Lin Lougheed, Brenda Nestor Castellano,
Swanee DiMare, Bruce Greer
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden held its 16th annual Gala in the Garden. Co-chairs for this year’s black-tie fundraiser were Brenda Nestor Castellano and Swanee DiMare. Jean Ellen Shehan served as Honorary Chairman, with Paula Brockaway, Joyce Burns, Lin Lougheed, Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa and Penny Stamps as Philanthropic Chairmen and Barbara Tria as Silent Auction Chairman.
This year’s Gala in the Garden for more than 400 guests began with cocktails and a silent auction in the Northern Trust Ballroom of the Jean duPont Shehan Visitor Center. Guests proceeded to a large lakeside pavilion for dining and dancing to the music of The Peter Duchin Orchestra, who returned after previous year’s much talked about performance.
Highlighting the evening, Bruce Greer, President of the Boards of Trustees addressed the guests as he does each year. Mr. Greer spoke about Fairchild being the world leader in tropical plant conservation and the best tropical botanic garden in the world. He thanked all of Fairchilds loyal and dedicated supporters such as Bank of America, Paul and Swanee DiMare and the gala chairmen and committee members. Lastly, Mr. Greer introduced Fairchild’s new Director, Carl Lewis. Guests were then invited to take to the dance floor enjoying the jazzy tunes of the Peter Duchin Orchestra.
Robert Castellano & Brenda Nestor Castellano,
Paul & Swanee DiMareAlong with catering the event, Le Basque worked with Karla Creations created the innovative décor for the evening. This year’s décor features a feeling of European charm and elegance as the pavilion is filled with an abundance of pastel-colored flowers arranged in lovely baskets as well as hanging orchids throughout the interior of the tent. Gala guests not only enjoyed a spectacular evening in stunning tropical landscape but they also support the vital conservation work of Fairchild.
Guests included: Sheldon & Florence Anderson, Adrienne Arsht, James Murphy, Trish & Dan Bell, Julia & David Bianchi, Paula & Bob Brockway, Teresa Buoniconti & Lou Bosse, Joyce & Tony Burns, Brenda Nestor Castellano and Robert Castellano, Bruce and Martha Clinton, Eugene Conese, Swanee and Paul DiMare, Jean duPont Shehan, Evelyn & Bruce Greer, Pamela Garrison, Mr. & Mrs. David Landsberg, Roe & Penny Stamps, Bob & Paula Brockway
Carl & Susanne Lewis, Lin Lougheed, Heinz and Maryanne Luedeking, Brian and Jane Moremile, Mary Jean & Lou Risi, Dori Robau, Manny & Irene Rodriguez, Frances & Eugenio Sevilla-Secasa, Penny & Roe Stamps, Barbara & Vinnie Tria, Angela Whitman, Virginia & Willard Wheeler, Libby and Gene Witherspoon, Nannette Zapata.
