick Park and Mr. and Mrs. J.J.Cafaro as Grand Patrons. Ball Patrons are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Butler, The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Mr. And Mrs. Charles Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kessler, The Honorable Mary Mochary and Dr. Philip Wine, The Honorable Mary and Mr. Mandell Ourisman, Mr. and Mrs. John Preston, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schumacher, Mrs. Laurie Silvers and Mr. Mitchell Rubenstein, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tomsich, The Honorable and Mrs. C. Howard Wilkins, The Honorable Beverly White Yeager and Mr. and Mrs. John Yurtchuk. Gunster, Kelly Tractor, The Newport Group, Rybovich, Tiffany& Co., United Bank, U.S. Trust are Corporate Patrons.

The Peter Duchin Orchestra performed at the annual event.

Proceeds from the 57th Annual International Red Cross Ball benefit the mission of the organization -- to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Kathryn Vecellio

Howard and Michele Kessler

Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein

Monika Preston

Kathryn and Leo Vecellio

Amanda and Charles Schumacher

Herme de Wyman Miro and Veronica Atkins

Beverly Yeager and Kathryn Vecellio

Paula and Robert Butler

Judi and Ray Richards

Raynham Hall Museum, in Oyster Bay, held its annual Valentine's Benefit Auction on Friday, February 14 at Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley. Close to 150 guests attended the event in honor of long-time Museum Board of Trustees Member, Patricia P. Sands and The Oyster Bay Main Street Association, which was established in 2001 to preserve Oyster Bay's downtown and historic buildings.

The evening's emcee was News 12 Long Island's anchor, Carol Silva, who warmed the crowd with anecdotes of living in Oyster Bay.

Meredith Maus, Honoree and Executive Director of Main Street Association; John Collins, President of the Board of Trustees, Raynham Hall Museum; Patricia P. Sands, Honoree, Board of Trustees, Raynham Hall Museum; Councilwoman Michelle Johnson, Town of Oyster Bay; John Bonifacio, Honoree, Board President, Main Street Association; Harriet Gerard Clark, Executive Director, Raynham Hall Museum; Maureen Brennan, Board of Trustees, Raynham Hall.

The elegant evening presented guests with a silent auction with over 80 lovely items and a live auction that included parties at the museum, gorgeous pear-shaped amethyst earrings designed by Piranesi Jewelers, a vacation in Corsica, a behind-the-scenes tour of Fox News Channel, and a custom designed garden bench designed by Raynham Hall Board President, John Collins. Robbie Gordy, from Christie's, served as charity auctioneer.

Margaret Witham, Catherine Sands, Patricia Sands, Elizabeth Petty, John Sands, and Susan Sands

The last live auction item called on guests to "raise your paddle" for the education program at the museum. Beloved docent and educator Michael Goudket made an impassioned plea to the crowd and raised over $11,000 for the museum's education programs including paying for the high cost of bussing children for fieldtrips to the museum.

The evening was topped off with love songs by New York cabaret singer Carole Bufford with piano by John Schwartzberg and James Uhl on bass.