Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A Little Jurassic Treasure Hunt!

Join us for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening.

Join us for a rare opportunity to participate in one of Stephen Sondheim's famed treasure hunts after-hours in the iconic American Museum of Natural History.
Special performance by Barbara Cook and Raul Esparza

FRIENDS IN DEED
20th Anniversary Celebration

Hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Friends in Deed will send guests on a once-in-a-lifetime thrill ride through the
American Museum of Natural History on one of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim's coveted Treasure Hunts.

Guests will participate in a unique and exciting fundraiser that, for the first time, will lead teams through the museum on a magical and brain teasing team competition. The few New York insiders that have been lucky enough to previously participate in Mr. Sondheim's coveted treasure-games, know what an amazing night they are in store for.

ABOUT THE HUNT:

In the late 1960's Sondheim started having Game Nights with his friends. They gradually grew in size and complexity. In one of his famed Halloween Hunts, created with Anthony Perkins, the participants arrived at an old brownstone, rang the bell and were invited in by an unknown white-haired lady who is was sworn to answer no questions. Tensely, they waited for their next message as she served coffee and cake in silence. Film star Lee Remick was hungry and ate her portion. "Stop!" shouts the group-leader--too late. Rearranged, the icing on the cake would have revealed the map reference of their next rendezvous.

Join us for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening.

About Stephen Sondheim

STEPHEN SONDHEIM wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, The Frogs, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins, Passion and Road Show as well as lyrics for Gypsy and Do I Hear A Waltz? and additional lyrics for Candide.

Anthologies of his work include Side by Side by Sondheim, Marry Me A Little, You're Gonna Love Tomorrow, Putting It Together and Sondheim on Sondheim. For films, he composed the scores of Stavisky, co-composed Reds and wrote songs for Dick Tracy and the television production Evening Primrose. He co-authored the film The Last of Sheila and the play Getting Away With Murder. Mr. Sondheim is on the Council of the Dramatists Guild, having served as its President from 1973 to 1981. His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published in two volumes: "Finishing the Hat" (2010) and "Look, I Made A Hat" (2011).

Cocktail Reception, Treasure Hunt & Seated Dinner

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Flowers to Power the Parks

Flowers to Power the Parks

Luncheon at Hillsdale Firehouse Huge Success

Just recently, a luncheon to benefit the Roeliff Jansen Park and the Hillsdale Hamlet Park was held at the Hillsdale Firehouse, and they out-did themselves. The place was packed, the delicious luncheon sold out. An amazing and all-encompassing silent auction surpassed even last year's participation, with over 50 local businesses and individuals donating a great variety of items and services. Everyone had a wonderful time supporting a wonderful cause.

Proceeds from the Flowers to Power the Parks Luncheon will go toward a fitness area at Roeliff Jansen Park and playground equipment for a toddler area at the Hamlet Park. The Planning Committee for the luncheon are thrilled that this event was successful enough that these two areas will soon be a reality.

Opening remarks by Committee Chair Patti Rohrlich welcomed guests to the “Hillsdale Botanical Gardens,” thanking Kevin Draves and Ken Davis of Passiflora especially for their simply magnificent job of transforming the Hillsdale Firehouse into a perfect setting for the luncheon. Passiflora's expertise was evident throughout, from the individual floral table decorations to standing trees and vegetation to vines and trellises indoors and out. If you had arrived blindfolded, you would NEVER have guessed you were in a firehouse!! They also thanked North Mountain Nursery and Farm Market and Markristo Farm. The entire set-up was magnificently done, elaborate without being complicated, and accommodating the comfortable flow of speakers, silent auction people, food service people, and happy guests.

A perfect guest speaker for the event was author Margaret Roach, who spoke on how to grow a non-stop garden for 365 days and also autographed her book, “And I Shall Have Some Peace There: Trading in the Fast Lane for My Own Dirt Road” and graciously answered questions on related topics. Naturally, she had her perfect audience, with all those parks and gardens supporters in attendance. Art Baer, Town of Hillsdale Supervisor, was also on hand and part of the festivities.

The buffet luncheon stretched the entire back length of the wall and included superb offerings from The Red Barn Prepared Food & Caterers, Domaney's Liquors & Fine Wines, Don Sebastiani & Sons, Verdigris Art & Tea, and also support from IGA Hillsdale, First Niagara Bank, Guido's, Price Chopper and Big Y. The luncheon really should have been one of those three-day ancient festivals, because there is not enough time in just three hours to sample each of those delicious foods.

The Silent Auction had people fighting over the donations and there were even more chances for things than the already-over-fifty generous donors, vendors and stores listed on the program. Space does not permit individual thanks to all, but if space materializes, they will be noted. Suffice it to say that everyone is grateful to those who helped achieve the setting up of these additional specific areas in the parks. ALL residents are thankful for that!

Flowers to Power the Parks Luncheon Committee members included Leslye Alexander (who did a terrific job keeping track of the silent auction), Peter Cipkowski, Lynne Colclough, Natalie Kahan, Maj Kalfus, Joyce Lapenn, Ellen Levy, Patti Rohrlich, Gillian Sims-Elster, Janis Smythe, Caroline Stewart, Amelia Sydlosky, Howard Van Lenten, Robina Ward and Meg Wormley. Many were also observed working behind the scenes. All those spoken to modestly suggested that someone other than themselves was responsible for the events going so well, but they should ALL be commended as it seemed flawless.

CAPTION FOR PICTURE: (from left): Leslye Alexander, Patti Rohrlich, Ken Davis, Margaret Roach, Kevin Draves, Joyce Lapenn, Howard Danelowitz.