At the Union League

I was privileged last month to go to the Union League for a fundraising banquet for the Spruce Hill Christian Academy. The Union League is a very nice place to be – one would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to see the inside. It’s Philadelphia’s premiere country club without a golf course. Republicans with cigars and brandy like extras in Trading Places, it’s full of swank and self-importance. I enjoyed walking down the hallway and seeing pictures of every president and dignitary since 1865 lining the walls (some so old they weren’t photos but daguerreotypes instead).


It was a wonderful night, but the highlight came when several students were on stage to accept a gift from a group of gentlemen. Every year these men give a financial gift to the school, and this year the decided to pledge a very generous gift of a million dollars to the Spruce Hill Christian Academy. When the student came to the microphone to present her thank-you on behalf of the school, she forgot who the donors were.

Student: Thank you, uh, um, thank you mister man for your gracious gift.
Man: [laughter].
[Teacher leans over to student, tells her the man’s name.]
Student: I’m so sorry, it’s nervous being up on stage.

That made my night. Here’s a picture of Emily and I in the ball room.