SWEETCHARITY: SoFo Goes Silver With Three Extraordinary Women

By Jessica Mackin

The South Fork Natural History Museum (SoFo) will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its annual summer benefit on July 19 with three extraordinary female chairpersons, Susan Rockefeller, Gina Bradley, and April Gornik. The event titled, "SoFo Goes Silver" will also honor author Peter Mattheissen (posthumously), Eric Goode, and Michael Gerrard. Rockefeller is an environmentalist who has been involved with SoFo for years. Her goal is to "protect what's precious." She stated, "SoFo's mission is to educate young and old about the natural history of the East End as well as provide a living laboratory of reptiles and marine life for families to observe and learn about." Rockefeller continued, "It is the best kept secret in The Hamptons and people need to know about it!" SoFo is also dedicated to protecting what's precious. Rockefeller voiced, "SoFo educates, inspires, and activates people to understand our ecosystem and in so doing moves people to want to protect it." Gornik is a famed landscape artist and conservationist who resides in the Hamptons. She told us what she anticipates most at this year's event, "I look forward to being able to thank [SoFo president] Andy Sabin and the great staff at SoFo for making the museum possible, and for continually supporting its expanding programs." Gornik continued, "The food, the auction items, and the party are going to be fabulous!" The East End scenery seen in so many of Gornik's landscapes is very important to her. "Real estate may be what The Hamptons are known for, but as an artist who loves this environment and follows in a long line of artists who have celebrated it, it's what's left of its wildness that I love best, and I honor SoFo for celebrating and helping preserve that." Bradley is the owner of Paddle Diva, a company dedicated to making stand up paddling, or SUP, accessible to all women, regardless of age, size, or athletic ability, all while enjoying the beautiful waters that the Hamptons offer. "I have been going to the museum for a long time," Bradley mentioned bringing her two children Emma and James to SoFo. "When my kids were young, it was an amazing place allowing them to be inspired, educated and intrigued by our natural surroundings." It is important to her to help SoFo continue its reach. She stated, "I want to raise the funds and awareness required to keep this vital cornerstone to our community thriving." Bradley felt very strongly about becoming involved with SoFo Goes Silver. "Susan (Rockefeller) introduced me to Andy Sabin a few years back and since meeting him in person, I had an immediate affinity to him and what he represents. I knew there was a reason SoFo was such a magical place. Andy encapsulates the magic, passion, and love for the environment and nature." The evening will begin with open bar, light bites, a silent auction and the awards ceremony all while hundreds of guests take in the magnificence of the museum and its surroundings. Adam Alpert's 4AM DJs will pack the dance floor with music by DJ Phresh. Peter Ambrose Catering and Special Events will create a sumptuous menu for guests when they enter the tent for the evening. The Independent Newspaper is proud to be the media soonsor for this year's SoFo Goes Silver. Each week you can read the weekly column "Naturally SoFo" by executive director Frank Quevedo to learn more about SoFo and all its wonderful offerings. The event will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. Tickets start at $125 for junior (those 30 years and under) and individual tickets are $250. To purchase tickets visit www.SoFo.org or call Linda B. Shapiro at 631-725-2023.

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