Art Exhibit and Documentary Screening of Artist George Schulman at Beth Sholom in Roslyn, New York

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Art experts and special guests came to a very special screening of a film documentary about Artist George Schulman on November 17, 2015. Presently over 80 paintings of Mr. George Schulman’s work are being exhibited at the Judaica Museum in the Temple Beth Sholom complex.

The exhibit is curated by Bat-Shiva Slavin at 401 Roslyn Road in Roslyn Heights, NY and will run until November 27, 2015 and represents what Schulman calls “Mapping,” the style that took him decades to achieve.


Before the event I sat down with Curator Bat Shaba Slavin.

Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at Beth Sholom. This wonderful art museum….It’s a gallery…it’s a temple and I am here with the art curator and she is going to introduce herself to the camera.

Bat-Shaba: Good evening everyone I am Bat-Shaba Slavin and I have been curating the museum for over twenty-five years.

That long. Wow…and it has been a museum for how many years?

Bat-Shaba: For some forty years.

Tell my audience why you love art so much.

Bat-Shaba: Art is the expression of beautifying what we have. When you have a story to tell you can put it on a canvas. When you have something to leave, you leave your history and I love all of it.

You love every single thing about it….from the artist’s vision to his expression to the canvas and also to the sculptures that you see everyday in this museum. Tell my audience about this particular event this evening that we are all viewing. Explain it to my audience.

Bat-Shaba: This is an expression of art on canvas by Mr. George Schulman. He layers and maps his art on large canvases mostly. We have sculptures as well by Larry Schloss. He is a fine sculptor who uses wood and stone and together it really breaks you heart to see how much work goes into it.

I know I took pictures and video of everything. I was really compelled and inspired and overwhelmed by everything that I did see right here at the museum. It’s really quite spectacular what these two gentlemen have done, what they have created. I am sure that is the reason why you chose them to be part this exhibit. Tell my audience how you found George Shulman?

Bat-Shaba: Through other artists in the community. When I search for a fine artist I go through the community. We exhibit for times a year. We use objects from our collections. We use artists from Israel, from Europe and from the rest of the country.

So all over the world really…not just in the United Sates, all over the world?

Bat-Shaba: Yes, not just from Long Island.

How many pieces are we viewing today?

Bat-Shaba: More than eight paintings…

By George Schulman.

Bat-Shaba: By George Schulman and twenty sculptures by Larry Schloss.

Interesting, fascinating and we are also going to get to see a film, am I right about that?

Bat-Shaba: Yes, the film tells the story about George Schulman’s work. How he came to be…who he is today.

That’s terrific. I am so excited to be here and to interview you and to learn more about this wonderful museum. We should all come and view and I understand that these painting are also for sale.

Bat-Shaba: The are paintings are for sale. The sculptures are also for sale. They will be here until after Thanksgiving. Time is running short on this particular exhibit. Everyone is welcome

Tell my audiences the hours you are opened.

Bat-Shaba: The facility is opened Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It is opened on Friday until 2:00 PM. It’s opened on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

If we want to learn more information where can we go? What is the website?

Bat Shaba: www.bethsholom.com

Beth Sholom in Rosyln, New York is a warm and dynamic conservative, egalitarian congregation committed to exploring and expressing their Jewish identities through spiritual, educational, and social moments of communal connection. A house of prayer, a house of learning, and a house of community, Temple Beth Sholom nurtures personal development and social responsibility while promoting greater knowledge of their Jewish history and culture. For over sixty years, TBS has been caring for and engaging our congregants and community. Through their services, programs and activities they create sacred communal Jewish moments worthy of the Divine. Their team of clergy, educators and lay leaders are committed to making TBS a place where each and every member of their family can learn, grow, gather and celebrate together.

I also spoke to Artist George Shulman who conveyed his inspirations and enthusiasm in creating his art pieces and paintings.

Artist George Schulman and CognacArtist George Schulman and Cognac at Temple Beth Sholom, 401 Roslyn Road in Roslyn Heights, NY.

How many years did it take you put all this art together? To create all of this art?

George: I have painting since I am a child so in reality it took a lifetime to do what I now do and know. You initially take your life skills and your experiences as a person and they resonate in the studio and all that becomes part of the texture of your creative alphabet. It’s not only about the paintings but it’s about finding materials to use discovering your sense of color. What’s interesting to me is that the paintings are really about nature and about life. What occurs as you develop as an artist, you develop visual acuity and you are constantly working and seeing …using your hands and your body where it becomes a oneness with the process. It’s like a dance and a dancer becoming a performer. The key to the thing is to not only know yourself and be a risk taker but get out of your way and really enjoy the process. When the process is going right the work tells you what to do and you are just the facilitator of the process…and it becomes not only exciting but really exhilarating. What also occurs is that I am constantly trying to do and that is walk in a new direction that is unfamiliar to me.

Well that is your challenge.

Painting since the age of four, classically trained Schulman can paint in any style. Touted with an eye for color and form, yet not satisfied with his early success, Schulman pushed to find his own voice different from all the rest. A spiritual man with Jewish roots. Schulman is also a gifted historian and consummate storyteller. Schulman’s paintings and collages share his, and the Jewish Peoples’, drive to slay dragons. His use of white has been inspired by the light he saw, as well as his grandmother’s voice, telling him it was not his time before being revived from heart failure.

George Schulman WorksSchulman’s Works, being exhibited at the Judaica Museum in the Temple Beth Sholom until November 27, 2015, are colorful, kinetic and at times visually tense.

Using a Classical Grid to format his Works, Schulman looks for the dominant shape found in his favorite Master Artists’ Paintings. Schulman’s Works are colorful, kinetic and at times visually tense. His viewers are drawn in and out of the picture plane. Schulman’s uses special oils and acrylics in his massive paintings. He makes his own stretchers and uses only the finest linen and canvas. Hand sewn paper collages are made out of fast food containers collected over a 2 year period.

To learn more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/georgeschulmanartist

The SkinWizard: ABCDE – Check Yourself (Before You Wreck Yourself) for Skin Cancer and See

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LONG ISLAND, NY – The American Academy of Dermatology is pushing parents to learn the ABCDE’s of skin cancer to spot it in themselves and their kids. Great. I am a father of four. I realize that the enthusiasm for checking yourself or your kids for skin cancer is, to say the least, low on your list of priorities. That is until you find a melanoma on a husband’s back when they were sent to your office for a “wife check“. That is what I call the reluctant husband who comes to my dermatology office complaining that “the wife” made him come in. This happened to me last week and it is not the first time. Worse is finding it on a child.

Well, you say, why should I do that? First of all, if you find it early, your survival is almost guaranteed. If it grows just 1/32 of an inch deeper your survival plummets. If it is 1/4 of an inch and has spread, about 85% die within 5 years. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. One in 50 will get melanoma. What to do?

Well, as Ali G (Sasha Baron Cohen of the movie Borat) says, “Check yourself before you wreck yourself”. Learn the ABCDE’s of skin cancer. They’re easy. There will be a short quiz. Just kidding.

  • A – Asymmetry – in other words if you folded the mole over like a pancake-does it match? If so, that’s a good sign.
  • B – Border – it should be smooth and not ruffled or indented.
  • C – Color – The color should be the same throughout. No variation.
  • D – This is usually the diameter – greater than a pencil eraser in width (6 mm or 1/4 inch) is a concern. This is not quite so true though, as many melanomas or other skin cancers can be much smaller. D is also for an ugly “duckling”. One of these things is not like the others, like the Sesame Street song says. D is also for darker. They can be darker than the rest of your moles, but, sorry to say, some can have no color-an amelanotic melanoma. My dermatologist friend had his brother die from one of these on his scalp. His brother never showed it to anyone until it was too late.
  • E – Is for evolving, or changing. If it is growing or bleeding or getting lumpy, get it checked!
    F – Feels funny. This is my own creation. Many patients say it felt itchy, or painful, or had some other odd sensation. I almost always remove these.

The AAD has a free video “Can you spot skin cancer” (below) and a website called SpotSkinCancer.org where you can map your moles and find free skin cancer screenings.

Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable. Through SPOTme®, the American Academy of Dermatology’s mission is to reduce the number of deaths from skin cancer in the United States by educating the public about skin cancer risk and providing free SPOTme® skin cancer screenings to catch and detect skin cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

I recently volunteered at the Aspen Ideas Festival 2015 for free skin cancer screenings. Educated, wealthy people. We found plenty of skin cancers. I also do pro-bono work for the Mollie Biggane Foundation and the Collette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign. Both had their young daughter pass away from melanoma.

Be enthusiastic and check your body. Maybe once a month. Check your spouse, fully undressed. What could go wrong? Check your kids. All over if you can. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, stay in the shade and stay out of tanning salons. See a dermatologist if you have a possible problem. Just go out at night. Sorry, just kidding.

We all enjoy a sunny day. Live life and enjoy yourself. Just do it smart. Your everyday problems will seem minor if you miss that skin cancer.

The SkinWizard, Theodore (Ted) J. Daly, MD, FAAD, FSPD, FASD, is in private practice in Garden City, NY (Garden City Dermatology) and is board certified in Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Dermatopathology. He has been in practice for over 30 years.

12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala To Support Neuroendrocine Cancer, Bethpage, Long Island

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LONG ISLAND, NY – On November 14, 2015 physicians, caregivers, pharmaceutical company owners and Neuroendocrine Cancer patients attended the 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala at Sterling Caterers in Bethpage, Long Island for the Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) and research.

During the event I had the chance to chat with founder Maryann Wahmann.

Welcome back darlings. I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala and it’s all for a very wonderful cause. I am here with the founder Ms. Maryann Wahmann and she is going to tell us what this event is really all about. Introduce yourself to the camera darling.

Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness NetworkNeuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) Founder Manyann Wahmann with Cognac Wellerlane at the 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala in Bethpage, Long Island, November 14, 2015 at 6:30pm to 11:30pm.

Maryann: Hi I am Maryann Wahmann and we started this foundation about 2003 incorporated in 2004 for Neuroendocrine Cancer which I was diagnosed in 2009 and there was a real need out there. Unfortunately 90% of the people are are misdiagnosed with this disease for five to seven years.

My God.

Maryann: After seven years searching I was finally diagnosed and I realized that there was not much education out there..there wasn’t money for research so we started this foundation. This is our 12th year having the gala. It is called the Celebration of Life and we do if for patients so that they can come and celebrate another year of life and we raise funds for educational programs also for research.

I would think also to cure this disease.

Maryann: Yes. In hopes someday we will find a cure. A lot of people don’t realize that Steve Jobs actually really died of Neuroendocrine Cancer. Everybody believes that he died from Pancreatic Cancer and yes he did have it in his pancreas but it was not normal Pancreatic Cancer it was actually Neuroendocrine Cancer.

Could you tell my audience exactly what is this disease? What are the symptoms? Explain it to us. A lot of us are totally unaware. Some of us have never even heard of this type of cancer.

Maryann: Actually Neuroendocrine Cancer is an umbrella name for many different types of Pancreatic Cancer, Neuroendocrine….Carcinoid which is the most common. It could be found anywhere in the body. It is found in hormone producing cells. Most common place is the appendix or the ileocecal valve or it can be found in the lungs also in the pancreas, It could be found anywhere else in the body as well. Some of the symptoms are severe diarrhea.

Oh my God.

Maryann: Flushing, abdominal pain, heart palpations, gaining weight, losing weight, blood pressure fluctuation. Sometimes people have a thing called carcinoid crisis where their blood pressure just drops and we lose the patient. so there are medications out there to help control it. There is no cure for this disease. Yes you could have surgery and it can hold you off but a lot of times it comes back. It may not come back right away but maybe ten, fifteen years down the line. So it is kind of treated like a chronic disease kind of like diabetes. You have to make sure that you follow up. You have to have CAT scans every six months. You have to have blood work every six months.

So you can live with it even though there is no cure. If you catch it in time if you know what it is you can actually live with this disease?

NeuroendocrineCancer3Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) Executive Director Bob Wahmann with Cognac Wellerlane at the 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala in Bethpage, Long Island, November 14, 2015 at 6:30pm to 11:30pm.

Maryann: Correct and if you get the proper diagnosis you can get the proper treatment and if you find a doctor that knows about it. Unfortunately too many doctors’ don’t know enough about it.

I never even heard of it.

Maryann: A lot of oncologists have only treated one or two patients in their lifetime so it’s very difficult for us patients because we have to find someone that knows something about it and we are actually honoring Dr. Hal Gerstein who was my oncologist.

I would like to interview him later when he does get here.

Maryann: Yes he is my oncologist and he had few carcinoid patients before me but he has now become really active in the Long Island community and has taken on a lot of carcinoid patients and Neuroendocrine patients and he consults with a lot of big doctors around the country. When I was diagnosed there was one and a million chances of getting it and now more than twelve thousand are diagnosed each year. We have over one hundred twenty five thousand people diagnosed living in the US right now. We started this Net Cancer Awareness Month back in 2007 in New York State. Since then we have it every year. In 2009 and 2010 we put together a coalition and we started Worldwide Net Cancer Day which was on November 10th. There is a lot more awareness out there but there but there still is a lot more to go.

Thank God you founded this organization. Tell my audience…we are all curious. We want to hear your story about how yuu got this illness. What motivated you to create this organization? I want to hear your story. What actually happened to you?

Maryann: OK. Well back in 1994 I had lupus as well. In 1994 I had started really having severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. I was actually bleeding from the rectum and I needed to have transfusions and all the doctors kept on telling me that it was Crones Disease….it was Ulcerated Colitis maybe due to your Lupus and I kept saying “There has to be something more to this.” I went to seven different doctors. I had seven different doctors do colonoscopies and endoscopies and finally after the seveth year the last doctor I went to I cried hysterical “I have been told I am crazy…I have been told I need a marriage counselor…I was told I need more fiber in the diet…nothing is working..I need to know what this is. Go in there and don’t come out until you find it,” and the doctor looked at me and he said “Has anybody ever looked at you and said let’s try paediatric scope…it’s longer and more flexible.” I looked at the man and said “I am thirty something years old what are you talking about,” and he said “I can get up into the ileum let me take a look.” I said “OK fine,” and sure enough he came out and he said “I found it. It was hiding in the ileum the whole time.”

The ileum. How do you spell that?

Maryann: It’s ILEUM. It’s right between your small and large intestine. There is a little valve there and that is where it was hiding.

You become like a doctor now you learn all their medical terms and phrases.

Maryann: What happens when you have an endoscope and you have a colonoscopy there is that little section where they can’t reach and that is most of the time where the tumor is hiding.

Oh my God!

Maryann: Also one out of every hundred autopsies it is found in the appendix and a lot of times is not functioning so people don’t realize that it is actually happening and they have this cancer in there. They found it and I had surgery in 2001. They took part of my small intestine, my large intestine, they took out my appendix and then six months later I had to have my gall bladder removed. When I was diagnosed with this there was no real treatment there was only symptoms controls.

NeuroendocrineCancer1Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) Honoree Dr. Hal Gerstein with Cognac Wellerlane at the 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala in Bethpage, Long Island, November 14, 2015 at 6:30pm to 11:30pm

Neuroendocrine tumors are a highly diverse group of tumors formed by neuroendocrine cells. Because these cells are found throughout the body, neuroendocrine tumors can arise in a variety of organs, including those of the gastrointestinal system, lungs, thymus, and skin. Another type of tumor that arises in the adrenal glands — called pheochromocytoma — is sometimes classified as a neuroendocrine tumor. Carcinoid tumors are by far the most common type of neuroendocrine tumor found in the gastrointestinal system. Other, more rare types of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors include small cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, which arise in the islet cells of the pancreas. Doctors may diagnose and treat neuroendocrine tumors according to the types of cells involved, the appearance of the tumor cells under the microscope, and their location in the body.

NeuroendocrineCancer4Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network (NCAN) Sponsor Elyse Spatz Caplan, Founder Maryann Wahmann and Cognac Wellerlane at the 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala in Bethpage, Long Island, November 14, 2015 at 6:30pm to 11:30pm

At this years 12th Annual Celebration of Life Gala. Oncologist, Dr. Hal Gerstein was honored. Dr. Hal Gerstein is a medical oncologist in Great Neck, New York and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Long Island Jewish Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital. He received his medical degree from Albany Medical College and has been in practice for 37 years. He is one of 16 doctors at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and one of 13 at North Shore University Hospital who specialize in Medical Oncology.

For more information on how you can learn more information please visit http://netcancerawareness.org

Residents Gather for Grand Opening of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery in Greenvale, New York

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LONG ISLAND, NY – North Shore residents gathered at the Grand Opening of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery in Greenvale, New York on November 12, 2015. The glamorous event was hosted by 25A Magazine and affluent guests enjoyed fabulous cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Elegant Affairs.

During the event I Interviewed District and Business Group Manager David Finkel.

Introduce Yourself darling.

David: My name is David Finkel. I am District Manager for Ferguson in the North East and we are opening our showroom in Greenvale, Long Island. We have nine thousand square feet of plumbing appliances and lighting. Ferguson is the largest plumbing distributor here in the United States and relatively new to the New York area but we are here and we are looking forward to a success with Long Island.

Well it looks like it is going to be a spectacular event tonight and I understand that 25A Magazine is hosting the event. How did this all come about?

25AMagazineDavidFinkel David Finkel Business Group Manager of Ferguson in Greenvale, NY and Cognac Wellerlane at the Grand Opening of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, November 12, 2015.

David: We have a great relationship with the folks at 25A. They are joining us for the event tonight. We have a great caterer coming. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening just to introduce ourselves to the community.

And you are a very upscale lighting, kitchen…everything….am I correct in saying that?

David: We certainly strive to be. I think that we fit the neighborhood very well. It is a very upscale neighborhood and we are very excited about it. I think folks will really appreciate the products that we offer and we really are looking forward to a lot of success here.

How many Fergusons are there in the Long Island area?

David: Currently we have two showrooms on Long Island. We also have wholesale locations. Ferguson is also in the wholesale and plumbing business but hopefully we will have more time for growth and more locations to come.

That’s fabulous. I am sure you have showrooms located all over the county. Am I right about that?

David: Yes. Ferguson is all over the country. We have showrooms in New York City, Westchester….they are all over New Jersey…for this area we do have many showrooms.

Well I am sure this is going to be a groundbreaking event tonight. Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website.

David: Ferguson.com and we are at 9 Northern Blvd. in Greenvale, New York.

25AMagazinePublishe 25A Magazine Publisher Chase Backer and Cognac Wellerlane at the Grand Opening of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, November 12, 2015.

Ferguson raises the bar for industry standards as the top-rated wholesale supplier of commercial and residential plumbing supplies. The company’s expertise goes way beyond plumbing. Ferguson is a diverse distributor that spans multiple businesses including HVAC/R, waterworks and industrial. In the past sixty three years they have grown from a local distributor to an $11 billion dollar company with more than 1,400 locations and over 20,000 associates nationwide. Ferguson prides themselves on delivering world-class service and their clients and customers know that “Nobody expects more from us than we do” is more than just a tagline to Ferguson associates. It’s a cultural belief that is demonstrated every day through exceptional customer service, product selection and industry knowledge.

25AMagazineAndreaCorrealeElegant Affairs Caterer Andrea Correale and 25A Magazine Publisher Chase Backer at the Grand Opening of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, November 12, 2015.

Ferguson is the largest distributor of commercial and residential plumbing supplies, and pipe, valves, and fittings (PVF) in the United States. It’s more than a slogan about how Ferguson does business. Expecting a lot from themselves is how they make a positive impact to strengthen the communities where they are located throughout the country.. It’s a challenge they share with more than 20,000 associates who help Ferguson fulfill its mission by lending a hand where it’s needed. Supporting communities, families, the military and education is not that different from what they do every day – providing what it takes to keep a wide range of good things going, making everyone’s lives better.

Filmmakers, 500 Attendees at First Annual Nordic International Film Festival, Scandinavia House, NYC

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NEW YORK, NY – On October 31 and November 1 the First Annual Nordic International Film Festival hosted screenings of the twenty two official selected films with over five hundred attendees and twenty plus filmmakers. The event took place at the renowned Scandinavia House in the Victor Borge Theater. At the festival there were seven world premieres including a number of North American premiers. Film makers, representatives, producers, directors and actors were in attendance from Germany, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Denmark, England and the US. All flew in to be a part of the very first Film Festival.

An award ceremony hosted by Jacob A. Ware from the hit TV Show “Boardwalk Empire” was the highlight of the evening. He prepared original comical material to keep the evening lively interspersed with the prestigious awards that were given out to the honored filmmakers.

Nordic Film Festival Linnea Larsdotter Creative Director of the Nordic International Film Festival poses for a photo- op with Cognac Wellerlane at the Nordic Film Festival.

Nordic International Film Festival is based in New York City at the renowned Scandinavia House on Park Avenue also called the Nordic Center. NIFF celebrates Nordic and International films and they strive to encounter and search for new and upcoming independent films as well as honoring great works from already established filmmakers. The First Annual Nordic International Film Festival screened nominated films in the official selection at a grand theatre inside the Nordic Center for members of the press, distribution, filmmakers and general admitted audiences.

Their focus is on finding diverse independent films with strong characters and storylines and encourage all filmmakers to submit their films, regardless of ethnicity, religion or worldview. One part of their program highlights Nordic classic themes found in old Nordic productions. They welcome and judge all films equally and with great respect and consideration. Organizers of the event included Johan Matton – Festival Director/Founder/President and Linnea Larsdotter – Creative Director/Head of Programming.

Nordic Film Festival Actors Jim McCaffrey from Rescue Me and Revenge and his wife Rochelle Bistro pose for a photo-op with Cognac.

Multi award winning actor, screenwriter and producer Johan Matton graduated from three major theatre schools; the renowned Circle in The Square Theatre School on Broadway, New York Film Academy and Calle Flygare’s Theatre School of Sweden. Johan’s productions and films have been screened at more than 40 top festivals in the world. His films range from award winning short films to critically acclaimed indie films in Sweden, Asia and the US. Johan has produced featured films and a feature documentary. Johan is the founder and president of the indie production company “Changing Film” and has both produced and distributed feature films and has facilitated two very successful festival runs where his films have won Best Picture. Johan’s mission is to utilize his great network and connections in the industry to assist emerging filmmakers in finding distribution companies and maintaining press all over the world.

Nordic Film Festival Johan Matton Foumder of the Nordic International Film Festival

Linnea Larsdotter is a native of Sweden and is used to work both behind and in front of the camera. She has performed in twelve countries and over three continents. Her production work includes script consulting for “Jane Street,” “Festival de Cannes,” co-producer on the feature film “Till We Meet Again,” graphic design for the feature film “Kushuthara” and much more. Linnea is currently producing the feature documentary “Lives of Bernard Herrmann” with talents such as Alec Baldwin and Larry Cohen. She has won several awards for films she produced and participated in. Her knowledge and taste for films and the industry makes her one of the festival’s strongest assets at Niff. The festival is proud to have Linnea as their creative director and head of programming.

Nordic Film Festival Actor JACOB A. WARE – BOARDWALK EMPIRE

At their Red Carpet Gala both Linnea and Johan spoke about how and why they became involved with the Nordic International Film Festival.

Welcome back darlings I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here with these two interesting filmmakers who created this festival and they are the founders, am I correct?

Johan: That is correct Linnea Larsdotter and I created this festival. This is the first year of the film festival.

You are also the Creative Director of the Film Festival?

Linnea: Yes I am. I am also the head of programming, So I am overseeing the programming process for the festival.

Tell my audience what inspired you to create this festival?

Johan: Well we really wanted to showcase independent film in New York City and it has been done and we know we can do it even more so by have the collaboration between Nordic countries and America coming together. We have been seeing a lot of Nordic films being shot over here with collaboration using the Scandinavian beautiful scenery. We wanted to help filmmakers get seen out there.with some articles and press. Indie films need to heard and seen to make it out there and it is still needed. We have seen many smaller festivals too. We wanted to make it different so we made it free, no tickets. It was all free. All the screenings have been free.

I wish you much continued success with this. Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Johan: The website is http://www.nordicfilmfest.org

How many films were shown at the Nordic International Film Festival?

Linnea: We screened twenty-two films and we had thirty-five in our official selection and over two hundred submissions.

How many awards will be given out tonight?

Johan: We have about ten awards plus five honorable mentions.

Who is the host for tonight’s event?

Joham: Jacob A. Ware from the hit TV Show “Boardwalk Empire”

One more time, What is the website?

Johan: http://www.nordicfilmfest.org

Celebrities in attendance at the awards ceremony included:

  • Ryan Caraway – Director – By Jingo
  • Charlotte Munck – Silent Sea
  • Katarina Gellin – Of Her I Dream
  • Frida Kempff- Director – Winter Buoy
  • WINNER OF 2010 Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize for Short Film Micky Bader
  • Ben Cura – Director Actor – Creditors (The Royals)
  • Ciaran Flynn – Prison Door
  • Colin Broderick – Emerald City
  • Michael Neeson – son of Liam Neeson
  • The cast from the new feature film – Emerald City

The Winners of Nordic International Film Festival 2015 included:

  • Best Cinematography: Klaus Harnisch, Sebastian Janke, Silent Sea
  • Best Actor: Ryan Caraway, By Jingo
  • Best Actress: Charlotte Munck, Silent Sea
  • Best Director: Jochem de Vries, Cornea
  • Best Documentary Short: The Simple Gift of Walnut Grove
  • Best Nordic Short: The Moment That Passed
  • Best Narrative Short: One Last Sigh Before Nightfall
  • Best Documentary Feature: Vinterboj / Winter Buoy
  • Best Nordic Feature: Det borde finnas regler / There should be rules
  • Best Narrative Feature: Wildlike

Honorable Mentions

  • Falling Angels
  • Days That Follow Each Other (chapters)
  • Nile Leander
  • Creditors

Art Enthusiasts Attend New York Contemporary Arts Symposium, October 24, 2015 at Art Space, Patchogue

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PATCHOGUE, NY – This past Saturday October 24, 2015 art enthusiasts attended the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium (NYCAS). NYCAS is a program of the Islip Art Museum and is conducted in collaboration with D. Fleiss East West Artists.

NYCAS brings artists and art professionals from around the world together to form new networks, foster international connections, develop cross-cultural understanding and cultivate cooperation. The 2015 symposium provides nine international and three national artists with housing, studio space, all meals, trips to cultural centers and selected artist supplies at no cost. Lifting these financial burdens frees the artists to explore their creativity with themselves and the surrounding community through a series of public events arranged by the Islip Art Museum in East Islip and the Patchogue Arts Council in Patchogue.

I had the chance to talk to many artists including Dave Rogers who displays his art periodically at Art Space located at 20 Terry Street in Patchogue.

DaveRogersArtist Dave Rogers chats with Cognac Wellerlane at the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium Saturday October 24, 2015.

Rogers is a 14 year veteran of the US Army and served in Iraq (1990-91), Bosnia (1997). He was a first responder at the World Trade Center (2001) and homeland security in New York (2002-2004). Mr. Rogers is a New York based Neo-POP sculptor, painter, installation artist and independent curator. He has shown his work nationally in such areas as NY, Miami, NJ and CT. He has traveled the world and has internationally shown in such countries as China, Korea, Germany, England, France, Mongolia, Switzerland and Spain. His works are in several private and public collections, as well as having been displayed in Museums, National Libraries, Universities and Cultural Centers.

Mr. Rogers art work has also been displayed in several art fairs including Miami Basel, Toronto Love Art Fair and the Korea and Hong Kong Affordable Art Fairs. Rogers belongs to The Guild of American paper cutters, the Art and Oil Painting Associations of Jiangmen China, The Huntington and Patchogue Arts Councils, and Studio Montclair, NJ. His work has been featured in Long Island, Miami, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Dominican Republic newspapers and magazines as well as on News 12 and Fios1 Long Island, Miami TV, and Guangdong Television in China.


Artist Dave Rogers recently painted a portrait of me and we discussed his new projects as well.

I know the painting was inspired by me but could you tell me a little more about the colors and the graphic art that you incorporated into the painting.

Dave: Well for the new series that I am doing…..I am doing mostly well known but not like super famous people…

Which is me..

Dave: I know some very well known people who have inspired me, who have been very supportive of me and my art. So they inspire me also and so in doing my new work with these pieces. It’s a combination of my older style which is a Neo-POP site and a lit bit add to my impressionist period that I did many years ago and then the symbolism which is basically a mixture of Chinese, Egyptian and Aztec kind of writing that I put together. So in the paintings I am telling a story.

So there is a real language that you incorporated onto my image?

Dave: Yes. So it is a story that I am telling but it is an unreadable story. It is for the viewer to find the story for themselves through the motion of the symbols and the color. You will notice on the painting part of it is filled in completely and part of it is not filled in completely. I like that unfinished feel. I picked it up while living in Asia. They like to leave the canvas kind of unfinished, undone so then again the viewer has to fill in their own concept of how it would look if it was full.

Does the writing, symbolism mean anything?

Dave: It means something to me.

What does it mean?

Dave: No, no…that the secret to my pieces. I don’t want to give away the secret. I want each viewer to look at it and find their own feeling, their own meaning into the piece.

Rogers spent seven years as a professor of art and visiting lecturer in art and design through China before returning to New York. He worked as an instructor at two different art organizations on Long Island, as an art advisor and lecturer for emerging artists and young collectors. Rogers has won awards for his work several veteran organizations, and from several art organizations on Long Island and with the Disabled Peoples Union of China, the Art Association of Jiangmen, China and the Chinese Government. Rogers has done several artist in residence in China and New York to include St. Josephs College in Patchogue, He is also the winner of the O’Malley Grant in Fine Art from Long Island University. He received his BA in Visual Arts with Honors from SUNY Old Westbury. Mr. Rogers attended the Academy of Art University and received an MFA in Sculpture from Long Island University.

Since a resident of Artspace Patchogue, Rogers was gallery manager for July 2013-Aug 2014. Along with other artists he has created a mural in the Village Roe Alleyway that represents the growth of the Village of Patchogue and the best of Arts in the community with funding from Suffolk County, the Village of Patchogue and several local businesses. He has created a public sculpture for the Village of Patchogue Park with Funding from the Garden Club. Recently Rogers’ design was chosen for a designer crosswalk on Main St in the village of Patchogue (The first designer crosswalk of it’s kind on Long Island). Rogers belongs to the Patchogue Chamber as a Art Consultant, and is a Board Member of the Hecksher Museum of Art. Rogers is a regular fixture in the arts around Patchogue and Long Island, either exhibiting work, or curating exhibits which help emerging artists find opportunities to exhibit their works. He has not only curated exhibits at Artspace Patchogue, but has created exchange exhibits and opportunities with Long Island University, Art Studio in Sea Cliff, Artspace Connecticut, fotofoto Gallery, and Sparkboom.. When not working on his art, Rogers mentors emerging artists and often creates chances for artists to join him in events and meetings supporting the arts.

For more information about Artist Dave Rogers please visit http://davesartstudio.co

I also interviewed Artist Patricia Kelly who uniquely uses watercolors in her painting giving her art an almost storybook concept.

President John CinoCurator and President John Cino of the Patchogue Arts Council (left) and Artist Christine Kertz stand with Cognac Wellerlane at the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium Saturday October 24, 2015.

At the the New York Contemporary Arts Symposium (NYCAS) at Art Space I also talked to Curator and President John Cino of the Patchogue Arts Council. When a few folks met around a kitchen table to talk about how to cultivate the art scene in Patchogue, little did they know that they were to about to play an integral role in the cultural renaissance of their community.

The Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) provides artists of all mediums with opportunities to share their work, network with other creatives, and participate in arts advocacy initiatives. In addition to supporting a variety of artists and art forms, The Patchogue Arts Council also works to engage a diverse audience from all walks of life. By presenting a broad range of programs. Their mission is to hope to ignite the creative spirit of the Great South Bay.

For more informatiom about the Patchogue Arts Council please visit https://patchoguearts.org

World’s Top Jumpers, Hunter Riders Compete in The 40th Annual Hampton Classic Equestrian Competitions

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LONG ISLAND, NY – Hamptonites and equestrians gathered together at the 40th Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY. The event took place from August 23rd through the 30th. The Hampton Classic is considered one of the most prestigious world-class equestrian competitions. Many of the world’s top jumper and hunter riders come from across the country and beyond to compete for their share of some of the richest prize money in the nation.

The Hampton Classic featured six show rings, a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, and a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer’s Market, all on its 60-acre show grounds. With its top competition and pristine setting, The Hampton Classic is not just a place to see, it’s also a place to be seen. Just in the last two years, A-list celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi, Matt Lauer, Kelly Ripa, Julianne Moore, Sofia Vergara and Mary-Kate Olsen have been in attendance.

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President Dennis Susskind of the Hampton Classic and Cognac Wellerlane Pose for a photo on Grand Prix Sunday at the 40th Hampton Classic

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Broadway Tony Winner Wendy Radus Federman and Actress Jacqueline Murphy pose for a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane on Grand Prix Sunday at the Hampton Classic

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Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op on Opening Day at the 40th Hampton Classiic

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Actress Mimi Lang Poses for a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane on Grand Prix Sunday at the 40th Hampton Classic

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Joy Marks poses for a a photo-op with Cognac Wellerlane on Grand Prix Sunday at the 40th Hampton Classic

The Hampton Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. A wide range of hunter, jumper and equitation classes are offered from leadline classes all the way up to the grand prix level. The Classic also has classes for riders with disabilities. The Classic culminated on Sunday, August 30, 2015 “Grand Prix Sunday,” with an impressive schedule of classes including three finals – the $30,000 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Championship Finals, the $25,000 Campbell Stables Show Jumping Derby, and the $250,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix Presented by LONGINES – in the Grand Prix Ring, as well as the $10,000 Hermès Hunter Classic in the Anne Aspinall Ring.

This year the big winner is Victoria Colvin will always be able to say that, at the 40th Annual Hampton Classic, she won top ribbons in hunters, jumpers and equitation. On Sunday she won then $50,000 Heart Media Hunter Derby, on Friday she won $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake and then won two Junior Hunter championships-and on Saturday she won the $10,000 Sam Edelman Equitation Championship.

“My attitude in the second round was to just go in there and go as tightly as I could and as quickly as I could,” said Colvin. “I love that this class is on the Grand Prix Field, and the second round is kind of like a speed class-you pick up the canter and just keep going.”

During the event I had the pleasure of interviewing many celebrities who shared their love of attending the Hampton Classic. I was honored that President Dennis Suskind spoke about the Hampton Classic’s 40th Anniversary.

Welcome back darlings, I am here with the President of the Hamptons Classic, Mr. Dennis Suskind and It’s Grand Prix Sunday and we are very excited. Mr. Suskind is going to tell us everything that we need to know about today’s event.

Dennis: Well what’s coming up at 2:00 PM is the $250,000 Grand Prix. These are world class riders. Many of them are Olympians and gold medal winners. It’s a very challenging course. We will have about sixteen, fifteen thousand people here. Stands will be filled, VIP will be filled and the weather is fantastic, your here…so we are going to have a fantastic day.

Tell my audience how many years The Hampton Classic has been in existence?

Dennis: Thank you, that is a nice question. This is our 40th year and we are happy to celebrate it.

Do you have a specific goal that you would like to reach for this year?

Dennis: The goal is that everybody leaves safely that comes and the exhibitors that come are safe, patrons that come are safe. That’s our goal that people leave smiling and that’s what tends to happen.

Well, I always have a wonderful time at The Hampton Classic and I love looking at the celebrities and watching everyone with their pretty hats and of course it is all about the horses.

Dennis: It’s about the horses. Today’s a happening and not everyone watches the competition. They are watching each other as you mentioned. You have been here for many years and it is great to have you here. We are happy you are here!

Tell my audience where we can go for more information? What is the website?

Dennis: You can go to www.hamptonclassic.com.; Actually you can go online and watch the competition or you can do it after the competition is over.

WVVH-TV is the official Long Island television station of the Hampton Classic. Broadcasts up to five hours of competition and highlights are shown each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen on line at www.wvvh.tv. Most of the Classic’s other classes are also available on ShowNet.biz.

Ram’s Head Inn Hosts First Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soiree; Benefits Shelter Island Nonprofit

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LONG ISLAND, NY – The first Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soirée took place on Saturday, August 15th, 2015 from 4- 7pm at the Ram’s Head Inn in Shelter Island Heights, NY. The event presented a delightful night of shopping with J.McLaughlin, live music by Erich Collins Carey Constituency, light bites and cocktails while benefiting The Island Gift of Life Foundation, a Shelter Island nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life of patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses through financial support and services.

I was pleased to talk to Board Member and President Kenneth J. Lewis.

IslandGift Island Gift of Life Foundation President Kenneth J. Lewis and Cognac Wellerlane.

Cognac interviews President Kenneth J. Lewis at the First Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soiree at the Rams Head Inn

Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and we are here at the Island Gift Of Life Summer Soiree right here on Shelter Island and I am here with the president of the organization and he is going to introduce himself to the camera.

Kenneth: Hi, I am Ken Lewis. I am the president of the Island Gift of Life Foundation and this is our first annual summer soiree. We do a March event every year at this very location at the Rams Head inn.

How exciting!

Kenneth: Yes, we are really excited. We have been trying to figure out a new way to raise some awareness and maybe hit a new demographic then we usually do at our March event so hopefully this is going to be the beginning of something great for us.

It’s a beautiful night. You have everything all the components…the place is gorgeous, the food is outrageous! Tell my audience who catered all the food?

Kenneth: The food is catered from Auturo’s from the Hamptons. They donated all the food. There making these fabulous panini’s and passing around hor d’oeuvres for us tonight. The Rams Head Inn is hosting us right here on Shelter Island. They donated all the alcohol and soft drinks for us and this fabulous location. It’s really a fabulous night. We could not ask for a better night. It’s a little hot but we are all in the shade.

The people from the generation that the house was built in 1929, they built these houses with a lot of trees surrounding them for the shade. It’s very Gatsby like.

Kenneth: It is, this place is a very Gatsby like place!

It certainly is!

Kenneth: I said It is going to be so hot but I forgot about all the trees out on the back lawn.

That is what the rich did they built their homes with lots of trees for the shade because there was no air conditioning at that time.

Kenneth: When the sun goes down the breeze kicks in and cools everything down.

Tell my audience how you got involved and why did you get involved with this organization?

Kenneth: I would say it is close to twelve years ago I was asked by the then board president if I would do a live auction for them at their March event. We always had a Chinese auction and sold raffle tickets. We started doing a live auction with five and six items. I had done some local MCing on shelter island for road races and other charity events so he asked me one day “Would you do this live auction for us,” and I said “I haven’t done them before but I will give it a shot” so that was sought of my introduction.

We had a successful night so I kept doing the auctions for them and then they asked me to become a board member. I have been on the Board of Directors now I think for at least ten years. I got involved I knew the woman and her family very well that this was all based on Cheryl Hannabury who was a woman living on Shelter Island. She had Non-Hodgkins Lympoma and it was stared as a grass roots effort, local folks trying to help her find a bone marrow match. She did not have great insurance at the time so as you can imagine her money was running out pretty quickly.

I am sure and the expense on her family!

Kenneth: Absolutely, so a group of local people here on Shelter Island got together and raised money to help her out and then as a result of that fundraising effort it blossomed into this organization. While Cheryl was still alive they formed a formal non-profit, 501c(3) charitable organization which we are now the Island Gift Of Life and we continue really in Cheryl’s name. Her dream was to help people with life threatening illnesses with some of the uncovered expenses. Not only for the patients but for the families as well. It’s been great! I feel very proud to do it!

The proceeds for tonight’s event…..the sales from the shopping goes towards this organization. What is it …fifteen percent?

Kenneth: Yes, I think fifteen percent….J. McLaughlin is conducting a sale and fifteen percent of whatever they sell will go towards the charity. We will have a raffle at the end of the night. We are hoping for this to be a kickoff. This is going to be an annual event for us in the summer.

If you do obtain a significant amount of funds from this event, do you have a goal in mind that you would like to attach the funds to….is there something that you would like to do for the organization for this year?

Kenneth: Well one thing that we do every year is we donate ten thousand dollars each year to the bone marrow registry. So that takes place in a lot of blood drives. You see blood drives popping up all over the place and at a blood drive people can get a cheek swab done. They will fill out some paperwork to see if they would be interested in possibly being a bone marrow donor that then goes on after the initial test is done on the cheek swab. If they discover that the person meets a certain criteria an additional test is then done on that cheek swab. That additional test is a lot of what we fund.

This fundraiser will help with that?

Kenneth: Absolutely and will help to go into our general fund which is what we use to help people on a case by case basis. What we do is not always about giving grant money. We are able to help people sometimes just with navigating the health care system.

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. Where can we go to support, contribute, donate and participate? What is the website?

Kenneth: You can go right to our website which is www.IslandGiftofLife.org

RamsHeadRams Head Inn Owner Linda Eklund and Cognac Wellerlane.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Art Auction Coordinator Catherine Brigham and Board Member and Owner of the Rams Head Inn Linda Eklund at the First Annual Island Gift of Life Summer Soiree at the Rams Head Inn.

The Island Gift of Life Foundation began as the dream of an island resident, Cheryl Hannabury, who had battled Non-Hodgkins Lympoma for many years. Her hope was to develop an organization that would assist families with the un-insured expenses incurred while treating the disease as well as for the collateral expenses incurred such as travel, lodging, etc. of the family & support team. It was also her hope to increase the awareness of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, as well as the importance of increasing the bone-marrow donor registry for this disease.

In February of 2001 the Foundation became a non-profit organization after many generous donations were made to the Foundation. At this time the Island Gift of Life held a blood /bone marrow drive with the intent to add to the bone marrow donor registry and possibly find a match for Cheryl. The program was so successful that 100 people were added to the registry. Unfortunately Cheryl succumbed to the disease despite all efforts to save her. But her dream continues today with the present activities of the Foundation she inspired.

The Island Gift of Life Foundation is a non-profit, 501c(3) charity that provides financial assistance and other related services to people with life threatening illnesses who reside in the townships on the East End of Long Island, NY. Island Gift is completely donor funded and our volunteer board members provide all services free of charge. Therefore the bulk of donated funds go directly to the patients.

Designer Victor de Souza, Space 16, Penny Grant, Hold Benefit Cocktail Party for NYSPCC in Southhampton

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LONG ISLAND, NY – On August 8, 2015 Designer Victor de Souza along with retail store Space 16 in Southhampton, held a cocktail party benefit for The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children celebrating 140 years of protecting and healing children and families from trauma, abuse and neglect.

The event was hosted by The NYSPCC Board Member, Penny Grant, M.D. and pediatrician. Ten percent of all sales will benefit The NYSPCC. During the event I sat down with Dr. Grant as we discussed the long legacy of NYSPCC.org

PennyGrant Host Penny Grant  (wearing a dress designed by Victor de Souza) and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op, August 8, 2015 at Space 16.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews Pediatrician Penny Grant and Fashion Designer Victor de Souza at Space 16 to Benefit NYSPCC.org in Southampton.

Hello darlings we are here at Space 16 this fabulous boutique in Southampton, New York and I am here with the host of this particular event. Her name is Penny Grant and she is going to talk about what this event is really all about. The sales, the proceeds will go toward a very wonderful organization. Penny Tell my audience about this event this evening.

Penny: Well thank you for the coverage Cognac. This event is to support the New York Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Children. That’s a really long name.

It sure is!

Penny: NYSPCC is a lot easier to say but we have a long name because we have a long history. We are the first child protection agency in the world.

Really!

Penny: We were founded in 1875. Did you know that in 1874 the first case of child abuse had to be brought about by the gentleman who started the Association For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals. There was no child protection agency.

There was an animal protection first?

Penny: Yes

Oh that is ridiculous!

Penny: That is a fact! Because of a little twist in the law they were able to bring a case against a woman who was beating her daughter and the daughter was removed and when on to live a full life and died at age eighty-two. So treatment works and The New York Society of Prevention For Cruelty to Children we now use NYSPCC. It provides free unlimited counseling to victims of child abuse and their families. A lot of these families are unable to heal with out the experts who are trained and how to teach them to refrain and heal.

And it’s a recurring thing from generation to generation in so many ways. If they came from an abused home they treat their children the same way because that’s the only way they know.

Penny: You said it exactly right! That’s the only way they know! I am a child abuse pediatrician so double board in child abuse and general pediatrician but what I found is a lot of times it was mostly women….

Not fathers?

Penny: Well for the sexual abuse part we can talk about the physical but what really struck me was woman who would cry when I told them that their daughter was sexually abused and they would say “I didn’t know where to turn, I didn’t know how to refrain, I didn’t know how to move on with my life and that is where NYSPCC steps in and heals.

There are so many of these women. There not really financially secure so abandoning the house with the child leaving their husband they are fearful on how they will survive in the world.

Penny: You hit on some very good points. How will they survive so we do have a domestic violence….

This also happens with very wealthy people too! It’s like a whole stigma. I am rich, I am successful, I have a house, I have the car if I leave my husband because he is abusive, what will people say? People will talk.

Penny: It’s important to really know and the audience to hear that abuse knows no boundaries. Just because It isn’t out there doesn’t mean it is not going on and help although very difficult to realize that needs to be gotten not just for yourself but for the next generation because if you have been through trauma you need counseling. Just like if you had a heart attack you go to a cardiologist. If you had a trauma or abuse in your life you go to the experts. The NYSPCC is the expert agency. We even received a grant from the National Institute of Health to study what we do so we make sure our methods work.

Wonderful!

Penny: We are doing a lot to heal children and families and we appreciate the opportunity to let more people know about us.

How did this association happen between you and Victor?

Penny: Well aside from medicine I have to say I love fashion!

So do I! So do I darling!

Penny: I have a brain thank heavens but I also love fashion and Victor I met through mutual friends. I went to his first show and the models walked down the runway and I said ” His fabrics are unique, I never seen anything like it and his tailoring is impeccable, it’s elegant, it’s classic and it’s timeless and he has a wonderful heart.”

He certainly does!

Penny: He is just a wonderfully talented creative individual. He is part of our children’s programs at the NYSPCC and we are blessed to have him on our side.

I wanted to thank for speaking to me here at Space 16 and all for a very worthy cause. How much of the proceeds will go towards the charity?

Penny: Ten percent of all sales

Tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Penny: The website is https://www.nyspcc.org The New York Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Children. Long name, long legacy of helping heal.

VictordeSouza Fashion Designer Victor de Souza, August 8, 2015 at Space 16 in Southhampton.

ChristinMachi Christin Machi, (wearing a dress designed by Victor de Souza), August 8, 2015 at Space 16.

AllanMarks Allan Marks, Joy Marks (wearing a dress designed by Victor de Souza) and Lauren Chisholm, August 8, 2015 at Space 16 in Southhampton.

The mission of The NYSPCC is to respond to the complex needs of abused and neglected children, and those involved in their care, by providing best practice counseling, legal, and educational services. Through research, communications and training initiatives, the organization works to expand these programs to prevent abuse and help more children heal.

Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons Celebrates GET WILD Summer Gala

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LONG ISLAND, NY – The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons celebrated another fabulous year of rehabilitating and successfully releasing animals back into the wild across Long Island with its annual GET WILD Summer Gala. The event was hosted by the Marder family at the Silas Marder Gallery in Bridgehampton, NY on Saturday, August 8, 2015 and honored artists April Gornik & Eric Fischl, Amy Sullivan and Real Estate Broker Susan Penzner.

Guests enjoyed live music along with cocktails, light fare and a silent auction. I was happy to sit down with Executive Director and Founder Ginnie Frati.

EvelynAlexanderAnimalEvelyn Alexander Animal Rescue Center Founder Ginnie Frati and Cognac Wellerlane. Photo by Michael Wellbrock.

Cognac Wellerlane interviews President of the Board of Directors James Hunter, Founder Ginnie Frati, Agena Rigdon and Animal Advocate Jill Rappaport at Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center Get Wild Charity Cocktail Reception in the Hamptons

Welcome back darlngs, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Animal Rescue Center Cocktail Benefit. I am here with this very very lovely lady who is a big supporter of this event. Introduce yourself to the camera

Ginnie: I am Ginnie Frati, the Executive Director and Founder of the Wildlife Rescue Center.

So you are the founder?

Ginnie: Yes

The founder or co-founder?

Ginnie: It was my idea then I had Jim help me as well.

Tell my audience the history of why this was established and how you went about actually establishing this organization.

Ginnie: It was difficult because we knew that animals were getting injured, wild animals. There were outlets to take care of dogs and cats but no outlets to take care of wild life.

You are right, there are so many domestic shelters on Long Island. My friends run Little Shelter in Huntington. Like you said there are so many animal shelters for dogs and cats but nothing for the wild animals.

Ginne: Nothing for the wild animals until you go into Nassau County then there is one there. It was something that was really needed in Suffolk County and we saw that and felt sorry for these animals that weren’t getting any help so we set about getting the license….the federal and state license, finding a piece of property that we rent from the Suffolk County Park and made it into a wildlife hospital.

How many wildlife animals co-exist here in the Hamptons and the East End?

Ginnie: There are many, many species, thousands of species!

That many!

Ginnie: Some more common than others. There are species that you don’t see very much like the Wipper Wool. You hardly ever see any more out here. The Eastern Meadow Lark but you know they are out here. There not as common as the gulls and robins and blue jays but there out here too! There numbers are declining drastically.

Really, and it’s because of us?

Ginnie: Well the habitat destruction is the number one key. There is no place left for them to go to nest and some of them are territorial. They only nest one every mile so the nest areas are getting less and less for a lot of species.

That is so unfortunate to hear that because I love animals. I really do! Where I live there is the Cardinal. That is my favorite bird. Whenever I see the Cardinal I just stare at it. I think it is the most beautiful bird there is! Don’t you agree?

Ginnie: I do and I think it is a sign of very good luck too!

Yes! Every time I see a red Cardinal I think I am going to be lucky! You are doing a very wonderful job and I am sure you are a very lucky person because God loves you because of what you have done for the animals.

Ginnie: Thank you very much.

What are your plans? What would you like to happen for this organization?

Ginnie: I like to see the organization be self sufficient and not have to worry about an operating budget. We do work with a lot of volunteers but we do have to have a staff. We also work on holidays and volunteers don’t want to come out so we do have staff too. Veterinary cost, medicine, food….I would like to see it run very very smoothly.

I am sure that will happen. Do you have any specific goal for this year?

Ginnie: This year I think……we already did a lot this year. We got a flight conditioning cage. I would like to see us get a diving board complex done.

Wow! That sounds interesting.

Ginnie: Ocean birds, they need a big tub of water. I would like to see that done this year.

That is the number one thing you have to get accomplished! I want you to tell my audience where they can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Ginnie: It’s www.wildliferescuecenter.org. There is lots of information on how you can help an animal when you see it in distress.

EvelynAlexanderJillEvelyn Alexander Jill Rappaport and TV Host Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op. Photo by Michael Wellbrock.

EvelynAlexanderEvelyn Alexander Lucia Hwong Gordon and Jean Shafiroff pose for a photo-op. Photo by Michael Wellbrock.

Estelle Alexander was born 1910, married to Jack Alexander, and had one child, Leslie Alexander. Estelle went by Evelyn. She was an artist and a great singer and always loved animals. In response to a generous endowment presented to the Wildlife Rescue Center by Mr. Leslie Alexander in early 2011, the Wildlife Rescue Center became the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in honor of Mr. Alexander’s mother.

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