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| Tony Marx addresses guests at NYPL's Spring Dinner for Education. |
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| On Monday, June 3, the New York Public Library held its Spring Dinner for Education at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner and the evening's program at 7:30 p.m. The event honored NYPL trustee Abby Milstein and her husband Howard. The event featured remarks by Brian Williams and a performance by musician Diana Krall. Co-Chairs were Katerina and Andreas Dracopoulos, Lisa and Richard Plepler, and Merryl and James Tisch. Vice Chairs were Barbara and Evan Chesler, Elyse and Michael Newhouse, and Loren Eng and Dinakar Singh. |
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| Brian Williams |
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| Diana Krall |
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| In the last year, the NYPL has broken new ground by launching initiatives that respond directly to the diverse educational needs of New Yorkers of all ages. With MyLibraryNYC, an innovative partnership with the Department of Education, public school students are three times more likely to check out library books than their peers at non-participating schools. This establishes a powerful new model for school-library partnerships. By doubling the number of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes in just six months, NYPL is rising to meet the demand of immigrants who know that English literacy is the key to job advancement and success. NYPL's computer literacy classes and technology training programs have seen a 267% increase in attendance since 2011, and the Library is investing in expanding these programs to give older New Yorkers the instruction they need to adapt to our 21st century world. By building its capacity to provide these essential services, the Library is strengthening its role as an economic engine and a gateway to personal growth. |
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| Abby and Howard Milstein |
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| Adam and Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos, and Andreas and Katerina Dracopoulos |
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| Ward, Cohen, and Tony Marx |
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| Barbara Fleischman, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Joan Hardy Clark |
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| Richard and Lisa Plepler |
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| Michael and Elyse Newhouse |
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| Bennett and Spanier |
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| More, More, More played in the background at Doubles Associate Party and the Co-Chairs Bryan Colwell, Paige Hardy, Amy Hoadley, Mark Gilbertson filled the Club with 200 friends dining on a delicious dinner of Smoked Salmon, Tuscan Chicken Risotto with Vegetable Prima Vera and Shredded Parmesean and Old Fashioned Strawberry Whipped Cream Shortcake ... Yum!!! After dinner those dancing into the wee hours included: Mary Van Pelt, Whitney and Henry Topping, Walter Deane, Teresa and Bruce Colley, Randy and Margot Takian, Charlie and Kristen Krusen, Marjorie Gubelmann, Thorne and Tatiana Perkin, Kamie Lightburn, Doug Steinbrech, Martha Glass, Dennis Basso, Chad Conway, Philip Gorrivan, Jamie Creel, Marissa Brown, Stan Ponte, Helene Comfort, Randall Gianopolus, Kristen and Stephen Fealy ... and many, many more. |
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| New York's iconic retailer Gracious Home threw open its upper east side doors for cocktails to welcome another New York icon, the legendary textiles house Scalamandre. The evening served as a kickoff to the upcoming Southampton Fresh Air Home Decorators-Designers-Dealers Sale and Auction Benefit Gala, which was held on June 1st (coverage below). This longstanding early summer event supports the extraordinary work of the Fresh Air Home, a comprehensive and inspiring summer camp for physically challenged children, and for many years a favorite cause of the New York professional interior design community. |
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| Steven Stolman, president of Scalamandre, welcomed guests and introduced Louis Renzo, Scalamandre's CEO and owner, Joel Kier, the CEO of Gracious Home and Tom Naro, the executive director of the Southampton Fresh Air Home. Stolman paid a special tribute to the late Nikky Amey, a much-loved fixture on the New York/Southampton scene and an early organizer of the DDD Sale. Guest included: Designers Committee chairs Gary Crain and James Alan Smith along with Joe and Sheila O'Malley Fuchs, Jim and Laura Lofaro Freeman, Maribeth and Ellen Welsh, Kirk Henckels, Melanie Seymour Holland, Pamela Fiori, Judy Hadlock, Chris Meigher, Neil and Amy Bader and scores more. |
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| Judy Hadlock and Steven Stolman |
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| Louis Renzo and Lauren Grushkin |
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| Janice Langrall, Jason Oliver Nixon, and Louise Traficanti |
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| Bram Majtlis, Nick Gold, and Rich Wilkie |
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| Louis Renzo, Chris Meigher, and Joel Kier |
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| Gary Crain, Janice Langrall, and James Alan Smith |
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| Melanie Seymour Holland, Amy Hoadley, and Roxane West |
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| The 21st Annual Southampton Fresh Air Home’s Decorators-Designers-Dealers (DDD) Sale, Auctions and Cocktail Party Gala took place on Saturday, June 1 under beautiful skies. This highly anticipated event attracting guests from Manhattan, Connecticut, Palm Beach and the Hamptons is the opening fundraising party of the summer season. The lures are the live, silent and wine auctions and an extraordinary home furnishings and antiques sale that includes choice antiques, new and gently used furniture, lamps, paintings, fabrics decorative accessories and much more. |
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| So terrific are the deals at the sale which has been dubbed "the greatest tag sale on earth", that guests line up hours in advance to have first choice of these extraordinary treasures, beautifully showcased by a talented design team, and offered at amazing prices. Veteran DDD shoppers Sopranos star Aida Turturro and her shopping partner Carolann Sandoval worked as a team with Aida selecting and Carolann toting their finds to their SUV. Designer Steven Stolman landed an over size picnic basket that was a convenient tote to fill with picture frames and other goodies he snared. Caroline Lieberman just back from her native Australia was seen trying on necklaces to match her gorgeous caftan from an Aussie designer. Ann Liguori, planning an early winter vacation, bid fiercely for the deluxe Art Miami VIP Package that included passes to the international contemporary and modern art fair, a private guided tour of the exhibitions and a stay at the chic JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, while Jean Shafiroff and husband Martin were spotted scoping out the antique chairs and sofas. |
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| Canard Caterers provided the hardy shoppers with plenty of fuel in the form of filet mignon bits, tuna tartar, spicy shrimp and more. Kudos to the hardworking committees who year after year assure that hundreds of physically challenged children have a wonderful camping experience in a gorgeous facility run by a staff of compassionate professionals. Congratulations to Tania Higgins, Honorary Chairman, Raya Keis Knight, DDD Chairman; Donna Clower, Susan Nappa Cocke, Auction Co-Chairmen; Charlotte Bonstrom Assaf and Daysi Olarte de Kanavos; Sponsorship and Underwriting Co-Chairmen; Ann R. Grimm, Design & Decoration Chairman; Trish Bliss and Christl Meszkat; Design & Decoration Co-Chairman; Gary F. Crain, Christie Hansen, James Alan Smith, Designers Committee Chairmen and SFAH Board President Michaela Keszler and Executive Director Thomas Naro. |
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| Founded in 1901, The Southampton Fresh Air Home (SFAH) is one of the few residential camp facilities in the eastern United States that accommodates severely as well as mildly and moderately physically challenged children. SFAH provides an environment in which campers play, socialize, mature and develop physically, emotionally and psychologically. With its unique atmosphere and adapted programs, SFAH encourages self-confidence and new skills and attitudes, to enable its campers to live more rewarding lives. During their time at SFAH, they develop a sense of community, a sense of belonging and a sense of equality. For more information visit www.SFAH.org |
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| Chef Eric Ripert and wife Sondra |
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| Jeannie Johnston, Alex Volmer, and Lucy Puig |
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| Beth Remington, Nancyjane Loewy, and Sharon Kerr |
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| Jack Pearson, C. Scott Brown, and Dr. Matt Kaufman |
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| Melanie Wambold, Ann R. Grimm, and Kirsten Solsvig Galef |
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| On Thursday, May 16, 2013, the New York Police & Fire Widows'& Children's Benefit Fund hosted its Kick Off to Summer Benefit, honoring fallen first responders and raising funds and awareness for the families they left behind. The event, which welcomed over 500 guests and raised over $125,000, was held at the Cabanas at The Maritime Hotel in Manhattan. Honorary Chairs for the event were Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets, Scarlett Johansson, Vincent Piazza and Allison Williams, with leadership by the Benefit Fund's Junior Committee of young professionals. Special guests in attendance included Mark Sanchez, Vincent Piazza and Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. A special ticket rate was offered to courageous active duty members of the FDNY, NYPD, and PAPD who protect and serve New York City every day. |
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| "Our first Kick Off to Summer Benefit was made possible by all of our wonderful supporters and sponsors who have stepped up to 'Answer the Call'," said Arielle Lenza Di Ciollo, Development Director of the New York Police & Fire Widows'& Children's Benefit Fund. "The funds raised from this event will allow us to continue to make annual distributions to our beneficiary families and provide additional programs to help them cope and connect in the future." Kevin Calrow, Director of Digital Media at Netezza and a Chair of the May 16th event, became involved with the Benefit Fund after living through the experience of September 11th. Calrow believes deeply in the nonprofit's mission, saying, "If you stop 100 people in the street, you're going to get 99 people who want to get involved, because at the end of the day, all of our lives are in some way impacted by these first responders." |
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| The Kick Off to Summer Benefit was the inaugural event for the Benefit Fund's newly formed Junior Committee. Alexander F. Gershner, Committee Member and life-long New Yorker, became involved with the Benefit Fund as a way of giving back to the first responders that protect families and communities across the City. "After putting us first for years, they answered their last call and made the ultimate sacrifice, all in the name of our well-being," said Gershner. "Now it's our turn." The evening featured outdoor cocktails and music under the stars, with hors d'oeuvres, raffles, a silent auction, and gift bags of fabulous items from ZICO Water, Kate Spade, Robert Graham, Stella Artois, Physique 57, and others. The event sponsors were Brigade Capital, Jones New York, Palantir, Double Cross Vodka and Stella Artois. Auction items included a champagne shopping party at Alice & Olivia, a luxury suite experience at Yankee Stadium courtesy of RVM, a golf foursome at the Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, tickets to a NY Mets game with some Mets gear, and day passes to Governors Ball on Randall's Island. Music was by DJ Raffael De Luca. |
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| The New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund provides assistance to the families of New York City Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Port Authority Police and EMS Personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. Since its inception in 1985 by Daniel J. "Rusty" Staub, the charity has distributed over $126 million to hundreds of families. The Benefit Fund provides immediate and ongoing financial assistance in the form of annual distributions to grieving families after they lose their loved one. In addition, the Benefit Fund provides an ongoing network of support and gatherings for these families to cope and connect after such tragedy. The Benefit Fund currently serves over 600 families, and the goal is to raise enough funds to provide meaningful annual distributions to beneficiaries for the remainder of their lives. Please visit www.answerthecall.org. |
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Photographs by Julie Stapen (NYPL); Cutty McGill (Doubles); Patrick McMullan (Gracious Home). |