ESU Garden Party 2025 Photo Reportage

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For the second time in three years, Bonnie Matheson has graciously hosted the Annual Garden Party at Loftlands Farm. By all accounts, it was a spectacular event enjoyed 80 people, splendidly attired. President Phil made yet more believers in his Pimms No. 1 Cup punch. He and First Lady Marilyn were so pleased to see so many members, new members, and guests.

Of course, having wonderful food, beautifully presented, in an elegant home is a recipe for visual and gastronomic pleasure. The caterer, Ashley Seig Williams, and her assistant, did a phenomenal job for us, yet again (pictured below). 

So, gather people did, around the laden table, the bar, the living room, the terrace and made merry. 

The party took a break to hear the names read out of the proposed candidates for the forthcoming Officers and Directors by the newly appointed Chair of Nominations, Staci Littleton. Members approved the entire slate by acclamation and we are back in business for another year. Yeah! There followed the Chair of the TLAB Fellowship program, Debbie Pruett, who called forth the Branch's two candidates that are being sent to study at Oxford University this summer and awarded them their certificates. They are pictured below., left Jay Kaufman, Miller School, and Ned Fisher, Tandem Friends School. They are pictured here with their better halves, who, word has it, will be joining their partners toward the end of the program for a little R & R. 

More merriment followed...

And then, the moment we had all been waiting for, a performance by the Branch Shakespeare Contest winner, from Orange County High School, Lyra Tussing, freshly back from the National Competition at Lincoln Center. She came with her drama coach, her mother, and a family friend. She was introduced by the Shakespeare Competition (Nine schools this year, public and private, Central Virginia) Chair, Fay Cunningham. The young lady did not disappoint. She performed her

Monologue and then her Sonnet. Poised, passionate, empathetic, she brought her roles to life. You could hear a pin drop. The audience was in the palm of her hand. We were transported. Time for more fun….

And there were the young ladies out of central asting for Sense & Sensibility and 2 "prospects".

Then it was time for the "secret judging" for the hat/overall look. The ladies' winner, dressed from head to toe in a fetching black & while ensemble, looking ever so film noir, was Mary Howard. In the men's category, based on originality, the vote went to Gerald Brown with his Augusta PGA hat, sported at the course more than once during past Championships. It must be said, that he would not have been in the running were his friend, Mary, not to have insisted that he fetch and wear it. Here they are, standing side by side.

The party would not have been complete without a rousing toast to the King, to His Highness, King George III. To the King…!

Is it just coincidence that the picture below captured our two newest members. Going backward from Jon is Audrey Davis, and standing, Ann Craddock – both born in England.

Gerald and Mary showing the prize.

This report concludes with a summation of Lyra's response to the question what the NY experience meant to her. She waxed rhapsodic. It meant the world to her. The proof is in the pudding. This iconic program works wonders.

Until the next time, please enjoy the summer.  Stay cool! Fondly, President Phil

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