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Gabby learned a lesson at the Brandywine River Museum’s 40th Anniversary Gala: Never wear the same dress as the ridiculously gorgeous Cecily Tynan. She arrived in a red minidress on the arm of dashing husband Greg Watson, and soon the duo was chatting like long-lost friends with a leopard-tastic Toni Toomey—the woman never disappoints. Judging from the big laughs and smiles, I don’t think they were talking weather. The crown jewel of the night was the art, and the museum brought out its big guns, showcasing the largest amount of art it has ever had on exhibit. Howard Pyle was feted, natch, and N.C. Wyeth’s “Treasure Island” was much adored. The museum’s own Gail Stanislow brought some fierce dancing shoes to go with her dazzling royal blue floor-length gown, and cut a mean rug with colleague Wes Horner. I must give the sparkly cake to Pandora Campbell, however, who was simply red-carpet ready in a silver column gown all aglitter. Carl Doubét Hendry was in the house, talking with some lady friends, with that unmistakable purposely askew hair. I caught Secretariat and TNG’s Samantha Diedrick workin’ it in black-and-white, which I’m beginning to think is her signature. I must give props to the Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy who I’m told were responsible for the decor. Top notch, friends. The oversized book covers, the gigantic tubes of paint suspended from the ceiling. Kudos. I intend to thieve one of your easier-to-replicate innovations for my next soiree: appetizers were served smack on top of actual pieces of glass-framed art. Brilliant. As gorgeous as the decor was, though, nothing stole the night more than George A. “Frolic” Weymouth, the museum’s board chairman. Dressed as Miss Mary DuPont from one of the museum’s paintings (Mary DuPont also happens to be his ancestor), his speech on the last four decades was met with thunderous applause and a presentation by Pennsylvania state Sen. Andy Dinniman. Happy 40th birthday, Brandywine River Museum—you don’t look a day over 25, you gorgeous gem, you.
