Nearly 600 book lovers united at Bernie’s Book Bank on May 3 for the 2nd annual Book Lovers’ Breakfast and 8th annual Book Lovers’ Lunch. NASA astronaut and author Clayton “Astro Clay” Anderson served as guest speaker at both events, giving an entertaining and impactful speech about how he discovered his dream to become an astronaut. He is the author of three books including the award-winning book, The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut. Guests enjoyed meals prepared by Catering By Michaels while raising funds for Chicago area children. berniesbookbank.org

early 200 supporters gathered at the elegant Ivy Room in Chicago for Hyde Park Day School’s 2019 signature fundraiser, “A Garden Party.” Chairs Katie Burnside and Vanya Weglarz were back again this year and welcomed guests, dressed in fun spring prints, over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while raising more than $215,000 for the school’s Bright Futures Scholarship Fund. The fund allows scholarships for bright children with learning disabilities to access the school’s specialized program, regardless of family means. hydeparkday.org

Guests were off to the races during the Children’s Place Association’s 2019 gala at Rockwell on the River. The derby-themed evening was led by chairs Melissa Recatto and Lauren Silverman, and emcees Susan Carlson of NBC5 and Marley Kayden of WGN-TV. More than 350 attendees, dressed in classic derby attire, enjoyed mint juleps and custom cocktails with dinner. Takeda Pharmaceuticals was awarded the 2019 Chicago Champion for Children Award. childrens-place.org See full spread in JWC Media’s Sheridan Road: https://jwcdaily.com/sheridanroadmagazine/2019/06/06/once-upon-a-time-at-the-derby/