Adapt and Conquer (and Kohler, too)

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Three cheers for Nazira Handal and Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club!

A sizable representation of the interior design world’s A-list recently gathered at Michael’s restaurant for a drinks party hosted by Kohler. The evening was held to celebrate the show house’s post-pandemic return, along with recognizing the petite dynamo who has made it all happen for the 17th (yes, 17th) time — Nazira Handal.

This young wife, mother of three boys and graduate of Georgia Southern University, came to New York from her native Honduras to originally to serve as special events director at El Museo del Barrio before assuming a similar role at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, which included overseeing the show house, now in its 48th year!


Bunny Williams, Steven Stolman, and Nazira Handal.

Fast forward to 17 show houses in three cities (New  York, Palm Beach, and Dallas), Nazira has become something of a legend in her ability to pull off the unthinkable — managing not just the designers who are charged with transforming a house to a show house in barely 30 days, but every aspect of the undertaking, from construction to the opening gala along with the annual President’s Dinner that raises in excess of $1 million annually for the organization that serves over 10,000 kids in the South Bronx. (Jennifer Lopez is herself a Kips Bay kid!)


L. to r.: Nazira Handal, James Druckman, and Margaret Russell; Billy Ceglia and Susan Magrino.

Kohler has been a loyal supporter of Kips Bay for over a decade, exclusively outfitting each and every Kips Bay Show House with their products for the kitchen and bath along with significant financial contributions.

“Kips Bay’s mission of service to kids in need is a part of Kohler’s DNA,” said Sydney Cleven, Kohler’s spokesperson for the buzzy love fest that included design stars such as Bunny Williams and Jamie Drake. “We may be a big company, but we know that many times, the best things come in small packages!”

This year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House NYC, a Beaux Arts mansion on Riverside Drive and 106th Street, is now open for visitors for the next month. Visit https://www.kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org for tickets.


Beth Holman, Sergio Mercado, and Mauricio Soldujin.
L. to r.: Rich Wilkie and Nazira Handal; Keith Baltimore and Brittany Kimball.
Ahmad Abouzanat, Adam Wasserman, Corey-Damen Jenkins, and David Scott.
Jonathan Savage, Brian Poffel, and Jeremiah Johnson.
L. to r.: Peter Touma and Christina Kim; Barbara Lewis, Ghislaine Vinas, and Laura Casale.
Timothy Corrigan, Pamela Jaccarino, and Kate Kelly Smith.
L. to r.: Sarah Wetenhall, Andrew Wetenhall, and Dan Quintero; Kathy Prounis, Rachelle Louis, and Shanna Gatanis.
Sydney Cleven.
L. to r.: David Scott and Ellie Cullman; Sheila Bridges and Byron Risdon.
Brant McFarlaim and Michael Aiduss.
L. to r.:Clinton Smith and Susan Zises Green; Javier Burkle and Maura Hauchard.
Danielle Rollins, Robert Passal, Jay Jeffers, Ghislaine Vinas, and David Scott.
Wesley Moon, Kara Marmion, Bailey Longcore, and John Rice.
L. to r.: Stephen Mooney and Scott Velozo; Beth Holman, Betsy Wentz, and Jennifer Mabley.

On May 8th, ADAPT Community Network held its 22nd Annual Golf Tournament at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York. The event was sold-out and attended by over 150 people. The annual tournament supports ADAPT Community Network, with all proceeds from the event helping to fund the delivery of life-affirming programs and services to children and adults with disabilities and their families. The event raised over $200,000.

Steve Lacy, anchor, FOX 5 News, and two-time Emmy-winner Teresa Priolo, FOX 5 News reporter and anchor, hosted this year’s event. The tournament honored Mark A. Spivack, founding partner, The Weiss Group.


Steve Lacy, Mark A. Spivack, and Teresa Priolo.

Following the day of golf, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served at the Brae Burn Country Club. Edward R. Matthews, CEO of ADAPT Community Network, gave welcome remarks. Steve Lacy and Teresa Priolo presented the ADAPT Golf Tournament awards.

“We thank everyone who supported this year’s golf tournament,” says Ed Matthews. “We were delighted to honor Mark A. Spivack. We thank Steve Lacy and Teresa Priolo for being such dedicated longtime supporters to ADAPT, and we also thank this year’s ADAPT Golf Committee.


Edward R. Matthews.
Laura Hickman.

The 2023 ADAPT Golf Tournament Committee was Michael Berger, Valentino Galella, Edward R. Matthews, Jeffrey Weiss, and Alan Zack.

ADAPT Community Network is the leading human service not‐for‐profit and a pioneer in providing cutting‐edge programs and services for people with disabilities. Every day, we build a more inclusive world for thousands of New Yorkers through education, technology, health, residential, and recreational programs in all five boroughs. Our schools and services encompass many people who have challenges beyond cerebral palsy such as autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and neuromuscular disorders, among others. We are the largest provider of pre‐school education for children with disabilities in New York. ADAPT’s 100 comprehensive programs serve over 20,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families.

To donate, or for more information about ADAPT Community Network, go to:
www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org


Brian Bock, Steve Kennelly, Valentino Galella, Matthew Underwood, and Jason Winograd.
L. to r.: Benjamin Zack and Alan Zack; Kevin and Laura Hickman.
Peter Anzalone, William Guarinello, Armand Del Giudice, and Jason Carlough.
Mark A. Spivack and family.
Linda Laul, Mariette McBride, and Edward R. Matthews.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Weiss.
Daniel Tomai Jr. and Daniel Tomai III.
The 22nd Annual ADAPT Golf Tournament at Brae Burn Country Club benefiting ADAPT Community Network.

And down there in little ‘ol Palm Beach, the town is still busy busy busy as friends and collectors gathered to celebrate Camilla Webster’s artistic collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker’s The Perfect Cosmo by SJP for Thomas Ashbourne and to launch the artist’s inaugural Collectors Circle experience.


Katrina Stoneking, Thomas Ashbourne’s President of Sales, joined Webster in the main gallery of Studio 1608 for the unveiling of the painting “The Perfect Cosmo by SJP.”

Located one block down from The Norton Museum of Art the solo exhibit highlights twenty of Webster’s works inspired by the radical beauty and idyllic memory of Palm Beach.

In attendance Interior designer Gil Walsh, John and Alicia Barnes, Sharon Bush and Bob Murray, Catherine Carey and Ava Roosevelt. Jeremy Johnson, CEO of The Palm Beach Historical Society, Tom Golden and Jean Marc Golden of The Golden Foundation for the Arts, and philanthropists Gary Lachman, Jayne and Christopher Chase, Felicia Taylor Gottsegen and Peter Gottsegen.


Jayne Chase, Camilla Webster, Steve Watson, and Gil Walsh.
Camilla Webster, Chris Chase, and Jayne Chase.
John and Alicia Barnes.
Tom Golden and Camilla Webster.
Jeremy Johnson, Camilla Webster, and Taylor Materio.
Jeremy Johnson and Jason Maison.
Caryna Nina and Catherine Carey.
Agneta Angel.
Peter and Felicia Gotsegen.
Matt and Katrina Stoneking.
Ava Roosevelt and Sharon Bush.
Bob Murray.
Alicia and John Barnes.

Photographs by Madeleine Thomas/BFA.com (Kohler); Jerry Lacay/AnnieWatt.com (Camilla Webster)

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