Friends from Wayne journeyed to Virginia for the woodsy wedding of NBC News’ political reporter Kasie Hunt, Conestoga ’03, where the requested dress was “rustic formal.”
The bride and groom: One of Conestoga’s many success stories, Kasie Hunt, 31, is now seen on TVs across the country, covering Capitol Hill politics for NBC News and MSNBC. Kasie is magna cum laude graduate of George Washington U. and has a master’s in sociology from King’s College in Cambridge, UK. Groom Matt Rivera, 35, is the digital producer of “Meet the Press.” The two wrap up a two-week honeymoon in Thailand this weekend.
The venue: Scenic Shenandoah Woods, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Luray, Virginia. Kasie told the Washington Post she was “so touched that so many … made the trek out to spend a weekend celebrating away from all the noise and distraction of our crazy lives in journalism.”
Special moments: When the bride danced to “Sentimental Joutney” with her 91-year-old Buppa. And when she played guitar ’round the campfire at the afterparty. (New to strings, Kasie played trombone at Stoga.)
Spotted in the crowd: NBC News’ other top political reporter, White House correspondent Kristen Welker, who was married in Philly March 4.
Why Derby Day? The couple met at a Kentucky Derby party hosted by Kasie. Matt brought the mint.
[masterslider id=”44″]
NBC News’ Willie Geist hosts Philly’s brainiest black-tie, the Franklin Institute Awards
A sold-out crowd of 800 philanthropic, government and corporate leaders – and a science geek or two – turned out May 4 for the Franklin Awards, aka Philly’s Nobel prizes.
The pomp: Guests ascended blue-carpeted steps to the science museum, where they rubbed elbows with awardees and each other at a cocktail party, medal ceremony and dinner.
The circumstance: After a weeklong series of events spotlighting their achievements, nine laureates were fêted for their extraordinary contributions to science, technology, engineering and business leadership. Over the years, an astounding 117 Franklin laureates have won 119 Nobel prizes.
The host: Fresh from MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Willie Geist emceed the medals program in the science museum’s grand rotunda, joking that he was a science failure in grade school. Also presiding: Old Ben Franklin himself – all 20 ft. and 30 tons of him, memorialized in marble.
The history: The Franklin Institute awards date back to 1824, are endowed by benefactors and rake in big bucks for the museum. 2017’s laureates aren’t household names … yet. Past awardees include Frank Lloyd Wright, Edwin Hubble, Jacques Cousteau, Jane Goodall, Marie Curie and Thomas Edison.
[masterslider id=”33″]
Historic barns and farms highlight Episcopal house tour
Braving rain and mud, the good sports on EA’s 25th annual tour on May 5 viewed properties owned by William Penn, famed architect Brognard Okie, and a Revolutionary War outpost of Gen. Washington.
The tour: Eight “Beautiful Barns and Historic Homes” spanning Wayne, Newtown Square and Malvern. On display: converted party barns, barn homes, and working horse barns and 17th- and 18th-century farmhouses and grand estates, all enhanced by donated flowers and catered nibbles.
The bonus: “Boutique” shopping in the Barn at Crumdale Farm, where an original tavern room dates back to the 1600s. Cool.
Among the showstoppers: The totally renovated Grantham Estate on Pembroke Lane in Wayne, recently featured in Architectural Digest and on sale for $6.9 million. (Sorry, no sign of Downton’s Lord and Lady at the Grantham estate). And Malvern’s Alliquippa Farm: 80 acres, four residences, two barns (for 27 horses) and indoor and outdoor rings, originally owned by William Penn.
[masterslider id=”36″]
Hats were haute stuff at Wayne Hotel’s Paramour
A sold-out crowd of 100 dazzled in their Derby-Day best at the Wayne Hotel’s 6th annual party.
The call to post: Neither cool temps nor scattered showers stayed these revelers from their appointed rounds: showing off their inner southern belle or gent at the hotel’s afternoon soirée.
The competition: Wasn’t just fierce at Churchill Downs. A line of best-dressed hopefuls trotted before Paramour’s three-judge panel.
Also cleaning up: The event’s charity beneficiary, Radnor Educational Foundation, which raked in $4,850.
[masterslider id=”34″]
Thinking pink, handing over green at Breastcancer.org’s Baubles blowout
200 women filled pink shopping bags with fashion, décor and sundries at a spectacular Malvern estate May 4.
The showplace: The address says Malvern but Twin Willows Estate, a brick beauty built in 1967 and remodeled in 2009, looks Colonial Williamsburg all the way. At least on the outside.
The baubles: Fifteen pop-up shops sold everything from hats and handbags to garden gizmos and pottery. And jewelry, LOTS of jewelry.
Under all the fluff: Support for a serious mission. In 18 years, the Main Line-bred website, Breastcancer.org, has become a top global resource for expert and personal advice for people touched by breast cancer. Founder Marissa Weiss, a Lankenau oncologist and breast cancer survivor herself, is now campaigning for mammograms to begin at age 40. #40SavesLives. Pass it on.
[masterslider id=”35″]
Banner night for Peter’s Place, whose healing mission is ever green and sunny
The Radnor nonprofit’s April 29 Evergreen gala, held at Merion Golf Club, broke records for attendance – 350 – and proceeds – $220,000.
The draw: Antiques Roadshow auctioneer Alasdair Nichol of Freeman’s upped the bidding for a stay at the shore and a fun BBQ party package, among other prizes.
The cause: Peter’s Place offers peer support programs to grieving children and families at its Radnor HQ and in schools throughout the region, as well as education for professionals. More than 1,400 children used its programs last year.
The new digs: Founded in 2001 in memory of Peter Morsbach who died suddenly at age 10, the nonprofit just keeps getting bigger and better. It just cut the ribbon on its first permanent home on King of Prussia Rd. in Radnor.
[masterslider id=”39″]
Valley Forge Montessori school bets on ‘A Night At the Races’
The only school in the U.S. located inside a national park (!), the Montessori Children’s House of Valley Forge cleaned up at its Spring Fling fundraiser at Waynesborough CC May 6.
The races: Parents placed bets on real horse races shown on a big screen. Some had bought the rights to name horses, mostly in honor of teachers and staff, so competition was fierce.
Winner’s circle: The folks who walked away with trips to St. John, BVI, Cape May and the Florida Keys, auctioned off after dinner. Nice going.
The finish line: $37,000 was raised for school programs.
Fun Fact: In 2009, the school began leasing the circa-1895 Ivy Hollow Farm from Valley Forge National Historical Park in exchange for renovations and maintenance. It currently serves 142 kiddos, ages 1 to 6.
[masterslider id=”37″]
Art Works auction creates hope and healing for kids in crisis
It took a village of 220 friends to raise $245,000 for the Rosemont nonprofit, theVillage, at Merion Cricket Club May 4.
The art: Guests wandered through a gallery of paintings and sculpture created by children enrolled in theVillage’s programs. In seven years, the annual art show/auction has raised $1 million.
The (good) works: On 43-acres in Rosemont, theVillage (one word intentional) offers sanctuary and healing to children impacted by violence, neglect, racism, mental illness, poverty and other trauma. Known as the Presbyterian Children’s Village until 2014, theVillage helps children through residential, counseling, and creative arts programs, including equine, dance, photography, knitting and the fine arts.
The Village People: Yardly and Scott Jenkins received the Healing Spirits Award, and the Corporate Dream Builder Honoree was the Nehrbas Group of Janney Montgomery Scott.
[masterslider id=”40″]
Local bloggers play show and tell at Anthro
No topic was off-limits when local bloggers and their followers gathered at Anthropologie in Wayne.
The party: Anthro rolled out the welcome mat – and an artsy-chic one, at that – for a Local Bloggers Styling Party on May 3. Home decor and tabletop vignettes were spritzed among spring fashions. Shopping and schmoozing ensued.
Spotted in the crowd: Larina Kase of LarinaKaseInteriorDesign.com, Haven Duddy of mainlinehaven.com, Ashley Meyers of smilelulabelle.com, and Lindsey Schuster of theMotherChic.com.
Who else showed up? Penn Valley breast cancer survivor and blogger Randi Rentz. A compilation of her blog posts – “Why Buy a Wig When You Can Buy Diamonds?” – is being made into a book.
[masterslider id=”38″]
Cancer Support Community friends lounge around Fairmount Park
Enjoying “Cocktails in the Park,” the Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia awarded its first Ben Strauss Memorial Scholarship to a youth volunteer. The award is named for the late Pep Boys heir from Haverford, who passed from prostate cancer. His wife co-chaired the fundraiser.
The evening: A lux lounge theme with tapas, cocktails and demos of CSCGP’s drumming, painting, mandala and movement programs.
The cause: Free services to enhance the body, mind and spirit of people affected by cancer. Think support groups, lectures, yoga, Zumba, knitting, tai ji, qigong and meditation.
The awards: The Ann Silverman Award went to Lankenau Precision Oncologist Gerald Messerschmidt of Bryn Mawr. The John Green family received the courage award and CSCGP supporter Brian Kappra of Evantine Design was given the inspiration award.
The Ben Strauss Scholarship: Chosen by survivors and patients, $1,000 went to Gettysburg-bound Gennaro Pannone, for his honest video about the guilt he felt for being happy while his father was being treated for cancer
The take: More than $200,000 for Cancer Support’s free programs.
[masterslider id=”42″]
Wandering among the wisteria: Wistar Institute friends
The Wisteria Garden at Morris Arboretum was the perfect backdrop for the Wistar Institute’s elegant May 10 soirée.
The guests: Loyal supporters of the elite medical research and training center in West Philly – the first of its kind in the U.S. not affiliated with another institution. The party was a thank you for their dedication and part of Wistar’s yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary.
So, what came first: the Wistar Institute or wisteria? The flowering vine’s been around a while but was named for Dr. Caspar Wistar, bff of Thomas Jefferson and the author of America’s first anatomy textbook. The Wistar Institute was founded by the good doctor’s great nephew and named in his honor.
The Wistar-Morris Connection: Goes back 300 years to when Rebecca Wistar married Samuel Morris. The summer home of their descendants, the Chestnut Hill arboretum was once called “Compton.”
Speaking and signing: New York Times-bestselling author of The Founding Gardeners, Andrea Wulf.
[masterslider id=”41″]
West Laurel Hill Cemetery hosts splashy Derby Bash
Nearly 150 revelers in bow ties and dress hats enjoyed carriage rides, a best-dressed contest, dancing and mint julep bars at West Laurel Hill Cemetery May 6.
Revving the crowd before the Run for the Roses: The Red Hot Ramblers, games of chance, InstaShack photos and bidding on three mystery gifts: a cruise on the Delaware, a spa package and a chocolate, wine and champagne pairing.
Also a hit: Using metallic ink on black parchment, fashion illustrator Denise Fike sketched ladies, many in their Lilly Pulitzer-esque best.
The cause: Tickets were $50; $100 for VIPs, raising $4,000 for Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy.
[masterslider id=”43″]
are these events published prior to your newsletter anywhere? Would love to attend some…
They really aren’t really in one place. MLMNews publishes a printed Green Book social calendar each Sept. and Hugh E. Dillon just launched The Philadelphia Social Calendar. But many of these events aren’t listed on either
https://www.philadelphiasocialcalendar.com