SOCIAL SCENE
A Celebration of James W. Symington
‘Engaging’ Tommy McFly at Carol Joynt’s Q&A Luncheon
The American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) saluted its outgoing longtime chairman, James W. Symington, at the Russian Ambassador’s residence on Nov. 17. U.S. Ambassadors to Russia John Beyrle and Thomas Pickering were among the speakers on a program that also featured renowned Russian bass from the Mariinsky Theater Askar Abdrazakov. Recalling his student days singing folk songs in Russian parks, the honoree said “I was hooked on Russia before I went and ever since.” He capped the evening by performing “Moscow Nights” before guests departed with a signed copy of his recent book “Heard and Overheard: Words Wise (and Otherwise) with Politicians, Statesmen¸ and Real People.”
Tommy McFly was in the best of company on Nov. 20 as Carol Joynt interviewed him for her Q&A luncheon series at the George Town Club. Weekday mornings, 5 to 9 a.m., Tommy hosts “The Tommy Show” on 94.7 Fresh FM with co-hosts Kelly Collis and Jen Richer and heard by approximately one million listeners each week. Tommy shared his early roots in Scranton, and national prominence as first emcee at the White House Easter Egg Hunt. He also confirmed the recent announcement of his marriage proposal to partner Chrys Kefalas.
BY MARY BIRD, PHOTOS BY KEVIN ALLEN
BY MARY BIRD
James W. and Sylvia Symington.
Tommy McFly and Carol Joynt.
Andrew Cockburn Headlines Founding Friends Luncheon BY MARY BIRD
Charlie Cerf and Cynthia Dunbar co-hosted with Katherine Field Stephen PEN/ Faulkner’s Nov. 18 Founding Fathers Literary Luncheon. Author Andrew Cockburn spoke of his book “Kill Chain: The Rise of High-Tech Assassins.” It takes the reader inside the world of national security. Cockburn opined that the present strategy of taking out the key person of a terrorist group by using drones and remote controlled technology has not yielded positive results. In his opinion, “Clearly, we’re not doing the right thing.” PEN/Faulkner initiatives include Writers in Schools, a literary arts outreach program committed to developing the next generation of readers.
Walter Cutter, Betty Kirk, Didi Cutler and Roger Kirk.
“Lucky” Roosevelt and Susan Carmel Lehrman.
Natalia Kislyak and Ambassador of the Russian Federation Sergey I. Kislyak.
Lyn and Mark McFadden.
Nina and Philip Pillsbury.
Lisette and Jerome Barry.
Chrisanna Waldrop, Alma Patty, Lisa Lavelle Burke and Laura Fisher Kaiser.
Founding Fathers co-chair Willee Lewis, author Andrew Cockburn, and “Lucky” Roosevelt.
GMG, INC. December 2, 2015
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