Dale Stewart reports from Canaan, NY. The dark clouds that were threatening to unleash thunderstorms and rain parted just in time for the Berkshire Botanical Garden party: Fete des Fleurs on Saturday, July 20, in the gardens of Madeline and Ian Hooper at Rockland Farm. More than two hundred revelers celebrated the Botanical Gardens’ 79th year with the theme “Down the Rabbit Hole," for which guests were invited to don the “maddest" hat. Many did, the unofficial winners being Pauline and Anthony Archer-Wills, pictured left. Guests took advantage of the rare chance to discover the magnificent grounds and munch on nibbles such as Katie Baldwin Catering Company’s coconut shrimp and mango spring rolls, along with the event's signature cocktail, a flower petal-filled Bellini.
Stephen King, Peter Bevacqua, Timothy Husband, Nathan Kerman, Nicholas Haylet, and Thomas Whitridge.
Barbara Polemis with Nancy Kyle and Jack Frazer; Doro Lambert and Judy Moss.
Party host Ian Hooper with make-up maven Jane Iredale, Daisy Frame, and Michel Beck.
George Hebard, Berkshire Botanical Garden Trustee Cynthia Valles, and Elizabeth Cory; Lee Abraham, Suzanne Butterfield, and Stuart Rosen.
Mitch and Caitlin Nash; Leslie Sherr and Stephanie Lew.
Eva Francis, Anne-Marie Francis, David MCNeill, and John Francis.
John Miller and Rault Kehlor; landscaper Mark Whitman with his wife, Carrie.
Down the Rabbit Hole enthusiasts.
Written by
Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
