With balmy air, a pastel horizon and a full moon, it was a perfect evening for the 2016 White Party, a benefit for education programming, hosted by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy on Thursday, Aug. 18. Guests were invited to wear white, so white lace, linen, chiffon and silk—along with a magnificent white hat, courtesy of guest Adele Enlander—were out in full force.
The 140 guests enjoyed cocktails, a buffet dinner, dessert and dancing in the main rooms of the opulent Hempstead House and outside in the adjacent rose garden. Jazzy, sultry and funky live music was provided by the vocalist and bassist duo Elasea and Sadiki of Acute Inflections: Our Music, Your Way.
The event was held to benefit the conservancy’s education programming fund. The conservancy’s goal is to continue developing and expanding the programs and services offered to the community, which include cocurricular programs for school visits (K-12), original STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) nature programs for children, custom programs for families with special needs, expanded after-school classes for pre-K through middle school students and expanded adult nature classes, including overnight survival courses.
In addition, two outstanding educators were honored, the conservancy’s own “Teacher Lisa” Lisa Cusano, art teacher and yoga instructor, along with wildlife biologist and naturalist “Ranger Eric” Eric Powers, founder of Your Connection to Nature, which Powers established to provide meaningful environmental education programs to connect classrooms to field studies.
The managing director of the Sands Point Preserve, Beth Horn, warmly welcomed the gathered crowd and highly praised Cusano and Powers for their dedication to the many children and adults whom they engage in quality programs throughout the four seasons.
For more information about the mission and programs of the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, visit its website at www.sandspointpreserve conservancy.org.
