215 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 January 2015

CSI meets ESU

McGillin’s Olde Ale House

1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia Thursday, January 29 2015

Starting 5:30 PM

Join Richard Walter from The Vidocq Society

as we turn McGillin’s Olde Ale House

into The Murder Room.

Please see enclosed invitation. For information or reservations call Barbara at 215-545-3619

or esu@libertynet.org

Philadelphia Branch of The English-Speaking Union

Courier

Fall Dinner Dance IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY DAY.

THEN THE SKY CLEARED AND ESU ENJOYED A GORGEOUS SUNSET ON NOVEMBER 1

AT THE CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB

See insert for more photographs

Guests enjoyed a beautiful sunset during the cocktail hour, followed by a sumptuous three-course dinner and spirited dancing at the Fall Dinner Dance at The Corinthian Yacht Club. This spectacular evening was made possible by the work of the Gala Committee of Michael Conti, Jim Munnis and Donald Rosato. (Please see inside for more photographs.)

President’s Message—

I believe it is written in the Good Book: “Shall I conceal from Abraham that which I am about to do?” Let me paraphrase that, and say that, here in the E.S.U. Philadelphia, we do not conceal

from our dear members that which we will be doing.

2015 is off and running, with many events already scheduled. Please join us in these events. As King Solomon said long ago, “There is a time for everything.” Make some time to enjoy yourself with your fellow E.S.U. members and friends.

Did you miss our events in the last quarter of 2014? The collage of photos from our Fall Diner Dance at the Corinthian Yacht Club, our prospective members’ reception at the home of Harriet & Shelly Margolis, and our Christmas Celebration with St. James School show the fun that we had, and will remind and encourage us to continue these quality events in the new year.

January 29 will be an exciting and fun night, with Robert Walker from the Vidocq Society, who will turn McGillin’s Ale House into our “Murder Room,” presenting his cold case discussion. With open bar and a buffet, come join us for this fun event. Michael Conti and I are working on this, and have priced it to be a “can’t miss” event.

Our Annual Shakespeare Competition for High School young men and women, which Diana Evans is chairing, is scheduled for February 16. Next, come celebrate spring with us on March 22, Sunday afternoon, at La Locanda, in Newtown Square. Don Rosato and I are working on this, and, as the host from La Locanda told us, “you will not go home hungry.”

April 8 will be our Evelyn Wrench Speaker, who this year is Robert Hulse. George Tyndall has helped us secure The Philadelphia Club as the venue this year, and you should plan on joining for this interesting talk.

Well, I could continue, as summer events are already in the planning stages, but I will leave that for the next edition of Courier. As you can see, we continue to work hard to plan interesting, fun events, for all our members. There is, indeed, a time for everything, and please make time to come enjoy these events. Your very obedient servant,

James J. Munnis President

Philadelphia Branch Courier January 2015

President’s Column Royal Oak Foundation at the Union League

Our branch has received the honor of being listed as co-sponsor of these events to recognize the steadfast support they receive from our membership. All programs are at The Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad Street. For each lecture there will be a reception at 6:00 p.m. Lectures start at 6:30 p.m. and some will be followed by a book signing. An optional dinner follows the lecture. Dinner reservations are non-refundable and must be made by the Wednesday before the lecture. Formal business attire required. Lecture only: $30 members and co-sponsor members*; $35 non-members. Lecture and dinner: $75 members and co-sponsor members*; $80 non-members. To register call Robert at 800-913-6565 and mention co-sponsor code 15SESUP to receive the discounted member price.

The Sackvilles at Knole: The Disinherited Robert Sackville-West 7th Baron Sackville and Chairman, Knole Estates Thursday, March 5

A Little Gothic Castle: Horace Walpole and Strawberry Hill Michael Snodin FSA FRSA Chairman, Strawberry Hill Trust Tuesday, March 24

Young Titan: The Making of Winston Churchill Dr. Michael Shelden, Biographer and Historian Wednesday, April 8

House and Hound: Dogs in the English Country House Gareth Williams, Curator, Weston Park Foundation Monday, April 20

Tales of Loss & Redemption: The Country House in the National Trust Dr. Sean E. Sawyer Executive Director, The Royal Oak Foundation Monday, April 27

Palladianism, Four Centuries of Style Charles Hind FSA, Chief Curator & H.J. Heinz Curator of Drawings, Royal Institute of British Architects Monday, May 4

Thomas Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant Dr. Tracy Borman, Historian and Author Monday, May 11

"Heads Up"

Tour and Luncheon at the Barnes Museum

Sunday, April 26, 2015

“Christmas in the City” A Benefit for St. James School, December 12, 2014

Fonthill Castle and James A Michener Art Museum, October 5, 2014

ESU members and their guests enjoyed a beautiful Fall day in Doylestown that began with a private tour of Fonthill Castle. Then it was on to the James A. Michener Art Museum for a buffet lunch and a guided tour that included the history of the museum, and the permanent and changing exhibitions. Many thanks to Mary and Steve Darlington and George Tyndall for making the arrangements for this special event!

ESU and The Society of the Sons of St. George co-sponsored “Christmas in the City” a benefit for St. James School honoring Robert W. Brano and Ronna Tyndall. The evening began with an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols at St. Mark’s Church followed by a reception at 1630 Latimer Street that included cocktails, buffet dinner, coffee and dessert, and silent and live auctions.

Philadelphia Branch Courier January 2015

Philadelphia Branch Courier January 2015

Prospective Members Reception, October 8, 2014

Hosted by Harriet and Shelly Margolis

Welcome New Members

Ms. Margaret Hill, Swedesboro, NJ Mr. Carl Lampe, Philadelphia, PA

Mr. Charles Wm. Lentz, Philadelphia, PA Dr. Faith H. Leibman, Narberth, PA

Mr. Thomas Nemeth, Bethlehem, PA

Ms. Ruth Sine, Philadelphia, PA Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Weidner, Chester Springs, PA

Professor & Mrs. Peter Wilding, Malvern, PA

Philadelphia Branch Courier January 2015

Corinthian Yacht Club Fall Dinner Dance: November 1, 2014

Philadelphia Branch Courier January 2015

The English-Speaking Union . 215 S. 16th Street, Suite 14 . Philadelphia, PA 19102

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Emeritus Governor Deborah Smith Webster Honorary Governors Hon. Oliver St. Clair Franklin, OBE Charles E. Mather III

President James J. Munnis, Esq.

First Vice President Ms. Gayla McCluskey

Vice President Ms. Geni Klein Ms. Suzanne Lavins

Secretary Dr. Donald J. Rosato Treasurer Mr. William J.D. Jordan

Governors Ms. Julie Christoph Mr. Michael Conti Ms. Diana Lola Evans Ms. Susan Gerrity Mr. Chandrakant R. Gupta Mr. Stephen W. Holt Mr. Rollin Iles Mr. Michael Lynagh Ms. Harriet Margolis Mr. Philip Mossburg Mr. Edwin N. Probert Mr. S. Douglas Pugliese Dr. David Richards Dr. Valence Sauri Mr. George Tyndall

Executive Director: Barbara Murray

Calendar of Events

January 29 The Vidocq Society: Richard Walter CSI meets ESU

February 16 Annual Shakespeare Competition

March 5 The Sackvilles at Knole: The Disinherited

March 7 Shakespeare Awards Reception

March 24 A Little Gothic Castle: Horace Walpole and Strawberry Hill

March 22 La Locanda

April 8 Evelyn Wrench Speaker: Robert Hulse Brunel: The Man Who Changed the World

April 8 Young Titan: Making of Winston Churchill

April 20 House and Hound: Dogs in the English Country House

April 26 Tour & Luncheon at the Barnes Museum

April 27 Tales of Loss & Redemption: The Country House in the National Trust

May 4 Palladianism, Four Centuries of Style

May 11 Thomas Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant

June 7 Queen’s Birthday Garden Party

August 5 BBQ on Race Night at the Corinthian Yacht Club

SAVE THE DATE!

Evelyn Wrench Speaker Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 5:30pm The Philadelphia Club, 1301 Walnut St.

ROBERT HULSE, M.A. Director, London’s Brunel Museum Brunel: The Man Who Changed the World

28th Annual Shakespeare Competition Monday, February 16, 2015

Please join us Monday, February 16, 2015 to see students from the Greater Philadelphia area compete for scholarships and awards by reciting a Shakespearean monologue and sonnet on the Playground Stage at the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street. You will be amazed at the exceptional talent of these local teens. The competition is a free event for ESU members and friends. The competition begins at 9:30am. For questions please call the ESU office at 215-545-3619.