The North Shore Land Alliance held its 15th anniversary Wine Auction & Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Planting Fields Arboretum. More than 350 guests attended the event, most of whom came decked out in cowboy hats and boots and other Western attire as a nod to Theodore Roosevelt, whom many believe is the country’s president of land conservation.
The North Shore Land Alliance would like to thank Wine Auction co-chairs Botsy Jones, Nazee Klotz, Valerie Ohrstrom and Andrew Roosevelt and Junior co-chairs Maggie Towers and Emily Turilli for their commitment in helping create such a successful benefit.
In addition, the Land Alliance would like to thank the members of our wonderful community for coming out to support our conservation efforts.
The first-ever Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Award was given to the Cushman Family for their family’s commitment to conservation and invaluable support in helping the Land Alliance preserve, in perpetuity, Cushman Woods, a 28-acre public preserve in Matinecock.
A touched Verena and Rod Cushman accepted the award on behalf of the family and thanked the Land Alliance for helping preserve our vulnerable North Shore communities. Former chairman Carter Bales was honored with the Chairman Award for his outstanding service to the organization he shepherded and grew over its first 15 years.
Guests boogied the night away to the tunes of MISS BABS & the Kickin’ Boogie Band and enjoyed bidding on a robust selection of wines and live and silent auction items. Details like the red-checkered table clothes, delicious barbecue fare provided by Sterling Affair and large vintage photos of Teddy Roosevelt that hung behind the stage helped bring the theme of the party full circle.
Toward the end of the evening, the Land Alliance made a special appeal for support of the Tavern House Emergency Stabilization Fund. The Tavern House, a 1700s structure located on the Humes Property in Mill Neck, was severely damaged during many recent storms. The Land Alliance hopes to someday make this historic house their office.
To learn more about the North Shore Land Alliance or to become a member, visit www.northshorelandalliance.org. The Land Alliance annual members’ meeting will be held on Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. at the North Shore Land Alliance offices at Planting Fields Arboretum.
—Submitted by North Shore Land Alliance
