Enjoying the "Bringing Your Heritage Home" benefit dinner at the Algonquin Club are, left to right, Boston fashion designer Paula Jaq'lyn and her husband George Brown with Joan Bennett Kennedy. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
 

Founded in 1845, the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is the country's oldest and largest non-profit genealogical organization.

We are told that one of the more notable discoveries made by NEHGS during this presidential election season was the announcement that while Illinois Senator Barack Obama may call actor Brad Pitt a distant cousin, New York Senator Hilary Clinton shares a common ancestor with actress Angelina Jolie!

That was surely one of the topics of conversation during "Bringing Your Heritage Home," a NEHGS spring benefit dinner held at the Algonquin Club in Boston.

The distinguished author and Cornell University historian Mary Beth Norton was the evening's guest of honor. Her topic, "Re-examining History: Using Genealogy to Understand Our Past," was based on her recent bestseller "In The Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692." The evening was a fundraiser for the Society's "Bringing Your Heritage Home Campaign."

Susan Sloan was the benefit dinner chairperson. Among the guests were Joan Bennett Kennedy, Boston fashion designer Paula Jaq'lyn and her husband George Brown, John and Olivia Parker and Prudence Crozier, to name a few.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society is located at 101 Newbury Street in Boston. For more information about the Society and its upcoming events, visit www.nehgs.org.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra Will Perform Ten Free Concerts at Hatch Shell

On Wednesday, July 9 at 7 p.m. we are all invited to the Hatch Shell on Storrow Drive for the Opening Night performance of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra at 7 p.m.

The evening's program is the first of 10 free concerts sponsored by the Orchestra, Charles Ansbacher, Artistic Director, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation and WCRB 99.5 FM.

The Orchestra has always prided itself on welcoming some of the most well respected musicians and performers and area leaders onto the stage with them. Opening night this year will be extra special with Massachusetts Governor Patrick at the podium.

The program includes "Copland and the New World," featuring Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Lincoln Portrait," and Dvorák's "New World Symphony."

For information on all concerts, call 617-520-2200 or visit www.landmarksorchestra.org.

Marc Orfaly New Executive Chef at Nantucket's Summer House

Peter Karlson, owner of Nantucket's Summer House Enterprises and his wife, well known Boston attorney, Danielle deBenedictis have acquired the services of Marc Orfaly, as Executive Chef of their gourmet Summer House Restaurant in Nantucket's picturesque 'Sconset Village.

Orfaly is known to Boston diners as the chef/owner of two notable restaurants, Pigalle in the city's theatre district and Marco in the North End. "We are delighted that Marc will be overseeing all the food and beverage operations for both our restaurant and The Summer House's popular nearby Beachside Bistro," said Karlson.

Orfaly is a four-time nominee of the James Beard "Best Chef, Northeast" honor and a "Food and Wine" magazine "Best New Chef" designation.

Of this new position, Orfaly says, "I love bringing people together. Now I can do that in Nantucket too! I am blessed with great teams at my Boston restaurants, and now coming to Nantucket at The Summer House allows me to grow, learn and still be close to my family and my restaurants."

For more information about all of The Summer House enterprises, visit www.thesummerhouse.com.

Steppin' Out Gala Scheduled for November 8

Looking ahead. Be sure to mark your calendars! The Dimock Center has just announced that this year's "Steppin' Out Gala" takes place on Saturday, November 8 at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, located at 425 Summer Street, next to the Boston Convention Center.

The Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel has continued to expand its footprint and this year will offer expanded function space for the "Steppin' Out" bands to appear in nightclub settings.

"Steppin' Out" for Dimock is considered by many to be Boston's liveliest and most highly anticipated annual gala fundraising event. Staged to mimic Boston's legendary and historic jazz clubs of the 30's through today, this one-of-a-kind charity music-fest-party attracts more than 3,000 of the city's glitterati for an evening of music, dancing, food, cocktails, friends and fun.

Ticket information and artist lineup will be announced shortly and we will be sure to keep our readers informed.

Enjoy!

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