Society Snapshots

Freelancers needed to write Sunday society column

Angie Muhs — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:24:01 GMT

Portland Museum of Art photo

Are you an outgoing person who loves to socialize and attend parties? Would you like to get paid to do so?

The Maine Sunday Telegram is looking for people with writing and reporting experience to attend social events, talk with guests, snap photos and then write columns about what took place at the soiree and who was there to experience it. The ideal candidate will enjoy meeting lots of different people, have interviewing experience, know his or her way around a camera and be able to write on deadline.

This is a paid freelance position with multiple spots available. The individuals who make the cut will be responsible for attending an event as assigned every other week and then submitting a column and five photographs by noon on Friday. The columns and photos will be published in the Maine Sunday Telegram’s Scene & Heard section.

To apply, send a letter of interest to Features Editor Rod Harmon (rharmon@pressherald.com) and Assistant Features Editor Wendy Almeida (wea@mainetoday.com). Be sure to tell them why you would be a good fit and attach a resume and a couple writing samples.

Best of luck party people.

Abbey Greslick photo

Libra Foundation interns dine with Maine CEOs

Angie Muhs — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 01:51:19 GMT

More than 100 college students interning this summer with some of Maine's top companies enjoyed a three-course dinner this evening with two dozen CEOs and top executives from those same companies. The dinner was part of the Libra Foundation's Summer in Maine program, which promotes internships in Maine and provides each year's summer interns with networking and recreational events.

Tonight's party took place at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth. Speakers included Bill Ryan, the retired chairman of TD Bank, part owner of the Maine Red Claws and trustee for numerous organizations, including the Libra Foundation.

We also heard from Jonathan Ayers, the chairman, president and CEO of IDEXX. The speeches took place during the salad course, allowing the interns to chat with the CEOs seated at their tables during the main course. As many people pointed out, it was the kind of high level access that students aren't likely to find at a big city internship.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the July 1 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more photos and details from the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Broadway in Bloom Gala pairs stage couture with floral design

Angie Muhs — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 03:18:09 GMT

Flowers and fashions took center stage at tonight's Broadway in Bloom Gala Banquet. The party, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, was part of the 81st annual convention of The Garden Club Federation of Maine. The event wraps up tomorrow, but tonight the dinner party paired floral designers with original musical theater costumes from the vast collection of the Maine State Music Theater in Brunswick.

In the photo above, Suzanne Bushnell, who chaired the convention committee, stands next to a dress from "The Whiz," which inspired the flower design of Sandy Wallen of the St. Mary's Garden Club. Her floral creation included woven palm leaves, which mimicked a woven pattern on the bodice of the gown.

Here Suzanne stands between a mannequin wearing a gown from "Cinderella" and Maine State Music Theatre Lead Costume Designer Kurt Alger. The abstract floral design at the right was created by Cynthia Hosmer of the Old York Garden Club. Cynthia set up her floral design yesterday but then had to head to Newport, R.I. to judge a flower show.

Designer Judy Alderman of the Lakeside Garden Club talked about how she interpreted a dress from "Hairsrpay" with peonies and blue hydrangea.

Designer Buff Harrington of the Harpswell Garden Club played off the triangle front of this gown from "Hello Dolly" to create her abstract design.

If you want to see the Maine State Music Theatre's costumes in action, catch "A Chorus Line" before it wraps up this Saturday, or "Legally Blond," which opens on June 27 and runs through July 14. "Sunset Boulevard" and "42nd Street" play later this summer.

Should you want to learn more about the party and see more snapshots, be sure to pick up a copy of the June 24 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have all the details in the Scene & Heard section.

Until then, I'll see you out and about.

Winter Kids heads to Bubba's for a License to Chill

Angie Muhs — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 03:21:29 GMT

Stuffed with antiques and collectibles, Bubba's Sulky Lounge provided the quirky yet awesome venue for tonight's Winter Kids License to Chill party. About 250 of us party guests wandered from room to room in the the sprawling night club and everywhere there were more people having a great time. Guests who made it to the room all the way at the back of Bubba's, enjoyed barbecue from Buck's Naked and the chance to bid on dozens of silent auction items.

Winter Kids is the nonprofit organization that provides all Maine 5th through 7th graders with free and discounted admission to slopes and trails. The organization also introduces Maine children, particularly new immigrants, to Maine's rich tradition of winter sports.

Maine's Funniest Mom Karen Morgan emceed the party's entertainment and also handled the live auction. The showcase auction item was a chance to play a round of golf and have dinner with Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott. This auction item has become a tradition, and this year's winner declared that she had just bought the best Father's Day present.

Another highlight of the party was the interactive improv comedy of Dennis Hunt, Tuck Tucker and Tom Walsh, who are members of Running With Scissors. They performed on Bubba's iconic dance floor. You can catch Running With Scissors this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Comedy Connection in the Old Port.

Capping off the night was a bluesy and very danceable performance by North of Nashville, a band that's a favorite with the winter crowd up at Sugarloaf.

Be sure to pick up the June 10 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more photos and details from the party in the Scene & Heard section.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Historic House Gala opens door to West End colonial revival

Angie Muhs — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:55:05 GMT

Deep in the West End this evening, more than 150 guests gathered for the annual Greater Portland Landmarks Historic House Gala at the colonial revival home of Kathy and Bob Whelan, seen above making a few remarks during the party. Behind them you can see Hilary Bassett, executive director of Greater Portland Landmarks, and State Historian Earle Shettleworth, Jr., who both spoke at the event. The house you can see in the background is actually the neighboring home.

But if you were to look to the left you'd see this view of the back side of the Whelan home, where guests mingled during the party and enjoyed martinis and 1950s-themed appetizers. Both inside and out, the home has been carefully and thoughtfully renovated, allowing it to retain its historic charm and character while accommodating the needs of a new era.

All the home's spaces are fabulous and the kitchen was no exception. Here Courtney Loreg of Aurora Provisions plates bite-sized deviled eggs in the modernized room.

If you want to read more about the house and the well-known families who have lived there, be sure to pick up the June 3 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram. I'll have more details - and photos - in the Scene & Heard section.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Goodwill's mission comes full circle at film screening

Angie Muhs — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:24:39 GMT

About 80 people gathered at USM's Abromson Community Education Center in Portland tonight for a reception and private screening of five short films. Called A Circle of Films, the event was hosted by Goodwill of Northern New England and featured the work of young filmmakers, who were tapped by the nonprofit to create the work.

Filmmakers Nick Brennan and John Logan Pierson were on the road touring with another film, but the other three filmmakers joined Goodwill's President & CEO Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (granddaughter of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt) on the stage after the screening for a Q&A. From left they are Logen Christopher who directed "Circles"), Stuart Townsend (who directed "New Wheels") and Jeff Griecci (who directed two shorts called "Coming Full Circle"). You can watch all the films on YouTube at www.youtube.com/goodwillnne.

While taking a diverse approach to the subject, all the films explore the work Goodwill does - from recycling clothing to providing employment opportunities. The cycle of donated clothing creating jobs which in turn allow people to buy new shirts they will one day donate to Goodwill is what the nonprofit calls the virtuous circle.

You can read more about it in the May 27 Scene & Heard section of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have additional photos and details from the event. Don't forget to pick up a copy.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Golden retriever puppy steals show at Kids First Gala Auction

Angie Muhs — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:31:30 GMT

Gracie, a 16-week-old female golden retriever generated quite a stir when Meg Wilson brought her out during the Kids First Gala Auction, held tonight at the Woodlands Club in Falmouth. She was number three on tonight's live auction docket (subject to the successful bidder completing a screening process) and generated oohs, aahs and outstretched hands for the duration of her appearance on the auction floor. When the gavel fell, the lucky bidder paid $1,500 for the privilege.

All the money raised tonight supports the center's programs for children and adults experiencing separation and divorce. Kids First aims to prevent the emotional trauma kids can suffer when their parents go through a messy divorce.

Lee Goldberg, WCSH-6 sports director, hosted tonight's live auction and Tom Saturley, president of Tranzon Auction Properties, lent his professional and personable touch as auctioneer.

Other fun items on the auction block included this Angela Adams rug - modeled by Susan Livingston and Maine District Judge Keith Powers - Red Sox v. Yankees tickets, an original Missy Asen painting and a martini party for 16.

In addition to the live auction, tonight's festivities offered up a cocktail reception on the covered deck, a wide selection of hearty hors d'oeuvres, an extensive silent auction and a chance to dance to the music of swing band Big Chief.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the May 20 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more party photos and details (including a funny story about the high bidder for Gracie).

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Art Honors party bestows honorary doctorates on Shettleworth & Sussman

Angie Muhs — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:49:04 GMT

Hundreds of people partied across three floors of the Maine College of Art tonight for the 16th annual Art Honors. The event drew major movers and shakers in Maine's art scene and introduced them to this year's class of graduating seniors. From the sushi bar in the student lounge to the molecular gastronomy cocktails in the science lab to the three artists sketching portraits of guests, the party featured lots of attractions.

But the highlight was the awards ceremony.

First off, MECA President Don Tuski, right, and trustee Andres Verzosa, left, presented state historian Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. with the Art Honor for leadership in community service in the arts and education. Shettleworth is a prolific and sought-after lecturer and author, and THE expert on Maine history and architecture.

The second Art Honor - this one for leadership in art philanthropy - went to S. Donald Sussman, majority share owner of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram and husband of Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. In addition to saving my job and rescuing the paper, Sussman is a generous donor to numerous Maine causes, many of them art-related. He's also a self-confessed avid art collector.

The patron and sponsor ticket holders who filled Osher Hall for the presentation gave standing ovations after both presentations. The proceedings were simulcast throughout the building.

After the presentations, Vezosa kept everyone smiling, including, from left, Roxanne Quimby, who received an Art Honor last year, Margaret O'Keefe, who co-chaired the event committee with Verzosa, Shettleworth and Sussman.

If you want to see more party photos and read about what guests had to say, be sure to pick up the May 13 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram. I'll have all the details in my Society Notebook column.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Dr. Bob McAfee honored with Hanley Leadership Award

Angie Muhs — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:20:59 GMT

Dr. Bob McAfee, a living legend in Maine medicine, was honored tonight with the Hanley Leadership Award during a dinner held at the Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland. Above, Dr. McAfee smiles and waves to the crowd after receiving the award. His wife, Doris, is behind him and to her right are Gordon Smith, of the Maine Medical Association, and Dr. Sean Hanley, who chairs the board of the Daniel Hanley Center for Health Leadership, which is named for his father.

Dr. McAfee is a past president (and the only one from Maine) of the American Medical Association, where he succeeded in getting the organization to recognize that domestic violence is a medical issue. He's a trustee emeritus for the University of New England, a founding member of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence and the former chairman of the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine advisory council.

In addition to presenting the award, the Hanley Center introduced the first crop of McAfee Fellows to the crowd. The fellows are all physicians completing an advanced leadership training course, offered in conjunction with the Heller School at Brandeis University.

The party attracted leading figures in Maine's healthcare scene and featured a keynote address by Dr. Thomas Lee, a professor at the Harvard Medical School and network president of Partners HealthCare System. Dr. Lee talked about a system his practice is using to create continuous improvement in patient care.

Should you want to see more photos and learn more details from the party, be sure to pick up the May 6 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Blue Wrap medical waste takes a turn on the catwalk

Angie Muhs — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:04:10 GMT

More than 300 people crowded into Hannaford Hall at USM's Abromson Center in Portland tonight for the second annual Blue Wrap Project Runway fashion show. Once again the show was a huge hit, garnering multiple standing ovations, cheers and applause. The event benefits Partners for World Health, which collects discarded but still usable medical supplies and distributes them to Third World countries. In the photo above, Partners for World Health founder Elizabeth McLellan shows 4-year-old Avery Murphy where to stand at the end of the show. Elizabeth is wearing a gown designed by Michelle Arnold and Avery is wearing a ballerina dress designed by Erika Lynn Smith.

The show featured 40 models wearing clothing created by an almost equal number of designers. All of the couture was made from the disposable medical product known as blue wrap.

Here's a look at some of the designs spotted on the runway:

Emalie Esty models a short but well ruffled dress designed by Zeljka Rakovic. Master of ceremonies Erin Ovalle, host of the morning show on WMTW-8, is at the podium in the background.

Brandon Gormley models a pious suit designed by Suzanne Parrott and CM Almy Corporation, a Maine company which produces garments worn in churches around the world.

Morelle Kadia models a dress with African flair designed by Bioneke Mpungu, who was inspired by the fashion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The young members of the Bossong family wear designs created by their aunt Lynne Atienza. The children, from left, Reagan, 6, Victoria, 8, Lawrence, 10, and Robert, 11, performed on their violins before being joined by their mother, Annie Atienza-Bossong, a dentist, who designed her own sheath dress.

USM alum and 2010 Miss Maine United States Aleksandra Derikonja models a leggy dress designed by Erika Lynn Smith.

Flowing across the stage with an Asian air, Sophie Salomon modeled a kimono-inspired wrap designed by Judy Gailen and embellished with 175 origami cranes.

John Hatcher, CEO of Hatcher Real Estate Enterprises, channeled President Thomas Jefferson in this period costume designed by Barbara Kelly.

Ninette Irabaruta modeled a gown perfect for prom or a cocktail party designed by Marina Douglas.

Christina Strong D'Appolonia, who owns Strong Bodies in Yarmouth, modeled a cocktail dress and jacket created by nationally known fashion designer Jill McGowan.

Don't forget to pick up the April 29 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more details and photos from the fashion show and party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Big crowd, world beats fill this year's CeleSoiree

Angie Muhs — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 03:08:26 GMT

Batimbo Beats got this year's CeleSoiree off to a rocking start tonight at the Portland Company Complex on Fore Street. Hailing from Burundi, the drummers matched their enthralling beats with thrilling dance moves and wild leaps. They performed at the start of the party, during the limited admission art preview.

A fundraiser for the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, the annual event is known for its world music, international cuisine and top notch art auction - and this year's party more than lived up to its reputation. Even with close to 400 guests and a line stretching away from the long buffet tables, the organizers kept the line moving and the tables stocked with a steady supply of food. Dishes were donated by a variety of restaurants and Local Sprouts Cooperative donated its catering services.

Drummer Jordan Benissan and an ever-shifting group of musicians kicked off the general admission party and played for about an hour and a half.

As the crowd thickened, so too did the dance floor.

At the other side of the room, where the silent auction was taking place, the fine art and gift items attracted intense interest and bids.

Back by popular demand, the members of Batimbo Beats danced their way through the crowd just before the live auction. They jumped, kicked and played the drums, all while keeping the bulky instruments balanced on their heads. Truly fabulous stuff.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the April 22 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have many more photos and details about what was said at the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

West End house party thanks One Longfellow supporters & partners

Angie Muhs — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 01:12:14 GMT

Charlie Miller opened his lovely West End home this evening to roughly 100 guests. The party served as a thank you to the supporters who have helped the Portland performance venue One Longfellow Square as it transitioned to a not-for-profit organization during the past year.

In that time, the organization has made the dream of adding programing for kids and teens during the day, while continuing to offer music, community events and films in the evening, a reality. It's done so by partnering with many other nonprofit education and arts organizations.

The party featured wine, beer, Double Cross Vodka cocktails and lots of food. If the temperature had been a tad bit warmer, more guests would have likely ventured into the awakening garden visible just beyond the window.

Be sure to pick up the April 15 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have lots more photos and details from the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Sen. Collins headlines Entreverge nominations kick-off party

Angie Muhs — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:19:18 GMT

Senator Susan Collins spoke about the need for cyber security legislation and the "dysfunction in Congress" during a party tonight at USM's Abromson Community Education Center in Portland. She said there's an "urgent need for leaders from the sensible center" and she urged everyone to demand higher levels of civility and bipartisanship from elected officials. She also took questions and touched on tax policy, national business trends and young college grads who move out of state.

The event marked the opening of nominations for the 2012 Entreverge awards. Given out each year by PROPEL - the Chamber of Commerce networking group for young professionals - the award recognizes entrepreneurship, innovation and contribution to community. Collins praised both the award and the organization that hands it out for fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in Greater Portland.

Collins was welcomed to the stage by PROPEL board president April Ylvisaker, board member Russell Voss and Chamber CEO Godfrey Wood. USM President Selma Botman also welcomed the Senator to the campus and the event.

PROPEL is known for hosting fun parties, so it wasn't surprising that this event featured a reception both before and after the Senator's remarks.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the April 8 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more photos from the party and additional details about what the Senator and others had to say.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Architalx preview party gives sneak peek of 2013 Portland Museum of Art show

Angie Muhs — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:54:18 GMT

Portland native Tim Ventimiglia returned to his hometown tonight to deliver the kickoff talk in this year's sold-out Architalx lecture series. Now in its 24th year, the series brings leading professionals in the fields of architecture and design to Portland to deliver thought-provoking talks.

A senior associate at Ralph Appelbaum Associates in New York City, Ventimiglia gave his talk the enigmatic title: "Giant Squid, Glass Eggs, Dinosaur Skin & the Elusive Philosopher's Stone." Sure enough, Ventimiglia managed to weave all four seemingly unrelated things into his presentation as he took us on tour of the exhibition design work he's done for major museum and corporate clients.

He also treated us to a preview of an interactive exhibition scheduled to open in spring 2013 at the Portland Museum of Art. Titled "Voices of Design: 25 Years of Architalx," the show will allow visitors to explore and manipulate sounds, words and slides culled from a quarter century of lectures. The conceptual drawings show three tall but very distinct structures, which visitors can enter and interact with, allowing them to manipulate images, audio clips and individual words.

Tonight's party took place at Hannaford Hall on USM's Portland campus. There was ample time to mingle and talk design, with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served before the lecture and coffee and desserts served after.

Be sure to pick the April 1 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more party photos and details about Ventimiglia's work and the upcoming exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Party welcomes spring at the Artist Studio Building

Angie Muhs — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:10:19 GMT

When Godzilla shows up at a cocktail party, you know you're not at an ordinary soiree. Tonight the Artist Studio Building in downtown Portland attracted hundreds of collectors, curators, artists and gallery owners to a fabulously funky spring open house party. Many of the building's artists welcomed guests into their private studios, while much of the mingling happened in the central hallway and stairwell of the top two floors.

Artist Greta Bank created a stir when she emerged from her studio dressed in a Godzilla costume and hung out with the crowd. She obligingly posed for photos. But since the night was in the mid-70s, Greta could only last so long inside the latex and foam suit.

The heat was not only in the air, it was visible in the way people were dressed. For possibly the first time at a Maine party held in March, guests wore open toed shoes, short sleeves and bare legs.

Everywhere we looked there was art, and it was further enhanced by the ability to see the spaces where it was created and talk to the artists. The man behind this creative building is noted architect and co-owner of music venue One Longfellow Square Christopher Campbell.

Not only did everyone I speak with praise him for providing studio space in the heart of the Arts District at below market rents, he's also quite good at serving hors d'oeuvres to party guests. Earlier in the evening, I spotted him tending bar. Shortly after I snapped the photo above, Jessica Tomlinson from the Maine College of Art, relieved him of his appetizer passing duties.

The Artist Studio Building is located at 536 Congress Street, above SPACE Gallery and next to the Maine College of Art and Reny's.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the March 25 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more details and snapshots from the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Green Gala supports Fiddlehead Center for the Arts

Angie Muhs — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:54:23 GMT

The Asylum in downtown Portland was packed tonight with more than 150 people who turned out to help the Fiddlehead Center for the Arts in Scarborough expand its programming. The center offers visual and performing arts and science classes for a wide range of groups, including preschoolers, home schoolers, after schoolers and even adults.

Known as the Captain to WBLM's Morning Show listeners, Herb Ivy conducted the party's live auction with help from board member Rob Edgerley.

When it came time to auction off a set of five nesting Shaker boxes, the Captain invited Erich Chase up on the stage to describe how he and his sister Anna Chase (who wasn't at the party) made the boxes. Erich,10, was poised and professional as he described how they carefully constructed the oval boxes from cherry wood.

After the last item was auctioned off, the talented Time Pilots rocked us back to the '80s with hits from Prince, Michael Jackson, Van Halen and many others.

Be sure to pick up the March 18 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more snapshots and details from the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Sales brisk at Cancer Community Center auction preview party

Angie Muhs — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:53:46 GMT

For the first time in its nine year history, the Cancer Community Center's Online Auction opened with an art preview party. Held tonight at the Regency Hotel in the Old Port, the reception offered a chance to view more than 50 art works by a mix of local and national artists before the auction begins tomorrow. Bidding starts at 9 a.m. and wraps up Thursday, March 29 at 5:30 p.m. But tonight, all the work could be purchased off the wall for its list price. The event's organizers were surprised to see 11 pieces go out the door for top dollar. Many other buyers picked out the work (or works) they intend to start bidding on tomorrow.

Throughout the party Larry "Flash" Allen provided an up-tempo atmosphere, while guests chatted, browsed the show and enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres. In addition to fine art, the online auction offers a huge selection of trips, tickets, restaurant gift certificates, kid's stuff and fashions. All the proceeds fund the center's free array of programs and services for those touched by cancer.

Be sure to pick up the March 11 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more photos and details from the party in my Society Notebook column.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Voila - the Contemporaries party goes on despite the storm

Angie Muhs — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:00:02 GMT

More than a foot of snow fell in Portland today. Schools shut down, offices closed early and many business just didn't open. But the snow storm couldn't stop 200 members of the Contemporaries group at the Portland Museum of Art from turning out for the annual Winter Bash. Called Voila and with a bohemian black tie dress code, this year's party took a French turn in honor of the "Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist," which opened last week. As a special treat, artist Pierre Vezina created the ballet dancer sculptures, complete with tutus and each in a different ballet position, rising about the crowd in the photo above.

Upstairs in the Great Hall guests enjoyed a Champagne tasting and cocktails made with St. Germain. Meanwhile, museum staffers Caitlin Brooke and Lindsay Garcia perched near the bar sketching the party scene.

Downstairs the absinthe and chocolate bar paired perfectly with the bohemian look sported by Paul and Jillian Blakeslee. L.L. Bean provided the sharp shirts worn by the bartenders and waitstaff.

Also downstairs, photographer Nathan Eldridge was snapping portraits and handing out black and white prints. As the night wore on, he accumulated quite a line waiting to get one of his sought-after snapshots.

But the most telling sight of the evening could be spotted in the coat room, where winter boots and wellies lined the walls. They provided proof that Maine women know how to brave a snow storm in an evening gown. The trick is a warm coat and a pair of fancy shoes to slip on before joining the festivities.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of this weekend's Maine Sunday Telegram, where my weekly Society Notebook column will have many more photos and additional details from tonight's top-notch party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Private side of Degas draws big opening crowd at Portland Museum of Art

Angie Muhs — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:19:42 GMT

More than 200 members of the Portland Museum of Art turned out tonight for the opening reception of "Edgar Degas: The Private Impressionist." The show, which officially opens to the public tomorrow and remains on view through May 28, serves up 112 works by the French master paired with a series of works by his contemporaries and a handful of works by Degas from the PMA's permanent collection and on loan from local collectors. Aside from the works added by the PMA, the show consists of works collected over a period of 40 years by Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco curator Robert Flynn Johnson, who was at the party.

At the podium in the above photo is Bob Moore, CEO of the Dead River Company, which is one of the show's sponsors. To his right stand museum Director Mark Bessire and Tom Whelan, president of Bath Savings Institution, which also sponsored the show.

Down in the glass gallery, the party featured drinks and a lovely display of appetizers by Aurora Provisions, which runs the museum's new and improved cafe.

Since I was wearing a press pass tonight, I had the rare privilege of photographing inside the galleries. Here's a view inside the first gallery in the main floor exhibition space. The work on the far right is a drawing by Degas called "Mlle Dembowska," and it's also featured on the cover of the show's catalog.

Because Degas is known for his depictions of ballet dancers, the museum will host a special event tomorrow, Feb. 23, with dancers from the Maine State Ballet. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. anyone is welcome to sketch the dancers in the galleries. The event is free with museum admission.

Be sure to pick up the Feb. 26 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram where I'll have additional photos (including more from inside the galleries) and details about what the collector and others had to say.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.

Party marks changing of guard at Mitchell Institute

Angie Muhs — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:06:33 GMT

A group of about 70 business and community leaders gathered tonight at the Mitchell Institute in Portland's Monument Square to say good-bye to one director and welcome another. Meg Baxter - seen here being congratulated by Mitchell Institute Board Chair David Johnson - takes the reigns of the organization founded by Senator George Mitchell, while Colleen Quint moves on to new adventures. Each year the institute gives out scholarships to students from all of Maine's public high schools. In addition it conducts research around higher education attainment and offers professional development assistance to its scholars.

Baxter is well-known in southern Maine from her long tenure as the head of the United Way of Greater Portland. Quint, who has been the institute's leader since Sen. Mitchell founded it in 1995, is credited with shepherding the organization to its position as a leader in the higher education field. Baxter is widely expected to bring the institute to a new level of visibility in Maine.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Feb. 19 edition of the Maine Sunday Telegram, where I'll have more photos and details from the party.

Until then, I hope to see you out and about.