Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Yesterday was another one of those days with the weather forecast “cloudy and rainy.” Nope, lotsa clouds moving through but lots of Sun. But not hot, cooler air reminding me that it’s Autumn, brand new in town. Where Summer was very quiet and everybody was out of town; just about everybody I knew anyway, that’s over. Lots and lots of people everywhere now.
Plus it’s that time of year where the United Nations has its annual confab (I don’t know what I’m talking about). The Big Guys, diplomats from all over appear. Joe Biden is in town, too. It’s memorable to New Yorkers because there’s wall-to-wall/not moving traffic filling many streets and avenues. There are car and parking restrictions all over the East Side along with excessive visitor traffic (limousines with lots of men in black suits and white shirts) — evidently somebody(s) important.
I could complain (more than I am right here) but truthfully I like it; it’s Noo Yawk and New York. It’s got everything and everybody here and the result is: Everything and Stupendous. Now, mind you, I’ve just returned from an evening at Lincoln Center at David Geffen Hall, where I was a guest of Barbara Tober, who is a big supporter across the board (and plaza).
Last night’s big to-do was the annual Opening Night Gala for the New York Phil, kicking off their Autumn Season and honoring Klara and Larry Silverstein. Mr. Silverstein, as many of you know, is a major real estate developer. He and his wife Klara have been married for 68 years. They’re also big supporters of the New York Philharmonic among their other philanthropic interests.
The opening gala began with the concert conducted by Manfred Honeck, with Josh Groban performing songs from Broadway contemporary hits, along with the Philharmonic orchestra playing Suppés operetta Light Cavalry Overture and also Puccini’s Turandot Suite.
After the concert, Dinner was held on the 2nd-floor Grand Promenade overlooking the Josie Robertson Plaza. A beautiful Tuesday evening at Lincoln Center.
The day began with a lunch at Sette Mezzo. I was a guest of Paige Peterson who wanted me to meet Jan and H. Delano Roosevelt. Delano’s father was James (Jimmy) Roosevelt, the eldest son of Franklin and Eleanor. They live in Southern California — where Jan grew up — but previously they lived for a number of years in Saudi Arabia. It was interesting to hear about the genesis of the country. Franklin Roosevelt, who made a great impression on King Abdul Aziz, was the first U.S. president to have ever met with a Saudi Arabian king, laying the foundation for U.S.-Saudi relations. Conversation was active and informative, which was a pleasure.
And now back to the Party Pictures awaiting your attention. Last week on Madison Avenue at the Carolina Herrera Flagship Madison Avenue store, guests were swooning when the handsome Creative Director Wes Gordon walked in, who is this year’s honoree at the upcoming Casita Maria Fiesta! Gala. “Carolina Herrera is one of our earliest honorees and longest supporters,” said Board Chair Jacqueline Weld Drake. “The fashion house is one of the most prestigious Latino brands in the world. Honoring Wes is honoring our past and our future, as well as Latin culture.”
Guests — including Steven M.L. Aronson, Edgar Batista, Candace Bushnell, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Amy Fine Collins, Jennifer Fischer, Susan Gutfreund, Sharon King Hoge, William Ivey Long, Fern Mallis, Muffie Aston Potter, Marc Rosen, Mary Snow, Daisy Soros, Christopher Walling — sipped on Champagne and tried on gowns and jewelry, with partial sales benefiting Casita Maria. Board Members George Corton, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Sissi Fleitas-Refaie, Michéle Gerber Klein, and Darlyn Portes greeted friends and supporters.
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, the oldest Latin charity in New York City, provides high-quality arts education to over 1,000 students each day. Located in the country’s poorest zip code, the South Bronx, Casita Maria creates a safe, welcoming community, enriching and uplifting youth and families, producing well-rounded individuals who go on to fulfill their dreams.
Casita Maria’s 90th anniversary Fiesta! is October 21, 2024 at The Plaza Hotel. The evening is chaired by Jacqueline Weld Drake and HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and will honor philanthropist Lucy Doughty, Carolina Herrera Creative Director Wes Gordon, and gallerists James J. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui of Wally Findlay Galleries International.
For tickets and more information, visit www.casitamaria.org/fiesta-2024
And there’s more. The historic Explorers Club provided an enchanting backdrop for Lighthouse Guild’s “An Evening of Discovery” cocktail party, where over 100 guests took in the unique ambiance of this venerable mansion and its picturesque terrace.
Kicking off the program was longtime Lighthouse Guild supporter Marc Rosen, who welcomed everyone and reflected upon the parallel between the mantra of discovery and exploration of the Explorer Club members and Lighthouse Guild’s innovative initiatives, including the state-of-the-art Tech Center. Marc announced the date of February 24 for their annual Palm Beach dinner dance honoring Mary Mahoney and Patrick and Milly Park.
James Dubin, Lighthouse Guild Board Chairman, and Board member Dr. Christopher Starr expanded on how advanced technology and Lighthouse Guild’s expert training help individuals who are blind or visually impaired live the lives they aspire to.
Guests saw first-hand samples of accessible technology — such as the Seeing AI app that is a game-changer in helping people with vision loss navigate their world — through Lighthouse Guild’s Innovation Stations.
Matthew Cho, Lighthouse Guild client, captivated the crowd with the story of his experience with vision loss and how he has leveraged technology to excel in school and beyond. He has also served as a Lighthouse Guild Tech Pals Mentor, teaching older adults who are visually impaired how to use technology.
The event and auction raised over $250,000 in support of Lighthouse Guild’s programs.
Guests included Susan Gutfreund, Jackie Weld Drake, Thomas Quick, Michael Donnell, Heidi Holterbosch and Tom Gimbel, Yanna Avis, Saundra Whitney, Linda Filardi and Gary Talarico, William Ivey Long, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Jay and Iris Fialkoff, Eric Margolis, Kathy Sloane, Peter Bacanovic, Jamie Saakvitne, Aeros Wang, Ruth Woolard and Mimi Saltzman along with Lighthouse Guild board members Barry Honig, Ann Thivierge, Sarah Kramer, Eric Maidenberg, and Valerie Chianuri.
The generous sponsors who helped make “An Evening of Discovery” possible included Visionary Sponsors Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, Proskauer Rose LLP and Judy and Leonard Lauder, as well as Explorer Sponsors Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Astellas, J.P. Morgan and Thomas Kahn.
