The Horticultural Society of New York's 10th Anniversary

Tables from The Horticultural Society of New York's 10th Anniversary Flowers & Design Gala.

Grey and rainy yesterday in New York. And chilly. A lot going on in the city that never sleeps. When you’re in the thick of it, you take it for granted although you do ask yourself when you’re going to get a chance to rest.

Looking at yesterday’s calendar of major events, each of which involves hundreds of people, guests, staff, creative staff and supply staff:

There was the Food Allergy Initiative's 8th Annual Spring Luncheon. Guests of Honor: Dr. Hugh Sampson and Dr. Xiu-Min Li from the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Lori Stokes, Anchor, WABC-TV, Mistress of Ceremonies. The Food Allergy Initiative is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for life-threatening food allergies. FAI supports public policy initiatives to create safer environments for those afflicted with food allergies. Tables: $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, $3,000. and individual tickets available for $2,000,$1,000,$500, $300.

Other luncheons: USO - Woman of the Year Shari E. Redstone, President of National Amusements and Vice-Chair of CBS and Viacom (smart daughter of Sumner) as well as Vice Admiral Vivien S. Crea (the first woman to hold this title) are being honored. Nikki Rocco, President, Universal Pictures Distribution, and Bill Roedy, Vice Chairman of MTV Networks, chairpersons. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel. $500.

The NYU Medical Center held their “Violet Ball” honoring two couples for their commitment to the center: Klara and Larry Silverstein and Mary and Robert Glickman, Dean of the School of Medicine. Mr. Silverstein is known to New Yorkers as the owner of the World Trade Center at the time of the bombing. The gala was chaired by Clarissa and Edgar Bronfman Jr. at The Tent at Lincoln Center, Damrosch Park. Tables for 10 are priced from $15,000.

Then there was the Institute for Student Achievement's Gala Tribute to David T. Kearns. At the United Nations headquarters. Mr. Kearns is known amongst his peers as “The Father of Public School Reform.” And former chairman and CEO of Xerox Corp. Gala w hosted by WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News anchor, Bill Ritter. Entertainment by Ashford and Simpson. $500.

And: Career Gear's 8th Anniversary “Capital PerSuit” Awards Dinner. Career Gear, a national non-profit organization which provides career counseling, interview coaching, business clothing and follow-up job support to over 17,000 under-served men seeking employment. Yearly fundraising dinner at the Essex House. Honorary Co-Chairs: David and Joyce Dinkins and Malaak and Chris Rock. Honoree: Claudio Del Vecchio, CEO, Brooks Brothers. $500 - $2,500 per person or $6,000 - $50,000 per table.

And more:BOMB Magazine Gala Benefit. Celebrating the 26th anniversary. Honoring Kara Walker and Irving Sandler. Toasts to honorees, Alex Katz and Gary Tinterow. Co-chairs: Erika Klauer, Michele Gerber Klein, Virginia Cowles Schroth, Brent Sikkema. $26000,26th Anniversary Benefactor's Table; $16000, Leaders Table; $12000 Publishers Circle Table; $6000, Patron's Table. Individual tickets: $2600. 26th Anniversary Ticket; $1600, Very Cool; $1200, Hipster, $600 Friend.

I went to the The Horticultural Society of New York's 10th Anniversary Flowers & Design Gala. Why there? A number of reasons including the organizers’ promotion and assurance of something interesting. For me, there are two things to think about: me, and you. At the Horticultural I knew, if nothing else, I’d see a lot of creative. "Flowers & Design" at Guastavino’s the restaurant on East 59th Street under the 59th Street bridge. They were honoring longtime Benefactors Harvey and Constance Krueger, Interior Designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper and Former Floral Master at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Chris Giftos.

This year the theme was “The Four Seasons”. 7:00pm cocktails, 8:30pm dinner. Black tie. Ingrao and Kemper, two of the honorees get around. Regular readers have seen them on this site many times. Creative and much sought after, you’ll run into them in New York, the Hamptons where they have, it is said although I’ve never seen it, a fantastic piece of property; in Paris, London, Palm Beach, Beverly Hills. They know a lot of people and camaraderie is in the air. Always a good vibe for a party like this.

So what is the Horticultural Society, and why does it matter? Well, this is their stated mission: To improve the quality of life in New York through its library and educational and community outreach programs. HSNY is committed to promoting a public appreciation and understanding of the art and science of horticulture.

The Society was founded in 1900, incorporated in 1902. They go out into the community, especially what we now call the “underserved communities” to reach a broader spectrum, especially the “underserved” – a very broad base. And growing. Need to plant more. "

A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit." - Greek Proverb