Bailey Arboretum Hosts “Come Fly With Me” Sinatra and Mad Men Themed Annual Autumn Cocktail Party

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Come Fly With Me was the theme for the Sinatra and Mad Men Annual Autumn Cocktail Party as guests, friends and supporters gathered to support The Bailey Arboretum on November 7, 2015. Bailey Arboretum is a scenic grand forty-two acre property situated on the North Shore of Long Island in Lattingtown, New York, located on the estate of renowned horticulturist and philanthropist Frank Bailey. Bailey Arboretum is the only accredited arboretum on Long Island and in the New York Metropolitan area.

Bailey Arboretum is open to the public seven days a week, year round. Community and educational programs are offered throughout the year. Bailey Arboretum provides visitors well marked trails, gardens and the freedom to stroll the beautiful grounds. The arboretum does not charge admission or parking fees to the community of Long Islanders and supporters.


Cognac Wellerlane interviews President Margaret Stacey at “Come Fly With Me” Sinatra and Mad Men Themed Annual Autumn Cocktail Party on the North Shore of Long Island in Lattingtown, New York, November 7, 2015.

madamPresident Margaret Stacey explains the history of The Bailey Arboretum

During the cocktail reception I sat down with President Margaret Stacey who explained the history of The Bailey Arboretum.

Hello darlings. Welcome back I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here with the President Margaret Stacey and she is going to tell us all about the history this fabulous place.

Margaret: Well an arboretum is a collection of exotic trees not everyday trees and Frank Bailey came from upstate New York. He was penniless when he came to Brooklyn after getting his degree in college and he started working at Guaranteed Trust Company as a clerk and he eventually became president of Guaranteed Trust Company and a multi multi millionaire. Sadly his first two wives passed away….his third wife said “I am getting out of Brooklyn,” so they came and they bought an estate and he really just wanted to make it a beautiful place. He wasn’t interested in building a castle or an “Oheka” or anything like that.

Yes there is so many of that here on the North Shore.

Margaret: He just wanted a nice family country home. He did double the size of the place but then he began to work on the gardens. He had succeeded in his career so now he was looking around for something to do. He wasn’t that interested in art or anything else…..no it was the trees. He had gotten involved with Homestead in Brooklyn in planting the parks in Brooklyn and so he used all those contacts to get trees here. He became so famous that when the Smithsonian got a tree from China or the Morton or Harvard or one of those places… he got one too.

Unbelievable.

Margaret: We have the largest Redwood tree in the world.

The largest? How tall is it?

Margaret: I am not quite sure.

But it is the largest?

Margaret: Yes we have girl scouts come. It takes twenty of them to make a circle around it. So it’s quite large. We have hundreds and hundreds of exotic trees….very famous trees.

From all over the world?

Margaret: Yes, from all over the world and they are still here. He came here in 1911 and he was still planting in the 50’s when he passed away and then it was given to Nassau County by the family and then the family kept a little bit in touch….more and more they handed it over to the county to run. The county said “Well you know let’s get a Friends Group going here, let’s get more volunteers.” In 1975 we started the Friends Group and that is where we are now. We have been self-supporting running this forty-two acres ourselves the whole time. The money we get here tonight will go towards it. We have a lot of education programs. We have trails in the woods. We have stroll gardens. We have a children’s habitat.

Yes I saw that.

Margaret: It’s very interactive for the little ones from pre-school mainly. We have a wonderful survivor program. The only one in the country. Rubbing the two sticks together thing….that you and I would never do….they think it’s great fun. It’s quite an amazing place all the things that go on. We just started an heirloom rose garden.

That must be beautiful in May and June when all the flowers are in bloom.

Margaret: We are working on a number of other gardens….a wild flower garden in the wooded areas. We are doing a native garden getting people to grow native Long Island things…even most of the things here are not. We continue to identify the trees here because they are so different and exotic that we have to bring in specialist from all over the country to tell us what to do do.

To keep them alive I would think.

Margaret: We lost a hundred trees during Sandy which compared to other places was not bad.

Yes that’s not really that bad since you have so many here.

Margaret: One of the things we are looking at is why were Frank Bailey’s trees were able to survive that storm?

Because you are lucky darling.

Margaret: Maybe that was it.

You have the luck of the Irish as they say and I think Mr. Bailey was Irish himself wasn’t he?

Margaret: I guess he was.

With a name like that…

Margaret: He had to have been.

Yes you got the luck of the Irish.

Margaret: His family came down to see Bailey Arboretun this year. They came up and down. There in Palm Beach and up in Connecticut. They came back for a little reunion. They hadn’t been here in thirty years.

President Margaret Stacey talked more about the history of Bailey Arboretum and later revealed why she became involved. “My field has nothing to do with this. I happen to be a Professor of International Communications but I have always loved the outer doors. I was a great girl scout and my mother was a naturalist. I just love the outer doors so I learned all about it. When we moved here from Sands Point I immediately came to Bailey and starting poking around and when you volunteer the next thing you know they make you president. So that is how I got involved. I was just intrigued by the fact…and we were just another park and we looked into the history and said ‘there is something special here. We got to have a brand and we have to have something that makes us unique.’ We started looking into the trees and we had two professors from Cornell study them. They were absolutely astounded. We really didn’t know what we had. That was only four years ago that we uncovered this.”

HONOREES Honorees Sue and Peter MacKinnon of Bailey Arboretum at “Come Fly With Me” Sinatra and Mad Men Themed Annual Autumn Cocktail Party on the North Shore of Long Island in Lattingtown, New York, November 7, 2015.

During the event Sue and Peter P. MacKinnon were honored for their generous donation time, expertise and talent to the continuation and enhancement of Bailey Arboretun.

Sue and Peter are exemplary friends in every way. Their generosity of time, expertise and talent reverberates in the Long Island community. Their passion for horticulture is legendary. Peter, being the son and nephew of Scottish estate superintendents has detailed familiarity with maintaining grand properties which has applied to his own gardens along with Sue’s meticulous direction. Their often toured gardens are soon to be part of the Smithsonian Archives.

To learn more information please visit http://www.baileyarboretum.org

Filmmakers, 500 Attendees at First Annual Nordic International Film Festival, Scandinavia House, NYC

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NEW YORK, NY – On October 31 and November 1 the First Annual Nordic International Film Festival hosted screenings of the twenty two official selected films with over five hundred attendees and twenty plus filmmakers. The event took place at the renowned Scandinavia House in the Victor Borge Theater. At the festival there were seven world premieres including a number of North American premiers. Film makers, representatives, producers, directors and actors were in attendance from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Denmark, England and the US. All flew in to be a part of the very first Film Festival.

An award ceremony hosted by Jacob A. Ware from the hit TV Show “Boardwalk Empire” was the highlight of the evening. He prepared original comical material to keep the evening lively interspersed with the prestigious awards that were given out to the honored filmmakers.

Nordic Film Festival Linnea Larsdotter Creative Director of the Nordic International Film Festival poses for a photo- op with Cognac Wellerlane at the Nordic Film Festival.

Nordic International Film Festival is based in New York City at the renowned Scandinavia House on Park Avenue also called the Nordic Center. NIFF celebrates Nordic and International films and they strive to encounter and search for new and upcoming independent films as well as honoring great works from already established filmmakers. The First Annual Nordic International Film Festival screened nominated films in the official selection at a grand theatre inside the Nordic Center for members of the press, distribution, filmmakers and general admitted audiences.

Their focus is on finding diverse independent films with strong characters and storylines and encourage all filmmakers to submit their films, regardless of ethnicity, religion or worldview. One part of their program highlights Nordic classic themes found in old Nordic productions. They welcome and judge all films equally and with great respect and consideration. Organizers of the event included Johan Matton – Festival Director/Founder/President and Linnea Larsdotter – Creative Director/Head of Programming.

Nordic Film Festival Actors Jim McCaffrey from Rescue Me and Revenge and his wife Rochelle Bistro pose for a photo-op with Cognac.

Multi award winning actor, screenwriter and producer Johan Matton graduated from three major theatre schools; the renowned Circle in The Square Theatre School on Broadway, New York Film Academy and Calle Flygare’s Theatre School of Sweden. Johan’s productions and films have been screened at more than 40 top festivals in the world. His films range from award winning short films to critically acclaimed indie films in Sweden, Asia and the US. Johan has produced featured films and a feature documentary. Johan is the founder and president of the indie production company “Changing Film” and has both produced and distributed feature films and has facilitated two very successful festival runs where his films have won Best Picture. Johan’s mission is to utilize his great network and connections in the industry to assist emerging filmmakers in finding distribution companies and maintaining press all over the world.

Nordic Film Festival Johan Matton Foumder of the Nordic International Film Festival

Linnea Larsdotter is a native of Sweden and is used to work both behind and in front of the camera. She has performed in twelve countries and over three continents. Her production work includes script consulting for “Jane Street,” “Festival de Cannes,” co-producer on the feature film “Till We Meet Again,” graphic design for the feature film “Kushuthara” and much more. Linnea is currently producing the feature documentary “Lives of Bernard Herrmann” with talents such as Alec Baldwin and Larry Cohen. She has won several awards for films she produced and participated in. Her knowledge and taste for films and the industry makes her one of the festival’s strongest assets at Niff. The festival is proud to have Linnea as their creative director and head of programming.

Nordic Film Festival Actor JACOB A. WARE – BOARDWALK EMPIRE

At their Red Carpet Gala both Linnea and Johan spoke about how and why they became involved with the Nordic International Film Festival.

Welcome back darlings I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here with these two interesting filmmakers who created this festival and they are the founders, am I correct?

Johan: That is correct Linnea Larsdotter and I created this festival. This is the first year of the film festival.

You are also the Creative Director of the Film Festival?

Linnea: Yes I am. I am also the head of programming, So I am overseeing the programming process for the festival.

Tell my audience what inspired you to create this festival?

Johan: Well we really wanted to showcase independent film in New York City and it has been done and we know we can do it even more so by have the collaboration between Nordic countries and America coming together. We have been seeing a lot of Nordic films being shot over here with collaboration using the Scandinavian beautiful scenery. We wanted to help filmmakers get seen out there.with some articles and press. Indie films need to heard and seen to make it out there and it is still needed. We have seen many smaller festivals too. We wanted to make it different so we made it free, no tickets. It was all free. All the screenings have been free.

I wish you much continued success with this. Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Johan: The website is http://www.nordicfilmfest.org

How many films were shown at the Nordic International Film Festival?

Linnea: We screened twenty-two films and we had thirty-five in our official selection and over two hundred submissions.

How many awards will be given out tonight?

Johan: We have about ten awards plus five honorable mentions.

Who is the host for tonight’s event?

Joham: Jacob A. Ware from the hit TV Show “Boardwalk Empire”

One more time, What is the website?

Johan: http://www.nordicfilmfest.org

Celebrities in attendance at the awards ceremony included:

  • Ryan Caraway – Director – By Jingo
  • Charlotte Munck – Silent Sea
  • Katarina Gellin – Of Her I Dream
  • Frida Kempff- Director – Winter Buoy
  • WINNER OF 2010 Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize for Short Film Micky Bader
  • Ben Cura – Director Actor – Creditors (The Royals)
  • Ciaran Flynn – Prison Door
  • Colin Broderick – Emerald City
  • Michael Neeson – son of Liam Neeson
  • The cast from the new feature film – Emerald City

The Winners of Nordic International Film Festival 2015 included:

  • Best Cinematography: Klaus Harnisch, Sebastian Janke, Silent Sea
  • Best Actor: Ryan Caraway, By Jingo
  • Best Actress: Charlotte Munck, Silent Sea
  • Best Director: Jochem de Vries, Cornea
  • Best Documentary Short: The Simple Gift of Walnut Grove
  • Best Nordic Short: The Moment That Passed
  • Best Narrative Short: One Last Sigh Before Nightfall
  • Best Documentary Feature: Vinterboj / Winter Buoy
  • Best Nordic Feature: Det borde finnas regler / There should be rules
  • Best Narrative Feature: Wildlike

Honorable Mentions

  • Falling Angels
  • Days That Follow Each Other (chapters)
  • Nile Leander
  • Creditors

Long Island Residents, Supporters Celebrate 8th Annual Little Shelter Masquerade Ball at Watermill Caterers

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Long Island residents dressed as ghosts, witches, goblins and zombies gathered to celebrate the Little Shelter Animal Rescue’s 8th Annual Masquerade Ball and Charity Event at the Watermill Caterers in Smithown, Long Island. The event took place on Thursday, October 29, 2015 from 6-9PM and featured a cocktail reception, dinner, open bar, live and silent auctions and live entertainment.

Jacque Reid and Sara Gore from NBC TV was this year’s recipient of the 2015 Media Excellence Award for their outstanding contributions to promoting The Little Shelter Animal Rescue.

Sara Gore Cognac Sara Gore from NBC TV and Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane at the Little Shelter Animal Rescue’s 8th Annual Masquerade Ball and Charity Event, Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Jacque Reid is an Emmy winning co-host of New York Live, NBC 4 New York’s lifestyle show, airing weekdays at 12:30PM. Together with co-host Sara Gore, New York Live’s dynamic duo serves audiences a daily dose of the very best New York has to offer from the latest fashion trends to celebrity news, top food and restaurant choices, and entertainment.

Prior to joining NBC 4 New York, Reid was a regular guest co-host on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning show The View as well as a correspondent for the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show where she presented her segment, Inside Her Story, a feature focused on women’s issues. Presently, Jacque continues as a correspondent with the Joyner show as well as a co-host of the AR Bernard Show on Sirius radio. Jacque is also creator and editor in chief of, SingleandLivingFAB.com, a lifestyle website that encourages single women to live their best lives

Sara Gore is co-host of New York Live, NBC 4 New York’s lifestyle show, airing weekdays at 12:30 p.m.

Together with co-host Jacque Reid, New York Live’s dynamic duo serves audiences a daily dose of the very best New York has to offer from the latest fashion trends to celebrity news, top food and restaurant choices, and entertainment.

Little Shelter PresidentLittle Shelter President Maryann Chernovsky and David Ceely Present Award to Dr Frank Liguori.

Sara Gore is also host of LX.TV’s Open House, a weekly show on NBC and nationally syndicated across the country. Each week, Open House opens its doors to the country’s most lavish homes, giving viewers advice and inspiration from the industry’s best designers and home improvement experts.

Early in her career, Gore pursued her passion for food by working as a caterer and personal chef, and worked as a line cook for famed chef Jean-Georges. She has demonstrated her cooking skills on both The Today Show and The Steve Harvey Show.

At the event I had the pleasure of talking to NBC Broadcaster Sara Gore:

Hello darlings I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the 8th Annual Little Shelter Halloween Bash and I am here with a big supporter of tonight’s event. Ms. Sara Gore from NBC. She loves Little Shelter and she works diligently to help promote this wonderful organization each year. Sara tell my audience and everyone out there why Little Shelter is so important and why we should adopt these poor unfortunate animals.

Sara: Well you should always adopt instead of buy. I think the misconception is that you can’t get purebred animals at a shelter. You should go buy them. That is absolutely not true. We have the most beautiful dogs that come through Little Shelter and they are always very clearly cared for and loved. It has been such a great partnership with them.

How did you find out about Little Shelter?

Sara: Through the Mayors Alliance of New York City Animals. For the last six years we do dog adoptions on our show. Since the first year we started the show and it is so traditional we continue to do it every Thursday and it not going anywhere anytime soon. Everyone loves Thursdays. It is my favorite day of the week because of the dog adoptions.

The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, is the sole umbrella organization for animal welfare in NYC. Since 2003, we have been working with our coalition of 150+ rescue groups and shelters to find homes for thousands of New York City’s dogs and cats. Our goal is to transform New York City into a no-kill community by 2015, where no dogs or cats of reasonable health or temperament are killed simply because they do not have homes.

David CeelyExecutive Director David Ceely and Entertainment Journalist Cognac Wellerlane at the Little Shelter Animal Rescue’s 8th Annual Masquerade Ball and Charity Event, Thursday, October 29, 2015.

Veterinarian and Medical Director for twenty five years Dr. Frank Liguori was also honored. Dr. Liguori is this year’s recipient of the President Award of Medical Excellence. Sponsors for the event included: Petco Foundation, 1-800 Flowers, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Ferrari-Maserati of LI, Newport Creative, Carol Duffy, Contour Concepts and Counter-Tech Industries.

Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter nestled on six wooded acres in Huntington, Long Island. Little Shelter has been dedicated to saving abandoned dogs and cats and placing them into loving homes since 1927. Age, physical condition, and socialization issues are never criteria for rescuing a dog or cat whose life is in jeopardy. Through rescue from kill facilities, rehabilitation of sick and un-socialized pets, and a 100% spay/neuter program, Little Shelter hopes to end pet overpopulation and place all dogs and cats in loving homes. All Little Shelter pets receive the highest quality medical care and are spayed /neutered before adoption. Every potential adopter is interviewed and thoroughly screened to ensure the best quality homes. Included on the grounds is Sheltervale Pet Cemetery, which has been the final resting place for companion animals for more than 80 years. Little Shelter Animal Rescue has won Best of Long Island 6 straight years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) for Best Animal Shelter/Rescue. Little Shelter is also a part of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals. Little Shelter is the only shelter not located in New York city to be included in the alliance.

For more information please visit http://littleshelter.com

Long Islanders Attend First Annual Long Island Beauty Ball at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Beauty experts, professional cancer care experts, politicians and cancer survivors attended Mondays at Racine Long Island Beauty Ball on Monday October 26, 2015 at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

For over ten years, the staff of Racine has looked for a way to provide support and comfort to people receiving treatment for cancer. In 2003, they created the Mondays at Racine cancer care program, which provides complimentary services and supportive therapies every third Monday of the month.

At a time when few were addressing the mental and emotional impact of being diagnosed with cancer, Racine set out to attempt to offset its ravaging side effects and provide solace, integrity and support to it’s community members stricken with this disease. In that time, the program has grown to become a safe haven for patient’s emotional well being, as well as an important supportive resource center within our community. It has also helped hundreds of women deal with their affliction in a gentle and proactive way.


Cognac Wellerlane interviews at the First Annual Long Island Beauty Ball At the Crest Hollow Country Club

Co-Founder Rachel Demolfetto knew that the beauty industry was her chosen career. At the age of 26 in 1989, Rachel purchased an aesthetic salon in East Islip where she began establishing her spa career. In September 1994, she opened Racine Salon de Beaute & Spa in Islip, NY with her sister Cynthia Sansone. What began as a small operation has now grown to be a hugely successful community-driven full Spa & Salon and landmark in the town of Islip. Keeping benevolence and philanthropy close to their hearts, for the last ten years Rachel, Cynthia, and team Racine began a program to provide support and beauty services for people going through treatment for cancer. The Mondays at Racine Cancer Care Program has garnered many accolades, citations and awards. As well as the subject of an HBO Oscar nominated short documentary.

Racine Co-Founder RachelMonday At Racine Co-Founder Rachel DeMolfetto and Cognac

Mondays at Racine services include:

  • Massage; Organic massage creams unscented, hypoallergenic, and parabens free.
  • Lymphatic drainage; Improves circulation and decreases inflammation and swelling.
  • Therapeutic Neuromuscular; Helps to balance the nervous system and relieve tension in the muscles.
  • Aromatherapy; HelpS with pain relief and symptoms of hormone loss.
  • Reflexology; Trained specialists work the hands and feet; pain or illness strengthened.
  • Fortifying scalp treatment; Essential oil scalp massage; Customized Hair cut/shave;Hair cut and gentle blow out; Ammonia free hair color for sensitive scalp; Wig wash and/or blow; Customized wig cut; Waxing services; Antibacterial safe facial hair removal using organic wax for sensitive skin; Cosmetic Services; Facials; Nail services; Manicure; Pedicure; Polish; Meditation; Yoga; Reiki energy no touch therapy.

I had the chance to talk to Co-Founder Rachel Demolfetto.

Hello darlings, welcome back. I am here with Rachel from Mondays at Racine and she is going to talk about what this event is really all about.

Rachel: This event is commutations of a 3 1/2 year non for profit that began with the light of HBO, a short documentary that went to the Academy Awards based upon what we do at the Salon every Monday which is to take care of anybody in treatment men and women for any cancer. So this non-profit now is expanding hopefully to become a household word in terms of having other salons in ether zip codes doing the same program. We have the tutorial and the staff to support these salons. It is our duty in the industry to do such work.

Well you are doing a terrific job. You really help so many people that were stricken with Cancer. I had Breast Cancer and I would love to tell my story about what happened to me.

Rachel: Absolutely, everybody has their own story but the only thing we can do is the damage control on the medications which is necessary don’t get me wrong but coupled with wellness and feeling good the battle gets a little better.

Why did you get involved in this obviously for good purposes but what got the ball rolling?

Rachel: The woman on the swing on our logo is Cynthia my mother who had Cancer in the 1980’s when Aids was broken out. She was treated like a piranha of society. She had lost her hair. She had went to a salon. Her hair was falling out and nobody knew what to do. Years later….Racine has been opened 21 years….we decided that Monday is the usual day we are closed let’s get our staff together and do such a program.

That’s terrific. If we want to find out more information of what you are doing and all the benefits about how people can learn all about this where can we go on the Internet? Do you have a website?

Rachael: Definately, http://mondaysatracine.org

Steve Flotteron Mondays at Racine, Councilman Steve Flotteron and Cognac

James Altadonna Monday At Racine, County Clerk James Altadonna and Cognac

Mondays at Racine’s mission is to encourage a self-empowering, mind-body approach to treatment, in concert with traditional medicine, to ensure wellness and vitality. By attending to the whole person and not just the disease, Mondays at Racine offers people suffering with cancer the opportunity to face the challenge of healing…beautifully.

Art Enthusiasts Attend New York Contemporary Arts Symposium, October 24, 2015 at Art Space, Patchogue

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PATCHOGUE, NY – This past Saturday October 24, 2015 art enthusiasts attended the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium (NYCAS). NYCAS is a program of the Islip Art Museum and is conducted in collaboration with D. Fleiss East West Artists.

NYCAS brings artists and art professionals from around the world together to form new networks, foster international connections, develop cross-cultural understanding and cultivate cooperation. The 2015 symposium provides nine international and three national artists with housing, studio space, all meals, trips to cultural centers and selected artist supplies at no cost. Lifting these financial burdens frees the artists to explore their creativity with themselves and the surrounding community through a series of public events arranged by the Islip Art Museum in East Islip and the Patchogue Arts Council in Patchogue.

I had the chance to talk to many artists including Dave Rogers who displays his art periodically at Art Space located at 20 Terry Street in Patchogue.

DaveRogersArtist Dave Rogers chats with Cognac Wellerlane at the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium Saturday October 24, 2015.

Rogers is a 14 year veteran of the US Army and served in Iraq (1990-91), Bosnia (1997). He was a first responder at the World Trade Center (2001) and homeland security in New York (2002-2004). Mr. Rogers is a New York based Neo-POP sculptor, painter, installation artist and independent curator. He has shown his work nationally in such areas as NY, Miami, NJ and CT. He has traveled the world and has internationally shown in such countries as China, Korea, Germany, England, France, Mongolia, Switzerland and Spain. His works are in several private and public collections, as well as having been displayed in Museums, National Libraries, Universities and Cultural Centers.

Mr. Rogers art work has also been displayed in several art fairs including Miami Basel, Toronto Love Art Fair and the Korea and Hong Kong Affordable Art Fairs. Rogers belongs to The Guild of American paper cutters, the Art and Oil Painting Associations of Jiangmen China, The Huntington and Patchogue Arts Councils, and Studio Montclair, NJ. His work has been featured in Long Island, Miami, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Dominican Republic newspapers and magazines as well as on News 12 and Fios1 Long Island, Miami TV, and Guangdong Television in China.


Artist Dave Rogers recently painted a portrait of me and we discussed his new projects as well.

I know the painting was inspired by me but could you tell me a little more about the colors and the graphic art that you incorporated into the painting.

Dave: Well for the new series that I am doing…..I am doing mostly well known but not like super famous people…

Which is me..

Dave: I know some very well known people who have inspired me, who have been very supportive of me and my art. So they inspire me also and so in doing my new work with these pieces. It’s a combination of my older style which is a Neo-POP site and a lit bit add to my impressionist period that I did many years ago and then the symbolism which is basically a mixture of Chinese, Egyptian and Aztec kind of writing that I put together. So in the paintings I am telling a story.

So there is a real language that you incorporated onto my image?

Dave: Yes. So it is a story that I am telling but it is an unreadable story. It is for the viewer to find the story for themselves through the motion of the symbols and the color. You will notice on the painting part of it is filled in completely and part of it is not filled in completely. I like that unfinished feel. I picked it up while living in Asia. They like to leave the canvas kind of unfinished, undone so then again the viewer has to fill in their own concept of how it would look if it was full.

Does the writing, symbolism mean anything?

Dave: It means something to me.

What does it mean?

Dave: No, no…that the secret to my pieces. I don’t want to give away the secret. I want each viewer to look at it and find their own feeling, their own meaning into the piece.

Rogers spent seven years as a professor of art and visiting lecturer in art and design through China before returning to New York. He worked as an instructor at two different art organizations on Long Island, as an art advisor and lecturer for emerging artists and young collectors. Rogers has won awards for his work several veteran organizations, and from several art organizations on Long Island and with the Disabled Peoples Union of China, the Art Association of Jiangmen, China and the Chinese Government. Rogers has done several artist in residence in China and New York to include St. Josephs College in Patchogue, He is also the winner of the O’Malley Grant in Fine Art from Long Island University. He received his BA in Visual Arts with Honors from SUNY Old Westbury. Mr. Rogers attended the Academy of Art University and received an MFA in Sculpture from Long Island University.

Since a resident of Artspace Patchogue, Rogers was gallery manager for July 2013-Aug 2014. Along with other artists he has created a mural in the Village Roe Alleyway that represents the growth of the Village of Patchogue and the best of Arts in the community with funding from Suffolk County, the Village of Patchogue and several local businesses. He has created a public sculpture for the Village of Patchogue Park with Funding from the Garden Club. Recently Rogers’ design was chosen for a designer crosswalk on Main St in the village of Patchogue (The first designer crosswalk of it’s kind on Long Island). Rogers belongs to the Patchogue Chamber as a Art Consultant, and is a Board Member of the Hecksher Museum of Art. Rogers is a regular fixture in the arts around Patchogue and Long Island, either exhibiting work, or curating exhibits which help emerging artists find opportunities to exhibit their works. He has not only curated exhibits at Artspace Patchogue, but has created exchange exhibits and opportunities with Long Island University, Art Studio in Sea Cliff, Artspace Connecticut, fotofoto Gallery, and Sparkboom.. When not working on his art, Rogers mentors emerging artists and often creates chances for artists to join him in events and meetings supporting the arts.

For more information about Artist Dave Rogers please visit http://davesartstudio.co

I also interviewed Artist Patricia Kelly who uniquely uses watercolors in her painting giving her art an almost storybook concept.

President John CinoCurator and President John Cino of the Patchogue Arts Council (left) and Artist Christine Kertz stand with Cognac Wellerlane at the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium Saturday October 24, 2015.

At the the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium (NYCAS) at Art Space I also talked to Curator and President John Cino of the Patchogue Arts Council. When a few folks met around a kitchen table to talk about how to cultivate the art scene in Patchogue, little did they know that they were to about to play an integral role in the cultural renaissance of their community.

The Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) provides artists of all mediums with opportunities to share their work, network with other creatives, and participate in arts advocacy initiatives. In addition to supporting a variety of artists and art forms, The Patchogue Arts Council also works to engage a diverse audience from all walks of life. By presenting a broad range of programs. Their mission is to hope to ignite the creative spirit of the Great South Bay.

For more informatiom about the Patchogue Arts Council please visit https://patchoguearts.org

23rd Hamptons International Film Festival; Intimate Showcase of Year’s Best Offerings in Cinema

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Members of the press, Movie Stars, Filmmakers and Hamptonites gathered to attend the 23rd Hamptons International Film Festival on October 8th through October 12th. The Hamptons International Film Festival is traditionally held each year over the Columbus Day weekend.

The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) is a year-round 501(c)3 non-profit organization with events, screenings, film workshops, comprehensive summer programs and an annual film festival. The Festival is the premiere film event on New York State’s east end and is an intimate showcase of some of the year’s best offerings in contemporary cinema from around the world. With cash and in-kind prizes handed out totaling more than $165,000, HIFF continues to attract some of the best films of the year. Selections from all of our programs continue to play an important role during awards season. 2014 marked the 6th time in the last 7 years that a film at the Festival has become the eventual Best Picture winner at the Oscars, making HIFF the only Festival on the East Coast with such a distinction.

This year I was happy to attend some red carpet events and screenings that were significant during the festival. The 23rd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival kicked off on opening night with the film “TRUTH,” Director James Vanderbilt’s searing look into the CBS News controversy that ended Dan Rather’s career as the network’s anchorman.


Cognac Interviews Producer Brad Fischer, Dennis Quaid and American Journalist Dan Rather at the 23rd Hamptons International Film Festival

Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford star in James Vanderbilt’s sharp and insightful take on the controversial CBS 60 Minutes investigation of George W. Bush’s military record that ended Dan Rather’s career as the network’s anchorman. Adapted from producer Mary Mapes’ (Blanchett) account in her book “Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power,” and featuring exceptional performances by a stellar cast, including Elisabeth Moss, Dennis Quaid, and Topher Grace, TRUTH is a polished and absorbing dramatization of the ever-changing relationship between journalism and politics in today’s media.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Producer and Screenwriter Brad Fischer, about the Film.

Tell my audience about this film and why you decided to undertake this project

Brad Fischer: This is the story of the 60 minute piece when Dan Rather was forced to resign after the story was aired about George Busch’s questionable service to the Texas International Guard. It’s a fascinating story about journalism and the intersection of politics and big business. It’s a really interesting story and my partner James Vanderbilt directed the film. I think is a great story that people will enjoy.

I also attended CONVERSATIONS WITH DAN RATHER.

With a famed and storied career that has spanned more than six decades, Dan Rather has been one of the world’s best-known journalists for much of the last half century. He has interviewed every president since Eisenhower and personally covered almost every important dateline of the last 60 years.

Rather joined CBS News in 1962. He quickly rose through the ranks and in 1981 he assumed the position of anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News—a post he held for 24 years. His reporting across the network helped to turn 60 Minutes into an institution, launched 48 Hours as an innovative news magazine program, and shaped countless specials and documentaries. Upon leaving CBS, Rather returned to the in-depth reporting he always loved, creating the Emmy Award-winning Dan Rather Reports on HDNet. Mr. Rather continues to bring us controversial news and is now president and CEO of News and Guts, an independent production company he founded that specializes in high-quality nonfiction content across a range of traditional and digital distribution channels as he revealed during our interview.

Tell my audience what we can expect with Conversations with you and Alec Baldwin? What do you think is going to take place?

Dan Rather: Well I hope we will have a meaningful conversation about the importance of truly independent investigation which runs through the thread of the film TRUTH and I am hopeful that we will have an intelligent conversation about that

Tell us about your new production company, “News and Guts” What is that all about?

Dan Rather: Well when I left CBS News I wanted to stay active. I wanted to work full time…I love reporting and so the bridge to get to that after I left CBS News was to form my own production company and my daughter Robin who is my eldest came up with “New and Guts.”

SPOTLIGHT was the Saturday Centerpiece Film that premiered at Guild Hall in East Hampton.


Cognac Wellerlane interviews Actor John Slattery at the 23rd Hamptons International Film Festival

Starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Brian d’Arcy James, John Slattery and Stanley Tucci, Academy Award nominee Tom McCarthy’s SPOTLIGHT tells the riveting true story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Boston Globe investigation that would rock the city and cause a crisis in one of the world’s oldest and most trusted institutions. When the newspaper’s tenacious “Spotlight” team of reporters delve into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church, their year-long investigation uncovers a decades-long cover-up at the highest levels of Boston’s religious, legal, and government establishment, touching off a wave of revelations around the world. The Saturday Centerpiece screening will be sponsored by Blundstone Boots. Open Road Films will release the title in select theaters on November 6, 2015. SPOTLIGHT will be in theaters nationwide by Thanksgiving.

“It is an honor to be screening these films for our Centerpieces this year,” said HIFF Artistic Director David Nugent. “McCarthy and Haynes are two of America’s most talented filmmakers and they are working at the top of their game.”

“SPOTLIGHT and CAROL have garnered high praises and are highly anticipated for the awards circuit this year,” said HIFF Executive Director Anne Chaisson. “Both films truly demonstrate the high caliber of films that we continue to pursue and program at our festival.”

I had the chance to chat with Directors Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson about their film ANOMALISA.

The synopsis of the film tells us about Michael Stone who is a man crippled by the mundanely of his life. On a business trip to Cincinnati, he checks into the Fregoli Hotel, where he is amazed to discover a possible escape from his desperation in the form of an unassuming Akron baked goods sales rep who may or may not be the love of his life. A beautifully tender and absurdly humorous dreamscape from the brilliant minds of Charlie Kaufman (SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK) and Duke Johnson (“Community”), this is a darkly comedic and surreal journey. ANOMALISA confirms Charlie Kaufman’s place amongst the most important of American filmmakers, and announces Duke Johnson as a major creative force.


Cognac Wellerlane interviews Actor, Narrator and Executive Producer Morgan Freeman at the 23rd International Film Festival

In the documentary Category, THE C WORD (USA) premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The film was directed by Meghan O’Hara. Executive Producer and Narrator Morgan Freeman spoke to me about how important this film is in preventing and dealing with the disease.

Filmmaker and cancer survivor Meghan O’Hara (producer of FAHRENHEIT 9/11, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE) wants to change the way we think about cancer. In this daring and intimate film, she investigates the connection between the current cancer epidemic and our western lifestyle, including medical professionals’ tendency to treat only the symptoms and not the underlying causes. Backed by personal experiences and the scientific validation of Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, O’Hara asks us to reconsider the way we currently treat cancer, and advocate instead for society-wide lifestyle changes. Narrated by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, THE C WORD challenges us to step up and take control of our health.

At the Chairman’s Reception I had the opportunity to talk to Actress Olivia Wilde and Director Reed Morando about their film MEADOWLAND

In her dreamy directorial debut, celebrated cinematographer Reed Morano (KILL YOUR DARLINGS) examines the visceral and isolating experience of grief, and the distortion of reality that occurs following the loss of a child. MEADOWLAND follows distraught parents Sarah (Olivia Wilde) and Phil (Luke Wilson) a year after their 8-year-old son mysteriously disappeared from a gas station bathroom. In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, they each struggle in their own way to heal. Phil attempts to ease his suffering with the help of a support group, while Sarah seeks a more destructive path. Wilde and Wilson, who give raw, emotional performances as the unraveling couple, are backed by an impressive cast of supporting actors, including Elisabeth Moss, John Leguizamo, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kevin Corrigan.

What made you decide to do this film?

Reed Morando: I shot a lot of films for a lot of directors and I saw what they had to go through in their first film and I just felt like If I am going to make something and put myself out there….really vulnerable…I am going to go all the way and I am not just going to make anything. I am going to take the biggest risk possible. I just want to make people feel something event if it hurts.

Olivia tell my audience what your character is really all about.

Olivia: My character is an incredibly strong woman who is dealing with unimaginable grief and pain and she has a very specific way she goes about it. I don’t want to give anything away but I was honored to play someone so strong and so unexpected. I haven’t seen a character like this in a film before so I was really lucky to get the role and I am excited for people to see it.

Emily Blunt

I also attended CONVERSATIONS WITH EMILY BLUNT.

Golden Globe-winning actress Emily Blunt’s transformational ability and versatile performances make her one of the most in-demand actresses of today. Blunt rose to international prominence with her outstanding performances in films such as MY SUMMER OF LOVE and THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.

Most recently, Blunt earned a Golden Globe nomination and critical praise as “The Baker’s Wife” in Rob Marshall’s film adaptation of the musical INTO THE WOODS. Blunt starred alongside Tom Cruise in Doug Liman’s EDGE OF TOMORROW, which was included by many critics on their list of the best films of 2014 and for which Blunt won a Critics’ Choice Movie Award, and recently appeared as the female lead in the time-travel thriller LOOPER. Blunt previously appeared alongside Ewan McGregor in Lasse Hallstrom’s SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN as well as in THE YOUNG VICTORIA, both of which earned her Golden Globe nominations.

Other notable films include MY SISTER’S SISTER, THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR, SUNSHINE CLEANING and THE WOLFMAN.

The festival closed with BRIDGE OF SPIES. Starring Tom Hanks, Alan Alda, Mark Rylance and Amy Ryan, Steven Spielberg’s BRIDGE OF SPIES is a dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events. Spielberg captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.

On October 12, 2015 The Hamptons International Film Festival had an Awards Dinner and announced their award winners at a ceremony in East Hampton.

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONGRATULATES THE 2015 WINNERS:

HIFF Award Winner for Best Narrative Feature sponsored by The Wall Street Journal

  • Rams, directed by Grimur Hákonarson

Honorable Mention for Narrative Feature

  • Embrace of the Serpent, directed by Ciro Guerra

HIFF Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature sponsored by ID Films

  • Missing People, directed by David Shapiro

Honorable Mention for Documentary Feature

  • Chuck Norris Vs. Communism, directed by Ilinca Calugareanu

HIFF Award Winner for Best Narrative Short Film sponsored by The Wall Street Journal

  • Over, directed by Jörn Threlfall

Honorable Mention for Narrative Short Film

  • Patriot, directed by Eva Riley

HIFF Award Winner for Best Documentary Short Film sponsored by ID Films

  • Last Day of Freedom, directed by Dee Hibbert-Jones, Nomi Talisman

Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice

  • The Uncondemned, directed by Michele Mitchell, Nick Louvel

Tangerine Entertainment Juice Fund Award

  • Suffragette, directed by Sarah Gavron

Suffolk County Film Commission Next Exposure Grant

  • When I Live My Life Over Again, directed by Robert Edwards

And as previously announced:

The 2015 Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for a Film of Conflict and Resolution

  • The Uncondemned, directed by Michele Mitchell, Nick Louvel

The Zelda Penzel “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” Award: Dedicated to Those Who Suffer in Silence

  • The Champions, directed by Darcy Dennett

HIFF Documentary Feature Jury

  • Marshall Fine, Chair of the New York Critics Circle
  • Bobby Flay, Chef
  • Sarah Lash, Consultant, Conde Nast Entertainment

HIF Narrative Feature Jury

  • Josh Charles, Actor
  • Dan Guando, US head of Acquisitions, Production, and Development at The Weinstein Company
  • Michael H. Heber, Screenwriter and Producer

2015 VARIETY 10 ACTORS T0 WATCH

  • Christopher Abbott, James White
  • Emory Cohen, Brooklyn
  • Thomas Mann, The Preppie Connection
  • Bel Powley, A Royal Night Out
  • Rebecca Ferguson, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
  • Jason Mitchell, Straight Outta Compton
  • Maika Monroe, It Follows
  • Keith Stanfield, Straight Outta Compton
  • Tessa Thompson, Selma
  • Jessie T. Usher, Independence Day: Resurgence

Celebrities in attendance included: Christopher Abbott, Alan Alda​​, Emily Blunt, ​Bobby Flay, Morgan Freeman​, ​Todd Haynes, Brian D’arcy James, Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson​, Thomas Mann, Tom McCarthy, Michael Moore, Reed Morano, Bel Powley, Dennis Quaid​, Dan Rather​, Josh Singer​,​ John Slattery, Keith Stanfield, Jacob Tremblay​, Jessie T. Usher, James Vanderbilt, Olivia Wilde​

For more information please visit http://hamptonsfilmfest.org

World’s Top Jumpers, Hunter Riders Compete in The 40th Annual Hampton Classic Equestrian Competitions

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Hamptonites and equestrians gathered together at the 40th Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY. The event took place from August 23rd through the 30th. The Hampton Classic is considered one of the most prestigious world-class equestrian competitions. Many of the world’s top jumper and hunter riders come from across the country and beyond to compete for their share of some of the richest prize money in the nation.

The Hampton Classic featured six show rings, a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer’s Market, all on its 60-acre show grounds. With its top competition and pristine setting, The Hampton Classic is not just a place to see, it’s also a place to be seen. Just in the last two years, A-list celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Lauer, Kelly Ripa, Julianne Moore, Sofia Vergara and Mary-Kate Olsen have been in attendance.

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President Dennis Susskind of the Hampton Classic and Cognac Wellerlane Pose for a photo on Grand Prix Sunday at the 40th Hampton Classic

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Broadway Tony Winner Wendy Radus Federman and Actress Jacqueline Murphy pose for a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane on Grand Prix Sunday at the Hampton Classic

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Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op on Opening Day at the 40th Hampton Classiic

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Actress Mimi Lang Poses for a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane on Grand Prix Sunday at the 40th Hampton Classic

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Joy Marks poses for a a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane on Grand Prix Sunday at the 40th Hampton Classic

The Hampton Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered from leadline classes all the way up to the grand prix level. The Classic also has classes for riders with disabilities. The Classic culminated on Sunday, August 30, 2015 “Grand Prix Sunday,” with an impressive schedule of classes including three finals – the $30,000 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Campbell Stables Show Jumping Derby, and the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix Presented by LONGINES – in the Grand Prix Ring, as well as the $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic in the Anne Aspinall Ring.

This year the big winner is Victoria Colvin will always be able to say that, at the 40th Annual Hampton Classic, she won top ribbons in hunters, jumpers and equitation. On Sunday she won then $50,000 Heart Media Hunter Derby, on Friday she won $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake and then won two Junior Hunter championships-and on Saturday she won the $10,000 Sam Edelman Equitation Championship.

“My attitude in the second round was to just go in there and go as tightly as I could and as quickly as I could,” said Colvin. “I love that this class is on the Grand Prix Field, and the second round is kind of like a speed class-you pick up the canter and just keep going.”

During the event I had the pleasure of interviewing many celebrities who shared their love of attending the Hampton Classic. I was honored that President Dennis Suskind spoke about the Hampton Classic’s 40th Anniversary.

Welcome back darlings, I am here with the President of the Hamptons Classic, Mr. Dennis Suskind and It’s Grand Prix Sunday and we are very excited. Mr. Suskind is going to tell us everything that we need to know about today’s event.

Dennis: Well what’s coming up at 2:00 PM is the $250,000 Grand Prix. These are world class riders. Many of them are Olympians and gold medal winners. It’s a very challenging course. We will have about sixteen, fifteen thousand people here. Stands will be filled, VIP will be filled and the weather is fantastic, your here…so we are going to have a fantastic day.

Tell my audience how many years The Hampton Classic has been in existence?

Dennis: Thank you, that is a nice question. This is our 40th year and we are happy to celebrate it.

Do you have a specific goal that you would like to reach for this year?

Dennis: The goal is that everybody leaves safely that comes and the exhibitors that come are safe, patrons that come are safe. That’s our goal that people leave smiling and that’s what tends to happen.

Well, I always have a wonderful time at The Hampton Classic and I love looking at the celebrities and watching everyone with their pretty hats and of course it is all about the horses.

Dennis: It’s about the horses. Today’s a happening and not everyone watches the competition. They are watching each other as you mentioned. You have been here for many years and it is great to have you here. We are happy you are here!

Tell my audience where we can go for more information? What is the website?

Dennis: You can go to www.hamptonclassic.com.; Actually you can go online and watch the competition or you can do it after the competition is over.

WVVH-TV is the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic. Broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights are shown each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen on line at www.wvvh.tv. Most of the Classic’s other classes are also available on ShowNet.biz.

Saturday Night Fever Premieres at 5th Annual Gateway Disco Ball Gala to Benefit Performing Arts Center

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LONG ISLAND, NY – It was Saturday Night Fever at the Disco as Long Islanders gathered at the Fifth Annual Gateway’s Disco Ball Gala to benefit The Gateway Playhouse Theater in Bellport, Long Island on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015.

During the cocktail hour I sat down and interviewed Director of Development and Public Relations Mr. Scot Allan.

Welcome back darling, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here in Bellport, Long Island and I am here with the Executive Director of Public Relations Mr. Scot Allan for the Gateway Playhouse Theater and it’s their fifth annual Disco Ball Gala!

SaturdayNightFever3 Director of Development and Public Relations Mr. Scot Allan and Cognac Wellerlane at the Fifth Annual Gateway’s Disco Ball Gala to benefit The Gateway Playhouse Theater in Bellport, Long Island on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015.

Cognac Wellelame interviews Managing Producer and owner Paul Allan and Director of Development and Public Relations Scot Allan at the 5th Annual Gateway Disco Ball Gala to benefti the Gateway Playhouse Theater in Bellport Long Island.

Scot: Can you believe it?!

Yes, I can believe it!

Scot: You were here at the very first one five years ago when we didn’t know hat we were doing and now I think we figured it out.

You figured it out and it is absolutely fantastic and what a better night to have this event…Saturday Night Fever…I love it!

Scot: We are so excited! Saturday Night Fever debuts tonight! It’s the end of our season. We have done all of our shows for the summer and tonight we get to preview our final show of the summer season as well as talk about our out reach programs and our educational stuff and raise some money for the performing arts center.

Tell my audience what is new and improved here at The Gateway Playhouse?

Scot: Oh my goodness, well our community partners list has just grown and grown and grown. We have partnered with so many non-profits in our area and on Long Island. We are helping each other out…creating educational programs for people and the under-served kids also as well as proving our education in-house with our acting school. We are doing a huge expose on our new and improved acting school and we just are getting bigger and better. It’s so exciting!

I just love this theater. I think this theater is adorable and I love everything you do here. I really do!

Scot: It was an exciting season this year in that it was the Long Island premier of every single show we did. We didn’t have a duplicate show at all. We didn’t have a classic “South Pacific” or “42nd Street.” Every sing title was brand new.

Wow! That is amazing Tell my audience what is your goal for the next year? What do you want to accomplish?

Scot: We really have expanded our acting school and education program and we have gotten some programs where we are going into the public schools system and teaching theater and improving the theater arts education programs and I hope that just keeps growing. Our Broadway shows are our mainstage. They are going strong and they are fantastic! They are selling on their own. We had “Billy Elliot,” the Long Island Premier…..

I saw that.

Scott: We had “Sister Act,” which is a regional premier. “Rock of Ages,” regional premiere first time produced Off Broadway. We have huge shows! It’s a big deal for us. Theaters across the country pine after these shows and we have the titles. We are not the small little theater. We are a high beacon of theater in the country and it’s pretty exciting.

It’s very exciting look at how far you have come from five years ago!

Scot: We have over two hundred people coming. We probably have around two hundred fifty….

Wow!

Scot: And that is big for what we do, sit-down dinner, a show and cocktail hour. It’s quite in depth what we do.

I love what you are wearing by the way. This is what my husband wore when I met him. I met my husband over thirty years ago at a disco on Long Island called Metro 700. He remembers me and I remember him and he had a white suit just like John Travolta.

Scot: Ha..ha.ha.ha!

Do you know that I interviewed….I didn’t interview John Travolta but I did interview Karen Lynn Gorney the actress that played Stephanie… the one that gave him a hard time.

Scot: She is in the show tonight. We have an actress playing her tonight. It’s fantastic!

We are going to to see a glimpse of that tonight.

Scot: A sneak preview of Saturday Night Fever tonight. We are also featuring a performance by our friends at East End Disability Associate. We partnered with them so we have a performing arts program with them and they will be performing on stage as well!

You guys do a terrific job. Tell my audience what is the website? Where can we go to learn more information?

Scot: Gatewayplayhouse.org

Saturday Night Fever Managing Producer at The Gateway Paul Allan and Cognac Wellerlane at the Fifth Annual Gateway’s Disco Ball Gala to benefit The Gateway Playhouse Theater in Bellport, Long Island on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015.

Saturday Night Fever Saturday Night Fever Casting Director Michael Baker and Cognac Wellerlane at the Fifth Annual Gateway’s Disco Ball Gala to benefit The Gateway Playhouse Theater in Bellport, Long Island on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015.

In 1941, Harry C. Pomeran bought a 70-acre farm in Bellport with intentions of starting a hotel. The property was built in 1827 for Charles Osborn and purchased in 1884 by J. L. B. Mott. Mott hired Stanford White to design a new wing for the Mansion House. Harry and his wife Libby converted the property into a resort hotel for Christian Scientists spending the summer on Long Island. Their three children Sally, David and Ruth planted vegetables, washed dishes, waited tables, and milked Daisy, the family cow. In addition to Daisy, the property housed two hundred chickens as well as hay, corn, and other farm essentials. The windmill pumped the family’s water from a deep artesian well.

The Pomeran children entertained the guests by singing, performing skits and puppet shows and playing the piano. Local residents began lining up to see the performances, and Harry decided to make a small investment. Echoing Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, the family thought, “Let’s put on a show!” In 1950, Daisy was evicted from the barn to make way for a production of The Taming of the Shrew, and the Gateway Playhouse had begun.

The Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County strives to enrich a wide range of communities with quality theatrical experiences through diverse arts, entertainment and educational programs. The Gateway Playhouse Theater endeavors to serve these communities in a fiscally responsible manner, to provide affordable resources to schools and non-profit organizations and to ensure the future of the theatrical arts in our region.

Ram’s Head Inn Hosts First Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soiree; Benefits Shelter Island Nonprofit

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LONG ISLAND, NY – The first Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soirée took place on Saturday, August 15th, 2015 from 4- 7pm at the Ram’s Head Inn in Shelter Island Heights, NY. The event presented a delightful night of shopping with J.McLaughlin, live music by Erich Collins Carey Constituency, light bites and cocktails while benefiting The Island Gift of Life Foundation, a Shelter Island nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life of patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses through financial support and services.

I was pleased to talk to Board Member and President Kenneth J. Lewis.

IslandGift Island Gift of Life Foundation President Kenneth J. Lewis and Cognac Wellerlane.

Cognac interviews President Kenneth J. Lewis at the First Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soiree at the Rams Head Inn

Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and we are here at the Island Gift Of Life Summer Soiree right here on Shelter Island and I am here with the president of the organization and he is going to introduce himself to the camera.

Kenneth: Hi, I am Ken Lewis. I am the president of the Island Gift of Life Foundation and this is our first annual summer soiree. We do a March event every year at this very location at the Rams Head inn.

How exciting!

Kenneth: Yes, we are really excited. We have been trying to figure out a new way to raise some awareness and maybe hit a new demographic then we usually do at our March event so hopefully this is going to be the beginning of something great for us.

It’s a beautiful night. You have everything all the components…the place is gorgeous, the food is outrageous! Tell my audience who catered all the food?

Kenneth: The food is catered from Auturo’s from the Hamptons. They donated all the food. There making these fabulous panini’s and passing around hor d’oeuvres for us tonight. The Rams Head Inn is hosting us right here on Shelter Island. They donated all the alcohol and soft drinks for us and this fabulous location. It’s really a fabulous night. We could not ask for a better night. It’s a little hot but we are all in the shade.

The people from the generation that the house was built in 1929, they built these houses with a lot of trees surrounding them for the shade. It’s very Gatsby like.

Kenneth: It is, this place is a very Gatsby like place!

It certainly is!

Kenneth: I said It is going to be so hot but I forgot about all the trees out on the back lawn.

That is what the rich did they built their homes with lots of trees for the shade because there was no air conditioning at that time.

Kenneth: When the sun goes down the breeze kicks in and cools everything down.

Tell my audience how you got involved and why did you get involved with this organization?

Kenneth: I would say it is close to twelve years ago I was asked by the then board president if I would do a live auction for them at their March event. We always had a Chinese auction and sold raffle tickets. We started doing a live auction with five and six items. I had done some local MCing on shelter island for road races and other charity events so he asked me one day “Would you do this live auction for us,” and I said “I haven’t done them before but I will give it a shot” so that was sought of my introduction.

We had a successful night so I kept doing the auctions for them and then they asked me to become a board member. I have been on the Board of Directors now I think for at least ten years. I got involved I knew the woman and her family very well that this was all based on Cheryl Hannabury who was a woman living on Shelter Island. She had Non-Hodgkins Lympoma and it was stared as a grass roots effort, local folks trying to help her find a bone marrow match. She did not have great insurance at the time so as you can imagine her money was running out pretty quickly.

I am sure and the expense on her family!

Kenneth: Absolutely, so a group of local people here on Shelter Island got together and raised money to help her out and then as a result of that fundraising effort it blossomed into this organization. While Cheryl was still alive they formed a formal non-profit, 501c(3) charitable organization which we are now the Island Gift Of Life and we continue really in Cheryl’s name. Her dream was to help people with life threatening illnesses with some of the uncovered expenses. Not only for the patients but for the families as well. It’s been great! I feel very proud to do it!

The proceeds for tonight’s event…..the sales from the shopping goes towards this organization. What is it …fifteen percent?

Kenneth: Yes, I think fifteen percent….J. McLaughlin is conducting a sale and fifteen percent of whatever they sell will go towards the charity. We will have a raffle at the end of the night. We are hoping for this to be a kickoff. This is going to be an annual event for us in the summer.

If you do obtain a significant amount of funds from this event, do you have a goal in mind that you would like to attach the funds to….is there something that you would like to do for the organization for this year?

Kenneth: Well one thing that we do every year is we donate ten thousand dollars each year to the bone marrow registry. So that takes place in a lot of blood drives. You see blood drives popping up all over the place and at a blood drive people can get a cheek swab done. They will fill out some paperwork to see if they would be interested in possibly being a bone marrow donor that then goes on after the initial test is done on the cheek swab. If they discover that the person meets a certain criteria an additional test is then done on that cheek swab. That additional test is a lot of what we fund.

This fundraiser will help with that?

Kenneth: Absolutely and will help to go into our general fund which is what we use to help people on a case by case basis. What we do is not always about giving grant money. We are able to help people sometimes just with navigating the health care system.

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. Where can we go to support, contribute, donate and participate? What is the website?

Kenneth: You can go right to our website which is www.IslandGiftofLife.org

RamsHeadRams Head Inn Owner Linda Eklund and Cognac Wellerlane.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Art Auction Coordinator Catherine Brigham and Board Member and Owner of the Rams Head Inn Linda Eklund at the First Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soiree at the Rams Head Inn.

The Island Gift of Life Foundation began as the dream of an island resident, Cheryl Hannabury, who had battled Non-Hodgkins Lympoma for many years. Her hope was to develop an organization that would assist families with the un-insured expenses incurred while treating the disease as well as for the collateral expenses incurred such as travel, lodging, etc. of the family & support team. It was also her hope to increase the awareness of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, as well as the importance of increasing the bone-marrow donor registry for this disease.

In February of 2001 the Foundation became a non-profit organization after many generous donations were made to the Foundation. At this time the Island Gift of Life held a blood /bone marrow drive with the intent to add to the bone marrow donor registry and possibly find a match for Cheryl. The program was so successful that 100 people were added to the registry. Unfortunately Cheryl succumbed to the disease despite all efforts to save her. But her dream continues today with the present activities of the Foundation she inspired.

The Island Gift of Life Foundation is a non-profit, 501c(3) charity that provides financial assistance and other related services to people with life threatening illnesses who reside in the townships on the East End of Long Island, NY. Island Gift is completely donor funded and our volunteer board members provide all services free of charge. Therefore the bulk of donated funds go directly to the patients.

Designer Victor de Souza, Space 16, Penny Grant, Hold Benefit Cocktail Party for NYSPCC in Southhampton

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LONG ISLAND, NY – On August 8, 2015 Designer Victor de Souza along with retail store Space 16 in Southhampton, held a cocktail party benefit for The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children celebrating 140 years of protecting and healing children and families from trauma, abuse and neglect.

The event was hosted by The NYSPCC Board Member, Penny Grant, M.D. and pediatrician. Ten percent of all sales will benefit The NYSPCC. During the event I sat down with Dr. Grant as we discussed the long legacy of NYSPCC.org

PennyGrant Host Penny Grant  (wearing a dress designed by Victor de Souza) and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op, August 8, 2015 at Space 16.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Pediatrician Penny Grant and Fashion Designer Victor de Souza at Space 16 to Benefit NYSPCC.org in Southampton.

Hello darlings we are here at Space 16 this fabulous boutique in Southampton, New York and I am here with the host of this particular event. Her name is Penny Grant and she is going to talk about what this event is really all about. The sales, the proceeds will go toward a very wonderful organization. Penny Tell my audience about this event this evening.

Penny: Well thank you for the coverage Cognac. This event is to support the New York Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Children. That’s a really long name.

It sure is!

Penny: NYSPCC is a lot easier to say but we have a long name because we have a long history. We are the first child protection agency in the world.

Really!

Penny: We were founded in 1875. Did you know that in 1874 the first case of child abuse had to be brought about by the gentleman who started the Association For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals. There was no child protection agency.

There was an animal protection first?

Penny: Yes

Oh that is ridiculous!

Penny: That is a fact! Because of a little twist in the law they were able to bring a case against a woman who was beating her daughter and the daughter was removed and when on to live a full life and died at age eighty-two. So treatment works and The New York Society of Prevention For Cruelty to Children we now use NYSPCC. It provides free unlimited counseling to victims of child abuse and their families. A lot of these families are unable to heal with out the experts who are trained and how to teach them to refrain and heal.

And it’s a recurring thing from generation to generation in so many ways. If they came from an abused home they treat their children the same way because that’s the only way they know.

Penny: You said it exactly right! That’s the only way they know! I am a child abuse pediatrician so double board in child abuse and general pediatrician but what I found is a lot of times it was mostly women….

Not fathers?

Penny: Well for the sexual abuse part we can talk about the physical but what really struck me was woman who would cry when I told them that their daughter was sexually abused and they would say “I didn’t know where to turn, I didn’t know how to refrain, I didn’t know how to move on with my life and that is where NYSPCC steps in and heals.

There are so many of these women. There not really financially secure so abandoning the house with the child leaving their husband they are fearful on how they will survive in the world.

Penny: You hit on some very good points. How will they survive so we do have a domestic violence….

This also happens with very wealthy people too! It’s like a whole stigma. I am rich, I am successful, I have a house, I have the car if I leave my husband because he is abusive, what will people say? People will talk.

Penny: It’s important to really know and the audience to hear that abuse knows no boundaries. Just because It isn’t out there doesn’t mean it is not going on and help although very difficult to realize that needs to be gotten not just for yourself but for the next generation because if you have been through trauma you need counseling. Just like if you had a heart attack you go to a cardiologist. If you had a trauma or abuse in your life you go to the experts. The NYSPCC is the expert agency. We even received a grant from the National Institute of Health to study what we do so we make sure our methods work.

Wonderful!

Penny: We are doing a lot to heal children and families and we appreciate the opportunity to let more people know about us.

How did this association happen between you and Victor?

Penny: Well aside from medicine I have to say I love fashion!

So do I! So do I darling!

Penny: I have a brain thank heavens but I also love fashion and Victor I met through mutual friends. I went to his first show and the models walked down the runway and I said ” His fabrics are unique, I never seen anything like it and his tailoring is impeccable, it’s elegant, it’s classic and it’s timeless and he has a wonderful heart.”

He certainly does!

Penny: He is just a wonderfully talented creative individual. He is part of our children’s programs at the NYSPCC and we are blessed to have him on our side.

I wanted to thank for speaking to me here at Space 16 and all for a very worthy cause. How much of the proceeds will go towards the charity?

Penny: Ten percent of all sales

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Penny: The website is https://www.nyspcc.org The New York Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Children. Long name, long legacy of helping heal.

VictordeSouza Fashion Designer Victor de Souza, August 8, 2015 at Space 16 in Southhampton.

ChristinMachi Christin Machi, (wearing a dress designed by Victor de Souza), August 8, 2015 at Space 16.

AllanMarks Allan Marks, Joy Marks (wearing a dress designed by Victor de Souza) and Lauren Chisholm, August 8, 2015 at Space 16 in Southhampton.

The mission of The NYSPCC is to respond to the complex needs of abused and neglected children, and those involved in their care, by providing best practice counseling, legal, and educational services. Through research, communications and training initiatives, the organization works to expand these programs to prevent abuse and help more children heal.

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