Dale Stewart reports from South Kent.There was something uniquely Gatsby-esque about the Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust Midsummer party on Saturday, July 14. In the glow of a cinematic sunset, to a soundtrack of jazzy world music, impeccably dressed guests mingled and nibbled on fig and jambon mousse canapés, all the while overlooking a well-manicured, football field-sized lawn in the hills of Northwest Connecticut. Before sitting down to dinner under an expansive candle-lit tent, one could overhear stories of Jackson Pollock’s days as a janitor, blending into sentences that began: "The Senator was just saying…" (And, in fact, at least two senators were in attendance, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, second from left, with Kirsten Peckerman, fashion icon Linda Allard, and Jack Rosenberg). But this wasn't just an event for power socializing; this was a purposeful fundraiser to help preserve nature and keep northwestern Connecticut‘s sweeping landscapes, glorious views, and treasured environments permanently protected.
Tara and Riad Abrahams; Susan and Peter Twombly with John Michael Murphy.
Ira Millstein and Susan Frame; Lisa Mahar, Ana Cristina Alvarado, and philanthropist Anne H. Bass.
Brigitte Klein and Shannon Wheeler; Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust Executive DirectorCatherine Rawson and Claudia Di Fabrizio.
Joan Marks, Ruth Henderson and Linda Allard.
Sasha Greenawalt and Claire Gilman; Ben Nickoll flanked by philanthropists Charles and Jane Klein.
Peter Vaughn with Jim Millstein; Brett Heyman and Anne-Cecilie Speyer.
Stacey and Pels Matthews with writer Douglas Clement and Jennifer Clement; former State Representative and current Congressional candidate Elizabeth Esty with Mary Adams and Robert Lockhart.
Mercedes Mistrey and Anne Fush.
Jeff Updyke, Spencer Houldin, JoAnne Torti and Joe Mustich; David and Cindy Birkins.
Andrew Barnes and Sherwin Gold; Camille Orme and Elisabeth Mitchell.
Patrons enjoy the South Kent countryside.
State Representative Arthur J. O’Neill and Dr. Rubi O’Neill; Mort and Barbara Klaus.
Alan Mnuchin, Karen and Hal Bennett, and Christina Klemm; John Funt with Carolyn Millstein.
Doug and Judy Hamilton with Frogard and Kevin Ryan.
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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
