Saturday In The Garden For The Susan B. Anthony Project

Lisa Green reports from Litchfield. Marigolds came to life, giant elephant skeletons lurked in the garden and dancers pivoted through the air while clinging to a gyroscope at the garden party hosted by Anthea Disney and Peter Howe on Saturday, August 16. The occasion was the annual fundraiser for the Susan B. Anthony Project, whose mission is to promote safety, healing and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. The marigolds and other shape-shifting creatures were actually dancers from MOMIX, the wildly imaginative dance company that has over the years donated 11 performances to the Project. Each year, the Susan B. Anthony Project, based in Torrington, CT, provides counseling, shelter and support services to 2,500 survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. State and federal funding provides only 40 percent of the annual budget, so events such as this one help to make ends meet, explained Executive Director Barbara Spiegel, at right in photo above with Gina Deveaux, director of development.

Judith McElhone, executive director of Five Points Gallery in Torrington, Emily Dalton, a member of the Susan B. Anthony Project's advisory council, and Nanette Falkenberg, vice president of its board of directors; Greg Bachmann, a sponsor of the event, with Brian Simerson.

Moses Pendleton, founder and artistic director of MOMIX, engages in witty repartee with Virginia Reynolds and Robert Reynolds of Washington, CT (where MOMIX is based); Connecticut's First Lady, Cathy Malloy, and Governor Dannel P. Malloy.