Hamptons, Chicago, Houston, Louisville Social Diary

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Hamptons, Chicago, Houston, Louisville Social Diary

Guests mingling at the 36th annual Speed Ball in Louisville, Kentucky.

Like so many country hospitals within a non-emergency trip to a big city, Southampton Hospital gets taken for granted until it's needed — and then it's suddenly cast in a lifesaving role. Just ask Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow or anyone else who has experienced an urgent health crisis that just couldn't survive the one hour ambulance ride to Stony Brook, let alone two-plus hours to New York.

And while most locals think of good old Southampton Hospital fondly (it's their 100th Anniversary) for delivering babies or the management of chronic conditions, it's the Department of Emergency Services that gets put to the test every summer when the population swells tenfold. To salute the head of the ER, Dr. Darrin Wiggins, and his tireless staff, Scott Sanders and Peter Wilson hosted a season opener cocktail gathering at their otherworldly Further Lane compound. While the glorious terraced garden beckoned along with every other stunning Sanders-designed space, like all good parties — everyone ended up in the kitchen where Almond's Eric Lemonides was cooking up a storm.

The gardens.

There: hospital CEO Bob Chaloner, Director of Development Steve Bernstein, this year's Summer Party chairman Sheila O'Malley Fuchs (who proudly announced that Christie Brinkley would be serving as Honorary Chairman) Judy and Jack Hadlock, Ken Wyse, Gloria and Larry Appel, Larry Laslo, Steven Stolman, Joe Fuchs, Dr. Alan Gandolfi, Susan Goodfriend, Dr. Justin Klamerus, Brian Farrell, Oscar Mandes, Lys Marigold, Dan Newmann, Dianne Benson, Michael Katz, Crosby Renwick, Mark Webb and a whole lot of other folks who sleep better knowing that Southampton Hospital is in their backyard.

Darrin Wiggins and Sherry Mandel

Dr. Fred Pescatore and Earl Crittenden

Almond's Eric Lemonides

Brian Farrell and Dr. Justin Klamerus

Susan Goodfriend

Bob Chaloner, Joe and Sheila O'Malley Fuchs, and Greg D'Elia

Steven Stolman, Sheila O'Malley Fuchs, and Scott Sanders

Larry and Gloria Appel with Tom Shaffer

Kirk de Gooyer with Judy and Jack Hadlock

Steven Stolman, Sherry Mandel, Scott Sanders, and Lorraine Schacht

Lise Desrochers and Peter Wilson

Eric Lemonides and Helga Loring

Will Schulz and Lizz Kritzer

Scott Sanders and Peter Wilson

Larry Laslo and Ken Wyse

Skye and Lys Marigold with Dianne Benson

For the seventh consecutive year, the Women’s Board of the Adler Planetarium hosted a program on science and space on Thursday, May 7, 2009. It was an exciting day beginning at 12:30 when about 250 young girls from grades 6-9 from Chicago’s public, parochial and private schools arrived for the afternoon. They had the opportunity to meet and listen to experts in the science field and also observe and be part of interactive scientific project activities. The intent of the Women’s Board event is to interest young women in science, as well as the opportunities that the field offers.

At this day and evening of Women in Space and Science (WISS), two important people were honored. Dr. Vera Rubin received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Dr. Heidi Hammel received the Women in Space Science Award. During their 3 hour visit to the Adler, the students heard a talk by Dr. Hammel whose words truly illuminated the world of astronomy and science.

Dr. Rubin, born in 1928, is a renowned astronomer who has done pioneering work in her field. A Vassar graduate, she was not accepted for graduate work at Princeton in 1948 because she was a woman — that era is long past. Her important contribution to astrophysics is the collection of data pointing to the presence of dark matter in galaxies. Dr. Hammel is a Senor Research scientist with the Space Science Institute. The honoree primarily studies outer planets and their satellites, with a focus on observational technique. She also does a significant amount of award-winning education and public outreach works.

Past WISS honorees have included Astronauts Barbara Morgan, Joan Higginbotham and Commander Eileen Collins.

At 5:30 pm, the Women’s Board hosted a reception, an awards presentation and dinner for the Women’s Board Members, Trustees and Adler friends. Cocktails were in the Planetarium’s Sky Theater, the program in the Universe Theater and dinner was served in the Rice Solarium. The menu included an asparagus salad, a beef tenderloin entree and sorbet and a chocolate pastry for dessert. The dinner centerpieces featured purple and blue flowers over blue cloths and the setting was further enhanced with the magnificent view of Chicago’s skyline from the dining area.

The Women’s Board of the Adler Planetarium was proud to acknowledge the leadership and generosity of Adler Trustee John W. Estey and the S & C Electric Company, lead sponsor of the Women in Space Science Award Celebration. Additional support was provided by ComEd.

Dinner tables set up in the Rice Solarium.

The president of the Adler is Paul Knappenberger who attended with his wife, Naomi.

Chairing the WISS celebration was Linda Celesia of Oak Brook and her co-chairs were Vera Clark of Flossmoor and Katherine Hunt of Glenview. Caroline Becker Joss of River Forest is president of the Women’s Board. Some of the guests included Captain and Mrs James Lovell, retired NASA astronaut, also an Adler Trustee and his daughter, Susan Lovell, from Lake Forest. Others from the north shore were Barbara and Jack Bierig of Highland Park, Pam Cramer of Winnetka, Deborah Cassidy and Joe Lower of Lake Forest. From Chicago were Orli and Bill Staley, Laura and Louis Sudler, Danielle Cupps and Cynthia and Michael Ballew.

The Adler Planetarium is America’s First Planetarium and was founded in 1930 by Chicagoan, Max Adler. The Adler is a recognized leader in science education, with a focus on inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, an endeavor that the Women’s Board also makes its mandate.

Former NASA Astronaut, Captain James Lovell, his daughter, Susan and wife, Marilyn, and Paul Knappenberger, Adler President

Louis Sudler and Chris Rimbos

Pam Jann and Jenn Burnette

Danielle Cupps, Joe Lower, and Helen McSweeney

Kimberly Rachal and Lisa Lewis

Caroline Becker Joss with Honorees- Dr. Vera Rubin and Dr. Heidi Hammel

Victoria Lautman of WFMT radio with Erica Bartelstein

Captain James Lovell with Dr. Evalyn Gates, Cosmologist, University of Chicago

Paul Sipiera and Captain James Lovell

WISS chair, Linda Celesia and Paul Knappenberger

Danielle Cupps and Helen McSweeney

Caroline Becker Joss, president of the Adler Women’s Board and
Cynthia Ballew

For the 20th year, the Women’s Association of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) sponsored Corporate Night at Symphony Center. In 2009, the featured performer was Sting, a musical legend and the winner of 16 Grammy Awards.

Sting was born in England, although he now maintains homes around the world. The performer has had a long and fascinating career as a musician, singer, song-writer, writer, producer, actor and also, as an activist. 2007. Involved in the human rights causes, he and his wife founded the Rainforest Foundation.

Sting’s performance was supported by Anne and Ken Griffin. Said Mr. Griffin, “It is a privilege to be at Symphony Center tonight. My wife, Anne, and I are honored to give back to our city tonight’s program with the CSO, our orchestra that is truly a ‘crown jewel.’ Sting is also thrilled to be here tonight. A toast to our guests, the arts and the CSO.”

There were several dining areas within Symphony Center, each with a different floral display. Grainger Ballroom featured copper linen with roses in gold urns; the Club atop Symphony Center had silver linen with blue hydrangea; Buntrock Hall had lily grass with mango tulips; Rhapsody had copper urns and leonidis roses and the Rotunda’s displayed black roses and trailing burgundy amaranthus. Cocktails were followed by dinner that included a carpaccio and mache salad, rack of lamb and a dessert assortment.

Music was by members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Conducting the Orchestra was David Hartley and the program opened with the Overture to Candide followed by a very generous performance by Sting who sang a selection of his greatest hits.

The 2009 sponsors were National City, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, bp, Ernst & Young, Bentley Gold Coast, Exelon, Kirkland & Ellis LL.P, Deloitte, Winston & Strawn LL.P, Sidley Austin LL.P, BlueCross BlueShield, Bank of America, Abbott, Motorola, United, Performance Trust, and Chicago Tribune.

The 2009 Corporate Chairman was David B. Speer, Chief Executive Officer, ITW. Annette Dezelan of Lake Bluff was the CSO Women’s Association Chairman and her co-chair was Linda Neumann, also of Lake Bluff. Members of her committee from Chicago included Diane Collison, Liz Stein, Carol Brosk and Judy Konen. From the north shore were Jetta Bushonville of Winnetka, Angie Youngman of Highland Park and Maria Livaditis of Glenview. The President of the Women’s Association is Penny Van Horn of Chicago.

This project is a tribute to Chicago’s business community and is the main fundraiser for the CSO Women’s Association. The attendance numbered 900 for dinner and a total of 2,000 for the concert. Chair David Speer announced that the evening raised $l.4M.

Scott Rafferty and Cheryl Istvan

Mary Rafferty and Ann Waris

David and Susan Smith

Jay Henderson with Cathy and Bill Osborn

Elizabeth Cole and Scott Etzler

Guy Barker, arranger for Sting and Kipper, writer of song "1000 years"

David Speer with Anne and Ken Griffin

David Speer and Annette Dezelan

Barbara Speer with Vivian Hudnut

Louisville, Kentucky ... The Speed Art Museum held one of the most beautiful spring balls in Kentucky, the 36th annual Speed Ball.

The museum came alive with music from the Lester Lanin Orchestra of New York, NY. This world-class, 10-piece orchestra has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, Valentino in Rome, the Aga Khan in Paris, and at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.

Louisville’s most elegant evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by a sumptuous dinner, created by the catering firm Wiltshire Pantry of Louisville, KY, among the glorious paintings in the Speed’s galleries.

Guests dined among the magnificent art in the galleries including this 17th-century Dutch masterwork Portrait of a Man by Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck.

This year, the museum debuted the Ball’s first-ever lounge, set in a high-traffic area. The lounge was a contemporary space where guests mingled and relaxed in an intimate setting. Noted Designer Ron Wolz of Bittners LLC oversaw its décor and ensured it had the proper vibe amidst the backdrop of outstanding contemporary art. It was a sought-after spot for many guests during the event.

The decor combined classic style with modern design, blending the simple elegance of the Beaux-Arts style with a vibrant palette of black, crisp white and lemon yellows, and floral accents arranged by Ball committee member Amy Streeter.

The museum was whitewashed with vast white floral arrangements, which included French tulips, Oriental lilies, hydrangeas, and Dendrobian and Agapanthus orchids. A pavé of white garden-style Amelia roses popped against contemporary artwork and oil masterpieces in the Speed’s galleries.

This magnificent 15th-century limestone fireplace and Flemish, painted glass windows presented an incredibly elegant backdrop for dining among the Speed’s galleries.

As guests entered, they stepped into the museum’s marble-walled Beaux-Arts “27” Gallery. The ornate room, which was built in 1927, is widely considered one of the most beautiful interior spaces within the Museum.

“I wanted to make sure the museum made a stunning first impression to guests,” said Jennifer Van Vactor, Ball Chair. Catherine Delaney served as Vice-Chair for the Ball.

The Speed Art Museum is located at 2035 South Third Street in Louisville. For more information, visit www.speedmuseum.org.

Hope and Matthew Gardiner

Richard Stoner, Architect, wHY Architecture, Ruth Cloudman Chief Curator of Speed Museum, Kulapat Yantrasast, wHY Architecture

Mr. and Mrs. Daron Van Vactor

Hope and Matthew Gardiner

Richard Stoner, Architect, wHY Architecture, Ruth Cloudman Chief Curator of Speed Museum, Kulapat Yantrasast, wHY Architecture

Mr. and Mrs. Daron Van Vactor

Keith Runyon and Meme Sweets Runyon

Donna Denny and Charles P. Denny

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Tafel

Mrs. and Mr. Owsley Brown II

Michael Judd, Charles L. Venable, and V. Benson Small, Speed Board of Governors

Jim and Brooke Miller

Jennifer Bielstein, Rusty Cheuvront, and Sandra Frazier

Mr. and Mrs. James White

Jeffrey Mainka, Dana Mainka, and Rusty Cheuvront

Honorable Mayor of Louisville, Jerry Abramson and First Lady Madeline Abramson

Marilyn and Brooks Bower

Allan Latts and David Kaplan

Harry and Betsy Wall

James E. (Ted) Gay and Alyson Scott

Tracy and Jonathan Blue

Gill Holland, Brooke Brown Barzun, and Augusta Brown Holland

Julie Smith and Craig Stevenson in front of Friedel Dzubas’s 1977 painting, Angel's Wing

Heather Stumler and Dave Thompkins

Babs Rodes Robinson and Lee W. Robinson

Mary Hermann and Joe King

Mrs. and Mr. James T. Crain III

Catherine Delaney, 2009 Speed Ball Vice-Chair and Jennifer Van Vactor, 2009

Socialite Beaver McMahon and Lisa Tate Austin

Mr. and Mrs. R. Thompson Austin III (Lisa Tate Austin)

Glenn and Kelly Cohen

Scott Rogers and Gregory Bays Brown, M.D.

Colin McNaughton and Woo Speed McNaughton

Susan and Howard Vogt

Mrs. and Dr. Alexander Digenis

Mrs. and Mr. Talmage Hocker

Mrs. and Mr. Tuffy Wood

Tracy Blue, Lori Kommor, and Honorable Judge Angela

Kathy and Kent Oyler

Colin McNaughton and Woo Speed McNaughton

Julie Smith and John Faulkner

The newest addition to the Speed Ball was a lounge area

The Nashville Symphony Orchestra League hosted its annual Spring Fashion Show on the evening of April 21 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville, Tenn. The show featured internationally acclaimed fashion designer Monique Lhuillier who presented her Fall 2009 Collection in person at the show, transforming the concert hall into a dazzling New York-style runway complete with models, music and lights.

Hosted by Grammy-nominated country music trio Lady Antebellum who emceed and performed, the fashion show unveiled dozens of Los Angeles-based Lhuillier’s stunning ready-to-wear and evening gowns as well as two bridal gowns, which were inspired by the Ballet Russes. Lhuillier partnered with Gus Mayer, a luxury designer clothing store in Nashville, to produce the show.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville.

Silent auction item: Rascal Flatts autographed guitar.

The show was attended by 575 guests, and preceded by a cocktail hour in Symphony’s courtyard, followed by a sit-down dinner for 450 guests. Notable attendees included country music stars Phil Vassar, Joe Nichols, as well as Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus – two members of last year’s emcees, Rascal Flatts.

The evening featured a silent auction with exquisite items such as a trip for four to New York Fashion Week in September, two Gibson guitars autographed by country stars Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts, and a trip to a private Caribbean Island in the Turks and Caicos. Jeweler Camilla Dietz Bergeron of New York was the event’s official jeweler and displayed several eye-catching items at the auction.

Monique Lhuillier Bridal gown.

Models strut their Monique Lhuillier goods ...

All proceeds from the Symphony Spring Fashion Show will benefit the Nashville Symphony and the Thor Johnson Scholarship Fund. Although the final numbers from the show are not in yet, the Symphony is projecting that nearly $250,000 was raised at the event.

The 2009 event chairs were Lake Eakin and Lee Ann Ingram, who both looked stunning in their Monique Lhuillier dresses.

Sherytha Scaife, Fran Wilkins, and Helen Kennedy

Billy Ray and Nancy Hearn

Jamie Kever and Jessica Kinnard

Sherytha Scaife, Monique Lhuillier, and Helen Kennedy

Cathi Aycock, "The Shopping Diva" from The Tennessean

Gloria Hougland

Marnee Tyrrell, Amy Liz Riddick, and Katherine Crawford

Tom Bugbee with Janice Elliott of Gus Mayer

Alan Bostick and Susan Plageman

Rose Sevier and Meg White

Amy Scruggs, Heidi Reich, Nati Jokivet, Stephanie Lloyd, and Sutton Lipman

event co-chairs Lake Eakin with Lee Ann Ingram

Houston, Texas ... With record breaking crowds and a full house of horses and riders, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show concluded their 64th year with dazzling showmanship that enthralled those who participated and those in the crowd. The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, the country’s oldest and most prestigious horse competition, announced that they hope to be making a record breaking contribution to their charities, Texas Children’s Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House from this year’s show.

Held once again at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy from March 18, 2009 through March 29, 2009, the Houston institution celebrated it’s 64th year. Lead sponsor of this year’s show was BBVA Compass.

Pin Oak welcomed a wide array of equestrian talent featuring hunters and Olympic level jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Andalusians, Welsh ponies, and new for 2009, Dressage and the United Mountain Horse breed.


Fiona Dawson

Donna Spears

The highlights of both weekends were: Saturday evening Week One, the $30,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix Presented by Nordic Lights Farm LLC was won by MTM Centano, owned by MTM Farm and ridden by Tracey Fenny. In Week Two, the $30,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix Presented by Houston Area Audi Dealers was won by Happy Z, who is owned by Wilhelm Genn and was ridden by Wilhelm Genn. The exciting $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Valobra Jewelry & Antiques was won by Argentum, owned by Alta Basaldua and ridden by Peter Pletcher of Magnolia. Figaro, owned by Johaniss DeLeyer and ridden by Michaela DeLeyer, won the $20,000 Children’s/Adult Classic sponsored by Chrysalis Counseling. In this heated competition both he and his sister, Andreas, took the first and second place for the category.

Some of the well-attended and lavish social and hospitality events included: A pre-show lunch hosted by Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and cocktail party and fashion show given by Neiman Marcus, a spectacular ring-side party sponsored by Valobra Jewelry & Antiques and Two Forks Catering, a Grand Prix gala dinner and an “After Party” hosted by PWL Studios and Fulton and Reece Davenport that rocked the arena.

In addition to title sponsor BBVA Compass, official sponsors included Cowboys & Indians Magazine, Valobra Jewelry & Antiques, Houston Area Audi Dealers, KTRK TV/Channel 13 - ABC Affiliate, Nordic Lights Farm, Chrysalis Counseling, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Neiman Marcus, Lansdowne Moody, Par Avion, LTD, Oasis Energy, Farm & Ranch Magazine, Bisso Marine, RE/MAX of Texas, Gulf Coast 4 Star Trailers, Moet Hennessey/USA, TEXAS MONTHLY, McDonald’s Corporation, Alamo Resource, LLC, Booth Ranches, Dillards, Dawn Services, StarFlite Aviation, and Energy XXI.

Founded in 1945 by Houston philanthropist James S. Abercrombie and his wife Lillie, The Pin Oak Charity Horse Show got its start as a fundraiser for the first hospital in Houston dedicated to children, and the proceeds of the 1947 show provided a considerable portion of the initial backing that established Texas Children’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. To date, the show has raised close to $4 million for Texas Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House of Houston.

With a recent commitment of $300,000, Pin Oak is now helping build Texas Children’s first hospital outside the Medical Center and one of the largest suburban pediatric hospitals in the country, Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus. The gift will support the Hematology/Oncology services at the new hospital.

Judith Ott and Susan Boggio

Courtney and Bo Hopson

Wendy Cook and Fulton Davenport

Darlene and Cappy Bisso

Eva and Bo Bisso

Valinda and Walter Werbel

Hollis Grace and Eva Bisso

Lynn Walsh

Tara and David Wuthrich

Reece Davenport and Eva Bisso

Lynn Walsh and Tracey Fenney

Nancy and Erick Littlejohn

Webb and Christy Jennings

Nancy and Franco Valobra

Lou Delone and Rick Perry

Susan and Michael Plank

Over 350 Houston fashionistas packed MFAH's Brown Auditorium Theater to get a sneak peak at the complimentary behind-the-scenes conversation with Matt Tyrnauer, director of Valentino: The Last Emperor.

The conversation was moderated by the founding chair of the MFAH's film committee, Lynn Wyatt, and veteran fashion reporter Clifford Pugh, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Lynn Wyatt, who was escorted by her son Brad Wyatt, looked fabulous in an elegant black Valentino skirt suit and reminisced about her friendship with the famed fashion designer and his glamorous lifestyle, the fashion, and the love story between Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti.

After the fashion conversations at MFAH, close friends of Lynn Wyatt gathered at her River Oaks home for an intimate cocktail party. Guests mingled with Matt Tyrnauer and producer Ted Alexandre hoping for more insider scoop to the world of Valentino.

Guests included: Courtney Sarofim, Elyse Lanier, Franci Crane, Phoebe Tudor, Sanford and Susie Criner, Ceron, Brad Wyatt, Linda McReynolds, Pat Breen, Aliya Stude, Janet Gurwitch, Roz Pactor.

An Wolf and Aliya Stude

Roz Pactor, Janet Gurwitch, and Donna Vallone

Susie Criner and Elyse Lanier

Clifford Pugh, Lynn Wyatt, and Matt Tyrnauer

Kate Stukenberg, Amy Purvis, and Caroline Starry LeBlanc

Keith Spikelmeier and Sarah Dodd Spikelmeie

Franci Crane

Pat Breen and Linda McReynolds

Phoebe Tudor, Ceron, and Martha Finger

Clifford Pugh, Lynn Wyatt, and Matt Tyrnauer

With beautiful weather and fashionable floral frocks, spring was in the air at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's 2009 Bayou Bend Garden party. Approx. 480 guests socialized around the blossoming manicured gardens and under the dramatic open air tent beautified by McDugald-Steele Landscape Architects and Richard Flowers at the Events Company. City Kitchen delighted with a seated dinner (a crowd favorite included passed fried chicken fingers) while the Richard Brown Orchestra provided the entertainment. The benefit raised $400,000 for Bayou Bend's operating budget.

Guest included: Lilly Andress, Chairman and Thurman Andress, Paul Murphy, CEO Amegy Bank, Warren Weitman, Chairman of Sotheby's North and South American operations, Leslie Keno, Senior Vice President of PBS' Antiques Roadshow fame, Bonnie Campbell, Director of Bayou Bend, Lacy Crain and Joe Galloway, Underwriters, Frances and Dr. Peter Marzio, Curator MFAH and Director of MFAH, Jan and Dan Duncan, Carole and Ken Bailey.