White Party to Benefit Education Programming at Sands Point Preserve

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy is delighted to announce its White Party, a benefit for educational programming for children and adults, to be held on Thursday, August 18th at 7 p.m. in historic Hempstead House and Rose Garden overlooking the Long Island Sound. The event honors two outstanding educators, Lisa Cusano and Eric Powers, who are being recognized for their dedication to the Preserve and the enriching programs they conduct throughout the year.

The Conservancy currently offers a wide range of educational programming for adults, children and families including nature programs, after school yoga and art, reading programs, and activities for school, Scouts, and camp groups. "Teaching children art and yoga are two of my own personal passions,” said honoree Lisa Cusano. “The Preserve enables me to give these children a limitless environment to be creative. The ability to offer this and touch a child's life is magical." The Conservancy’s new education fund is designed to bring even more activities and educational programming to the Preserve.

“Our goal is to expand and improve all educational offerings,” stated Beth Horn, the Conservancy’s Managing Director, “so that adults and children of all ages as well as families with special needs can find exciting programs across this beautiful site – inside the historic mansions and outside on the magnificent grounds.”

To that end, the Conservancy recently engaged two new educators: Lainie Lieber, former director of high school social studies curriculum at the NYC Department of Education, and Leah Master, previously with the Whaling Museum, and educated at the Bank Street School. Together, the new educators are focusing on original and innovative initiatives, including co-curricular programs for school visits (K-12); original STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) nature programs for children; custom programs for families with special needs; expanded after-school classes for pre-K through middle school; and expanded adult nature classes, including overnight survival courses.

The Preserve itself is inspirational for education. “The beauty of the Preserve is evident from the moment you drive or walk onto the grounds,” said Leah Master, the new Education Manager. “The Preserve has an amazing number of resources for an educator to use. The Phil Dejana Learning Center Outdoor Classroom is an amazing space to use with younger visitors, while the hiking trails offer hands-on science exploration for visitors that cannot be replicated in a classroom setting.” In the future, she hopes to “add more cultural and science programming for families, utilizing the learning center, outdoor classroom, and Hempstead House for more varied, immersive experiences.”

“We want the Sands Point Preserve to be an extension of the classroom,” said Lainie Lieber, the new Education Consultant. “Customizable field trips will bring The Great Gatsby, roaring 20's and the American Dream to life for high school students. In addition, we are adding more rigor and variety to our family programming. Exciting things are happening here!”

The Preserve’s White Party, on August 18th, provides an opportunity to meet, mingle, and celebrate the inspiring work of educators Lisa Cusano and Eric Powers, while supporting the Preserve’s educational programming. The evening includes cocktails, dinner, dessert and dancing. Acute Inflections, a highly-regarded NYC-based jazz duo comprised of standup bass and vocals, will be providing live music. Dress code is casual white. Tickets are $85 and include cocktails, dinner, dancing and dessert. Tickets are available on the Preserve’s website or by calling the ticket line at 516.304.5076.

The Conservancy thanks Atelier Swarovski for a generous event partnership. Magnificent jewelry from the collection will be on display and available for purchase; a portion of sales proceeds will be donated to the Conservancy.

Can’t make the party but want to celebrate the contributions of Cusano and Powers and help support the Preserve’s education initiatives? Purchasing an ad in the Preserve’s Online Journal will provide both a tribute to the honorees and support for the Education Programming Fund. Ads are available in varying sizes – for more information, please contact Meghan Straesser, Development & Membership Officer, at Meghan.Straesser@sandspointpreserve.org and 516-571-7967.

Many exciting events will be taking place at the Preserve in the coming months. The Conservancy will present legendary singer/songwriters Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik in a sunset concert on the Great Lawn on Sunday, September 25th at 5 p.m. October brings the Village Day Fall Festival on the 16th and the second annual Haunted Halloween Mansion tours starting with a Masked Gala on October 21st. In November, a site-specific production of of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery “And Then There Were None” will transform the winter living room in Hempstead House. And Steven Lutvak returns for his annual “Not Quite Christmas Cabaret” on December 3rd.

To purchase event tickets or a 12-month membership, visit SandsPointPreserve.org, call 516-571-7901 or visit the Gate House at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY, 11050. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to protect and preserve the 216-acre waterfront grounds and historic mansions and to provide a range of cultural events in Hempstead House and Castle Gould and educational programs for families and schools in the Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom.