VERO BEACH — Opening night floodlights lit the sky over Maison Martinique as guests were treated to the full red-carpet treatment, posed and photographed to the roar of fans as they arrived at An Evening in Cannes to benefit the Environmental Learning Center.
The lovely poolside courtyard twinkled with lights, some wrapped around stately palm trees and others swirling in the pool, as tiny floating candles flickered like fireflies on a summer night.
But while it looked delightful outdoors, a chill in the air brought most indoors for the cocktail hour where they perused numerous silent auction items displayed in the two main Maison Martinique dining rooms. Many ladies also had their fingers crossed in hopes of winning the raffle drawing for the prominently displayed and perfectly stunning Richard Krementz aquamarine and diamond ring donated by Gaston Bijoux.
Former board chairman Eileen Connelly said she was sad to be coming to the end of her second three-year term, the maximum time allotted for board members, but it’s a sure bet she will continue to be involved in some fashion.
“The ELC wants to see more participation in Eco-Venture tours,” said Connelly, chatting with friends in the warmth of the Bamboo Room.
The rebuilding effort necessitated after the devastating 2008 fire has been completed. Fortunately, the Environmental Learning Center reemerged better than ever, with its new Discovery Station complete with a 13-foot long aquarium, Touch Tank, dioramas and exhibits.
“We’ve seen a huge response to a PR campaign we launched, and we’d like to see more of that,” added Connelly. “We also want to add more permanent exhibits to the discovery station as a way to draw people into the campus and get them more involved. But of course that takes more money.”
Throughout the evening paparazzi girls, students at both Saint Edward’s School and the Freshmen Learning Center, wandered the crowd snapping photos of all the glamorous guests. People also had the chance to be photographed with the stars – cutouts of George Clooney and Cameron Diaz were “seated” at banquets with their favorite cocktails. George was looking a bit pasty but his smile still charmed the ladies.
The cool nip in the air gave a few women the perfect excuse to take fur stoles and jackets out of storage, while others defied the cold, including event co-chair Michele Downey, not even shivering in a lovely backless dress. Heaters inside the large tent helped keep the crowd warm, as did music from the band Bus Stop, playing a mix of rhythm and blues, oldies, Motown and a host of additional favorites.
William Bainbridge Steele, well-known for his spectacular signature style, worked his magic once again, wowing the crowd with a red, white and gold décor that was at once elegant and whimsical. Tall glass pillar centerpieces erupted at the top with full plumes of feathers, creating the look of festively feathered palm trees.
“We love how it pops,” said Karan Morein, eying the impressive décor with Margaret Anne Evans. “Just walking in, it gives a very good impression of the type of event it’s going to be.”
“The party is helping to underwrite our programs so we can keep them as low as possible and make them attractive to everyone,” said Holly Dill, Environmental Learning Center executive director. “We’ve substantially increased the number of our programs this season in answer to requests from people wanting more.”
In addition to exploring and hiking on your own throughout the ecologically diverse campus, the Environmental Learning Center offers a number of boating, canoe and kayak excursions, nature walks, sleep-overs, green living workshops, and a variety of other ways to connect with our beautiful surroundings.
