6th Annual Wine Tasting Soiree March 4

Preparations are underway for Adventures in Learning’s 6th Annual Wine Tasting Soirée fundraiser that will be held on Friday, March 4, at the Village Club of Sands Point in the mansion. Cocktails will begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by themed delicacies paired with selected wines and served in tasting rooms. This annual fundraiser supports Adventures’ after-school academic program for children in the Spinney Hill area of Manhasset and Great Neck.
Westhampton floral interior designers Debbie and Steve Boehl, of Honeysuckle and Roses, will once again create an inviting ambiance with exquisite décor creations for the guests to enjoy. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken in the trendy, cool photo booth.
Manhasset residents Laura and Paul Petras and Jon and Kim Kaiman of Great Neck are this year’s honorees. Diana Holden, Adventures’ executive director, remarked, “We are delighted to recognize such enthusiastic, passionate longtime supporters who have contributed so much to Adventures and the community, definitely impacting students’ lives. We are very grateful for their commitment and dedication.”
Paul Petras is a transaction attorney and currently has a family practice in Manhasset. Previously, he practiced law in Georgia with Smith, Gambrell & Russell in Atlanta, and Thompson O’Brien in Norcross. A graduate of Manhasset High School, Colgate University and Emory University School of Law, Paul continues to be active with Manhasset and Colgate alumni programs. In addition, he was president of the Tower Foundation from 2009 to 2012 and is currently their alumni liaison.
Laura Petras has taught high school math for 16 years. She received a mathematical economics Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University, an economics Master of Arts degree from Columbia University and a mathematical education Master of Science degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Currently, she teaches advanced mathematics at Manhasset High School, where she also serves as advisor to the National Honor Society. She previously taught at the Dwight School in Manhattan and at Yeshiva Atlanta. Active locally, she has been involved with the Manhasset SCA for many years. These past 15 years, she has served as a Junior League of Long Island volunteer and also has served 11 years as a Girl Scout volunteer. Laura is also on the Altar Guild and the Call Committee to Select a New Pastor at Church of Our Saviour Lutheran. The Petrases, married for 22 years, met at Colgate University. They have four children—Elizabeth, Timothy, Katherine and Rebecca. Their oldest son, Timothy, will attend his parents’ alma mater, Colgate University, this fall, and his twin, Beth, will begin her studies at Vanderbilt at that time.
Jon Kaiman, the former supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead, has a unique bond with the Spinney Hill and Great Neck Manor communities. Under his leadership, he guided the much-needed North Hempstead Housing Authority’s Spinney Hill garden apartments’ rehabilitation. Through this process, his relationship with Adventures grew. He will always be remembered by the AIL children and their families for his dedication and leadership during his tenure when addressing their housing and education issues. Jon served 10 years as town supervisor and several years as a district court judge prior to that. Recently, he served as Governor Andrew Cuomo’s storm czar, dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and as chairman of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA), the state-authorized control board overseeing Nassau County’s finances. He is presently a candidate running for Congressman Steve Israel’s seat in the 3rd Congressional District. Jon is a graduate of Hofstra University and Hofstra Law School.
Kim Kaiman is a graduate of LIU/CW Post and CUNY Law School, with a career in municipal government and the entertainment industry. She is executive director of the Town of North Hempstead Business & Tourism Development Corporation, concentrating on helping the small business community and also cultivating the TV and film industry to film within the town—aka Hollywood East. During her spare time, Kaiman has appeared on TV in commercials and on television shows, and enjoys performing in local community theater productions. She recently appeared at Port Washington’s Landmark Theater in Bye Bye Birdie. For 10 years, Kaiman served on the CLASP Children’s Center Board of Directors and is a current Great Neck Student Aid Fund board member, which provides one-time grants to students in need to help pay for the critical first year of their higher education.
The Kaimans have resided in Great Neck for 25 years where they have raised three children—Shaun (20), Jared (16) and Iyana (10).
Michael Sansone, Manhasset High School’s outstanding art teacher, will exhibit his AP art students’ gallery of artwork. Diana Holden noted, “We are so excited to view their unbelievable talent and breathtaking creations. I invite the community to join us at this year’s soirée to honor the Petrases and the Kaimans, and to enjoy the Manhasset AP art students’ fascinating exhibits as well as the annual photo booth!”
Once again, there will be the ever-popular raffle and silent auction. Soiree tickets are $150 per person, and $100 for young adults, ages 21-30. The Kash for Kids raffle tickets are $100 each for a grand prize of $5,000, and a maximum of 250 tickets to be sold. Donation items for the Silent Auction are now being accepted.
The Digital Journal Page will be on display during the event. Donors will receive a CD copy of the journal. For further information about registration and journal ads, plus Kash for Kids Raffle tickets, please contact Diana Holden at diana@adventures-in-learning. org or call 516-767-9235.
Founded 46 years ago, Adventures in Learning is an after-school education and enrichment program, located in the Hagedorn Community Center at the Great Neck/Manhasset EOC building at 65 High St., Manhasset, dedicated to improving the lives of children in need of after-school care and instruction.