The Women’s Committee of Forest Park Forever, with principal sponsorship from the Regional Business Council, extended a green carpet welcome for 1,000 guests to the 19th annual Hiram W. Leffingwell Awards Luncheon at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. The Women’s Committee has raised $4 million for the Park, with $404,000 already raised this year to support ongoing Park maintenance and education programs to help keep the park green and develop Park stewardship.
Roberta Cohen and Ann Marr chaired the festivities which featured the popular hat contest, with 20 prizes awarded to the best in categories of romantic, whimsical, vintage, couture and green; also, best hat at each table and best theme table won by Fontbonne University. The Muny Kids performed excerpts from the Municipal Opera’s 2009 summer season.
Leffingwell awardees were Lee M. Liberman and The St. Louis City Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry, represented by Gary Bess. Sunny Glassberg received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Vickie Newton of KMOV-TV was the emcee and Linda Hall, director of Tiffany & Co. presented some of the prizes. Among the speakers were Mayor Francis Slay, Kathy Osborn, Lucie Springmeyer, interim executive director; board chairman Todd Epstein, and honorees Bess and Liberman.
6/4/2009
Album ID: 772948
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Shakespeare Festival Dinner at Art Museu
23 photos
for sale
Friends president Carol Higgins and Mont Levy, board president, welcomed 170 guests and sponsors to Puck’s Restaurant in the St. Louis Art Museum for The Party on Art Hill. More than $125,000 was raised to benefit the artistic and educational programs of the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, a nonprofit organization. Every contribution helps ensure that the Festival remains free for all to enjoy.
This year’s season of free Shakespeare in Forest Park featured “The Merry Wives of Windsor” in the refurbished Shakespeare Glen. Director Jesse Berger described the play as one of “love, laughter, acceptance, and a joyous celebration of a socially progressive community.” His talented cast did not disappoint the attentive and delighted audience.
5/31/2009
Album ID: 775799
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Frank Lloyd Wright House Benefit
24 photos
for sale
5/31/2009
Album ID: 773415
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Missouri Botanical Garden Gala
47 photos
for sale
The Missouri Botanical Garden and its donor Henry Shaw, was celebrated with "The Garden Comes Alive," a sesquicentennial Gala co-chaired by Jerry and Peggy Ritter. "Tonight is a celebration of 150 years of the Garden and to honor Dr. Peter Raven for his 38 years of leadership," the Ritter's said, as they welcomed the 450 guests, including Missouri's 55th Governor Jay Nixon, sponsors, past board chairmen in attendance and many others who worked with Dr. Raven through the years.
A Sesquicentennial video, remarks from Nicholas Reding, current board chairman and Scott Schnuck, the Celebration's chairman and a Garden trustee, and a presentation of medals, added to the dinner program.
Among the guests was Dr. Stephen D. Hopper, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. The English landmark was one of Shaw's inspirations. Dr. Hopper paid tribute to Dr. Raven, one of the world's leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity, whose partnership with him, and Raven's Garden leadership and educational programs have made an international impact.
More than $695,000 was raised to sustain the Garden to make it a greater source of beauty and wonder for the more than 900,000 visitors, including tourists from around the world, who attend each year, and to raise awareness about important plant research and conservation initiatives.
5/30/2009
Album ID: 768649
Photos by By Margaret Rambo
Voices For Children Community Award
28 photos
for sale
Voices for Children held its fourth annual Voices for Children Benefit at Windows on Washington. With the venue owners Tom and Michele Klein who underwrote the benefit, the 250 guests and sponsors, more than $136,000 was raised to help support the agency’s child advocacy services.
Honorary chair was Dr. Donald M. Suggs, publisher of the Saint Louis American, and Dot Soldavini, board president, was the event chair.
Orvin Kimbrough received Voices’ Community Superhero Award. Kimbrough spent a decade in foster care as a young man and is an exemplary role model for what children in foster care are capable of achieving. “It is wonderful to be affirmed in my journey,” Kimbrough said. “I have found my voice many years ago and commend Voices for Children for its passion for foster care, challenging kids to academic excellence, discouraging teen pregnancy, and helping raise low expectations.” His entire acceptance speech was presented in poetic form. He received a standing ovation.
According to Laura Ragan, Voices for Children provides legal and social advocacy for abused and neglected children placed in St. Louis city foster care. The organization matches Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers from the community with a staff of child advocacy attorneys who ensure that the court and child welfare system are aware of each child’s individual needs and that foster care does not define a child’s future potential.
5/28/2009
Album ID: 773382
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Susan G Komen for the Cure - Golf Outing
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for sale
Gray skies cleared over the Four Seasons Country Club for a Rally for the Cure ® nine-hole golf tournament, sponsored by the club’s Ladies’ Golf Association. Rally for the Cure ® is a national effort that increases breast health awareness among amateur women golfers by supporting Susan G. Koman for the Cure.
Special guest was golf pro Scott Worley who thanked the 61 enthusiastic players, several of whom were cancer survivors, for their dedication to the Rally’s mission. Doris Landholt served as the event chair.
Special gift bags were provided by Neiman Marcus and Ladue News.
5/27/2009
Album ID: 768616
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Magic House – Magic In Bloom
33 photos
for sale
The Magic House celebrated the grand opening of Mary Ann Lee’s Play Garden by hosting Magic in Bloom. This special afternoon gathering allowed grandparents and their grandchildren to enjoy the relaxing new outdoor space and explore all the twists and turns to the grounds. The Play Garden boasts a classic tree swing, a mosaic hopscotch patio, hedge maze, and a sand play pit.
Barbara Bridgewater served as event chair, Moneta Group was the presenting sponsor, and St. Louis Bread Company donated their catering services to make this afternoon party a success. All proceeds from the event benefited The Magic House’s “So Much More” capital campaign.
The Magic House strives to provide hands-on learning experiences for children and families that encourage participation, experimentation, creativity, and the development of problem-solving skills within a place of beauty, wonder, joy, and magic.
5/17/2009
Album ID: 767788
Photos by Carla Falasco
Italian Open-Charity Golf Dinner Auction
38 photos
for sale
The 36th Annual St. Louis Italian Open hosted 423 guests at a festive dinner and auction at the Sheraton Lakeside Chalet in Westport. Proceeds from the benefit and next’s day’s Golf Tournament at Norwood Hills Country Club will benefit more than 25 different children’s charities in the St. Louis area. More than $2.5 million has been raised through this exciting event over the past four decades to better the lives of children in need of medical care, who have impairments, or other special needs.
The Italian Open board and chairman Joe Ambrose named Joe Barbaglia and John Bommarito as this year’s honorees. They were commended for their work, philanthrophy and service to their communities. (John’s father, Frank Bommarito was the 36th honoree.)
Tom Tangaro presented the Joe Tangaro Sports Award to John Anthony Merlo, a graduate of SLU High School. Accomplished academically and athletically, Merlo is also active in his parish and in community service. He will attend Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is enrolled in pre-med and will also play soccer.
5/17/2009
Album ID: 767670
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Siteman Cancer Center - Illumination 09
34 photos
for sale
Christina Applegate, gifted and versatile actress of theatre, film, and television, welcomed 600 guests to the Ritz-Carlton stage for Illumination09 to benefit the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. She commended the medical teams, researchers and their staff for their outstanding treatment qualifying the Center as one of the nation’s best in leading the way in making new discoveries to treat and cure cancer patients.
A cancer survivor, Applegate shared her story from battle to victory, citing her ordeal as a blessing and an opportunity to go out and fight as hard as she can for early detection. She was gifted with a pink topaz ring created by Hassan Bounkit from the S. King Collection in New York.
Susan Sherman and Alicia Tlapek, chaired the ‘Party of the Century’ with honorary chairs Amy and Bill Koman, an amazing volunteer committee, supported by BJH president Dr. Andy Ziskind, Julia Ruvelson, Helen Liu, the Foundation staff, and Keith Alper and Creative Producers Group for their creative production.
Thanks to Adam Jokisch who auctioned fantastic items (including a yacht purchased by Lester Miller), donors and sponsors, more than $1,434,165 was raised to carry on the Center’s cause to care and cure cancer patients with personalized medicine and diagnosis, treatment, care and survival.
5/16/2009
Album ID: 769305
Photos by Margaret Rambo
Autism Speaks – Time for Fashion
37 photos
for sale
The St. Nicholas Philoptochos Women’s Society presented Time for Fashion: Autism Speaks, Philoptochos Listens; a boutique, luncheon, and fashion show benefiting Autism Speaks at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac. Ladies gushed over handcrafted accessories and textiles, while parish members modeled new creations from Brides by Demetrios, Essential Elements, JECCA, Jillybean, Jule, MACS Designs, Petunia, Soft Surroundings, and Susan Lynn’s.
Christina Anastas, Carol Kamburis, Kim Tarlas, and Jeanne Tompras served as co-chairs and Vickie Newton, News 4-St. Louis anchor and reporter, served as emcee for the event. In addition to attending numerous speaking engagements throughout the year in support of various causes, Newton is an active board member of several area non-profit organizations.
The Philoptochos Society is the philanthropic division of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, in the Central West End. The Society serves its parish, provides for the needy, and contributes to national community service initiatives.
“In presenting our spring fashion show-luncheon, and beautiful items for sale by our select boutique vendors, we hope to help brighten the future of individuals and families who struggle with this pervasive disorder,” said Christina Anastas, who serves as President of the St. Nicholas Philoptochos Society.
Proceeds will assist Autism Speaks in their advocacy efforts including research, developing awareness, and continuing outreach activities for families and the community.
