Rachel Louchen reports from Washington. You could hardly find a better venue for a garden party than charming Washington with its renovated farmhouses and rolling pastures — the entire town oozes New England charm, even as the heat index hit 108 degrees. On Saturday, August 13, the 19th annual Tea For Two Hundred party, to benefit the Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury and Gunn Historical Museum, was held, as always, at the of home Gary Goodwin and Gael Hammer (above left with his daughter, Evie). While years past have brought out hundreds of guests, the soaring temperature kept the attendance lower but no less spirited, as people were still decked out in the customary all-white ensembles and oversized hats, aided this year by matching paper fans. The beautiful grounds had enough room to hold several tents for a silent auction, live music by “The Beehive Queen” Christine Ohlman and many stations to refill the mandatory glass of iced tea.
Gunn Museum director Louise Van Tartwijk and former board president Barbara Kohn.
Laura Daly, who very appropiately judged the hat contest with Carolyn Setlow and Zemma White; Robert Fisher, museum council member Nick Solley, Suzie Haines and Aubrey Haines.
Major hat contest contenders Jeannette Mahoney, Jackie Mahoney and Linda Leidel .
Melody Levey, happily attending her third Two For Two Hundred event with Shelley Lowell, a first-timer; Lucy Clementi, executive director of Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury and Claudio Lameira.
Claire Fisher and Adam Falis; Vladimir Kaplan, Carola Cherief and Dan Neumann.
Douglas Garfinkel, Dominic DiMattia, Danilo Silvia and John Ripley, a 15-year attendee.