9.15.11: Thanks-for-Giving | New York Social Diary

Thanks-for-Giving

Giving thanks around the pool at a “Thanks-for-Giving” party hosted by Sag Harbor's Susan L. Taylor and Khephra Burns.

This past Monday night at Gotham Hall, there was a black tie gala to benefit the British Garden at Hanover Square, New York. Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida and currently Senior Advisor to Barclays Capital, was guest speaker. They honored Tom Hooper, director of “The King’s Speech” with the Atlantic Award for Cultural Relations; Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management for Global Corporate Leadership; Michael Spencer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Management also for Global Corporate Leadership; and William R. Miller CBE, a Founding Sponsor of the British Garden.

The mission of The British Garden at Hanover Square, New York, is to develop and maintain a showplace garden reflecting the long history, shared friendship, and common causes of the peoples of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. With the motto “Reflect, Remember, Rebuild,” the British Garden celebrates the strong ties of the past and present, the hope for unity in the future, and a promise never to forget those whom we have lost along the way.

Captain Guy Disney and Luke Parker Bowles

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Asset Management

Governor Jeb Bush

Victor Stewart, Carol Stewart, Lady Weatherstone, and Jennifer Johnson

Ian Anderson, Martin Gilbert, and Gary Marshall

Kim and Mark Standish

Nazareth Festekjian, Ida Liu, and Michael Conroy

Ed Parker, Captain Guy Disney, and Stephen Cain

Bill Miller, Kitty Harvey, and Suzanne Czech

Consul General Phil Scanlan, Luke Parker Bowles, and Tom Hooper

Governor Jeb Bush, Isabel Carden, and Luke Parker Bowles

Sag Harbor's Susan L. Taylor and her husband author, playwright and producer Khephra Burns hosted a poolside “Thanks-for-Giving” party last week at their Azurerest home to thank supporters and committee members of the recent On Our Toes in the Hamptons Gala to benefit Evidence, A Dance Company.

The annual benefit gala was the brainchild of Taylor to showcase African-American culture on the East End. Nine years ago she and Reginald Van Lee organized the first gala at a private home.

Ron Brown with friends and dancers

Since then thanks to the long term support of such corporate supporters as Noel Hankin, Moet Hennessey, Felicia Daniels, Continental Airlines, Booz Allen Hamilton, Prudential, Verizon, Baume & Mercier, Barbados Tourism Board and scores of individuals, the event has become the premiere African-American cultural and social event on the Hamptons calendar. Each year, the fete draws patrons from all across the country.

Midway through the late afternoon affair, Susan and Khephra invited the 100+ guest to join them in a circle around the pool for a prayer of thanks and inspirational words from the couple and Evidence, A Dance Company founder and artistic director Ronald K. Brown.

Alicia Bythewood, Khephra Burns, and Susan Taylor

Clint Taylor and Irene Branch

Ayanna Najua and Reggie Van Lee

W. Omar Karriem and Deidre Luddington

Deborah Chatman and Yolanda Brown

Cora Barry and Alicia Bythewood

Robert Perry, Gail Monroe Perry, Hon. Bernard Jackson, and Joanne Hill

Ken Smaltz and Joeli Coste

Jenna Bond-Louden

Lola West and Dr. Lezlie Harvell

Chicago, IL. An intimate group of 75 gathered at Ralph Lauren for the third annual “Early Birds & Bookworms,” an exclusive book signing and author breakfast hosted by Bunky Cushing to benefit the Jane Addams Senior Caucus (JASC). Anne Ford, the featured author at the breakfast, shared anecdotes and excerpts from her book, Laughing Allegra: a story about her daughter’s quest to overcome her learning disabilities. The event raised more than $20,000 to support the mission of the Jane Addams Senior Caucus (JASC).

“We are honored that Bunky once again extended his generosity to Jane Addams by hosting this event,” said Vikki Adams, Board President of JASC. “His continued kindness enables us to help improve the quality of life for older adults living in Chicago.”

Bunky Cushing has supported the fundraising efforts of numerous organizations in Chicago including the Howard Brown Health Center, English-Speaking Union, Chicago Historical Society, and the American Friends of Versailles.

Jane Addams Senior Caucus (JASC) is an organization of Chicago-area older adults organizing to build relationships, develop leaders, educate people and create the power necessary for older adults to play a central role in determining their quality of life. The primary goal is to develop senior leadership and organized power for social justice. For more information please visit www.seniorcaucus.org.

Anne Ford, Bunky Cushing, and Charlotte Ford

Michelle Parrillo and Rebecca Besser

Mamie Walton

Nancy Kelley and Stanley Paul

Lynn McMahan

Toni Canada and Bunky Cushing

Courtney Begel

Traci DeMichele and Gay Daniel

Donna Atwater and Charlotte Ford

Sherrill Bodine and Rochelle Trotter

Sherry Holson, Kathy Crane, and Jennifer Lane

Lynn McMahan and Toni Canada

Felicia Winiecki, Stacie McClane, and Darby Hills

Rochelle Trotter and Sherrill Bodine

Stanley Paul and Linda Heister

Anne and Charlotte Ford

Anne Ford and Bunky Cushing

Katherine Harvey, Melissa Ehret, and Lori Daniels

Megan McKinney, Nancy Kelley, Mamie Walton, and Linda Heister

Anne Ford

The Preservation Society of Newport County recently held an elegant black-tie dinner dance to celebrate the centennial of The Elms Stable & Carriage House. The theme was ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' and close to 500 guests attended this summer's lavish event. Guests entered through the carriage house onto a Grande Allée overlooking the estate's sunken garden. An animated fortune teller's booth and Living Statues representing the Four Seasons on pedestals led to the cocktail reception. The Living Statues were inspired by relief carvings of the heads of the Four Seasons along the Allée. The Four Seasons statuary overlook the mansion's spacious green lawn.

Dinner table and living statues on stage

Dinner was served in a horticultural themed tent and entertainment was provided by the Bob Hardwick Orchestra. The Preservation Society maintains Newport's historic mansions: proceeds from the event will support the work of Society, including restoration of this historic landmark. The restored stables will serve as The Elms Research Center, a gathering place where advanced scholars will study and document the remarkable architectural and cultural history of Newport.

Edward Stautberg, Theodore Stautberg, Preservation Society Trustee Susan Stautberg and James Berwind, paused for a photo during the Elms Centennial Anniversary event. Susan Stautberg and James Berwind are both descendants of the Berwind family that built the Elms

Edward Stautberg, Theodore Stautberg, Preservation Society Trustee Susan Stautberg, and James Berwind. Susan Stautberg and James Berwind are both descendants of the Berwind family that built the Elms.