support the extraordinary

Support the Extraordinary

ANNUAL REPORT 2014.15

On the cover:

John Singer Sargent, Portrait of J.P. Wolff (1890), Oil on canvas Gift of Mr. and

Mrs. Frank S. Kent, 56.1 Stamford Museum & Nature Center Collection

The portrait of Amsterdam financier J. P. Wolff is representative of Sargent’s grand

manner style and realistic brushwork, inspired by his study of Diego Velázquez.

Once considered a mere high society portraitist, Sargent was finally recognized

as a more complex and accomplished artist long after his death.

The painting was first owned by Frederick Muller of Amsterdam and then Jacques

Goudstikker, a prominent Dutch art dealer and owner of nearly 1,300 artworks.

After the 1940 German invasion of the Netherlands, the portrait was confiscated

by the Nazi military and political leader, Hermann Göring. The Goudstikker family

reclaimed 165 pieces of their artwork in 1946, including the Wolff portrait, which

was then sold to the Kende Gallery in New York City. In the 1990s, descendants

of the Goudstikker family sought to recover the remainder of the collection and

the provenance of the Wolff portrait came under scrutiny. Remarkably, Jacques

Goudstikker’s little black notebook with a detailed inventory of his collection had

survived. His notes confirmed the transaction with the Kende Gallery regarding

the Wolff portrait. Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Kent donated the work to the Stamford

Museum & Nature Center shortly after the museum opened at its current High

Ridge Road location.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014.15

Officers Board of DirectorsWilliam M. Aron* President

Harry Day*Vice President

Karen M. Kelly*Vice President

Daniel L. Schwartz*Secretary

Gerard Hopkins*Treasurer

Jason A. BonadioLynn Villency CohenCarole Dell’AquilaGerald M. Fox, IIIConnie HubbardMichael JacopinoAnn KraftDana MontanezSonja S. NarcisseRobert M. PhillipsPauline RauhJune Rosenthal

Claudia SilverBruce SilverstoneRoberto Vannucchi *

Melissa H. MulrooneyExecutive Director & CEO

* Executive Committee

Lynn Villency CohenAdvisory Council Chair

_2

Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art and popular culture, the natural and agricultural sciences, and history. The Museum is a vital cultural and educational resource for the community and a focal point for family activity and interaction, seeking to inspire creativity, foster self-discovery, promote environmental stewardship, and nurture an appreciation for lifelong learning through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events that enhance the visitor’s experience of our unique site.

MISSION

Stamford Museum & Nature Center

We are grateful to Purdue Pharma L.P. for their generous pro bono printing of our 2014.15 Annual Report.

Artist James Gurney leads a private gallery tour of his Dinotopia exhibition at the Winter Farm to Table Supper

William M. Aron President

_3

Annual Report 2014.15

Dynamic Differentiation for Our Community

We are pleased to report that the Stamford Museum & Nature Center (SM&NC) had another terrific year! We can all be proud of all that has been accomplished in 2014.15 to put us on solid footing for the coming year.

One of our hallmarks as an organization is our ability to creatively pilot new programming and “think differently” while remaining true to our dynamic and complex Mission. We embrace fresh ideas and enjoy “differentiation” from other nature-based and cultural organizations in our community. We are grateful to our membership, donors, and community for their continued support of our mission and bringing the SM&NC to life each season.

Our thanks go to the SM&NC staff for all of the work they have done to bring us through another winning year of program success. Special appreciation is due to Melissa H. Mulrooney, our Executive Director & CEO, who continues to lead the Museum with a sound strategic vision for growth and service to the community. It has been our collective honor to have served nearly 200,000 guests, families, and school children this year.

We are committed to being a premier regional center for environmental, agricultural science, and nature education. Utilizing our extraordinary Heckscher Farm, hardwood forest trail system, and astronomy program, we seek to get our children outside, involved and connected to science and the natural world around them. We were delighted by the excitement and visitor response to the opening of Heckscher WILD!, our newest education feature on Heckscher Farm, welcoming more than 14,400 visitors in just four months. This new destination offers visitors the opportunity to learn about animals from around the globe and their unique habitats while providing us with much-needed teaching space.

We are committed to enhancing our unique position as Stamford’s fine arts museum by engaging multi-cultural and multi-generational audiences with a growing variety of events and programs designed to teach, inspire, and entertain. This year we celebrated the introduction of Farm-To-Table Suppers in the Bendel Mansion using our exhibitions program as the centerpiece. Guests enjoyed private tours from popular artists like James Gurney through his fantastical Dinotopia original oil paintings.

These suppers celebrated the art of delicious food created by Chefs Brian Lewis of Elm and the brilliant Tim LaBant of The Schoolhouse at Cannondale. We feel these artisanal suppers are a natural extension of the work we do

daily on Heckscher Farm and amplify our mission of promoting environmental stewardship, and now, lifting off our vision for more adult programming and social events.

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is committed to building upon our solid foundation as a leading destination for community activity and enrichment. As we plan for the future, we are guided by and committed to our exceptional Master Plan vision which touches all aspects of our institution and challenges us to scale new heights of service. We are really proud of our reputation for social engagement and recognize the vital role our facility and festivals play in building family and community ties and values. In the coming year, you’ll see more adult programs to engage new friends with enrichment, ideas, and just plain fun.

As we work together to expand our vision and regional outreach, we wish to thank Mayor David Martin and the City of Stamford for their continued public-private partnership with us — assisting us with capital and operating support with the clear understanding of our value and economic development impact. We are deeply grateful.

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a beloved destination. With the continued commitment of our collaborative partners, donors, corporate sponsors, and devoted Membership, we will achieve our long-term vision.

We begin the 2015.16 season with energy, enthusiasm, and momentum. In the following pages, you will see terrific outcomes from our collective work together in 2014.15. Melissa and I hope all of you will join with us for another year of enrichment and engagement. You and your families are vital to our success.

Here’s to another great year of achievement and wonder ahead!

Melissa H. MulrooneyExecutive Director & CEO

Congressman Jim Himes tours the Stamford Museum & Nature Center with Melissa H. Mulrooney, Bill Aron, Harry Day

_4


VOLUNTEERISM During 2014.15, more than 700 volunteers supported the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, by generously donating 8,200 hours of their time and talents. On any given day, volunteers could be found:

• feeding and caring for our animals; • welcoming visitors and staffing festivals and special events;• assisting in Membership, Media & Marketing, and Finance Departments;• planning and implementing the annual Food & Wine Celebration, the largest fundraiser of the year;• assisting environmental educators with summer camp and educational programs;• helping with landscaping and garden clean up.

Volunteer groups from corporations such as GE, Johnson Controls, Ernst & Young, and McGladrey demonstrated their commitment to support the community where they work and live by spending a day painting, landscaping, or stacking firewood for the Maple Sugar House. In many cases, these groups also provided financial support to purchase the necessary supplies for their project.

In addition to the many students who volunteered on an individual basis, we welcomed local volunteer school groups from Westhill, Stamford High, AITE, Brunswick and the Stanwich School. These industrious students helped with a variety of tasks such as spreading wood chips, garden clean-up, trail maintenance, and staffing our festivals. Volunteer groups from community organizations such as Future Five, Literacy Volunteers, The United Way, Boy Scouts of America, Junior Achievement, and Abilis were also an important part of our volunteer program, providing valuable support in several key areas.

We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the youth and adult volunteers, from both Stamford and the surrounding areas, whose involvement was instrumental to the growth and success of the SM&NC this year.

Volunteers from Ernst & Young

Volunteers from McGladrey stain the refurbished Otter Bridge

_5


OUR EDUCATIONAL FOOTPRINT Our signature education program, SM&NC Aligned-With-The-Schools, had an amazing year of growth. With more than 31,000 area students from 140 different schools participating in our school programs, 2014.15 was one our busiest. The education team taught 1,518 total programs in 2014.15. This was an increase of 21 percent over the prior year.

Our education programming continues to serve area communities, allowing students the opportunity to explore, learn, and discover. A visit to Heckscher Farm for the first time or an adventure to one of our vernal ponds can leave a lasting impression and has the potential to open up an entire new world. Through the generous support of local foundations, the SM&NC provided bus transportation to more than 1,200 students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to visit.

In March 2015, we opened the newest addition to Heckscher Farm — Heckscher WILD! — a vibrant, hands-on, educational exhibit and classroom that is located in the former Animal Embassy space. Bringing world habitats to life, Heckscher WILD! features live animals from across the globe and provides visitors a chance for interaction with these animals through feedings, demonstrations, and special events. The exhibit houses some favorite Stamford Museum & Nature Center animals, including tarantulas, frogs, lizards, snakes, chinchillas and a hedgehog. In just the first four months after opening, we’ve welcomed 14,400 visitors to this new space and have received tremendous positive feedback.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS With funding from the Neighborhood Assistance Act, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center was able to repair and renovate the entire building housing the new Heckscher WILD! exhibit. These renovations included new plumbing, flooring, siding, HVAC, doors and windows, and roof repairs. All of these updates have increased the energy efficiency of the building and created an inviting, functional, and safe space for our education and public programs, as well as for the animals that reside in Heckscher WILD!

Other improvements throughout the property in 2014.15 involved electrical upgrades made to the Bendel Mansion and Heckscher Farm to improve efficiency, safety, and function. Enhancements at the front entrance of the site included the construction of a third stone pillar and stone wall repairs. Gates were placed by the admissions booth to improve security. New decking was installed on the Otter Bridge and was stained by corporate volunteers from McGladrey.

We are deeply thankful to Purdue Pharma and Yankee Gas for supporting the Neighborhood Assistance Act program to help fund these vital capital projects.

Our new live animal exhibit, Heckscher WILD!, opened in March 2015

_6


ART & MATERIAL CULTURE EXHIBITIONS Historically significant and diverse objects from the Permanent Collection of the Stamford Museum were featured in our annual exhibitions schedule. Agricultural tools and equipment that were made and used in Stamford more than 100 years ago were an integral element in the Smithsonian exhibition, The Way We Worked. Programming for the exhibition was highlighted by a visit from the Connecticut Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Wyman, who participated in a panel discussion organized by the Women’s Business Development Council on the role of women in the workplace.

Characters and vehicles from the popular The LEGO® Movie were featured in the winter exhibition, BILLION BRICKS 2: Trains, Planes & Spaceships, which attracted 15,500 delighted visitors.

Fossilized remains of amazing prehistoric creatures, including Corythosaurus, Tylosaurus and Mastodon added context to the fantastical artwork of contemporary artist James Gurney featured in the spring exhibition Dinotopia. SM&NC intern Chase Brownstein provided detailed drawings for the exhibition and fascinated visitors at the exhibition opening with his knowledge of all things paleontological. This exhibition also served as a backdrop for our Winter Farm to Table Supper with Gurney providing a private tour for guests. Additionally, Gurney led a master class teaching 29 participants, coming as far away as Pittsburgh, to learn from this renowned illustrator.

Thousands of summer campers and guests, from Fairfield, New Haven, Westchester, and Rockland counties, and the New York City-area, learned about the natural patterns and structures of math in Nature’s Numbers. This fun and interactive exhibition was supplemented with SM&NC birds, butterflies and shells, as well as live animals on loan from Heckscher WILD!, reinforcing math skills including counting, ordering, measurements and classification. Total gallery visitation for FY14–15 was 47,295 guests.

Two Andy Warhol prints from his “Flowers” series were the highlights of an exhibition opening at the Loft Artists Association, additional objects related to famous Stamford sculptor Gutzon Borglum were added to the Arcade Gallery, and the Main lobby now features additional ethnographic objects, decorative objects, sculpture, prints, and paintings from the Stamford Museum’s permanent collection.

The Fantastical Art of James Gurneyfebruary 14 – may 25, 2015

members preview and opening reception: friday, february 13, 6:30 – 8 pm rsvp by february 10 to [email protected] or 203.977.6521

THE WAY WE W RKED

Smithsonian Institution

Saturday, September 20 through Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A fun and nostalgic look back at the history of working people in America.

A Billion Bricks

LEGO® TRUCKS, TRAINS & SPACESHIPS

November 22, 2014 – January 25, 2015

Members Preview & Opening Reception

Friday November 21, 2014 • 6:30 – 8:00pm

Featuring a “sneak peek” performance by the Stamford All-School

Musical’s cast of The Addams Family

RSVP by November 18 to [email protected] or 203.977.6521

SM&NC

Members!

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 — SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015

An exhibition developed and produced by the Franklin Institute

Our 2014.15 Exhibitions

_7


FACILITY RENTALS AND PRIVATE EVENTS We experienced enormous growth in the area of Facility Rentals and Private Event use of the entire site. Over the past fiscal year, we hosted more than 90 corporate and private events, an increase of 300 percent year to date. Hiring a professional and seasoned event planner provided us with someone who could see the potential of the SM&NC’s unique site, and the ability to market the venue in a new way; sparking more interest in booking weddings, corporate retreats, private occasions, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations.

The appeal of a bucolic setting and getting “away” for a day brought businesses, including RBS, Carecentrix, AltieriSebor, Inspira Marketing and GE Capital, here for meetings in our conference room, often followed by a catered meal on the Meadow.

Investing in technology upgrades, new furnishings, and creative use of many different locations on the site has made the Stamford Museum & Nature Center a highly desirable venue for corporate groups and private events. With bookings well into next year and beyond, we look forward to another successful revenue outcome in this business area.

Cocktails on the Otter Bridge

Wedding ceremony on the lawn of the Bendel Mansion

_8


ADULT-FOCUSED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS Often we hear from visiting adults: “We used to come here all the time when our children were younger.” We want those adults to come back to enjoy a social evening over a delicious meal, an opportunity to meet an artist in our Museum Galleries and learn first-hand about a new exhibition. We’re continuing our work to create a series of unique adult programming experiences which brings together friends, ideas, speakers, and just plain fun.

Over 2014.15, we worked with CCRG Marketing, a marketing research and strategy firm, to conduct two surveys to better inform us on our adult audience and their interests. The first survey provided general feedback about the SM&NC and adult interests. The second survey gauged interest in specific adult program categories and topics. This data will be used for insight in creating meaningful adult offerings in the future.

In September 2014, we launched our successful Farm to Table Supper series. The inaugural supper featured Chef Brian Lewis of Elm restaurant and a private curator-led tour of The Way We Worked exhibition. In February, Chef Tim LaBant of the Schoolhouse at Cannondale presented a delicious family-style Farm to Table experience with the fantastical artist James Gurney providing an insightful tour of his amazing Dinotopia exhibition over signature cocktails and farm bites. Guests were able to visit with Gurney throughout the evening. This series is continuing with Fall and Winter suppers planned for the upcoming year.

Our third annual Oktoberfest event grew in attendance with a sold-out event. Reckson/SL Green served as a sponsor of the evening with Old Heidelberg of Bethel, CT sponsoring the food and Half Full Brewery of Stamford providing beer. This event continues to provide a fun adult evening on the Meadow to kick off our popular Harvest Festival Weekend.

Members from the Loft Artists Association display and sell their artwork at our Spring on the Farm Festival

Our fall Farm to Table Supper

_9


HECKSCHER FARM Another busy year on the farm. The winter of 2014.15 will be remembered as snowy, cold, and extremely long. While all the animals did well, our maple sugaring operation was delayed considerably due to the weather. When the trees finally did thaw and the temperatures warmed up in mid-March, our maple season kicked into high gear — almost a month later than usual. In the end, the last drops of sap were boiled on April 6 and we finished the year collecting 4,913 gallons of sap, making a record of 98 gallons of pure maple syrup. Spring 2015 continued to be busy on the farm. More than 80 animals were born on the Farm — 12 lambs, 11 kids, 25 chicks, 30 keets, and 5 piglets.

Improvements were made throughout the year on Heckscher Farm. Many of the fences that were damaged during an aggressive winter were repaired. In addition, to help improve sanitation and cleanliness, a new concrete floor and fans were added to the Cheshire Barn’s oxen and horse night stalls. A new mobile chicken coop was built so the flock could be expanded and enjoy free-ranging throughout the farm.

This summer, we enjoyed the SM&NC Sunday Farm Market with a variety of returning and new vendors selling products grown or produced locally. We also sold our own Heckscher Farm eggs, maple syrup, and wool. Our education team provided family- focused farm activities during the Farm Market hours to teach about the origin of our food. The SM&NC Farm Market ran from early June to late October.

Campers learn about Wallace, our red-footed tortoise

Prim and Nessie, our milking shorthorn calves

__10


SM&NC BY THE NUMBERS

195,080VISITORS enjoyed the wonders of our extraordinary site last year

are now Members of our Business Affiliates Membership program

27COMPANIES

34,357STUDENTS participated in our SM&NC Aligned-With-The-Schools and After-School programs

140SCHOOLS were served with our SM&NC Aligned-With-The-Schoolsprograms and group visits

DIFFERENT

2,765 MEMBERHOUSEHOLDS enjoyed the exceptional benefits of Membership. They belong!

47,295 ARTS & CULTURE ENTHUSIASTS viewed the exhibitions in our Museum Galleries

700 VOLUNTEERS supported our public events and programs and every department within the SM&NC with

HOURS8,200of service

__11


3,827

FRIENDS like us on Facebook

2,379FOLLOWERS follow us on

Twitter

16 VOLUNTEER MEMBERS of the 18th Annual Food & Wine Celebration dazzled the SM&NC

139PRESCHOOLERS attended our Art, Nature & Me Preschool

98 GALLONS of pure-Connecticut maple syrup were made in our sugar house

were born on the Farm

BABY ANIMALS83

1,518 PROGRAMS were led by our Environmental Education Staff

16,900VISITORS enjoyed our seasonal festival weekends and public events

392 CAMPERSparticipated in our summer camp

Premier PartnersFirst County Bank GE Asset Management Purdue Pharma Reckson, a Division of SL Green Realty Corp.

Business Benefactors

Aquarion Water Company Ernst & Young

UBS Xerox Foundation

Business Patrons

The Ashforth CompanyBMW of North America Day Pitney LLPOld Heidelberg Pitney BowesSTOKKE

Business Partners

Accurate Lock & Hardware Co. Eastern Land Management F.D. Rich CompanyO’Connor Davies LLCRMS CompaniesWright Investor’s Services

Business Supporters

Bridgewater General Reinsurance Corp. Johnson ControlsMcKenney MechanicalWilliam Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty

Business Friends

Stamford Toys


__12

BUSINESS AFFILIATES MEMBERSHIP PROGRAMStand With Great Leaders The Stamford Museum & Nature Center Business Affiliates Membership is a robust, committed, and engaged group of business leaders, both global and local, who are aligned with our success in environmental education and our service as a vital cultural resource for the community. These companies realize the economic value in doing good while doing well. They wish to advance the communities in which they live and work and have chosen to support the mission of SM&NC in a meaningful way.

This year, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center was chosen by BMW North America as a site to launch their new i3 electric car during our popular Harvest Festival Weekend. A great synergy between the two organizations brought environmental commitment and innovation together in spectacular fashion. Our corporate partners view us as tied to their own mission of environmental stewardship and enjoy the marketing benefit of strong brand alignment with SM&NC.

Our highly-regarded education programs were acknowledged this year by our time-honored partners at GE Asset Management, who increased their participation and commitment to our mission by becoming a Premier Partner, joining the ranks of our highest supporters. Our Benefactors and Patrons renewed their support with generous contributions, sponsorships, and in-kind participation to help meet the challenge of our continuing growth.

More corporate members hit the ground running this year by participating in corporate volunteer days to plant trees, maintain trails, remove invasive species, chop wood, and mend fences. Our team building programs for Business Affiliate Members allow employees to “get unplugged” and enjoy the camaraderie of working together outdoors.

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center rewards its corporate member employees with genuine quality-of-life benefits for their families, including corporate family mem-berships, program participation, and event planning. We are proud of our Business Affiliate program, and the exemplary businesses and leaders who are aligned with our success. We look forward to reaching others in the business community and making this affinity group grow. We applaud their commitment of giving back to the community, and are grateful for their support of our work and our mission.

We thank the following SM&NC Business Affiliates members for their generous support over the past year.

For more information about the Business Affiliates Membership program, contact the Development Office 203.977.6548.

BMW North America launches their new i3 electric car at the SM&NC


__13

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE The Director’s Circle is a distinguished group of individuals whose generosity and commitment to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center support our holistic mission to bring the wonders of

art, nature, astronomy and early childhood education to our community and the public. We thank all of our Director’s Circle members for their enduring support and encourage more individuals in the community to join this vital group.

Karen and David AlexanderKathy and William AronLeslie Tamarkin and Marc BeckerScottie and Jason BonadioKathleen Brady and John CamposLisa Tannebaum and Donald BrownsteinSamantha and Robert CarrollMarilyn ClementsLynn Villency Cohen and Stephen A. CohenCarol CollinsStephen CormanRoxana and Andrew Davidoff

Harry D. DayCarole and Joseph Dell’AquilaDenise and Nicola DoriaJames J. DuffyCarol and Michael FedeleAmy and Howard FinkelsteinNaomi and Joel FreedmanJennifer and Edward GannonCarolyn and Robert GiampeMary and Mike GreenDale and Stephen HoffmanMary Jo and Gerard HopkinsConnie and Bruce HubbardKaren M. Kelly

Susan Cullman and John KirbyAudrey and William KnoblochAnn Kraft and Bruce BiedermanJennifer and Mark LapineDiana and Steven LenkowskyBrenda and Gerrit LydeckerEleanor and Morton LowenthalBarbara and Howard MalloyMelissa H. MulrooneySonja and Von NarcisseMarianne and Edward PollakPat and Bob PhillipsPauline RauhJune Rosenthal

Kathy and Peter SachsLolita and Frank SavageBetsey and Arthur SelkowitzMarsha ShendellClaudia and Keith SilverMerle SpiegelEunice and Joseph ThomasKaren and Warren TomPatty and Paul TravaglinoRandi and Roberto VannucchiLisa and Paul Welch

For more information about becoming a member of Director’s Circle, contact the Development Office at 203.977.6548.

Lisa Tannebaum and Donald Brownstein Sonja and Von Narcisse, Connie and Bruce Hubbard


__14

18TH ANNUAL FOOD & WINE CELEBRATION Honoring Betsey & Arthur Selkowitz The Food & Wine Celebration is always a celebratory evening, and this year was no exception. In addition to excellent wine, the night included a silent auction, a giving vine, live music, and exceptional food provided by 15 of the area’s top restaurants and caterers. Mayor David Martin toasted the night’s honorees at the Diamond Reception, as well as 125 members and friends in attendance.

We were honored to celebrate the exceptional generosity and leadership Betsey and Arthur Selkowitz have brought to the Stamford Museum & Nature Center as our Distinguished Philanthropists. Arty and Betsey’s kindness, grace, and vision for the future of the SM&NC has been instrumental to our success. Arty joined the SM&NC Board of Directors in 2006. He served on the Buildings & Grounds Committee and provided wonderful, wise, “ad man” counsel as the new Stamford Museum & Nature Center brand was rolled out, giving us a laser-focus on our Mission; our signature programming strengths; our educational and cultural vision; and target audience development.

Arty took the reins of a significant leadership role as Chair of the Master Planning program over 2008 and 2009 giving the organization the strategic opportunity to look “globally” at this exceptional site. The SM&NC’s Master Plan is also a complementary North Stamford greenway anchor that builds upon the great work Arty is doing as Chairman of the Mill River Collaborative.

We are grateful to a devoted Food & Wine Celebration Committee who went above and beyond the call of duty, and we recognize with deep appreciation, the Committee Chairs: Connie Hubbard and Carole Dell’Aquila, 18th Food & Wine Celebration Co-Chairs; Leslie

Bruzik and Cynthia Mammone, Silent Auction Co-Chairs; Wanda Bober, Lee Morgan and Sara Sherlock, Revenue Enhancers Co-Chairs; Dr. Darlene Negbenebor, Logistics & Event Production Chair; and Lynn Villency Cohen, Diamond Celebration Chair.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, Arthur and Betsey Selkowitz, Melissa H. Mulrooney

18th Annual Food & Wine Celebration Committee


__15

Katherine & William AronAquarion Water CompanyElaine Robinson & Stephen BerniScottie & Jason BonadioLisa & Donald BrownsteinMarilyn ClementsLynn & Stephen CohenMartha & Jeffrey CokinSusan Cullman & John KirbyIra & Gari DanskyDay PitneyHarry DayCarole & Joseph Dell’AquilaHarriet & Frederick DulaneyEastern Land ManagementErnst & Young Arlene & Irwin EttingerFD Rich Foundation Carol & Michael FedeleEsta & Jay FeinsodAmy & Howard Finkelstein

First County BankGE Asset ManagementSandi & Robert GoldsteinSarah & Michael HandlerPhyllis & George HellerJevera & Bill HennesseyMichelle Houston & Tony TemerarioLisa & Arnold KarpJennifer & Mark LapineDiane & Steven LenkowskyNaomi & Samuel LiebermanNina & Norman LotsteinEleanor & Morton LowenthalBarbara & Howard MalloyMerrill LynchLori & Frank MercedeCynthia Hoffman & Stan MillerO’Connor DaviesHarley & Stephen OsmanPitney BowesRobert Phillips

Guests bidding at the silent auction

As always, the Food & Wine Celebration, our major fundraiser, celebrates the generous support of many distinguished people and businesses. Our heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors and contributors to our 18th Food & Wine Celebration:

David Cingari from David’s Soundview Catering serves guests

Reckson/SL GreenJune & Rolf Rosenthal Patricia & George SarnerLolita & Frank SavageAdam SelkowitzJed SelkowitzBetsey & Arthur Selkowitz

Helen & Sheldron SeplowitzMarsha ShendellMerle SpiegelLisa & Paul WelchWofsey RosenBarbara & Fabrizio Zichichi


__16

FINANCIALS Stamford Museum & Nature Center Projected Statement of Financial Activities2014.15 Operating Year Ending June 30, 2015

The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has finished the 2014.15 fiscal year on sound footing. We continue to work diligently to build the capacity of this vibrant institution and face a challenging economy with creativity, resourcefulness, and optimism.

Annually, we must raise at least 66% of our funds to operate this remarkable 118-acre property. Corporate, foundation, and individual support is so meaningful and critical to our success. We thank all of our supporters, members, and participants for your generous, ongoing contributions.

Sources of SupportContributionsMembershipPreschool Program

Camp, School Group & Education ProgramsAdmission, Events & Facility UseCity of StamfordTotal Revenues ExpensesCompensation & BenefitsProfessional ServicesEquipment & Supplies

Exhibitions, Education Programs & Site OperationsNet ReserveTotal Expenses

$477,000 275,000 633,000 341,000 395,0001,110,0003,231,000 2,017,000 254,000 193,000 750,000 17,0003,231,000

City of Stamford 34% Contributions

15%

Preschool Program 20%

Admission, Events & Facility Use

12%

Camp, School Group & Education Programs

11%

Membership 9%

Sources of Support


__17

DONOR LISTS The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is eternally grateful to those individuals and organizations who support our mission through the annual appeal and make it possible for us to be a fun-filled educational resource throughout the year.

Legacy

Steven A. and Alexandra M. Cohen FoundationAudrey and William R. KnoblochOaklawn FoundationPurdue PharmaJune Rosenthal

DiamondAquarion Water CompanyBetsy and Stephen CormanFirst County BankNaomi and Joel FreedmanHelen-Louise C. FullmanGE Asset ManagementUBS AGXerox Foundation

PlatinumAnsonia FoundationBMW North AmericaScottie and Jason BonadioBridgewaterMarilyn T. ClementsConnecticut Arts Endowment FundConnecticut Humanities Council Inc.Roxana and Andrew DavidoffHarry DayNancy and Richard K. FreedmanGE Capital CorporationGeneral Reinsurance CorporationJulie and Robert Graham Jr. Mabel Burchard Fischer Grant FoundationClaire L. Helsing FoundationChristina and John HornerGlenn Howatt FoundationConstance and Bruce HubbardJohnson ControlsLeon N. Lapine Charitable Residuary TrustMarjorie and Mabel FundMcKenney Mechanical Contractors, Inc.Christopher T. Miller FundNew Canaan Community FoundationPatricia and Robert M. PhillipsLyndsay and Mead RustKathy and Peter SachsLaura Schlachtmeyer

Betsey and Arthur SelkowitzVivian and Richard SilverYankee Gas Services Company

GoldPaul R. AaronsonIngrid E. AkerblomKaren and David AlexanderJuliet and Gilbert AlexandreElaine and Merlin L. AlperJane and Stephen H. AlpertJim L. ArataSean BacceiElizabeth A. and Gerald BarunoKaren and Eric P. BeileyCarol and George E. BelloClaudia Anne and Joseph P. Bilotti Amanda and Adam BirnbaumVirginia F. BooromMary and Philip S. BorbaScott BountyKaren and Seth H. BurstonLynn Villency Cohen and Stephen A. CohenMartha and Jeffrey G. CokinStephen H. ColeCarol H. CollinsRandie S. Katz and Larry R. CryerCandace W. CushingChelsea and Asher M. DanburgMargaret and Timothy J. DevlinSusan and Ernest A. DiMattiaJames J. DuffyBarbara and John F. ErdmannDiane and R. Lindwood FaxonKathleen and Gerald M. FoxJennifer and Robert GalloisEllen and James G. GlynnLaura and Dean GodownSandy and Robert GoldsteinMary and Mike GreenFrank HarscheEllen and Paul B. HarveyRobin and Darrell HarveyDale and Stephen J. HoffmanGail Grosso Hofmann and Richard HofmannJeanne and Peter M. Hosinski

Susan and Jed P. IsaacsGina and Michael JacopinoKaren M. KellyBonnie and Henry J. KlaassensCathy J. and Peter M. KleinKostadin Kolev Rebecca and Nick LaiEve and Seth I. LapineCindy Turcott and Mark D. LedermannClaire and Kirk C. LehneisEva and Robert LevineEnid and Steven P. LiebermanBrenda and Gerrit V. LydeckerCatherine and Thomas LynchJustine and John MacurdyElaine and Christopher K. McLeodEkaterina Yarmolovich and Michael MehanEllen and Joel P. MellisElisabeth and Todd Minanowski Freda MindlinRonnie-Lyn and Mark MogensenJane and Philip MolstreDana Lee and Johnny MontanezMary and Garry H. MortonMelissa H. MulrooneySonja S. and Von NarcisseSallie W. Howell and Timothy F. OsbornOlivia and Tim PartonMary Jo and Luke M. PittoniProfessional AssociatesJessica and Freddy QuezadaPauline S. RauhJoyce and Jay RiemerCarol and Erwin RivenBetty and Daniel RobertsAnn RogersWendy S. RosenblumLinda and Joe V. RothmanAdrienne and Steven SantiagoElizabeth and Austin SaypolS. G. Schimenti FoundationFrieda and Eugene ShapiroM. Catherine Lynch and Douglas R. SharpJami SherwoodClaudia and Keith E. Silver


__18

Jane SilvermanMeryl and Hank SilversteinStamford Garden ClubStarwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.Marlene and Shepard B. StoneBala Sundaram and P. R. SundaresanDana Endicott and Dennis SweeneyErna M. SzekeresTresa and Daniel ToscanoUnited Way of Western Connecticut, Inc.Randi and Roberto VannucchiJoanne and Joseph VastaRosa Portell and Louis WeinstockLisa and Paul WelchJuanita T. James and Dudley N. WilliamsSusan and Nels W. YlitaloGeorgia and Peter V. Young

SilverAnonymousBarbara AbrahamMargarita Esparrago and Juan Jose Vincent AlvareyJeri and Mark AppelLynette and Anthony ArdisMarta and James BaileyPatricia and Joseph R. BaranowskiLee Morgan and John BlackPaula Kurasch and Terry BlankAlfreda and Steve BlazeyEileen and John BolandSvetlana Shmulyian and Konstantin BraunMary Ann BrownCandice and Joseph BryanChantal Pregent and Jack R. BuchmillerKathleen Brady and John CamposHope Anderson and Robert A. CarrDorothy A. CoffeyJudy and Arthur M. CopelandRachele DeLorenzoRobert “Gabe” DeLucaMarsha DeSouzaLindsey and Brian DevitoAnthony M. Devito IIIMaria and Philip A. FecherDemi and Eric FerrarisRosalea and Richard S. FisherJim FordeAsa and Sarah FradkinNina and Carl W. Gage

Susan Baldwin and Gary L. GepnerLisa GreyJack HalpertConstance and David B. HarveyAnu HoojaDonna S. HughesThaira Oweily and Sherifth IbrahimDorothy and Leon JaivenCharles C. JuddThompson KauhiSondra and Louis P. LevineMargaret and Bernard N. LevyThe Levy FamilyAudrey and William H. MagruderMelissa and Mark McAndrewsJoseph MelfiLorena and Natalie MendozaRosemarie and Arthur MorsePaul MoverleyMaureen MurphyMaria and Paul NakianChristine and Scott O’ConnorStefanie and Nathan OverstromMarylee Santoro and Dennis PalumboMonica C. PastoreKim and Art PetroneSheby Reynolds and Vaj PotenzaSvetlana and Yevgeniy PrintsevBill ProbertBetsy and Bill RafteryHilde and Arthur RatzelKristen and Andrew RunkSally and Allan SacksIngrid Bischoft and Paul SchwabeBarbara and Sebastian ScrippsFrieda and Eugene ShapiroEdythe Siegel Estate Amy and Diane SierpinaTeresa and Vinod SinhaSally and Robert SlugaAlan SosnowitzSandra and Steven SouleSandy and Morris SpeterMerle A. SpiegelSusan and Jeremy SteidlSusie and Larry StoogenkeSylwia and James ThorntonGail and Stephen Trell

Mark VassalottiMary Jane McCrea-Watson and Walter WatsonRobin and Fred WexlerSusan M. Boria and Terence Wight The SM&NC would also like to thank those people and businesses who made meaningful in-kind contributions to the site and organization.

95.9 THE FOX/STAR 99.9A&S Fine FoodsAll Glass Company, Inc - Allan KlumacAquarion Water CompanyBeldotti’s Bakery Best in GourmetChampagne TeaChase BrownsteinChenDesignConant Valley JamConnecticut HumanitiesCT Congresswoman Rosa DeLauroCultural Alliance of Fairfield CountyDavid’s Soundview CateringDay Pitney LLPDesigns by LeeDiamond ChocolatiersDiMare PastryDonut DelightEagle Hill School, GreenwichEarthworm TechnologyErica TuminskiErnie AntonucciEventi CaféFairway MarketFestivities CateringGrove Street Veterinary HospitalHalf Full BreweryHerbsivore FoodsHigh Ridge Animal HospitalHistoric New EnglandILUGNYJames Gurney JuliskaKent FawcettKooberzStudiosK.P. Events Group Le Pain QuotidienLibby Coverly Cooke Catering


__19

This list reflects contributions made between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Every effort is made to ensure the accurate recognition of our donors. If you find that your name appears incorrectly or if you were omitted from this year’s list, please call the Development Office at 203-977-6548.

Loft Artists AssociationLola’s Mexican KitchenLt. Governor Nancy WymanMichael Josephs CateringMid Hudson VeterinaryMoffly MediaNASA Nestle Waters Nielsen’s FloristOld HeidelbergOmNomCTOutdoor Cookers Catering & Special EventsPalmers Fine Food & Catering

Penny TuminskiPerson to Person, NorwalkPrimeroboticsPurdue Pharma L.P.Savory GourmetSeasonal Sweets & CateringSid and Lorraine HorowitzSister Wicked Good SoapSmith Acres Smithsonian InstitutionSome Things Fishy CateringStamford Garden ClubSummer Rain Sprinkler Systems, Inc.

Susan Kane CateringTap My TreesTevanaThe Debbie Nigro Show, WFAS Hartsdale, NYThe Food Bank of Lower Fairfield CountyThe Olive Oil Factory V&M PartnersWashington CarpetWilliam McKayWomen’s Business Development CouncilWPKN-FM, BridgeportXerox Community Involvement ProgramYama Ki Bonsai Society

Our Great Cultural & Environmental Work Continues

ANNUAL REPORT 2014.15

support the extraordinary

Documents