JFK's Presidential Flag Inspires Patriotic Cabaret at Redwood

John A. Connor & John Duchesneau, Newport Artillery Co.

It's one of the truly historic grand old flags, which flew proudly over Hammersmith Farm, President John F. Kennedy's summer White House in Newport, RI, fifty years ago.

And through the generosity of the family of Hugh D. "Yusha" Auchincloss, the flag now resides at Newport's Redwood Library & Athenaeum, the acquisition occasioning a moving and patriotic Cabaret evening, "The Grand Old Flag." Patriotic attire, and truly creative red white and blue costumes were worn by the attendees, including "fascinators" and the Revolutionary War garb of the Artillery Company of Newport. In a time of national political dissension, the evening was an affirmation and a lovefest honoring our country and its history.

Alison & Steve Walk

Greeted at the door by Peter Chabot, Mary Jennings and Colonel Robert Edenbach of the Artillery Company, guests took cocktails in the Library, then moved out to the oversized tent. The evening was one of great bonhomie, with each themed tie (Michael Sullivan's ascot and Johnny Stokes' American flag tie), and each head ornament, (Alison Walk's fascinator being quite the creation) occasioning smiles.

Newport Seen found Sharon and Freddie Wood Prince, Kathleen Cullen, David Ford, Ron Fleming, Martha Hunnewell, Douglas and Mary Riggs, Doris and Bernie Nemtzow, Oatsie Charles, David and Linda Gordon -- and hundreds of other guests, feeling patriotic.

Jae French & Anna Bergman's husband John Corzine

Spilling into the garden, the guests were seated for a truly American dinner, featuring fried chicken, corn pudding, and….strawberry shortcake. When artists Anna Bergman and Jeff Harnar (accompanied by Alex Rybeck) broke into "Of Thee I Sing" and "Strike up the Band", the mood was definitely established. The "America Medley" featured songs that evoked individual states, such as "California Here I Come", Georgia on my Mind", and "Rhode Island is Famous for You". Cabaret producer Johnny Stokes played lyricist for a Manhattan Island/Aquidneck Island parody which delighted all present.

But it was the songs honoring the Armed Forces, and the individual guests who had served, that moved the audience most, as the veterans stood and were given sustained applause.

Brenda, George & Bonnie Wilson in patriotic dress

Honorary chairs for the Cabaret were Mr. Auchincloss, Governor and Mrs. Lincoln Chafee, Mrs. Claiborne Pell, Senator and Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Vice Admiral and Mrs. Thomas Weschler, whose daughter Kit Williams vamped for Newport Seen with Bart Dunbar -- in his kilt!

Also attending were Dr. Edwin G. Fischer and wife Angela Brown Fischer, Lisa Lewis, Nicholas and Diane Brown, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Grace, Nanette and George Herrick, Susan Lutes, DeDe Wilsey, and literally hundreds of others.

David Gordon, Judy McLennan & Brenda Kelly

Proceeds for the evening went to the collections and programs of The Redwood Library, 260 years old, and hailed as the first lending library in the United States.