Rhinebeck, NY The Ken Burns documentaries on PBS are universally admired, and an event related to his recent production, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, drew a sold-out crowd at a fundraiser for Wilderstein Historic Site. On Saturday, May 2, Geoffrey C. Ward, bestselling author and writer of the Roosevelt documentary, discussed the film in Rhinebeck at a special screening event at Upstate Films. The screening highlighted clips from the seven-part, 14-hour documentary that features Wilderstein, the family home of Margaret (Daisy) Suckley. She was a sixth cousin, close friend and confidante of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and a frequent guest at the White House. Her collection of letters exchanged between FDR and extensive diaries are one of the best surviving records for understanding the private side of Roosevelt's life during this period. The Emmy Award-winning Ward is the author of three books about FDR – Before the Trumpet, Closest Companion, and A First-Class Temperament. He is also the co-writer with Ken Burns of The War, The Civil War,Jazz, and Baseball. A luncheon at the Beekman Arms was a lovely finale to the event. Above: Florentine Films Associate Producer and Editor Daniel White and Producer Pam Baucom, Wilderstein Executive Director Greg Sokaris and Geoffrey Ward (seated).
Valerie Dampeer, events committee member, Brian Lange, president of Wilderstein Historic Site, and Greg Sokaris, executive director; Donna Warner has her book signed by Ward.
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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
