Citizens Celebrate Georgetown — and The Georgetowner
By • September 23, 2024 0 1190
The Citizens Association of Georgetown hosted its “Celebration of Georgetown” annual fundraiser — and celebrated The Georgetowner’s 70th anniversary on Sept. 20, at Coolidge House on Prospect Street. Co-chaired by Ami Aronson and Luke Russert, the elegant and end-of-summer reception welcomed more than 250 persons.
“We’re consolidating our efforts to historic preservation, community service and community involvement, and public safety,” said CAG President Paul K. Williams.
“It’s an honor to share Quality Hill and to celebrate the Georgetowner’s 70th anniversary,” said Amity Shlaes, Board of trustees Chair of the of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation. “It’s our job to share our forgotten 30th president, Calvin Coolidge.
With an after party at the recently opened B&B Italia on M Street, the spirited event was a homecoming of sorts with many guests happy to see their neighbors — and brought together the longest-running civic association in the country, the town’s newspaper and the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, which occupies the former home of Sen. Claiborne Pell.
Click on the images below to enlarge.
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- “Celebration of Georgetown” cochairs Ami Aronson and Luke Russert. Photo by Dan Swartz.
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- CAG Executive Director Brittany Sawyer reads Mayor Bowser’s congratulations to The Georgetowner with Georgetowner Publisher Sonya Bernhardt. Photo by Bill Starrels.
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- The exuberant crowd in the backyard of Coolidge House. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- CAG members cheer the 70th anniversary of The Georgetowner. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- CAG Board of Directors: Past President Tara Sakraida Parker, President Paul K. Williams, Gerald Musarra, Tamim Bayoumi, Stephanie Bothwell, Kate Hasty, Amy A. Titus, Mark Martinkov, and Leslie Zemnick (not pictured: Grant Bermann, Norman Fekrat, Darcy Nauman, and Cameron Tudhope). Photo by Dan Swartz.
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- Isabelle Goetz, Rebecca Funk, Michelle Freeman, Ami Aronson, Roxy Ndebumadu and Jodie Mclean. Photo by Dan Swartz.
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- Event cochair Luke Russert tells a story about President Coolidge to the crowd. Photo by Dan Swartz.
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- With CAG Executive Director Brittany Sawyer, Georgetowner Publisher Sonya Bernhardt lifts a glass to Georgetown and The Georgetowner. Photo by Patrick G. Ryan.
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- Sotheby’s Donna Leanos and CAG President Paul K. Williams. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- Jared Belcher, MelKisha Knight and Corey Ballance, Jr. of Georgetown University’s Office of Neighborhood Life. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- Chris and Allison Putala. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- Samantha Ring with her husband Ross. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- Corey Ballance, Jr. and Cory Peterson of Georgetown University. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- CAG Treasurer Tamim Bayoumi and Susan Bernhardt. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- The Georgetowner’s Troy Reimer and Philip Birmingham at the B&B Italia after party. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- The bongo drums were a cool hit at the B&B Italia after party. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- Music and dancing at the B&B Italia after party. Photo by Greg “Fritz” Blakey.
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- The Georgetowner’s Publisher Sonya Bernhardt and Editor-in-Chief Robert Devaney with “Celebration of Georgetown” cochair Luke Russert.. Photo by Bill Starrels.
A congratulatory letter by Mayor Muriel Bowser was read by CAG Executive Director Brittany Sawyer to the guests:
“As Mayor of Washington, D.C., I am pleased to congratulate The Georgetowner on the happy occasion of your 70th anniversary!
“Established in 1954, The Georgetowner began with a mission to keep residents connected and informed. This esteemed publication has since grown to include coverage of not only the news in Georgetown, but also in surrounding communities of DC and our region. With a reach of more than 50,000 readers, The Georgetowner remains free of charge, making quality journalism even more accessible to Washingtonians. Your continued success as a long-running and highly sought after newspaper is to be commended, and I am proud to join the Citizens Association of Georgetown in celebrating all of the hard work poured into serving the local community for seven decades.”
Lots of work went into the celebration and was supported by the following sponsors.
Platinum Sponsors
Bernstein Family Foundation
S&R Evermay
Gold Sponsors
Michelle Freeman – Carl M. Freeman Foundation
Georgetown University
Kitty Kelley
Martin’s Tavern
Gerald Musarra and Carlos Ortiz Miranda
Oak Hill Cemetery Foundation, Paul K. Williams, COO
The Levy Group
Silver Sponsors
Ambassador Stuart and Wilma Bernstein
Tamim Bayoumi and Susan Bernhardt
Grant Bermann and Ryan Velandria McCarthy
Stephanie Bothwell and James Warren
Jane Lipton Cafritz
Howard and Ellen Eisenberg
Filomena Ristorante
Framebridge
Ann and Robert Goldstein
Richard and Pamela Hinds
Dr. Anita Kulkarni, DC Plastic Surgery Boutique
Robin and Michael Lally
Gwendolyn Lohse and James Assey
Peggy Lomax
Frank Marshall and Florence Auld
Martin Diamond Properties
Jodie McLean and Pierre de Lucy
Darcy and Ben Nauman
Mauree Jane Perry
Janice Pouch, SVP, Compass
Jennifer and David Romm
Tara Sakraida Parker and Rich Parker
Matthew Smith
Amy A. Titus
Cameron Tudhope and Anouk Dey
Bronze Sponsors
Ann and Terry Amling
Bisnow – Margot Machol
BOWA – Jennifer Jedrlinic
Carlsen Design & Construction
Amy and Jon Gleklen
Paul and Madeline Grayson
Donna Leanos, VP, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
Timothy and Lisa Lindon
Environmental Working Group
Carol Melton
Avery Miller and Gregory Mocek
Rick and Karen Murphy
Dane A. Nichols
Pilar and Bill O’Leary
Allison and Chris Putala
John D. Richardson
Terri Robinson and Alan Behar
Margaret Rogers
Sarah and Eric Rosand
Stefanie and Chip Scott
Alison and John Shulman
