Central Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, June 20, 2001

FRIENDS OF THE HISTORIC HOUSE TRUST REUNITE ON THE DANCE FLOOR

On the night of June 15, 2001, the Historic House Trust held its annual gala benefit at Bethesda Terrace in the heart of Central Park. This year's benefit also served to inaugurate their Founders Award, which honors both a public and a private partner who has been especially vital to the success of the Trust. The evening started off in a grand way as Henry J. (StarQuest) Stern and fellow honoree E. Lisk (Dutchman) Wyckoff stepped off a piloted gondola and onto Bethesda Terrace. Re-enactors from some of the Trust's houses, dressed in historic costume, circulated among the guests during the cocktail hour. Beneath white tents and a clear evening sky, 200 guests dined as Robert MacKay, head of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiques (SPLIA), presented a framed lithograph to E. Lisk (Dutchman) Wyckoff, Chairman of the Homeland Foundation. The Hon. Stanley E. (Falcon) Michels, Manhattan City Councilman and childhood friend of Commissioner Stern, presented a framed etching of a view of Central Park from the Arsenal to StarQuest. Adrian (A-Train) Benepe was emcee for the night.

After the speeches were read, the presentations made, and the gifts graciously accepted, a six-piece band played party standards like "I Will Survive" and "Disco Inferno". Guests made their way to the dance floor, with more joining as the night progressed. A number of Parkie attendees were spotted dancing up a storm. It was a fun and successful night, and the event wouldn't have been possible without the stewardship and guidance of many people. The Historic House Trust staff would especially like to thank Terry (Calla Lily) Jackson, Deborah (Zebra) Krulewitch, Myra (Miracle) Biblowit, Doug (Brigadier) Blonsky, Assistant Commissioner Jack T. (Kirkwood) Linn, Borough Commissioner Adrian (A-Train) Benepe, Borough Commissioner P. Richard (Ricardo) Murphy, Jill (Triscuit) Bristow, Raymond (The Batman) Brown, Jill (Mainsail) Mainelli, Frank (Striper) Colella, Joe (Radar) Bonkowski, Anna (Glen Ridge) Carey, Sarah (Ground Zero) Kay, and the interns and Class Ofs who generously volunteered their time to help stuff gift bags.

By Karen (Jamaica Bay) Chia

CORRECTION

It was Rachel (Magnolia) McPherson who has organized the Mississippi Picnic every year since its inception 22 years ago. Rachel's name was misprinted in The Daily Plant on Friday, June 15, 2001.

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO IN THE PLANT
(Wednesday, June 22, 1988)

PARKS TO NEW YORKERS: TAKE A HIKE

Far from the bustle and asphalt of city streets, on the picturesque and serene shore of Van Cortlandt Lake, Parks dedicated its sixth nature trail this morning.

The mile-long trail winding along the largest freshwater lake in the Bronx was named for John Kieran (1892-1981), nature lover, newspaperman and all around expert on everything and anything.

QUOTATION FOR THE DAY

"Farewell, Monsieur Traveler: look you lisp and wear strange suits, disable all the benefits of your own country, be out of love with you nativity, and almost chide God for making you that countenance you are;
or I will scarce think you have swam in a gondola."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center