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Toasting the Recreated "Blue Garden" at Newport Flower Show
The evening was beautiful and the Blue Garden on the front lawn of Rosecliff, simply grand. It was the opening night Cocktail Party, and presentation of an award to Bartlett Tree , its owner Robert Bartlett, and Chris Fletcher, arborist
extraordinaire at the annual Newport Flower Show of the Preservation Society of Newport County.
The original Blue Garden, faithfully recreated, was one of the most celebrated creations of the Golden Age of American gardens, and is featured on the cover of the Preservation Society's book, Newport in Flower, by Harriet Jackson Phelps. Created for Mrs. Arthur Curtiss James on the estate known as Beacon Hill House, the Blue Garden was dedicated in August, 1913 with a party that was described by the Newport Daily News as "one of the most novel entertainments ever seen in Newport." Newport Seen wonders what that might have meant in 1913.
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Bettie Pardee, former chair, with Candace Morgenstern
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Landscape designer Catherine Weaver of Tupelo Gardenworks Ltd. recreated the Blue Garden layout for the front lawn of Rosecliff, complemented by a series of additional garden vignettes and structures created by local gardeners and landscapers.
As guests stood in awe at the beautiful reflecting pool, then walked into the mansion, a foursome of bronzed tennis players, clad in Victorian garments, pantomimed a game, like statues come to life. The spell was complete.
Co-chairs Pat Fernandez, Jocelyn Sherman, and Candace Morgenstern were complimented, and acknowledged at the ceremony.
It might be easier to say who was not there, as Newport flower lovers turned out en masse to sample a buffet provided by local restaurants, sip wine and champagne, visit the interesting booths, and listen to the Mac Chrupcala band.
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The reflecting pool
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Seen were Bettie Pardee, James Leach, Steven Larangis, Bob and Cynthia Sinclair, Tom and Kathleen Cullen, Pieter Roos, Kate Leonard, Dodo Hamilton, Angela and Gary Moore, Jessica Hagen, Arthur Murray, Newport artist Eveline Roberge, Donald Ross, Harle Tinney, Colonel Alfred Simpson, Board member David Ford, Jim Donahue, Horticultural chair, Jim Buress and Arthur and Mary Beth Walker. Trudy Coxe went about, seeing that all was perfect.
The Flower Show continued through the weekend, and featured luncheon lectures (sold out, of course) with two experts, the first Kevin Ylvisaker, AIFD, PFCI a floral trend consultant with more than 35 years experience in the floral industry. He is a Teleflora Education Specialist and Oasis Design Director, was a member of the design teams for the inaugurations of Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, and as judged at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA.
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Mary Beth & Arthur Walker
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The second presenter was the undisputed "Queen of Cakes" Sylvia Weinstock, who asked, " What's a party without cake? " Her pastiche flowers are so lifelike and artfully placed that she would easily qualify as a floral arranger. Sylvia shared how she integrates flowers into her cake art and her love of entertaining.
Newporters in the ongoing lecture series included Harry Eudenbach, author of "Estate Gardeners of Newport: Putting a Human Face on Newport's Horticultural Legacy"; Paul Miller, Curator, The Preservation Society on Visions of Splendor; and Katherine Field, Katherine Field and Associates, Newport, Newport Entertains: Design Tips for Outdoor Entertaining.
Other lecturers included Julie Lapham, Julie Lapham Designs, of Southborough, MA ion Belle Epoque-Floral Hat Design , Tony Tedesco of Floral Design, One Main Street Studio at The Common, Stow, MA, who spoke on various decorative centerpieces featuring a selection of flowers, foliages and other components; and Chris Fletcher, Arborist Representative, F.A. Bartlett Tree Experts Company in A Garden Diversion: A Tree Tour of The Elms and Chepstow, Newport landmarks.
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Jim Buress, Monty & Richard Burnham & Pat Fernandez
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As dusk fell, the extraordinary kite-like butterflies lit up, and there was a special gathering for a post-cocktail dinner, as delighted attendees stayed on, listening to pianist Sonny Paris inside the mansion, and marveling at the creativity of its participants.
-- L.P.
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Artist Eveline Roberge with Edward Schott
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Jim Donahue, Horticulture Chair & Co-chair Jocelyn Sherman
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Trudy Coxe with Jim Ingrams of Bartlett Tree Service
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Co-chairs Jocelyn Sherman, Pat Fernandez & Candace Morgenstern
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Robert Bartlett with Trudy Coxe and Doanld O. Ross
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Robert & Kathy Bartlett, who dressed in blue
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Trudy Coxe at the opening ceremony
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Admiring the reflecting pool
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Chris Fletcher speaking
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Catherine Weaver laid out show, "Nudged them to perfection"
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Congratulations all around
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Mimi Fasey, of the capital campaign & Board member David Ford
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The Planet Garden booth greeted visitors
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Detail of the magnificent Blue Garden
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A candle garden element in a tree
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Rosecliff exterior
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A mock tennis game with living statues
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Ready to receive serve
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Second prize setting
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A blue ribbon winning arrangement
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Daniel Burns, Kristen Dixon, Tom Eberhardt & Shelly Cohen of
the Boston Herald
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Sonny Paris played Rosecliff's magnificent gilded grand piano
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An award winning flowering plant
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Another room of floral vignettes
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Information went electronic this year
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Elizabeth Stubbs & Luke Richer in hat creations
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Cocktails on the lawn at Rosecliff
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James Leach & Steven Larangis
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Cynthia & Bob Sinclair enjoying delicacies
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Harle Tinney & Colonel Albert Simpson looked elegant
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Cerise Lim Jacobs, "Madame White Snake" and Pulitzer
Prize winner
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Tom and Kathleen Cullen
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Alison & Steve Walk with her mother, Marty Read
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Toby Field & Mrs. Lindh
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Karen Rivera & Matt Paren of Vanderbilt Grace
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Pieter Roos & Kate Leonard
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Norman Thomas surveying the scene
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David Ford welcomes Dodo Hamilton
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The Mac Chrupcala ensemble played
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Danusha Ostoja, Elizabeth Ciorun, Stephanie Forstmann & Mary Dunn
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Deirdre Murty with gallery owner Jessica Hagen
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Hat designer Lisa Stubbs with Melinda Gerard
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Dusk on the Rosecliff lawn
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Laura & Regan Cleminson , of "Hoist Away' Bags, made
from old sails
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Bernard & Sarah Gewirz, friend, Kathy & Pierre Irving
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A living tree at The Newport Flower Show
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Johnny & Peggy Richmond with Jim Gaffney
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John & Linda Finn relaxing
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The electrified butterfly
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Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award committee’s award winning
booth at the Newport Flower Show, selling herbs & "Camels
for Preservation"
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