Bill and Ann Van Ness hosted a book signing and celebration for the Museum of Democracy and The Wright Family Collection. The Book signing of “Campaigning for President” from one of the nation’s finest collections, authored by Austin Wright and Mark Bego, is a timely and historically fascinating read.
Located at The Roosevelt School on the campus of Long Island University in the former summer home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the Museum of Democracy was created by Pamala Wright and her late husband, Jordan Wright.
The collection is the largest of its kind in America and is utilized to educate youth in America about the importance of freedom, democracy, civic and individual responsibility.
Also out on the Island at Old Westbury Gardens, Jean Shafiroff was honored at the fifteenth Annual Children in Bloom Luncheon, in support of Old Westbury Gardens education and environmental programs.
Old Westbury Gardens is one of the few remaining historic Long Island Estates and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The Gardens offer a wide variety of programs designed for students and educators of all school districts, many of which are underserved. Currently, Old Westbury Gardens welcomes over 3,000 students yearly with complimentary visits. Hands-on learning is designed in conjunction with New York State Curriculum Standards and allow the Gardens to act as an extension of a teacher’s classroom to enhance traditional lessons in natural history.
Notable attendees included: Joan MacNaughton (Children in Bloom Founder and Chairman), Carol Large (Chairman Old Westbury Gardens), Antoinette Biordi (News12, Emcee), Jean Shafiroff, Joann K. Adams, Arlene Levine (Committee Original founding member), Rita Castagna (Committee original founding member / Owner of Americana), Brad Engelman, Bill Villianova, and Rebecca Seawright.
In 2009, a group of dedicated friends of the Gardens spearheaded this mission and formed the Children in Bloom Council. The inaugural Luncheon was held in the Walled Garden and continues to raise funds every year to keep the educational programs alive and to help support the quality of these programs. The council’s goal is to ensure that everyone is able to experience nature in the splendor of the grass at Old Westbury Gardens. To date, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for this important endeavor.
At his “Breaking The Rules” Gala this year, Jonah Bokaer celebrated international collector Artur Walther and Diller Scofidio & Renfro’s Charles Renfro. According to Art News, Walther has assembled “the world’s most important private collection of African photography” at his famous small museum, the Walther Collection, whose goal is to expand the history of the photography worldwide. As partner at DS+R, Charles Renfro has presided over many influential projects including the design of the High Line park and the redevelopment of New York’s Lincoln Center.
Bokaer feted his guests with four one-time-only dance performances inspired by the Honorees. Maestro Daniel Gortler played Mendelssohn, in loving tribute to Renfro. And Artur Walther produced a lavishly illustrated art book for the occasion.
Jonah Bokaer Arts Foundation depends on the contributions of individuals to sustain its unique approach to live performance and interdisciplinary art. Donations make presenting programs, Festivals, community dance activities, subsidized rehearsal studio space, and new work by artists possible.
After dinner DJB from Japan’s music kept the beat going long into the night. Revelers included Frederick W. Beinecke, Candace K. Beinecke, Esq., Susan Baker and Michael Lynch, Isabelle Harnoncourt Feigen, Michele Gerber Klein and Leigh Seipple, Lori Ordover, Andrea Wallner-Puri, Megan Elizabeth Carroll, Brian Wallis, Anne Nixon, Kat Bishop, Benjamin Gilmartin, DS+R, Alexander Galán, Helen Yee Little, Christine Noblejas, DS+R, and Yossi Milo.
