NEW YORK-MAY 5: The 28th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon hosted by of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 in Central Park's Conservatory Garden, Fifth Avenue at 105th Street, New York City, NY.

The 28th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon (otherwise known as FLO or The Hat Luncheon) hosted by the Women’s Committee of The Central Park Conservancy was held on May 5, 2010 in the six-acre Conservatory Garden. The quintessential New York Society event, a regular must on the social calendar of Manhattan’s leading philanthropic ladies, was once again a smashing success, raising nearly $2.5 million dollars to support the Conservancy’s work in maintaining and preserving Central Park. Over 1200 supporters of the Central Park Conservancy, stylishly attired in some of the most striking and elegant dresses, and of course hats, that you will ever see in Manhattan at lunch time, filled the garden with a sea of color, pastels and earth tones as well as bold primary colors on a scorching sun drenched high noon in early May. Led by tireless Women’s Committee President Gillian Miniter and Co-Chairs Noreen Buckfire, Anne Harrison, Marcia Mishaan and Sarah Robertson, nearly every woman of a certain stature and philanthropic bent in New York City came out in support of Central Park on this day. Distinguished guests included Norma Dana and Jean Clark, two of the four Women’s Committee founders; Tom Kempner, current Chairman of the Board of Trustees; the Conservancy’s founder Betsy Barlow Rogers; and Douglas Blonsky, President of the Central Park Conservancy and Central Park Administrator, who is celebrating his 25th year with the Conservancy. Honorees of this year’s event included Corporate Chairman Thomas Glocer, Chairman and CEO of Thomson Reuters, who has raised vital funds for the Conservancy. The Frederick Law Olmsted Award, given to individuals whose remarkable leadership contribute to the Park’s lasting health, was presented to Betsy Messerschmitt, past president of the Women’s Committee. The Award was also presented to Patsy and Jeff Tarr, longtime supporters of Women’s Committee initiatives. Guests filled 120 tables, including corporate tables sponsored by Chanel, Dior, Graff, Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. Notable park patrons and supporters in attendance included: Sigourney Weaver, Martha Stewart, Michelle Paige Paterson, Silda Wall Spitzer, Hilary Geary Ross, Deputy Mayor Patti Harris, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Karen LeFrak, Fe Fendi, Allison Rockefeller, Tara Rockefeller, Blaine Trump, Susan Rudin, Fiona and Eric Rudin, Suzanne Johnson, Alexandra Lebenthal, Susan Fales-Hill, Amy Fine Collins, Eric Javits, Michelle Smith, Wendy Carduner, Eleanora Kennedy, Sheila Labrecque, Gail Hilson, Jessie Araskog, Kamie Lightburn, Lori Kasowitz, Lally Weymouth, Marlene Hess, Muffy Miller, Nina Rennert Davidson, Jean Shafiroff, Lisa Selby and Caryn Zucker. Women’s Committee President: Gillian Miniter │ Central Park Conservancy President: Doug Blonsky

OTHER FLO HAT LUNCHEON COVERAGE: 2011 FLO Luncheon │ 2009 FLO Luncheon │ 2008 FLO Luncheon │ 2007 FLO Luncheon │ 2006 FLO Luncheon

PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2010 by Christopher D.M. London | tel: Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com****PLEASE NOTE: More photos and id's to follow soon