Blog Memories: A Skylands Reception for the COA Champlain Society
Congratulations to America's "greenest" college. The College of the Atlantic, which is located on Maine's Mount Desert Island, was just named the #1 green college in the country in "Sierra's" Cool Schools ranking for the second year in a row. Last year, I hosted a special reception for the College of the Atlantic Champlain Society. I hope you enjoy this encore blog posting. It was originally published on August 5, 2016.
The College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, continues to nurture young men and women who are passionate about the environment.
During a cocktail reception I hosted at Skylands, last weekend, the College celebrated another year of support with its most important giving organization, The Champlain Society. Members, alumni, and friends of the college gathered together on my large terrace overlooking Seal Harbor. We enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, and delicious drinks, including vodka martinis made with Iberia Vodka from Russian Standard Vodka and Whispering Angel rose from Château D’Esclans. It was a very successful and enjoyably evening.
The College of the Atlantic was founded 46-years ago, and since then it has maintained its goals to revitalize local communities, address environmental challenges, and expand educational models. I was honored to host this event, and I look forward to the college’s continued success.
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- I love playing Scrabble® and this is my Scrabble® board, which is always set-up in my Living Hall. On the day of the party, I spelled out a nice message to COA President, Darron Collins and all the guests.
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- This view is from the upper terrace. Sutton Island is in the distance – a small, private island south of where I am on Mount Desert. One never tires of seeing this. It was a very warm day, but still beautiful for a party.
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- Because of the large group, the college provided vans to shuttle guests from their cars at the nearby Acadia Institute of Oceanography to my home. http://www.acadiainstitute.com
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- This photo was taken from Bedroom-One, a floor above my large terrace. It is always nice to see guests having a good time. The thick vine growing on my home on the right is kiwi, or Actinidia. Kiwi vines can tolerate a lot of different light conditions, but more exposure to sun brings out better colors in the leaves.
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- Here I am with Allison Sullens, wife of Trustee, Steve Sullens. Look down at our shoes – notice anything?
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- We share the same taste in footwear – Celine Espadrille Wedge Sandals with beige woven jute covered heels. They are so comfortable! I have them in several colors. https://www.celine.com/en
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- Here is another view looking down on my “cracked ice” terrace. Nearly 200-guests fit on this large terrace.
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- Here, I am joined by Duncan Burke, COA Champlain Society member and friend of the College.
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- This was our caipirinhas station. Our servers, Kate Unkel and Victoria Church, couldn’t make them fast enough – the caipirinhas were a big hit with many of the guests.
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- Here I am on the main terrace looking up at Kevin, who is taking this photo from a second floor bedroom balcony. I am surrounded by all the lovely lush, green container plants we potted last spring – agaves, hostas and palms.
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- Soon after Kevin took the last photo, more of us gathered for another. Here I am with Trustees, Winston Holt and Cody van Heerden, along with Deb Milotte, and Peter Hunt. Kate Unkel served us all very delicious cocktails.
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- Imperia Vodka provided by Russian Standard Vodka was chilled in the big trough, and ready to serve in our martinis. http://russianstandardvodka.com/
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- This is COA student Aneesa Khan from India. She is a Davis United World College Scholar and volunteered to work at our party to “give back” for everything her scholarship has afforded her.
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- Here are Karen Collins, wife of COA President Darron Collins, Sharon Bradley and Jennifer Holt.
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- This is COA Dean of Advancement, Lynn Boulger, with Kai-Ming Cheng, who flew in from Hong Kong this same day to attend the event!
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- Hana Bracale and Elsa Kern-Lovick are both College of the Atlantic students who also wanted to “give back” by volunteering to serve hors d’oeuvres at Skylands.
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- During the reception, I stopped to personally welcome everyone to my home, and to thank our guests for supporting the College of the Atlantic. I have long supported COA – in fact, years ago, I was on an episode of the game show, “Jeopardy” and donated all my proceeds to the school.
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- Will Thorndike is the College of the Atlantic Board Chair. Will is also founder of Housatonic Partners and the author of “The Outsiders”, which Forbes magazine calls “one of the most important business books in America”.
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- It was nice to see so many members of the COA Champlain Society. The organization was created in 1988 to recognize those who contribute to the College’s annual fund, and the ongoing operations of the school.
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- This is President Darron Collins, ’92. He is the College’s first alumnus president and former Managing Director at the World Wildlife Fund. He spoke about the student body and the school’s missions to help the environment. This year, the students came from 40-US states and 40-countries.
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- It was a very attentive crowd. Guests were inspired by Darron’s stories of COA graduates who went on to succeed as entrepreneurs in addressing environmental issues and expanding the school’s educational model.
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- At the end of his remarks, Darron raised a glass and toasted to the College’s Champlain Society for all they do to support the school, and its students.
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- Here I am with COA President, Darron Collins ’92, and Board Chair, Will Thorndike.
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- COA Trustee, Lili Pew, trying one of our double-baked fingerling potatoes, served by Aneesa Khan.
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- Hana Bracale is also a Davis United World College Scholar at COA – she had a wonderful time passing bites to all our guests.
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- COA Trustee Dr. Nadia Rosenthal, Trustee Winston Holt, and his wife, Jennifer Holt
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- This is Annie McGillicuddy, daughter of Trustee, Linda McGillicuddy.
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- Here is a view from inside the living room looking through the leaded window.
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- Everyone adored the massive white flower arrangement in the Living Hall. It was a very successful and inspiring reception. Please go to the College’s web site to learn more about their programs and missions. https://www.coa.edu
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