Honorees Katharine Griffiths, Andy Polan, Leah Dunaief, Anna Kerekes
Tom Manuel with members of The Jazz Loft All Stars
From left, Three Village Chamber of Commerce President Emeritus Michael Ardolino; Three Village Chamber of Commerce VP Charles Lefkowitz; honoree Andy Polan; Three Village Chamber of Commerce 2nd VP Carmine Inserra; WMHO President Gloria Rocchio; and Three Village Chamber of Commerce Directors David Prestia and Susie Kaiserman
Participants enjoy the fundraiser
Front row, from left, WMHO Trustee Kathleen Mich; honorees Katharine Griffiths, Andy Polan, Leah Dunaief, Anna Kerekes; and WMHO President Gloria Rocchio; back row, from left, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine; WMHO Chairman Dr. Richard Rugen; and WMHO Trustees Mary Van Tuyl, Charles Napoli and Dan Rowe
Honoree Andy Polan with WMHO Chairman Dr. Richard Rugen
WMHO Charles Napoli, honoree Leah Dunaief and WMHO President Gloria Rocchio
Honoree Katharine Griffiths with WMHO President Gloria Rocchio
WMHO Trustee Mary Van Tuyl, WMHO Chairman Dr. Richard Rugen and honoree Anna Kerekes
The celebratory cake at the event
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization hosted its annual Jewels & Jeans Gala at Flowerfield in St. James on June 19. This year’s event honored Katharine Griffiths, Executive Director, Avalon Park & Preserve; Leah Dunaief, Editor and Publisher of Times Beacon Record News Media; Anna Kerekes, WMHO Trustee; and Andy Polan, President, Three Village Chamber of Commerce “for their outstanding achievements to the community.” The evening featured music by Tom Manuel and The Jazz Loft All Stars, cocktails, dinner and a live and silent auction.
This year is a special one for the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. Based in Stony Brook Village, the not-for-profit organization is celebrating its 80th anniversary of protecting and preserving historic and environmentally sensitive properties deeded to it by Ward Melville, whose philanthropic works and foresight are legendary.
Melville’s visions for the Stony Brook area included the establishment of a world-renowned education institution, Stony Brook University (to which he donated 400 acres of land as well as personal funding); the protection of environmentally sensitive areas; educational and cultural programs; and the preservation of historic properties, dating back to the Revolutionary War, for present and future generations to experience.
Leah Dunaief
The celebration with kick off with its 11th annual Jewels & Jeans Gala at Flowerfield in St. James on June 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. honoring Katharine Griffiths, executive director of Avalon Park & Preserve in Stony Brook; Andy Polan, president of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce; WMHO trustee Anna Kerekes; and Leah Dunaief, editor and publisher of Times Beacon Record News Media.
Andy Polan
The evening will feature a cocktail hour with entertainment by Tom Manuel and The Jazz Loft All Stars. An exciting night follows with dinner, meeting this year’s honorees, raffles, a silent auction and a live auction. Prizes include a Lessing’s Fine Dining Experience for three $300 gift certificates at Mirabelle Restaurant at the Three Village Inn, Sandbar Restaurant and the View Restaurant; dinner for eight by personal Chef Lance; a four-night stay for 10 at The Dome; a VIP stargazing experience at Avalon Park & Preserve; and one night ocean view room at Gurney’s Montauk.
The fundraising goal for this 80th anniversary of the organization will be a net of $80,000. All proceeds will be used for much needed restorations to three of WMHO’s historic properties, each of which is on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.
Anna Kerekes
The Brewster House, c. 1665, is in dire need of siding and chimney repairs; the Thompson House, c. 1709, needs extensive restorations to its chimney; and the Stony Brook Grist Mill, c. 1751, the most complete working grist mill on Long Island, requires repairs to the very intricate mechanisms that are still in use today.
Funds are needed as well to continue producing WMHO’s 70-plus award-winning educational and cultural programs each year.
Tickets are $195 per person and sponsorships are also available. For more information, please call 631-751-2244 or visit www.wmho.org/jewels-jeans/.
