It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go. The arctic freeze, snow flurries, the Rockefeller tree, all we need now is the milk and cookies for Santa. The traditional walk from the Church of the Intercession, 155th Street and Broadway, down to Trinity Cemetery, 155th Street and Riverside Drive, took place, where a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” was performed at the gravesite of Clement Moore, author of the age-old story.
Speaking of trees and speaking of Rockefeller, the Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve celebrated 20 years of raising funds and awareness to support the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. The gala dinner was held—but where else?—at the Rockefeller Estate Playhouse. The Playhouse, which is a Normandy-English style unique structure, was designed by Duncan Candler and built in 1927. The preserve, which has been unbeknownst to me, is located in the Hudson Valley and covers more than 1,400 acres. It was formed in 1983, when 1600 acres of the Rockefeller family estate were deeded to New York State as a gift from the Rockefeller family.
The scenic vistas of the Hudson River and trails serve as a sanctuary not only for people seeking recreation and reflection but also for the 180 bird species that make the preserve their home. The tranquil landscape features 32 miles of carriage roads designed by John D. Rockefeller Jr., that meander through woodlands, fields and wetlands and across stone arch bridges over the waterways.
The Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve was established in memory of Peggy Rockefeller, the wife of David Rockefeller, who during her lifetime was dedicated to maintaining the beautiful terrain in Pocantico Hills. According to Clare Pierson, president of the Friends Board, “David continues to be incredibly generous to the preserve. In 2015 he donated $4 million to establish an operating endowment supporting the preserve and announced he plans to donate approximately 500 additional acres of pastures, hayfields and forest to the preserve in the future. This is one of the largest-ever private donations in the history of the state park system, and we are grateful for this support.”
More than 300,000 visitors from around the world visit the preserve annually. Maybe we should, too.
The greater New York Chapter of the New York Links, Incorporated hosted a private discussion and tour of the artist, Kerry James Marshall’s “Mastry” exhibit, which is currently on display at the Met Breuer. The event consisted of a panel discussion with Sandra Jackson Dumont, chairman of education at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Ian Alteveer, co-curator of the “Mastry” exhibit, followed by a tour of the exhibit.
Marshall is considered one of America’s greatest living painters and is the first living African-American artist to have an exhibit featured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The exhibit is enthralling, with more than 75 pieces, many of which are being shown together for the first time. Born in Birmingham, Ala., in 1955, Marshall moved with his family to Chicago shortly thereafter, as part of the great migration of Blacks who left the South and headed North and West. Settling into one of the country’s first five housing projects, Marshall and his family had an enriching experience, dispelling the mixed-up notion of the housing project, which is reflected in one of his nine exhibitions entitled “The Garden.” The name was chosen because each of the projects had the word garden in its name.
The larger than life-sized murals depict Black people as undeniably Black. This depiction is done intentionally because Marshall feels that Blacks had been buried in art for far too long. The 1993 “Barber Shop” mural was pivotal in his career.
The show, which will be on exhibit throughout the month of January, is part history and part bio of Marshall’s life, as he shows positive images of Black people having free time on Sundays enjoying leisurely activities, children happily at play and even romance.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that remains deeply committed to identifying and funding groundbreaking cancer research programs designed to save millions of lives, hosted an intimate dinner at Daniel (What! They didn’t come to the Red Rooster?). The event, which directly benefited PCF and its work, offered tables at $100,000. The live auctions raised more than $5 million to fund the groundbreaking research projects that will improve and provide better treatments for cancer patients. Well, in that case, all is forgiven, but next time, come to Harlem.
Also in the spirit was Same Sky, which hosted its annual holiday cocktails and shopping event at the Marlborough Gallery, 40 W. 57th St. Same Sky creates employment opportunities for HIV-positive women in Rwanda and women ex-offenders in Jersey City. Same Sky has witnessed firsthand the change that occurs when people are given the chance to support themselves and provide for their families. In attendance were Leslie Malaika Lewis, Bisila Bokoko, Sarita Smith and Suzanne L. Randolph.
To learn more about Same Sky and for holiday shopping ideas, visit samesky.com.
Now that the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, a goodnight to all and to all a goodnight. Merry Christmas.
Until next week … kisses.