The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
CAUSES UNITE GUESTS AT TEA FOR 2 HUNDRED
WASHINGTON » What do you do when you have a day that feels quite like one might have during an English summer? Well, you host a garden party and invite several hundred of your friends to don their best whites and stop by for food and cocktails.
That’s what Gael Hammer and Gary Goodwin did Saturday afternoon as the Tea for Two Hundred event took place at their home on River Road, just as it has for the past 20 years. The tea is considered one of Litchfield County’s social events of the summer season. Proceeds from the Tea for Two Hundred this year will benefit two local nonprofit organizations: The Gunn Historical Museum and the Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury.
Hammer and Goodwin sat near the entrance of the home and welcomed those who attended.
“We are very pleased with how successful the event has been,” said Hammer, “and we can’t believe how it has grown over the years. There are four or five people from organizations being assisted by proceeds who are very active in pulling the event together, and we have learned over the years how to do it even better.”
Offered Goodwin, “The great thing about the tea is that it benefits great causes. We have a lot of businesses and angel donors who help out. Pretty much everything for the event is donated. Washington is a wonderful small town and people band together to support the event.”
Evie Hammer, Gael’s
“The great thing about the tea is that it benefits great causes. We have a lot of businesses and angel donors who help out. Pretty much everything for the event is donated.” — Gary Goodwin, co-host, Tea for Two Hundred
daughter, was looking resplendent in her white dress and hat as she also sat near the home’s entrance.
“It’s nice to see all the support the tea receives. The origins of the event were in giving back to the community, and it’s great to see the support that effort has received over the years.”
This is the second year that the Tea for Two Hundred has benefited the Gunn Memorial Museum.
“It’s been wonderful to be a part of the event,” said Stephen Bartkus, curator at the museum. “Gael and Gary wanted to have the tea benefit a local organization and we were fortunate to be the recipient. We are a small museum and any funds we receive from outside sources are greatly appreciated and allow us to share the history of Washington with others.”
Steven Fuchs and Brian Lancaster of Washington
and New York City wouldn’t miss the event for anything.
“We were here last year and the temperature must have been 100 degrees,” said Fuchs. “Gael and Gary are lovely people and they really set the tone for the fun that people have.” Said Lancaster, “We are very pleased that the tea began assisting the local museum last year.”
Although the mood was calm and refined, there was plenty going on during the afternoon and into the evening.
The “Beehive Queen” Christine Ohlman (“Saturday Night Live” band) and her band Rebel Montez featuring Michale Colbath, Cliff Goodwin and Larry Donahue performed their blue-eyed rock n’ soul once again this year.
Partygoers milled through a silent auction and bid on trips, dining experiences and spa packages. They also participated in a hat contest featuring guest judge Laura Daly, a renowned milliner, whose wares have been featured in the New York Times as well as many local publications.
Honorary chair Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films, author and resident of Litchfield County, held a book signing and reading of her highly acclaimed book “You Don’t Look Your Age and Other Fairy Tales.”
(Nevins will be at Litchfield’s Oliver Wolcott Library this Thursday for a discussion of her book and other topics from 7 to 8 p.m.)
The day’s special guest was Larry Kramer, American playwright, author, public health advocate and LGBT activist. He signed copies of his controversial satirical novel “Faggots.”
Kirsten Peckerman, a Washington resident and dedicated conservationist, was honored at the tea. She has served as a board member of local organizations, including Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust, The Housatonic Valley Association, Steep Rock Association, The Gunnery School and Gunn Memorial Library and Museum.
The Gunn Historical Museum is run by a paid staff, with help from volunteers. Its operations, fundraising and budget are overseen by a volunteer board of trustees. Operating income comes from individual donations, fundraising events such as Saturday’s, endowment interest income and a town contribution.
According to the museum’s website, in 2013 almost 7,000 people visited and it sponsored 28 programs including those for seniors and schools. The Judea Historic Room, as the museum was first called, was opened by the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter in 1899. It is dedicated to the promotion of literacy, education and the preservation of the town’s history and culture.
According to its website, the Interfaith AIDS ministry was formed in 1989 as a coalition of faith communities in the Greater Danbury Area to respond to the needs of individuals and families infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. The group offers critical support services to families, while providing educational programs for the greater community. Help includeds food delivery, emotional support and financial assistance to meet daily basic needs not covered by other agencies, and coordination and service linkage with other service providers in the region.
The group’s Living Pantry provides bi-weekly food pick-up (with extended service hours) and delivery services. Youth Reacting to AIDS is a program to inform the young people on HIV/AIDS prevention through a peer educational program.
And the group’s GLS + Guardians is an innovative program that seeks to prevent HIV/AIDS in at-risk populations Greater Danbury community through increased awareness and knowledge to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS.