HughE Dillon: Rittenhouse’s Ball on the Square

The Friends of Rittenhouse Square’s annual Ball on the Square was held last night, ushering in summer, and it was a hot one—on so many levels. Here, Bob Colvin, Mary Genovese Colvin, Kathleen Epstein and Andrew Epstein, and Patrick O’Hara enjoy the over-the-top, but comfortable chairs brought in for the guests. Note that this is in the area right near the center of the square, near the bull.
 

 
Below: I half expected to receive an email yesterday from Betsy Hummel (right), president of Friends of Rittenhouse Square, telling everyone to wear garden attire to the ball because of the unusually hot weather, but none came, and everyone persevered and wore their most glorious outfits. Betsy has a beautiful Oscar de la Renta on, here with husband Holden Hummel. (By the way, I did wear shorts, but they were black and pressed.)
 

 
Below: The annual ball always attracts Philadelphia’s movers, shakers and stunners, including Firstrust Bank CEO Richard Green and Hope Cohen.
 

 
Below: Barbara Brown-Ruttenberg, Randi Zmesky, Mary Parenti, the 2013 ball chair, Lisa Steinberg and Lynn Spector. Mary tells me 2013 is going to be an exciting year as it’s the 30th anniversary of the ball, and it will also be the 100th anniversary since the park’s founding. This year’s chairs were Richard Vague and Audrey Taichman.
 

 
Below: Drew Lazor, food writer, and girlfriend Michelle, along with Philebrity.com‘s Joey Sweeney, and Lily Cope, executive director at Cook. When I asked everyone what their summer read would be, Sweeney was quick to say Pulphead, by John Jeremiah Sullivan, a book of short stories that are witty, poignant and informative. Lily tells me she’s reading Gil Scott-Heron’s memoirs, while Drew is happy if he can just get through his emails. Lily tells me Cook’s schedule will be the who’s who of Feastival. Chefs that participate in that event will each have a night to cook in the cooperative kitchen.
 

 
Below: Ricki Mandeloff and Alan Mandeloff, Citrin Cooperman, with Laurie Phillips, Prudential Fox & Roach, and Barry A. Milberg.
 

 
Below: Arthur Wolk, of the Wolk Law Firm, and Betsy Hummel.
 

 
Below: Scott Gregorchuk, Carrie Karo, Bill and Marla Luterman, and Corie and Evan Moskow.
 

 
Below: Steve Gartner, Metro Commercial, Rob and Maggie Wasserman, Rouge, Nina Tinari, T2 Consultants, and Michael Schulson, Sampan.
 

 
Below: Joseph and Jo Manhein, Alison Young, Dave Maser, Holly Kinser, and Brian Sims.
 

 
Below: Eric Lochner and Drew Becher, president of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, with Kathryn Ott Lovell, executive director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and Mark Focht, executive director of Fairmount Park Commission. Drew tells me today is the dedication of the PHS’s pop-up garden at 19th and Rittenhouse.
 

 
Below: At around 9:30 p.m., I headed over to Smith & Wollensky for the Young Friends of Rittenhouse Square Ball. They have a fun gathering at a lesser price across the street from the park, and are invited to join the main event at 10 p.m. for dancing under the big tent. The second floor of the restaurant was packed with people enjoying themselves and playing casino games, all in the name of charity. From left to right: Lane Kelly,, Young Friends co-chair Arielle Kerstein, Young Friends co-chair Derek Freres, and director of operations of the Friends of Rittenhouse Square, Kate Kosarek.
 

 
Below: Jason Bock, Jen Green, Patrick Gargemi, Molly Cowley, Chris Jordan and Devyn Gehert.
 

 
Below: Sam Wiener and Maria Siravo.
 

 
Below: Michael Pillion and Caroline Dilsheimer won quite a few raffle tickets in their poker game. The tickets were then entered into a bowl for a chance for a 50-50 cash prize.
 

 
Then we all headed over to the Square for two hours of hot, and I mean hot, dancing. Below: Ori Feibush, real estate blog Naked Philly, and Elise Lemay.
 

 
*****
Below: On the eve of the ball, the Little Friends of Rittenhouse held its annual event. Kids of all ages came to the historic park to enjoy face painting, the bounce room and train rides and to dance to kids’ tunes, as well as enjoying all the treats you’d get at a kids’ party, like hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Below: Erica and Nathanial Rose check out the clown on stilts.
 

 
Below: I also ran into the the Felderman family, David and Lauren with their kids, Elle and Ari, who enjoyed their balloon hats and lollipops. Nearly 100 families enjoyed the evening’s fun and games, with proceeds going to the upkeep of Rittenhouse Square, as well as the new security cameras that will be installed soon.