This year’s annual appreciation party for Marshall Circle and Lathrop Circle members was held on Sunday, June 9, at Highland Farm, the home of Oscar Hammerstein and now the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center (OHMTEC). The weather was perfect, the grounds were delightful, and the docent-led house tour was a special treat.
As befits the setting, guests were entertained by George Sinkler on the keyboard and by two very talented young singers, Helena Badiali and Conner Nace. Helena, a student at Central Bucks West High School, and Conner, who just graduated from Central Bucks East High School, charmed the audience with a wonderful array of Hammerstein’s famous show tunes. They also sang songs written by Stephen Sondheim, who was a George School classmate of Hammerstein’s son and often came to Highland Farm to benefit from Hammerstein’s musical advice. Helena won the OHMTEC International Youth Solo Contest in 2022, and Conner performed in the 2023 Hammerstein Festival—and they were both terrific!
We are extremely grateful to OHMTEC Board President Greg Roth, who spoke about the history of the Highland Farm, the famous musicals that Hammerstein created while living there, and plans for establishing a musical theater museum and an education center for the arts. Thanks, too, to Christine Junker and other OHMTEC volunteers and staff who collaborated with us at every step and helped ensure a successful event.
The party was hosted by the Phillips’ Mill Board and the Membership Committee and catered by Culinara Catering. David Hewitt did his usual superb job of planning and overseeing the entire process along with Mary Fowles, Patrick Fowles and numerous other Mill volunteers.
