Monica Lamontagne, Happy Rockefeller, Raymond Lamontagne, Sharon Percy Rockefeller, Joanne Woodward, and Paul Newman at Historic Hudson Valley's gala dinner dance.

Historic Hudson Valley recently honored Raymond A. Lamontagne with its John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Founder’s Award for his lifetime of philanthropic achievement. Sharon Percy Rockefeller presented the award at a gala dinner dance at the Rainbow Room. After cocktails, dinner, and several dance sets, Paul Newman and Calvin Trillin offered “inappropriate remarks” to kick off the evening’s program. The event, attended by 235 guests, raised nearly $500,000 for the nonprofit Historic Hudson Valley, an education and preservation organization which for more than 55 years has celebrated the region’s history, architecture, landscape, and culture. William vanden Heuvel, Happy Rockefeller, and HHV trustee William Plunkett John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was the founder of Historic Hudson Valley, and Mr. Lamontagne’s achievements embody both the principles and spirit of Rockefeller philanthropy. Having received undergraduate and law degrees from Yale, worked in China and Africa, and helped to organize the Peace Corps with Sargent Shriver, Mr. Lamontagne became an associate of John D. Rockefeller III in the mid 1960s. He was actively involved with non-profit organizations founded or chaired by JDR 3rd, including the Asia Society, the Japan Society, the Population Council, and the Agricultural Development Council. From 1968 to his retirement in 1999, he founded and led two private investment companies, Lano International and Seavest. Nearly twenty years ago, when Paul Newman launched the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children with life-threatening diseases, Mr. Lamontagne chaired the campaign to raise the funds to build the original camp. He then became chairman of its Board of Directors. He also founded and chaired the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, which oversees the development of camps around the world. A private, nonprofit organization, Historic Hudson Valley welcomes more than 170,000 visitors annually at six National Historic Landmarks: Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, NY, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside in Tarrytown, NY, Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, The Union Church of Pocantico Hills in Pocantico Hills, NY, Montgomery Place in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, and Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, in Pocantico Hills, NY.  At each site, dynamic educational programs bring the past to life for visitors of all ages, including some 34,000 school children annually. For information: www.hudsonvalley.org [1]

Alan Novak and Stanley Plesent

Camillo Santomero, Denise Santomero, Kristen DeLaMater, and HHV trustee Robert DeLaMater

Charles Rockefeller, Sharon Percy Rockefeller, and Justin Rockefeller

Nicole Seidel, Raymond Lamontagne, and Jeanne Donovan Fisher

Linda and Steve Horn

Raymond Lamontagne and Calvin Trillin

Michael and Alexandria Altman

Steve Halliwell, Anne Halliwell, Warren Adelson, HHV trustee Jan Adelson, and HHV president Waddell Stillman

Monica Lamontagne, HHV trustee Charles Rockefeller, HHV trustee Mark Rockefeller, and Dean Metropoulos

Bettina Drummond-Hay, Monica Lamontagne, and Gay Empson

Raymond Lamontagne, Melinda vanden Heuvel, William vanden Heuvel, and Joanne Woodward

Cynthia, Nicole, David, and Susan Lamontagne

HHV trustee Barbara Israel, Thomas Israel, and Emily Israel

The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (ICA&CA) held its bi-annual Holiday Cocktail Party and Benefit Auction at the McKim, Mead & White’s magnificent New York Racquet and Tennis Club on Park Avenue. A remarkable number of members and friends from across the country and Europe participated in donating a diverse range of art and decorative objects of classical distinction.  The generous proceeds of $105,000 will enable the Institute to expand its 2008 educational offerings and scholarships in New York and beyond through a growing network of local chapters. Auction items and bidders There are now eleven ICA&CA Chapters -- Charleston, Charlotte, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, New England, Northern California, Philadelphia, Southeast –from Atlanta, Southern California, Tennessee, and, most recently, Texas. More to follow! The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America is a national organization dedicated to advancing the classical tradition in architecture, urbanism and their allied arts. It does so though education, publication, and advocacy. The evening’s Host Committee was: Betsy Allen, James Doyle Design Associates, LLC, Deborah and Bill Harrison, John B.Murray Architect, LLC, Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer, James Perkins, MaryJo and Bill Riddle, Barbara Sallick, Suzanne and David Santry, Betsy and Paul Shiverick, Charlotte Triefus and Lloyd Zuckerberg, Helen Tucker, Eric Watson, Bunny Williams and John Rosselli. Donors included Architectural Stonemasonry, Austin Patterson Disston,William T. Baker, Balmer Architectural Mouldings, Michael Bierut, James Bleecker, Brockschmidt & Coleman, E.R. Butler, Richard W. Cameron – Ariel LLC, Chesneys, Jacob Collins, Morgan Conolly, Bonnie Cooke, Cooper, Robertson & Partners, Corfield Morris, Christopher de Lotbinière, Alexander Creswell, Agnes Denes, John Derian, Victor Deupi, James Doyle Design Associates, Evergreene Painting Studios, Fairfax and Sammons, Ferguson & Shamamian, David Flaharty, Jamie Gibbs and Associates, Ray Gindroz, Anton Glikinl, Marko Gosar and Diane Mitchell, Milton Grenfell, Perry Guillot, Paul Gunther, Hammersmith Studios, Historical Arts & Casting, Inc., Michael Imber, Clifton Jaeger, Thomas Jayne, Jozef Custom Ironworks, Kaha LLC, Architectural Elements, George M. Kelly, Kidd Studios, Gary Lawrance, ZitaDavisson and Dean Yoder, Les Metalliers Champenois, David Mayernik, Edward Minoff, Francis Morrone, Charlotte Moss, Munder – Skiles, John B.Murray, National Design Museum, Liverpool, Joseph Owczarek, Christopher Pellettieri, Stephen Perkins, Leonard Porter, Rambusch Company, Rhodes Architectural Stone, Timothy Richards, Witold Rybczynski, G.P. Schafer, Kibby Schaefer, Edward W. Schmidt, Brian Schumacher,. Siebert & Rice Inc., Andrew Wilson Smith, Robert A.M. Stern, Studio EIS, Symm/APS Masonry, Mark Tennant, Thornwillow Press, Wadia Associates, Waterworks, Jane Wechsler, Robert Wilson, Zega & Dams, Zeluck, Inc.

Gary Brewer, Nick Stern, and Robert A.M. Stern

Dana Esposito with Nathaniel Pearson, Kevin Fitzgerald, and Clay Hayles

Alexandra Frias and John Danzer

Joan Watkins, David Rinehart, Suzanne Santry, and David Michael Wood

Nick Stern, Robert A.M. Stern, Elizabeth Graziolo, Jacob Collins, and Peter Pennoyer

Charles Warren and Milton Grenfell

Dr. Paul Provost, Paul Gunther, and Noble Gregory Pettit

Katherine Hillock, William Bates III, and Phillip Dodd

Helen Tucker and Paul Gunther

Deidre Lawrence and Clem Labine

Robert A.M. Stern

John Derian and Nick Manville

Leonard Porter and Frank Mruk

Stephanie Copeland, Pauline Metcalf, Peter Trippi, and Laszlo Meszoly

Michael Gormley, Deborah Mills, and Daniel Rabuzzi

Margaret Halsey Gardiner and Janet Ross

Ronald L. Fleming and Charles Schulze

Clifton Jaeger, Lucy Holland, and Julie Harwood

More than 800 guests from the worlds of law enforcement, business and entertainment turned out at the New York Hilton Grand Ballroom to raise funds for the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund. The event, co-chaired by Kevin Parker, Global Head of Asset Management, Deutsche Asset Management, David G. Tisch, Managing Member, LSV Advisors LLC, and William Von Mueffling, President & CIO, Cantillon Capital Management LLC, raised $1.4 million benefitting New York’s widows and children of fallen police officers and firefighters.   Linda Giammona and her celebrity Fire Fighter husband During the program, fund Chairman Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub, and Stephen J. Dannhauser, Chairman, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and President of the Board of the Fund presented pioneering Hip Hop entrepreneur and humanitarian Russell Simmons with an award for his extensive philanthropic endeavors. “Russell Simmons has been instrumental in bringing hip-hop to every facet of business and media over the past thirty years, so for not resting on his achievements, but for turning his extreme cultural influence into positive meaningful action, we are delighted to honor Russell,” said Mr. Dannhauser. Celebrating the launch of the “Answer the Call” marketing campaign, the dinner featured the unveiling of the Fund’s new Public Service Announcement voiced by actor Harrison Ford and videos detailing the moving stories told by two of the funds beneficiaries, Rita Williams and Eileen Bellew. Since the its inception in 1985 by Rusty Staub, the Benefit Fund has distributed more than $105 million to the families of New York City Police and Fire personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. Though the Benefit Fund was initially created to assist families of New York City Fire Fighters and Police Officers, it now includes the families of Emergency Medical Services and Port Authority Police as well.

Beneficiaries of New York Police & Fire Widow's & Children's Benefit Fund

Starting in 1987, the Benefit Fund provided 320 families with annual financial assistance. Now, the commitment has grown to nearly 700 families.   The need has certainly increased, but the Benefit Fund’s mission remains the same: helpingchildren and spouses who lost a loved one in the line of duty, charged with the task of keeping OUR families safe. For more than 22 years, the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund has stepped up to help those families. Immediately after the death of a First Responder, the Benefit Fund delivers the family a check to help them through the uncertain times such a tragedy can bring. After the initial crisis, the Benefit Fund provides each family with financial support and a network of friends ready to lend a hand.

Stephen and Beth Dannhauser with their niece Cassie Robinson

Stephen and Beth Dannhauser with Danny Simmons

Rita Williams with fellow beneficiaries of New York Police & Fire Widow's & Children's Benefit Fund and Catherine Ventura Ward

Dinner Chair David Tisch and Russell Simmons

Rita Williams with friends and family

Rusty Staub, Russell Simmons, and Stephen Dannhauser

Russell Simmons, Damon Dash, and Gary Foster

Seated, l. to r.: Tangie Murray, Russell Simmons, Victor Matthews, and friend. Standing, l. to r.: Porschla Coleman and friend (l.), Damon Dash, and Gary Foster.

Rita Williams, widow of NYPD Detective Keith Williams and Eileen Bellew, widow of NYFD Lieutenant John Bellew

Ray Kelly, Stephen Dannhauser, Russell Simmons, Nicholas Scoppetta, and Rusty Staub

Brouillard Communications team

FDNY bagpipers

Last Monday night at Gotham Hall, the National Academy Foundation held its Gala to salute the companies and individuals “who understand the value of public-private partnerships in transforming schools. Sandy Weill was Honorary Chair. Chairman was Ken Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express. Co-chairs were George David, Chairman United Technologies, Jay Fishman, Chairman, Travelers Companies; Anne Mulcahy, Chiarman of Xerox; and Robert Kelly, CEO Bank of New York Mellon. Honorees were Andre Agassi, Founder, Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy; Ursula Burns, President of Xerox, Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President and CEO of McGraw-Hill. The dinner scene in Gotham Hall The topic for the evening was educational reform and the work that NAF is doing. The National Academy Foundation was created as a partnership between business leaders and educators to address the need to prepare students for professional careers. It serves more than 50,000 students in more than 500 Academies in 41 states and the District of Columbia in urban schools through small learning communities. The NAF operates four Academies: the Academy of Finance, the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, the Academy of Information Technology, and the Academy of Engineering. Employees of more than 2,500 corporations are involved with local Academies, securing internships, volunteering in classrooms, acting as mentors and serving on local Advisory Boards. The NAF curriculum contains essential content based on industry and educational expertise. NAF's record of success with 90% graduation rates and more than 80% of these graduates going on to college, has garnered the support of corporations and public policy makers, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Andre Agassi, JD Hoye, and Kearney Staniford

Sandy Weill, Lindsay Molina, and Steve Casa

JD Hoye, Betty Currie, Ursula Burns, and Christel Kaufman

Bill and Susan Hannon

Al Brown and Betty Currie

Ursula Burns with Sandy and Joan Weill

Andre Agassi, Ursula Burns, JD Hoye, and Harold McGraw III

Betty Currie and students

Ursula Burns and Andrea Montero

Kenneth Chenault and Khalia Braswell

Jennifer Ledwith and Andre Agassi

Khalia Braswell and Harold McGraw III

Andre Agassi and Richard Ferrera

The Episcopal charities held its annual Tribute Dinner at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Honorees were Sam Waterston, Jon Meacham, editor of Newsweek, J. Christopher Flowers, and Mary H. White MD. Meryl Streep presented Mr. Waterston with his award. The evening was a record fund-raising effort for Episcopal Charities, raising more than $1 million, with more than 500 attending. The evening’s Chairs were The Bishop of New York, The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk and Mrs. Sisk, and Mr. and Mrs. C. Douglas Mercer II. Co-chairs were: Robert Albertson, Brenda G. Husson, Rector, St. James Church; William H.A. Wright II, Hope Bryce Preminger, Wolcott B. Dunham, Jr. Anthony J. Walton  and Kenneth Koen. Dinner Chair and emcee for the evening was Keith Reinhard, Chairman Emeritus, DDB Worldwide Communications Group.

J. Christopher Flowers, Mary White, MD, Karen Sisk, Bishop Mark S. Sisk, Jon Meacham, and Sam Waterston

Episcopal Charities provides funding and practical support to a broad range of community –based human service programs throughout the Diocese of New York. These programs, sponsored by Episcopal congregations, serve disadvantaged individuals, youth and families on a non-sectarian basis. The Episcopal Diocese of New York has its seat at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It includes 203 congregations and 65,000 people in Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island and Dutchess,  Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.

Lynn and Sam Waterston

J. Christopher Flowers, Mary White, MD, Keith Reinhard, Jon Meacham, and Sam Waterston

Sam Waterston and Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep and Lynn Waterston

Photographs by Matt Gillis (HHV); Kara Flannery (Episcopal).

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