A Summer Outing at My Farm
It’s hot and sultry here in the Northeast, but still, a great time to get together with colleagues for a fun summer outing.
I just hosted a company party at Cantitoe Corners, my farm in Bedford, New York. About 80-employees from our new partner, Marquee Brands, attended the event. I opened my gardens and set up games to play on my expansive party lawn. We enjoyed an array of delicious foods, cocktails, and other summertime refreshments. And, everyone participated in a giant scavenger hunt to learn about the farm, my pets, and the many gardens, groves, and allees I designed over the years.
Enjoy these photos. Tomorrow, I’ll share images of our delicious feast - stay tuned.
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- I greeted everyone down in the stable and introduced them to my team at the farm. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- It was expected to be a very warm and humid day with temperatures in the 90s, but everyone was enthusiastic and excited to partake in all that we planned.
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- All the guests enjoyed meeting my horses and donkeys. My handsome Friesian Rinze and all the other stable residents loved the attention. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Here are Billie and Clive, two of my five donkeys, eating and watching the activity from their stall. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Many guests were visiting my farm for the first time – there were lots of photos taken. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Here are Diane Bekhor and Marquee Brands Chief Operating Officer Cory Baker before the first activity of the day – the Cantitoe Corners Scavenger Hunt. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- After I called out the names for our scavenger hunt teams, each team leader received a bag containing a list of 25 questions, a map of the property, and several “specimen” bags for found “treasures”. This group includes Isabella Monaco, Rachel Stewart, Marquee Brands President Michael DeVirgilio, Robert Romero, and Ann Akiri.
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- Here’s another group ready to start the hunt – Neuberger Berman Managing Director Sam Porat, Colin Hagen, Mario Silva, Jessica Hopen and Steven Antosy.
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- There were 11 groups in all – each with up to seven team members. Here are Jonathan Leibowitz, Philip Nguyen, Marquee Brands Chief Financial Officer Warren Cleman, Jenny Levtchenko, Andrew Burke and Kavita Thirupuvanam.
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- This team includes Katie Reeves, Mike Winner, Diane, James McVay, and Benjamin Broerman.
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- And here are Sloane Denzinger, Neuberger Berman VP Jackie Reshef, Talia Spiegel, Eric Gottschalk, Marquee Brands Home Division President Carolyn D’Angelo, and Jerry Haggerty.
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- Another group includes Hosanna Houser, Max Isaacs, Managing Director for Neuberger Berman Zachary Sigel, and Talbot Logan.
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- Here’s a fun photo of Erin Maguire, Emily Foster, Pam Levine, and Alex Roberts. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- On this team – Mia Rothstein, Neuberger Berman VP Kevin Chiu, Claire Basile, Danielle Vitt, and Reetika Gupta.
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- Amanda Favorite, Susanne Ruppert, and Greta Anthony look over the map to plan their strategy. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- I sent teams in different directions to start their hunt – this team walked between the paddocks up towards my Winter House. Among the list of well thought out questions – “I am red, yellow, orange, and green, but people enjoy me most as a golden amber nectar, what am I?” I have many of these at the farm – do you know the answer? (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Thomas Joseph, Cathryn DelaRosa, Paul Delmiche, Sabrina Blaustein and Lindsey Groginsky started their journey down by the pigeon and peacock coops to find a “pair of eyes” and two “black fans.”
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- These hunters are on the other side of the farm under the Pin Oak Allee – not far from my Pinetum where groups were asked to “pick yellow, blue and green needles.”
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- These hunters strolled through my flower cutting garden to find the appropriate specimen used for the game “he loves me, he loves me not.” (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Everyone had two hours to answer all the questions – the first group to answer them would be victorious. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Mia and Danielle are on a mission – perhaps trying to find some Rubus Idaeus for their specimen bag. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Emily, Max, and Talbot take a short break before resuming their hunt.
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- Anthony, Mario, Jessica, and their team leader Sam, are in the back hayfield, about a mile from my Winter House. One of the tasks was to find a charming hideaway I built for my grandchildren, Jude and Truman. At this juncture, they’re pretty close.
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- Hosanna made it to the Woodland Cottage, but did she find something sweet to eat inside?
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- Here I am with my longtime publicist and friend, Susan Magrino – we visited all the groups to see how they were doing, and maybe to offer a few hints to help.
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- Everyone enjoyed the hunt. By 1pm, it was time for the groups to head back to my house for a delicious lunch.
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- Lunch was served under my large carport. With a chance of rain in the forecast, I wanted to be sure we were under safe cover – just in case. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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- Visit my blog tomorrow to see all the delicious foods we enjoyed – and to find out the winners of our scavenger hunt. (Photo by Paytn Leigh)
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