Welcome Tonight, we celebrate the preserve’s magnificent grounds and envision new ways to experience the outdoors. We’ve always treasured the Guggenheim Estate’s mansions, natural wooded paths, formal Rose Gardens, and the breezy open space of the Great Lawn, but how will we make this park even more appealing and useful for our community? Now we can imagine a bountiful organic vegetable garden and fruit trees that inspire us to tend the earth responsibly; a playground that motivates children to climb and explore; fitness equipment that helps get adults in shape; a pumpkin patch to herald the autumn harvest; a safe enclosure for pups to romp – and more. These projects are the goal of tonight’s fundraising event – with our guests’ support, these plans can materialize! Heartfelt thanks to all of The Butterfly Ball’s patrons for contributing so generously. With Laura Curran, the new executive at the helm of Nassau County and this evening’s guest of honor, this county-owned property is sure to thrive. We appreciate her support of the historic and cultural institutions throughout the area. We thank our very talented and dedicated Co-Chairs Chiara Mai and Stacey Satovsky, whose vision for the preserve aligns perfectly with the mission of the Conservancy. These dynamic planners are catalysts for new ideas, and, together with the much-appreciated Host and Event Committee volunteers, we see new potential across the preserve. Tonight’s feast was created by the Butterfly Ball’s Culinary Director Nicola Zanghi, whose original concept and very hard work resulted in this unprecedented gathering of our region’s top chefs. As all great food should be accompanied by excellent wine and spirits, so does Nicola find the best possible collaborators in Mike Douglass of Post Wine & Spirits and his good friends who lead Long Island’s winemaking industry. We extend our thanks to Nicola, Mike, and the wonderful chefs and winemakers who have given so generously to this landmark event. As always, our thanks to Philip Stone’s Catering Director Moe Rajraji, who orchestrates every detail of every event with perfect results. And our sincere thanks to the entire Conservancy staff who work tirelessly on the day-to-day, but also rise to execute even the most unexpected and complex projects – like building a butterfly habitat, complete with a tropical garden and water fountain – in the mansion’s upstairs breakfast room! Butterflies visit with us ever so briefly, and they remind us of the magic and fragility of our environment. The Sands Point Preserve’s grounds are a fantastic resource, and the Conservancy is now poised to give more to the community through the proposed new facilities and a range of new educational programs. Thank you for donning your butterfly chic and supporting this event. We hope you’ll join our ongoing work to enrich all our lives by making the best possible use of the interiors and exteriors of this lovely, historic place. Best wishes, Karli Hagedorn Beth Horn Chairman of the Board Managing Director