Party Pictures 12/21/05 - New York to Houston and back

New York to Houston and back

The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, a nonprofit organization leading the fight against lupus, held its 35th Anniversary gala two weeks ago at the New York Marriott Marquis and raised $2.4 million — the largest amount ever raised in a single event for lupus research, education and patient services.

The evening featured remarks by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and tributes to the evening’s honorees: Foundation President Richard K. DeScherer, Board Member Jennie L. DeScherer and William E. Paul, M.D., Chairman of the Lupus Research Institute (LRI) Scientific Advisory Board. The LRI, established by the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation in 2000, is the nation’s preeminent sponsor of innovative, novel research into lupus.

Jennie DeScherer, Lynn Povich, Steve Shepard, and Richard DeScherer

Lupus is a chronic auto-immune disease that affects more than 1.5 million Americans, 90 percent of whom are women in the prime of their lives. In lupus, the body’s immune system, which normally functions to protect against foreign invaders, becomes hyperactive, forming antibodies that attack normally healthy tissues, including the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, blood and skin. Complications from lupus can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.

From its founding in 1970 to the present day, the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation remains the leading lupus organization combating the disease on all fronts, through the funding of cutting-edge research, innovative patient and physician education programs, direct patient services and government advocacy.

“Every new voice — every additional dollar — brings us closer to a breakthrough in treatment,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “A cure for lupus will be found some day, and all our hopes will be fulfilled. With the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation leading the way, I have no doubt that will happen.” He then presented a proclamation to Susan Golick, Foundation Vice President and Founder, that proclaimed December 5, 2005 “S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Day.”

In introducing the DeScherers, the mayor, a longtime friend, praised the couple’s commitment to the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, noting, “Dick and Jennie have truly poured their hearts into finding a cure for lupus.”

Richard K. DeScherer has served as President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors for ten years, a period of great achievement for the organization, including the establishment of the Lupus Research Institute, sponsor of the largest number and widest range of lupus research investigations nationwide, and Lupus LA, the Foundation’s West Coast division. Mr. DeScherer is co-chairman of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

Larry Wohl, Ben Gazarra, Beverly Johnson, Nikki Haskell, Denise and Jocelyn Wohl

Jennie L. DeScherer is an active Board member who oversees the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s distribution of emergency grants, which assist individuals with lupus during particularly trying times. In her remarks, she recalled that, when diagnosed with lupus 34 years ago, she reached out to the Foundation for support and information. Mayor Bloomberg said, “As a lupus patient herself, Jennie is a shining example of someone who won’t let this disease get in the way of living her life to the fullest.”

Dr. Paul, the recipient of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s 2005 Scientific Leadership Award, is Chief of the Laboratory of Immunology at the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1970. He also serves as Chairman of the Lupus Research Institute Scientific Advisory Board.

The evening’s master of ceremonies, Charles Osgood, host of “CBS Sunday Morning” and “The Osgood File,” introduced Dr. Paul. The evening’s entertainment was provided by the legendary Tony Bennett.
Distinguished guests at the gala included Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, New York City Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris, and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

All proceeds from the gala will be dedicated to lupus research and education, and patient services and advocacy by the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and the Lupus Research Institute.

To learn more about the work of these organizations, visit www.LupusNY.org and www.LupusResearchInstitute.org.

Susan Golick, Matilda Cuomo, Tony Bennett, Mario Cuomo, and Jennie and Richard DeScherer

Chris Paradysz with daughters Dani, Allie, and son Nico

Carol Weisman, Brett Weisman, and Lara Englebardt

Jerome Chazen and Jennifer Dwork

Morrie Golick and Paula Kupferberg

Erica Sternin, Adam Selkowitz, Betsy Selkowitz, and Arty Selkowitz

Robert Ravitz, John Luke, and William Paul, MD

John Silverman, Susan Golick, and Alan Wasserman, DDS

Jean and Charles Osgood

Top: Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Above: Bill Bakho and James Pereyra.

Jean Steinberg with Andrew and Lois Zaro

Robert Lahita, MD, Kit and Arnie Snyder, Jillian Rose, and Enid Engelhard

Society for the Performing Arts which brings the world’s best to Houston, hosted Liz Smith, America’s most beloved gossip columnist and author of the new best seller Dishing as the featured guest speaker at the organization’s ninth annual fall luncheon.

Liz Smith and Pat Breen

This year’s luncheon was chaired by Debra Grierson and honorary chair was Aliyya Stude. It was held in the Grand Foyer of Wortham Theater Center. The luncheon netted over $100,000 for the S.P.A.’s many programs. Luminaries in attendance included: Shelly Ann Marks, Pat Breen, Jill Gracely, Betty Tutor, Susan Gray, Carson Seeligson, and Ann Wolf.

Liz read from her funny and insightful book sharing many of the hilarious antics of her famous friends as well as recipes from some of the favorite meals including Elvis Presley’s famous fried potato sandwich.

Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the southwest. Since its inception, S.P.A. has sponsored more than 700 performances of the world’s finest music dance and theater events, adhering to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community.

In addition to presenting artists, S.P.A. seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances as well as builds relationships between the performing arts and other interests in the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.

Aliyya Stude and Debra Grierson

Karen Pulaski

Susan Gray and Melissa Schnitzer

Joan Schnitzer Levy

Liz Smith and Toby Mattox, Executive Director of the S.P.A.

Ann Wolf and Carson Seeligson

Vanessa Sendukas

Kirby McCool

Angie Holloway

Susie Criner

Liz Glanville

Kelli Kickerillo

Gretchen McFarland and Lisanne Rogers

Betty Tudor

Mary Beth Aspromonte and Ceron

Jill Gracely

Shelly Ann Marks

Judy Holmes

Carolyn Farb

Kelli Blanton

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Last month, The Art and Antique Dealers League of America opened their fourth annual Connoisseur’s Antiques Fair at the Gramercy Park Armory with a benefit for the Cooper- Hewitt, National Design Museum Library, one of twenty branches of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

Honorary co-chairs were Mario Buatta, Albert Hadley, who stores all of his archives at the Library, and Bunny Williams. The Benefit co-chairs were Margery Masinter, Rosemary Livingston Ripley, and Enid Morse. The piece de resistance was a cake with a framed Mona Lisa atop the Art and Antiques Dealers of America logo created by Sant Ambrose, the fabulous bakers who provided tray after tray of delectable sweets.

Bunny Williams, Tom Scherer, and Albert Hadley

The Connoisseur’s Fair is treasured by the interior design community and collector community for its scale and reasonably priced offerings. Many of its participants do the big uptown shows such as the International Art and Antique Dealers Show and the Winter Antiques Show, but as members of the League, they want their own recognition as an organization whose members stand for quality and integrity. Established in 1926, the League is the oldest organization of dealers in fine art and antiques in America. This year, Robert Israel, is the League president. Many know him from Kentshire Galleries, one of the leading dealers in 18th and 19th century furniture as well as antique and estate jewelry.

Among the attendees were Audrey and Martin Gruss, Charlotte Moss, Jamie Drake, John Barman and Kelly Graham, Gary Crain and Robert Ventolo, Tom Scheerer, Jennifer Watty, Scarlett Johansen, Tara Subkoff, whose father George Subkoff is a dealer at the fair, Jose Carlino, Geoffrey Bradfield, Patrick Gallagher, Gay Ratfliff, Deborah and Christopher Buck, Michael Simon, Carolle Thibaut Pomerantz, Ronald Bricke, Maureen Footer, Betty Sherrill, Mary Louise Gertler and Ann Pyne from McMillen, Heather Cohane, and Peter Falk.

Established in 1897, the National Design Museum Library is a real gem and contains more than 70,000 volumes that are available to the public by appointment. The Library is a resource for interior, graphic and industrial designers, antique dealers, and anyone interested in the field of design and decorative arts is welcomed by its Chief Librarian Stephen Van Dyk. It is housed in the historic Andrew Carnegie Mansion at 2 East 91st Street.