D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A of the Benefit Committee and responsible for raising many great contributions. Glocer has been coming to the park since he was a kid living just a few blocks away. Gillian then made two presentations of the Frederick Law Olmsted Award: the first to Betsy Messerschmitt, the outgoing president of the Women’s Committee. Under her leadership, the committee raised more than $13 million for the park. The second award was presented to Patsy and Jeff Tarr, also longtime supporters of the CPC. They have given generously to the Women’s Committee through the Tree Trust, Adopt-aBench, and Playground
Partners programs. Most recently, the Tarrs funded the renovation of the West 100th Street playground, now named the Tarr Family Playground. The success of this “new” playground has impressed them so much that, considering their several grandchildren, they have committed to fund another playground renovation. Patsy is also a member of the Board of Trustees. Luncheon co-chairmen were Noreen Buckfire, Anne Harrison, Marcia Mishaan, and Sarah Harrison. Also hosting besides Miniter and Glocer were Adrian Benepe, commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks &
Recreation, Thomas Kempner, Jr., chairman of the Central Park Conservancy’s Board of Trustees, and Douglas Blonsky, president of the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator. Moving right along. The following evening, down at MoMA, there was a book launch for Citizen You, by Jonathan Tisch, Loew’s co-chairman of the board and a member of the office of the president of Loew’s Corporation. Tisch is also chairman and CEO of its subsidiary, Loews Hotels, and the author of two books. In Citizen You, he reveals how “active citizens” use their professional skills to alleviate
social problems. The guest list was brimming with bold-facers although, without question, the major bearer of the light was The Prez, William Jefferson Clinton. Clinton is, by virtue of his charisma, usually the center of attention. It’s amusing just to observe because he clearly revels in the energy, and he returns it like the perfect volley. He was in good company: Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Michael Douglas, Charlie Rose, Graydon Carter, Gayle King, Amy Fine Collins, Mickey Drexler, Chuck Scarborough, Arthur and Linda Carter, former NYPD Commissioner and LAPD
T h e v e r s a i l l e s fo u n d at i o n ’ s b e n e f i t d i n n e r at t h e p i e r r e
Barbara de Portago with a marine 32 QUEST
Tracey Langfitt and Elizabeth Schaub
The Duchess de Vendome, Prince Jean de France and Gillian Fuller
Prince George Frederick of Prussia and Gundel Dorrance
Lisa and Ronald Oliver
pat r i c k m c m u ll a n
Kari and Carl Hans Tiedemann