Planting Fields Foundation’s annual ‘A Moveable Feast’ benefit kicked off the season of summer on Saturday, June 22 in historic garden spaces surrounding Coe Hall at Planting Fields in Oyster Bay. Chaired by Hannah Burns, Bernadette Castro, Debra Del Vecchio, and Jenny Smith, the event grossed over $275,000. Proceeds support the Foundation’s work to maintain the historic 409-acre Olmsted Brothers-designed landscape and to provide rich educational experiences for learners of all ages and abilities.
Notable guests included the Honorable Tom Suozzi, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Emmy-award winning actress Susan Lucci, Long Island State Parks Regional Director George Gorman, News 12 Anchors Caroline Flynn and Alex Calamia, Angela Anton of Anton Media, and Grant Lally, publisher of the North Shore Leader.
Remarks were given by Planting Fields Foundation Board Chairman, Duncan Sahner, and President and CEO, Dr. Gina J. Wouters. Several Planting Fields Foundation trustees joined the festivities including former New York State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, Bruce Addison, Debra Del Vecchio, Bob Foschi, DR Holmes, Mary MacDonald, Bob Mackay, Jonathan Otto, Jenny Smith, Kim Vinnakota, and Amy Xu and Chairman Emeritus, Hal Davidson.
Other special guests in attendance included CeCe Haydock, Bao Bao Lin, Terri and Peter Keogh, S.J. Tilden, Angelo and Connie Silveri, Howard and Roz Kroplick, Caroline and Larry Schmidlapp, Lisa and Gil Ott, Carol and Jim Large, Nazee and Roddy Klotz, Avanti and Juno Madan, and Sandy Pearson.
Upon arriving at the historic mansion, Coe Hall, guests were transported back in time to enjoy cocktails and lite bites in the iconic setting. At the finish of cocktail hour, guests were led to a marquee on the West Lawn, where they delighted in a delicious summer menu catered by Elegant Affairs, sipped on refreshing drinks, and partook in an exciting live auction led by Bernadette Castro.
Planting Fields Foundation is a not-for-profit that strives to make relevant to all audiences the heritage of Planting Fields through ongoing landscape and architectural preservation, education programs, exhibitions, and community engagement. Learn more at www.plantingfields.org