Tales and Cocktails with Griffin Dunne
June 15 @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Griffin Dunne, acclaimed actor, director, producer, and New York Times bestselling author, is the honored guest at the Desmond-Fish Public Library annual benefit event. The cocktail party is scheduled for Sunday, June 15 at Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison, kicking off at 5:30pm.
Mr. Dunne’s storytelling has captivated audiences for decades. His recent memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club, lauded for its wit and perceptiveness, explores his Hollywood upbringing, the tragic loss of his sister Dominique, his complex relationship with his father, writer Dominick Dunne, and his enduring friendship with actress Carrie Fisher. Dunne’s ability to transform personal pain into resonant narratives is evident in his diverse career, from acting in films like An American Werewolf in London and After Hours to directing and producing for film and television. His documentary, The Center Will Not Hold, a tribute to his aunt, Joan Didion, further showcases his talent for crafting deeply personal yet universal stories, often finding humor amidst life’s challenges. He will receive the Hamilton Fish Award for his contributions to arts and letters.
Interviewing Mr. Dunne will be Ivy Meeropol. Ms. Meeropol is a director and producer of documentaries for film and television, known for Indian Point; Heir to an Execution: A Granddaughter’s Story; Bully, Coward, Victim: The Roy Cohn Story; and After the Bite.
Kim Conner and Nick Groombridge will receive the Library’s Community Service Award for their decades of public service to Philipstown and beyond. They have helped improve the quality of life for all their neighbors and community members. Nick is one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers, focusing on intellectual property litigation. He is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Riverkeeper and serves on the Board of The Highlands Current. Nick has previously chaired the board of Building Bridges, Building Boats and has also served as the vice chair of the Friends of the United Nations Population Fund, an agency dedicated to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe.
Kim worked tirelessly to maintain the quality of life in Philipstown through her service on the Philipstown Planning Board from 2008 through 2023. A former board member of the Hudson Highlands Land Trust and the Cold Spring Farmers’ Market, she has also served Cold Spring by opening the shop Groombridge Games with son Ian, and rescuing and restoring the Old VFW Hall, making it available for community use and now making it available as the home of Foundry Montessori.
Together, Kim and Nick have supported the widest possible range of Philipstown nonprofits, including our Library. And they have brought joy to thousands by providing the July 4th Cold Spring Fireworks.
This event is in support of the many programs and resources offered by the Desmond-Fish Public Library to the Garrison and Philipstown communities.
