Last night I attended a benefit for the Susan B. Anthony Project. It was held at the home of Moses Pendleton and Cynthia Quinn.
When I arrived, I saw that Moses and Cynthia had decorated their porch with many of his sunflowers:
I decided to try out one of the rocking chairs. Remind me to put on some makeup the next time I go out.
There were sunflowers everywhere, and even though it was a gray and drizzly evening, the whole porch was bright with the flowers’ yellow brilliance:
Moses carefully selected each one from his giant sunflower crop. At first glance, this just appeared to be a sunflower in a vase. Then Moses showed me how he had found it just as it was starting to open its petals. It appeared to be winking, which delighted him (and me too):
There was a small bonfire down in the lower garden:
I noticed that the women at the party, young and old, seemed to be drawn to the flames like moths. I guess it was just the heat they were drawn to. Or, possibly, the gorgeous Momix dancers who were fanning the flames:
The rows of dead plants behind the dancers are part of the marigold garden that usually looks like the suns rays. This is how it looked last year:
But this year, it was hit by what Moses desribed as a “perfect storm” of doom – damp, cold and some sort of fungus, which killed the light of the rays, but not Moses’ determination. He has a plan to combat the fungus blight with … well, I better not say, lest the local fire marshall happens upon my blog.
Here’s Cynthia, the hostess, looking like a sunny flower herself:
And another flowery friend:
The guests all gathered on the porch and the stairs to watch the Momix dancers perform:
And the show began:
I was afraid the flash from my camera was bothering those around me so I stopped taking photos. Maybe Moses will send me some. I somehow didn’t get a photo of Moses, but here’s one I took on another visit:
Well, it was a great night and for a great cause. The Susan B. Anthony house provides shelter and support for battered women, and their director, last evening told me that Moses and Cynthia have been longtime supporters of their wonderful program. Send Susan B. Anthony a donation, if you feel so inclined, or send a donation to a program for victims of domestic violence near you.
Ann Leary, author of The Good House
Author of The Good House
A Bright Rainy Evening
September 13, 2009 by 12 Comments
Comments
Speak Your Mind
OK, so exactly what is that on that ladys’ head? Is that a hat? The way you took the pic it looks like the sunflower is growing right out of her head/hat. Would have loved to see that show.
Thanks for the report, Ann. Great pictures, too. I’m seven time zones away, but I feel like I was there.
Your photos just put me there!! And, perhaps by osmosis, or ESP, or simply the sense of the season, the birthday dinner party I had tonight for my baby sister (age 50) was included tons of sunflowers.
What a beautiful event, in every way. The winking sunflower is amazing. I love Cynthia’s dress!!!!! What a bright note that would be on a dreary day. The Momix dancers look incredible. What an amazing man Moses is. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful evening. I’m glad they let you come after you invited yourself. lolol
Alan, I just read your post from yesterday I guess it was about Courtney giving her egg cooker (and microwave bacon tray!) to the loser of the next contest. Again, you swoop in with a zinger. And no, I’m not confusing you with Jon this time!
I will be blogless until tomorrow evening. My trip to visit Kim & her husband on Long Island this weekend was ruined by the rain – no Miss Fire Island drag pageant. Bummer. So I’m taking tomorrow off anyway and giving myself a mini-vacation in NYC for the day. So I’ll be jonesing all day, wondering what’s going on here, until I get home tomorrow night.
Betsy, I swear I haven’t forgotten you. My mother has been here with me all week. She was going to stay with my cats this weekend, and I had to pick her up last Sunday. I have a small 2 bedroom condo, and she’s literally on top of me. When you’re used to living by yourself for 20 some years, having someone in your house all the time is really hard to deal with. My life has not been my own. Her stuff is all over my living room, I haven’t had any peace and quiet, plus she had to bring her 2 cats! I’m dropping her off at my sister’s in NJ on my way to the city, so after tomorrow I’ll have my day to day routine back.
Caroline, that applies to you too. I’m sorry I haven’t replied to your email or facebook message. I can’t wait to have my house and my life back!
Great pictures. Awesome ones of the dancers. Looks like it was a really successful event. And a good cause. Thanks for sharing!
Great fundraising cause, and wonderful pictures Ann. Thanks again for sharing these with us. Some of the Ann Fans have no actual life, so this is quite lovely, even from afar. (Fine, maybe it’s just me that has no life, whatever.)
Dear Ann,
RE: Susan B Anthony Benefit
Great photo of Cynthia and myself! And, of course, the event itself.
There have been many,many photographers that have entered MOMIX’s world during the 8 years I was company manger of MOMIX…I am sure many before and more after that. Your images are some of the best I have seen. You should think about doing a film documentary – a year in the life… I am sure Moses would cooperate. He has been waiting for so long to have something like that done just the right way. You would also be privy to the Joyce Season – that part of the film alone would be more amazing than any “Day Before” documentary I have seen this week on Sundance.
What a great project this would be!
Regards, Laura Daly
Laura Daly is the wearer of the scarlet petaled hat – and no, the sunflower is not actually sprouting from the hat, it’s just the way she is standing. She is a hat maker. Check out her site.
Excellent post, lovely photos, and a decidedly worthy cause. I’d love to see this!
Wow, what a beautiful event! I am always a little amazed how artists like the Momix dancers can do a show on a lawn in CT…I just think that’s so cool. (They can do my 30th birthday, hahaha!)
I am a HUGE fan of hats and think the ones pictured are lovely!
By the way…I use the term “lawn” loosely…what gorgeous grounds! A great evening for a great cause indeed…glad you enjoyed it!
Ann,
Thank you so much for coming Saturday night and including the wonderful party and the info on Susan B. Anthony Project in your blog. It was a magical night! All of it — the sunflowers on the porch, the charm of Cynthia and Moses, the wonderful food from The Pantry, and most of all the amazing, creative, powerful dance performance.
Beautiful photos and wonderful recap. Thank you.
all the best,
Barbara Spiegel
Executive Director
Susan B. Anthony Project
That porch looks huge
Any way to talk you into taking a picture of the house so we can see it?
I love huge old houses.
I am always scouring towns looking for them and snapping pictures for my blog.
I am probably the resident nut now.