Sulgrave Club
This Winter at Sulgrave
Dr. Aldous Bertram Lecture Luncheon
January 22
Amb. Stuart Eisenstat Cocktail Lecture and Dinner
January 27
Elizabeth Ballantine Lecture Luncheon
January 29
Knudsen Vineyard Vintner Dinner
January 30
U.S., I Love You Black Tie Dinner Dance
February 7
Tom Sietsema Cocktail Lecture and Dinner
February 17
From the President
Dear Members,
As we rediscover all the refreshed spaces in the Club, I hope you will spend some time in the 3rd floor Library. The Archives and Library Committee did an amazing job organizing our book collections which include a rich trove of works by Sulgrave members and many books about the greater DC area. I encourage members to use this space to check email before lecture lunch or simply relax for a few moments before heading to an event. The sunlight casts a lovely light and the sofa is very comfortable! It is one of my favorite places to do a little quiet work before and after committee meetings.
Next year marks the 250th anniversary of our country, and the Club’s committees have been hard at work scheduling celebrations of America 250. We begin with Pulitzer-Prize winner Rick Atkinson discuss his newest book on the Revolutionary War. In February, the Special Events Committee will host U.S. I Love You, a black-tie dinner dance that will celebrate America and Valentine’s Day. Please look for the America 250 red round logo on our programming celebrating this anniversary milestone.
With our move to more digital forward communications, please note that you will only receive this and future Bulletins electronically (unless you have opted-in to receive a paper copy as well). A digital Bulletin ensures that all members get to sign up at the same time for popular lectures and events. Within the digital pages, blue buttons with each event description allow members to sign up right from the Bulletin.
We are very fortunate to have retained our treasured employees during the closure. A key aspect of this retention was the continuation pay funded by the Employee Benefit Fund (EBF). As a result, our employees did not seek full-time employment elsewhere. The EBF is funded by the voluntary contributions on your statement each month. If you would like to make an additional donation to the EBF, a letter with more information was mailed at the beginning of November.
In gratitude,
Emily King President
From the General Manager
Dear Members,
By the time you receive this letter, I should be back in the saddle after left knee replacement surgery. I was so sorry not to be with you for our re-opening festivities and since I could not thank you all personally at the Homecoming Reception, allow me to do so here.
We begin this year on a great note with a brand-new plumbing system, really hot water, gorgeous bathrooms, and the nicest employee break room and locker rooms in the DMV. This project was a doozy! I have led multiple multimillion dollar projects for the Club, but this was our most challenging to date. We exhausted every contingency dollar and every contingency day, but we made it!
I offer my thanks to Emily King, our Club president, and to Sharon Park, who represented the Wadsworth Foundation, for attending our weekly meetings throughout the project. They were calm, cool, and collected, and I am filled with appreciation and admiration. Both women are professionally trained in managing construction projects, and their input with the countless decisions coupled with their boundless optimism was invaulable.
A huge debt of gratitude goes to Mary Denger, our Funds Chair, and Anne Keiser and JoAnn Zuercher, from Wadsworth, who together raised nearly $3.5 million. Our Treasurer Suzanne Richards and Assistant Treasurer Felicia Kung provided vital real-time guidance while simultaneously ensuring the financial future of the Club after this nearly $5 million project.
I am also grateful to House and Grounds Chair Amy Zantzinger, her husband Richard, and House and Grounds Vice Chair Sally Roche for their commitment to our success throughout the process. They were with us all summer, and we are so happy for you to enjoy their numerous design flourishes.
I offer my deep appreciation to Assistant General Manager Margaux Beuscher, who kept us organized with a fierce focus on the details and a tenacious work ethic.
In closing, we are all so proud to deliver this once-in-a-generation project, but it could not have been done without the generosity of all of you! Thank you.
Robert K. St. Francis, Jr. CCM, CCE COO/General Manager
Dining Room
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are required for the Dining Room. To reserve online log in to www.sulgraveclub.org and click “Dining” along the top navigation, then select “Dining Reservations” on the left. To reserve by phone or email, please contact the Front Desk at (202) 462-5800 or diningroom@ sulgraveclub.org. For reservations within 48 hours, please call the Club directly.
VALET
Valet parking is an essential member benefit and helps all members easily utilize the Club. The valet fee is $25.00 per car. Please note that even at this fee amount, Sulgrave Club's overall operations still significantly subsidize valet parking. Please consider alternative transportation (carpool, Metro, Uber/Lyft) and nearby parking (ParkMobile, SpotHero) options.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Breakfast Monday - Friday 7:15 to 10:00 a.m.
Lunch Monday - Friday Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon Tea Monday - Friday 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Dinner Monday - Saturday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET
January 18, February 15, and March 15
New for this Club season, the Dining Room is offering a Sunday Brunch Buffet each month on the third Sunday. Enjoy Chef Tim's beloved brunch buffet featuring your favorite items. Brunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The price per adult is $75.00, including house wine, mimosas, and bloody marys. The price per child under twelve is $35.00.
Parties of five or more are subject to the Club's three-day cancellation policy. Please cancel or reduce your party size prior to 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to your reservation date.
Dining Special Features
MONDAY BISTRO NIGHT
January 5, 12, 19, 26 | February 2, 9, 16, 23 | March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Start your week off right with Sulgrave Club's Bistro Night. In keeping with the simple, but delicious, bistro-inspired offerings, the menu will feature a full selection of appetizers, entrées, and desserts. The three-course meal is $59.00 per person. Due to member demand and the popularity of this weekly event, only the Bistro menu is available.
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY GOLDE N HOUR
Join us for Golden Hour, the happiest hour in D.C. The Terrace Bar and Withdrawing Room are open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for specially priced small plates and half priced glasses of wine, house cocktails, beer, and mocktails.
1932 SEAFOOD SALAD
January 7, 14, 21, 28 | February 4, 11, 18, 25 | March 4, 11, 18, 25
Paying tribute to the year of the Club’s inception, our beloved Seafood Salad will be offered at the “historic” price of $19.32 at lunch on Wednesdays in the Dining Rooms.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY
January 7, 14, 21, 28 | February 4, 11, 18, 25 | March 4, 11, 18, 25
Elevate your Wednesday evening with our Wine Down Wednesday special feature. Enjoy half-priced bottles of wine, from a sommelier-curated wine list to accompany your dinner in the Dining Room or small plates in the bar.
AFTERNOON TEA
Monday-Friday
Afternoon tea service is from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Terrace Bar. The elegant English Tea includes loose leaf tea, steeped by Sulgrave staff, and an enticing selection of tea sandwiches, scones, and delicate pastries. It is $40.00 per person, including a complimentary glass of champagne. Please make a reservation or call ahead so the Club can welcome you and your guests.
Tasting in the Terrace
You are invited to the Terrace Bar on the second Wednesday of every month for a complimentary beverage tasting and hors d'oeuvres. Consider enjoying small plates in the bar or dinner in the Dining Room. Double the fun as Wednesday nights are Wine Down Wednesday featuring halfpriced bottles of wine. See below for the January, February, and March Tastings in the Terrace.
Skinny Sips
January 14
An evening of refined flavors and guilt-free enjoyment at our Skinny Cocktail and Mocktail Tasting. Designed for guests who appreciate sophistication without excess, this curated tasting showcases exceptional beverages crafted with fresh ingredients and mindful preparation.
Romantic Reds February 11
An intimate wine tasting built around the bold and beautiful side of red wine. Whether you are celebrating with someone special, catching up with friends, or simply treating yourself, this evening is all about good wine and good company.
Winter Whites March 11
White wine is not just to be enjoyed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sample the bolder white wines that are a crisp complement to the cool weather, sure to warm you up.
Boardman Dining Room Events
A Little Français or Español Goes a Long Way Foreign Language Conversation Luncheons
The conversation luncheons in French or Spanish are “faciles” where everyone is at ease. Proficiency is not a requirement, and we will help you find the vocabulary you need and the correct form of those horrid verbs. We focus on light conversation enjoyed during a tasty lunch. You are promised a delightful afternoon with charming company. Reservations are required.
French Conversation Luncheon
MONDAYS, JANUARY 19 , FEBRUARY 16 , and MARCH 16, at 12:30 p.m.
Participants will enjoy a pre-set, specially designed menu from Chef Tim. Please contact Didi Watson at (202) 498-2680 or didiwatson@gmail.com with questions. The cost of this event is $50.00 per person.
Spanish Conversation Luncheon
MONDAY, JANUARY 12, and WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 at 12:30 p.m.
Participants will enjoy a pre-set, specially designed menu from Chef Tim. Please contact Mariella Trager at (202) 413-4675 or NATrager@aol.com or Izette Folger at (301) 332-1677 or ifolger@hotmail.com with questions. The cost of this event is $50.00 per person.
Paris in Ruins by Sebastian Smee
All That is Beautiful Book Club
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
Noon
Participants will order à la carte from the menu
From the summer of 1870 to the spring of 1871, Paris and its people were besieged, starved, and forced into surrender by the Germans. Parisians were imperiled again when radical republicans established a breakaway Commune, which was ultimately crushed by the French Army after bloody street battles and the burning of central Paris. Renowned art critic Sebastian Smee shows that it was against the backdrop of these tumultuous times that the Impressionist movement was born—in response to violence, civil war, and political intrigue. Please contact Barbara Carney-Coston at Barbara.crn@gmail.com or Susan O’Connor at oconnorsh@gmail.com with questions.
Gabriële by Anne Berest and Claire Berest
An Evening Book Discussion
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Participants will order à la carte from the menu
Anne Berest and her sister Claire Berest bring us a novel about love and sex, art and revolution, experimentation and creativity, and three young people who changed the world. Gabriële Buffet-Picabia is a musician, muse, rebel— and the intellectual force who shaped two of the 20th century’s most incendiary artists, Francis Picabia (her husband) and Marcel Duchamp. The novel begins in 1908 Paris amid the Belle Époque and stretches through decades of passion, experimentation, and upheaval, threading art and eroticism into a portrait of revolution.
The Berest sisters bring archival rigor and lyrical inventiveness together. Their narrative travels from Paris salons to Berlin music halls to New York avant-garde circles, exploring how new forms of love and new aesthetics emerged hand in hand. Gabriële, as they depict her, is magnetic and contradictory: generous and withholding, commanding in mind yet hauntingly elusive in spirit. Her role is often that of the hidden engine — the silent provocateur nudging Picabia toward abstraction and supporting Duchamp’s boldness, even as she forsakes her own overt recognition (Kirkus Reviews).
Travel Table Luncheon
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Participants will pre-order à la carte from the menu
To some, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. Have you had an unlucky moment in your travels? Wrong turns can be salvaged with riotous retelling once you return home and have put things in perspective. A vacation with an unexpected detour can sometimes elevate a trip to one of your most memorable. Continuing Programs presents the Travel Table Luncheon, where you can meet fellow travel aficionados over lunch to discuss all aspects of journeys near and far. We get into specifics with hotel recommendations, cruise lines, reciprocal clubs, local cuisine, tour companies, essential sites and more. Boardman Dining room seating is by reservation and limited to 14, so early reservations are suggested. Pre-select an entrée from the à la carte Dining Room menu for our lively (and frank) luncheon and tell us about your recent travels and future plans! Please contact Karen Lamb at karenlamb43@gmail.com or Amy Mutscher at amy.mutscher@gmail.com with questions.
Sulgrave Club Monthly Conversation Table
Celebrating Success: Women Who Lead
MONDAYS, JANUARY 26, FEBRUARY 23, and MARCH 23
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Participants will order à la carte from the Bistro Night menu Members only until three weeks prior to event date
Who said, “Don’t fall for the dandified cake eater?" What are the hottest fashion trends for 2026? What are some insights from a career as an international affairs reporter and documentarian? Although seemingly diverse topics, what they have in common is the talent, leadership, and drive of successful women.
January 26: The Anti-Flirt Club: the Movement to End Unwanted Attention in the 1920s, with Lily Applebaum, WETA Contributor
The Anti-Flirt Club was founded in 1923 by ten driven and successful D.C. women, describing itself as “a passive offensive against the curbstone loafer and flirtatious motorist.” The goals were straightforward: they wanted to protect young women and girls who received unwelcome attention from men in automobiles and on street corners. The facts leading up to the club’s formation—and the resulting legislation produced by the women and introduced in Congress—are both humorous and a reminder of how some things have not changed. Ms. Applebaum will discuss the varied elements that each played a role in the humorous morality play that is The Anti-Flirt Club
February 23: A Look Behind the Scenes of Managing Two Luxury Department Stores with Marguerite Steege, V.P. and General Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue, Chevy Chase and Tysons Galleria
What does it take to manage the logistics of a luxury retailer, secure the merchandise your clients demand...and do both of these things for two locations? With a long career in the industry, Marguerite Steege rose through the retail ranks to her current position, where she oversees every minute detail—from loss prevention to visual merchandising, staffing to merchandise assortments—all while maintaining Saks’ charitable presence in the larger community. Ms. Steege will share the behind-the-scenes challenges of her position, with a good dose of fashion gossip and forecasting!
March 23: The World is Changing Quickly and so is Journalism Award-Winning Journalist and Documentarian, Laurel Bowman Tierney
With decades of production and on-camera experience in the television news and production industries, a long list of prestigious awards including the Edward R. Murrow Award and the Gracie Award, Laurel Bowman Tierney has spent her career covering Washington, D.C., sharing our country and government with the world. At Voice of America, Laurel was an anchor for the Africa 54 show, where she covered D.C., including its various diaspora communities. With three original documentary films shot around the globe to her credit, Ms. Tierney has keen insight into the importance of the American perspective in international journalism.
Club Event Reminders
RESERVATIONS
Online — Log in to www.sulgraveclub.org. Click on “Club Activities,” and then “Calendar” located on the left. Find the date of the event for which you wish to register and click on the event name. Now select “REGISTER.” Be sure to adjust the party size and include the names of your guests or other members who will join you and any requests that you may have.
E-mail — RSVP@sulgraveclub.org
Phone — (202) 462-5800 x5443
GUESTS
Members are encouraged to include their family members and friends at Club events. Guests are welcome at most Club events. Those events with guest limitations note this detail in the event description.
RESERVATION CONFIRMATIONS
All event reservations receive an automatic confirmation e-mail at the time of reservation. Confirmation e-mails include all reservation details as well as the cancellation cut-off date for the specific event. Additionally, a reminder of your reservation is sent 10 days to two weeks in advance of the event date.
CANCELLATION AND AMENDMENTS
Changes may be made to all event reservations online, by e-mail, or by phone before 5:00 p.m., three business days prior to the event date. Special Events and Wine Dinners have a week-long cancellation date. After this time, all reservations are considered confirmed, and any changes are subject to charge.
SEATING
The Club offers several different styles of events. Plated luncheons, dinners, and themed buffet luncheons have private tables available for groups of ten to twelve. Parties of less than ten are seated at Club tables. Coffee buffets and cocktail receptions have open, informal seating. Holiday buffets, like Thanksgiving and similar, have seating by reservation size.
January Events
Un-Decorating Day
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
11 : 00 a.m.
Complimentary Luncheon provided
The Halls were decked, fun was had, and the holiday season must come to a close. Volunteers are needed for Un-Decorating Day. Don your Sulgrave casual attire and spend a morning of camaraderie as you reminisce over your newest holiday memories and help to put the holiday décor away for next year. The Club will provide a complimentary lunch to volunteers. Reserve online or reach out to the Catering and Membership Office if you plan to attend!
The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780
Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Rick Atkinson
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6
Cocktails at 6 : 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow $ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person lecture only
Rick Atkinson is the author of eight narrative histories about five American wars. His most recent book, T he Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 17771780 , debuted as the #1 New York Times nonfiction bestseller. The New York Times Book Review declares, "This is great history...There is no better writer of narrative history than the Pulitzer Prize-winning Atkinson." Ken Burns writes, "Rick Atkinson takes his place among the greatest of all historians. This superb second volume in his Revolution Trilogy is that rare narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat." The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780 will be available for purchase.
Securities Investment Group
An Independent Partnership
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
10 : 30 a.m.
$ 35.00 per person for Optional Dutch Treat Luncheon
The Securities Investment Group welcomes new members. The Investment Group meets monthly to learn about and discuss investment strategy, to consider individual stocks, and to make buy and sell decisions in the jointly held portfolio. Experts in the field of finance are periodically invited to speak and advise. New members do not need to have had prior investing experience. Guests are welcome to audit meetings. To sign up for auditing or to learn more about joining the partnership, please contact Nancy Griscom, president, at (202) 362-7251 or ngriscom@gmail.com. The next meetings are on Tuesdays, February 10 and March 10.
My
Russia: What I Saw Inside the Kremlin Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Journalist and Author Jill Dougherty
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
Cocktails at 6 : 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow
$ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person lecture only
Jill Dougherty is an American journalist and academic and is widely recognized as an expert on Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the former Soviet Union. During her three-decade career with CNN she served as White House Correspondent, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Managing Editor for CNN International Asia/ Pacific, and CNN Moscow Bureau Chief. Ms. Dougherty brings her deep experience on international affairs to a discussion of her book My Russia: What I Saw Inside the Kremlin , which charts Russia’s evolution through the eyes of an American with rare insight into Russia, its people, and its leaders. My Russia: What I Saw Inside the Kremlin will be available for purchase.
Pin Pals: Calling All Sulgrave Stitchers
WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 14 and FEBRUARY 18
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
$ 25.00 per person
All handicraft enthusiasts are invited to embroider, knit, or needlepoint with fellow stitchers. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to expert. We are a social group that loves to discuss ongoing projects, learn new techniques, and share ideas and resources—conversation is effortless as it is an easy time to bond with fellow members over shared interests. Please bring your favorite work in progress or a piece you have recently finished. We also invite you to bring a friend who shares your love of needlework, particularly if she is curious about laying her first stitch! For those who can stay to continue the camaraderie, we will enjoy a Dutch treat à la carte luncheon. Reservations are required and attendance is limited to fifteen. Note that a separate reservation is needed if you stay for luncheon. Please contact Crawford Horan at crawford.horan@gmail.com with questions.
A Celebration of Chinoiserie Through History and Art Lecture Luncheon with Art Historian and Scholar
Dr. Aldous Bertram
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow $ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only
Aldous Bertram is an art historian, scholar, and interior designer based in Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up in a Queen Anne country house in England, Dr. Bertram was exposed to historic design influences from a young age. He received a PhD in 18th century gardens and architecture from Cambridge University. Dr. Bertram has long been captivated by chinoiserie, Western art inspired by an imagined China. His book Dragons & Pagodas visually explores the subject of chinoiserie throughout history and is organized along themes such as porcelain, color, flora, fauna, and architecture. Each chapter brims with images from grand European palaces to modern rooms adorned in floral wallpaper. Dragons & Pagodas will be available for purchase.
Culinary Demonstration and Tasting with Sulgrave's Culinary Team
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
Apéritifs at Noon | Demonstration and Luncheon at 12:30 p.m.
$ 100.00 per person
Whether you are a gourmet connoisseur or simply want to enhance your knowledge, join Chef Tim Loveland as he prepares pan roasted scallops and lobster risotto while offering us his cooking tips and insights. Enjoy a frozen citrus parfait as an interactive sweet and take-away treat with Chef Josh Short. Lastly, sip an Italian wine tasting flight, paired by Alfred Abayomi-Cole, to complement our dishes from our own cellar.
Due to the limited space and popularity of this event, reservations are for members only until January 2, at which time non-member guests may attend if space allows.
Daytime Book Talk: A Member-Led Discussion
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
MONDAY, JANUARY 26
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
$ 50.00 per person, includes themed lunch buffet
A novel of epic power and the winner of the Booker Prize 2024, Orbital snapshots one day in the lives of six people traveling through space. Selected for one of the last space station missions of its kind before the program is dismantled, these astronauts and cosmonauts—from America, Russia, Italy, Britain, and Japan—have left their lives behind to travel at a speed of over seventeen thousand miles an hour as the earth reels below. We glimpse moments of their earthly lives through brief communication with family and their photos. We watch them whip up dehydrated meals, float in gravity-free sleep, and exercise in regimented routines to prevent atrophying muscles. We witness them form bonds, and we are with them as they behold and record their silent blue planet. Their experiences of sixteen sunrises and sunsets and the bright, blinking constellations of the galaxy are at once breathtakingly awesome and surprisingly intimate. Profound and contemplative, Orbital is a moving allegory to our environment and planet.
The Art of Diplomacy: How
American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements That Changed the World Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
Cocktails at 6 : 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow $ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person lecture only Stuart E. Eizenstat, former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, White House policy advisor, Undersecretary of Commerce, and Undersecretary of the Department of State, will discuss the role of diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolutions on critical foreign policy challenges. In his book The Art of Diplomacy: How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements That Changed the World , he chronicles the major American diplomatic initiatives of the last half-century through the perspectives of those who shaped them. Ambassador Eizenstat draws on more than 130 interviews to reflect on the essential traits of a successful diplomat, the pitfalls to avoid, and the lasting impact of moral clarity and perseverance—while also sharing stories from his work on Holocaust restitution and his early impressions of a young Jimmy Carter. At a time when diplomatic initiatives have never been more important, Ambassador Eizenstat’s wisdom and insights are particularly relevant. The Art of Diplomacy will be available for purchase.
Mill Reef 75
Lecture Luncheon with Elizabeth Ballentine
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow
$ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only
The Mill Reef Club was founded in 1947 on the eastern shore of Antigua by architect and travel visionary Robertson “Happy” Ward. Ward dreamed of creating a warm-weather resort that brought together like-minded people who embraced harmony with the environment and who shared social and sporting pastimes. He was able to solicit interest in the Club among some of the twentieth century’s most distinguished names: Mellon, Astor, DuPont, Pew, Acheson, and MacLeish. The result was what former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter calls “a marvel of taste and breezy eccentricity” in his introduction to Mill Reef at 75
Author and Sulgrave Club member Elizabeth Ballantine has written a stunningly beautiful coffee table book that celebrates 75 years of the Mill Reef Club. Her grandfather John Cowles built a house at Mill Reef in 1951 where Elizabeth began visiting Antigua in the 1960s. Mill Reef at 75 will be available for purchase.
From Burgundy Roots to the Willamette Valley Knudsen Vineyards and Winery Vintner Dinner
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
Apéritifs at 6 : 30 p.m. | Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
$ 180.00 per person
Continuing our Women in Wine series, the Wine Committee is delighted to welcome Page Knudsen-Cowles, Managing Partner of Knudsen Vineyards and Winery—one of Oregon’s most celebrated, family-owned wineries in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley.
A second-generation winegrower, Ms. Knudsen-Cowles carries on her family’s legacy as one of the true pioneers of Oregon Pinot Noir. Under her leadership, Knudsen Vineyards has become renowned for its estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé, and sparkling wines, crafted with a deep commitment to sustainability and expression of terroir.
These wines are known for flavor profiles similar to the Burgundy region and Ms. Knudsen-Cowles is an enthralling advocate who will share insights and stories about the wines and winemaking.
Private tables are available for groups of eight. Groups of less than eight will be seated at a Club table. Please note that there is a week-long cancellation policy in effect for this event.
February Events
Mix and Mingle Luncheon
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Luncheon at 12:30 p.m.
$ 52.00 per person
U.S., I Love You
The Welcoming and Member Engagement Committee invites all members to mix and mingle at a strictly social luncheon. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet other members—both tenured and new—while savoring a delicious lunch. Seating will be assigned upon your arrival via drawing. Bring yourself, “mix it up” a little, and leave with a new friend or two.
Black Tie Dinner Dance
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. | Dinner and Dancing at 7:30 p.m.
$ 175.00 per person
Please join us as we step back into the days of George Washington’s Sulgrave Manor and the romantic correspondence between John and Abigail Adams to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary with our annual black tie dinner dance. After an evening of dancing and dining on Chef’s All-American cuisine in the most romantic month of the year, you will fall in love all over again and will surely be saying, “U.S….I love you."
Reservations open on Wednesday, January 7, at 9:00 a.m. by voicemail and phone call only. Private tables are available for groups of 10 to 12. Parties of fewer than 10 may be seated at a Club table. Non-member guests are welcome.
Thank you to the event co-chairs, Sharon Amorosi, Jennifer Frost, and Jacquie Henry, for planning such a special evening.
Decorative Arts
MONDAYS, FEBRUARY 9, MARCH 2, 9, and 16
10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
$ 50.00 per person, per lecture
Three is the magic number for Continuing Programs’ Spring Decorative Arts Series which will explore three-dimensional Impressionism and a trio of artforms. Lauded scholars and artisans will teach us about vintage wallpaper panels, give us a sneak peek at an upcoming exhibition about Three-Dimensional Impressionism, enlighten us about the history of quilt-making, and reveal creative secrets of ceramics to us.
February 9: Vintage Wallpaper: An Illusion into Another Environment
Bring the outdoors inside as we learn about the beautiful world of vintage wallpaper, featuring the specialist in vintage wallpaper décor Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz. Ms. Thibaut-Pomerantz has devoted her 30-year career to a very particular art form known as papier peints anciens—wood-blocked décor printed on paper in limited editions from the late eighteenth century to the Art Deco period. She will explore the history of wallpaper and its distinctive place within the decorative arts. Her book Wallpaper: A History of Style and Trends will be available for purchase.
March 2: Three-Dimensional Impressionism
Pierre-Auguste Renoir began as a painter on porcelain, Claude Monet painted furniture, and Paul Gauguin created ceramics. In our second lecture, Brittany Severt, the Anne Stone Associate Curator of Decorative Arts at the Baltimore Museum of Art, will talk about the Impressionist movement’s reimagining of line, color, and time through a multitude of materials. She will give us a glimpse of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s forthcoming 2028 exhibition tentatively titled Three-Dimensional Impressionism
March 9: An Ecology of Quilts: The Natural History of American Textiles
Quilt-making is a quintessentially American art form. It utilizes textiles as a decorative arts medium creating works that combine function and beauty. Dr. Emilie Gevalt, Deputy Director and Chief Curatorial and Program Officer of the American Folk Art Museum in Baltimore, will lead a groundbreaking exploration of the natural history of American textiles that looks beyond the quiltmaker and examines the origins of textile production and the environmental and social impact of cultivating and harvesting raw materials. Dr. Gevalt’s unique perspective on the history of American textiles promises to be both illuminating and inspiring.
March 16: The “Taylor Swift” of Ceramics
Described by W Magazine as the “Taylor Swift of ceramics,” Los Angeles–based artist Jennifer Rochlin creates work that is both sculptural and narrative—her vessels hold her stories. Her celebrated voluptuous works serve as intimate canvases for memory, desire, and biography. Ms. Rochlin will speak about her process and practice in ceramics, sharing how storytelling and materiality intertwine at the heart of her work.
Inside the Belle Époque:
Paris, Russia, and the Art of Elegance
Lecture Luncheon with Chief Curator at Hillwood Dr. Wilfried Zeisler
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow $ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only Dr. Wilfried Zeisler serves as Deputy Director and Chief Curator at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington, D.C. He has curated major exhibitions that explore decorative arts, luxury collections, and the cross-cultural connections between France and Russia. Internationally recognized for his expertise, Dr. Zeisler has written extensively on French and Russian decorative arts, bringing a passionate, deeply researched voice to his scholarship and illuminating the material culture and refined tastes of a bygone era. Dr. Zeisler will discuss his groundbreaking new book The Belle Époque Life in Paris: Olga Paley and Paul of Russia, which draws on previously unpublished archival material to reveal the glamour of Parisian high society and Russian aristocracy in the early 20th century. The book follows the life of Countess Olga von Hohenfelsen—later Princess Paley—the morganatic wife of Grand Duke Paul of Russia, uncle of the last emperor, Nicholas II, and offers a richly textured portrait of their world. The Belle Époque Life in Paris will be available for purchase.
All You Need is Love: An Elegant Valentine’s Day Dinner
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Apéritifs at 6 : 30 p.m. | Dinner at 7:00 p.m. $ 150.00 per person
Won't you be ours? From Cupid and cocktails to chocolate kisses and red roses, what better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than at the Sulgrave? Come and enjoy an elegant evening dining with loved ones and friends. An enchanting four-course dinner, complemented with wine pairings and ending with a heavenly dessert, awaits you and your guests. This annual tradition will prove once again it is not to be missed. Seating is by party sizes. Please note that the cancellation date for this event is Friday, February 6, prior to 5:00 p.m.
Unmasked! An Evening with Celebrated Food Critic Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Tom Sietsema
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Cocktails at 6 : 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow $ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person lecture only
Tom Sietsema is an acclaimed journalist, best known for his role as The Washington Post’s longtime food critic. Over his almost twenty-six years at The Post, he wrote approximately 1200 full restaurant reviews and became one of the most respected and influential voices in culinary journalism, shaping how Washington, D.C.—and the nation—understand dining, hospitality, and the evolving restaurant industry.
Mr. Sietsema’s vivid storytelling, discerning palate, and empathetic approach to chefs and restaurateurs helped elevate restaurant criticism to an art form. His reviews were often conducted anonymously—he adopted disguises and pseudonyms to experience restaurants as everyday diners—and this undercover approach became part of his signature style.
Roses in the Garden
Lecture Luncheon with Ngoc Minh Ngo
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow $ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only
Ngoc Minh Ngo is a celebrated photographer whose work explores the harmony among nature, interior spaces, and the art of living. Known for her distinctive ability to capture the quiet poetry of flowers, gardens, and thoughtfully designed rooms, she has become a sought-after visual storyteller for leading design and lifestyle publications. She will discuss her latest book Roses in the Garden, a collection of photographs and essays that explore the beauty, history, and cultural significance of roses and features gardens from around the world.
Mrs. Ngo’s photographs have appeared in The World of Interiors, T Magazine, Architectural Digest, Cabana, and House & Garden UK, where her work is praised for its elegance, restraint, and deeply observant eye. Whether documenting the sculptural beauty of a single blossom or the ambiance of a historic home, her images convey a sense of serenity and enduring refinement. Roses in the Garden will be available for purchase.
Art of Series: The Art of Champagne
MONDAYS, MARCH 2, APRIL 6, and MAY 4
6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Tasting and Canapés
$ 75.00 per person, per lecture
“The Art of…” Series returns with The Art of Champagne—three sparkling evenings where we will explore the fascinating world of Champagne with three guest lecturers and tastings.
March 2: The French 75 Cocktail, an evening with author John Maxwell Hamilton
The French 75 has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in New York, London, and New Orleans, with countless versions of this iconic drink inspired by the L’Atelier in Paris. John Maxwell Hamilton will discuss his book The French 75 , a fascinating history of the World War I cocktail named after the Canon de 75 modèle 1897. This evening will take us around the globe, tasting four versions of the storied French 75 , perfectly paired with delectable appetizers evocative of an international speakeasy. The French 75 book will be available for purchase.
April 6: But First, Champagne: An Evening with author David White
David White, author of But First, Champagne: A Modern Guide to the World’s Favorite Wine , is a former nationally syndicated wine columnist and editor of one of the world’s most widely read wine blogs. Mr. White has written extensively about this beloved subject, and But First, Champagne has been praised as “essential reading” for wine lovers, sommeliers, and curious drinkers alike. This evening promises to illuminate the beauty, complexity, and enduring appeal of Champagne—perfectly paired with several glasses of bubbly, each with its own personality and accompanied by Sulgrave canapés. Mr. White’s book will be available for purchase.
May
4:
How to Select the Perfect Champagne with Rick Genderson, Schneider’s Liquor and Cellar.com
Choosing the right Champagne for your occasion involves matching the wine’s style and quality to the event and your budget. Leading our specially curated tasting will be Rick Genderson, proprietor of Schneider’s of Capitol Hill who has over forty years in the wine and spirits business. We will sample true French Champagne as well as memorable and distinctive sparkling wines from other parts of the world, offering more affordable options. Each will be perfectly paired with our chef’s tantalizing appetizers. Mr. Genderson’s excellent picks at four price points will include inexpensive, mid-range, premium, and prestigious wines meant for truly special milestones and refined palates. These selected wines will be available for purchase at a special Sulgrave price for delivery to your home or for pickup at Schneider’s.
March Events
American Tastemaker: Defining a New Generation of American Culture
Lecture Luncheon with Aerin Lauder
THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow
$ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only
Aerin Lauder is a global tastemaker, entrepreneur, and creative force whose influence bridges the worlds of beauty, fashion, and design. The granddaughter of Estée Lauder, she has honored her family’s legacy while building her own distinctive brand and voice. As Founder and Creative Director of AERIN, her luxury lifestyle brand, she has developed collections that embody timeless elegance across fragrance, cosmetics, home décor, and accessories. A bestselling author, Ms. Lauder will discuss her book Living with Flowers , which celebrates the beauty and inspiration of floral design. Her effortless approach to style and her belief that beauty should be authentic, approachable, and personal have been widely profiled in international publications. Living with Flowers will be available for purchase.
America's Social Icon: Lynn Wyatt Lecture Luncheon with Ronda Carman
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Apéritifs at 11:30 a.m. | Lecture at Noon | Luncheon to follow $ 57.00 per person or $ 30.00 per person lecture only
Lynn Wyatt remains one of America’s most recognized social icons, defining an area of grace and sophistication and celebrated for both her personal style and kindness. From her friendship with Truman Capote and dancing at Studio 54, to parties at Andy Warhol’s Factory, invitations to the White House and her extensive philanthropic pursuits, she influenced America’s cultural and social landscape. In her latest book, Lynn Wyatt , noted author and journalist Ronda Carman reintroduces us to this American tastemaker who helped define an era. Carman, a journalist, travel writer, and Rizzoli author, is devoted to capturing and sharing life’s most memorable experiences. With a foreword by Elton John, this volume is a richly illustrated collection of photographs, letters, and memorabilia that celebrates Lynn Wyatt’s remarkable legacy, distinctive style, and lifelong philanthropic contributions. Lynn Wyatt will be available for purchase.
A Front Row Seat to the Global Landscape
Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Thomas Friedman
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
Cocktails at 6 : 30 p.m. | Lecture at 7:00 p.m. | Dinner to follow $ 82.00 per person or $ 40.00 per person lecture only
Thomas L. Friedman is an internationally renowned author, reporter, and columnist— who through his work—has given us a front row seat to view the tectonic changes in the global landscape that have defined our generation. He is the recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes for international reporting and the author of seven bestselling books, among them From Beirut to Jerusalem , for which he was awarded the National Book Award. Mr. Friedman’s foreign affairs column in The New York Times , which he has written since 1995, reports on U.S. domestic politics and foreign policy, Middle East conflicts, Artificial Intelligence, international economics, environment, biodiversity, and energy. He joined The Times in 1981 and has served as Jerusalem Bureau Chief, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent, and I nternational Economics Correspondent. With decades of reporting on these topics, Mr. Friedman is recognized for his unique perspective and a rare ability to place events within a broader context, helping us to better understand the world around us.
Looking Ahead
A Musical Evening with Virtuoso Pianist and Composer Kiron Atom Tellian Young Concert Artists Performance and Dinner
Thursday, April 2
Austrian pianist and composer Kiron Atom Tellian has quickly gained recognition for his artistry, imagination, and commanding presence. He has performed across Europe, the United States, and South America, including appearances at the Vienna Musikverein and Konzerthaus. This season, Mr. Tellian debuts with the San Diego Symphony, gives solo recitals at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, and joins the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano for a European tour, including the Großes Festspielhaus Salzburg.
Easter Day Buffet
Sunday, April 5
Reservations for this holiday buffet open at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, by voicemail or phone call only.
Lecture Luncheon with Ann Pyne
Thursday, April 9
Ann Pyne is the president of McMillen Inc., the firm that has defined excellence in American interior design for a century. McMillen continues to set the standard for timeless, thoughtful design. Renowned for its discretion and refinement, the firm’s portfolio includes many of the nation’s most notable residences and institutions, among them The White House, Blair House, Hillwood Estate, the Colony and Cosmopolitan Clubs. Ms. Pyne’s work—both written and designed— embodies scholarly insight, curatorial vision, and hands-on expertise, securing her place as a leading voice in American design today.
From The West Wing to its Legacy of Service
Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Melissa Fitzgerald
Tuesday, April 21
Beloved by fans for her role as Carol Fitzpatrick, assistant to C.J. Cregg, on the Emmy Award–winning series The West Wing , Melissa Fitzgerald has continued to channel the show’s spirit of public service into real-world impact. She and her West Wing castmate Mary McCormack co-authored the New York Times bestseller What’s Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service , an inspiring behind-the-scenes look at the iconic show and the ways it continues to motivate civic engagement today.
From the Locker Room to the Olympic Arena: A Sports Journalist's Journey
Cocktail Lecture and Dinner with Christine Brennan
Thursday, April 30
A trailblazer, Christine Brennan was the first woman sportswriter at The Miami Herald and the first to cover Washington’s NFL team for The Washington Post . Ms. Brennan is the author of eight books, including her most recent On Her Game: Caitlin Clark, a New York Times Top 21 nonfiction pick. Her reporting has shaped national conversations—from Augusta National’s admission of women members to Olympic judging scandals. Both the NCAA and the Women’s Sports Foundation honored her in celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Title IX in 2012.
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