The Maryland Science Center's annual "Solstice" party was all about summer style, starting with its invitation. It read, "Think Hamptons not Hampden. Think Linen not Lycra. Think Gatsby not Gilligan." And the hundreds of people who turned out at the party were most obliging, starting with Science Center president and chief executive Van Reiner, who greeted guests in a blue blazer, pomegranate pants and madras bow tie.
"For years, [Solstice] was black tie. Last year, we thought we were too formal and maybe we should just let our hair down and have a good time. It was so well-received, we're doing it again," he said.
As the party got into full swing, the lobby was aswirl with sundresses, strappy sandals, seersucker and khaki.
Pat Green, Legg Mason Investment Counsel director of investment support, was the epitome of Hamptons style in his Brooks Brothers seersucker blazer, yellow linen pants and white bucks.
And I haven't even gotten to the women yet! Eyelet abounded. Eneida Green, the wife of "Mr. Hamptons" Pat, wore a white eyelet jacket. Graul's Markets' Mary Graul looked lovely in a lilac eyelet dress. And Anne Arundel County teacher Kate Fuller was crisp in a white eyelet sundress. Her friend and fellow teacher, Anne Thomas, went another classic route in a chic black cotton shift.
A drink with John Peoples
Marketing diversity while enjoying life to the fullest
John Peoples, 39, is managing partner of Global Lead Management, which he describes as specializing in diversity consulting as it relates to corporate work forces and the marketplace. He serves on several local boards, including Center Stage, Baltimore School for the Arts, BEST, National Industries for the Blind, Calvert School, Mount Pisgah AME Church and the Downtown Partnership.
Peoples lives in Ellicott City with his wife, independent marketing consultant Greta Peoples, their two daughters - Mara, 9, and Sydney, 8 - and two fish.
How do you juggle everything on your plate?
I only sleep five hours a night. I have this philosophy: There's no such thing as can't. So I just keep plugging away.
Are you someone who lives by certain philosophies or principles?
I do. There are a few. [The one I just mentioned] would be from my mother. Another would be: Work hard and play hard. We laugh in my office because I say sleep is for punks. They tease me. ... And the [principle] I share with my girls is: I can do anything because I'm a child of God.
So, what's "playing hard" for you?
Anything I do with my two girls. I don't spend as much time as I'd like. So I make sure it's high quality and we have a few favorite pastimes. We have what I call "Daddy/Daughter Days." And those are dates that are scheduled where it's the three of us, or perhaps me with one of them. I let them set the agenda of what we do. I say, "No rules and no moms." We'll do things like stay up late and watch movies and eat pizza. We'll spend the night at a hotel in the harbor. We'll go to the [National] Aquarium, and they get to swim in a pool at a hotel, which they love. Another [thing we do] is they get a $20 budget to spend at Claire's [Accessories]. ... I try to do [Daddy/Daughter Day] once a month, but it ends up every other month in reality.
How is your wife with this?
It's great time off for her. And particularly in instances like ... getting slimed at the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando. ... She made it clear that she wasn't interested.
Is it important for you to have some private time?
Yes. Probably my best solitude time is ... in the car driving with the radio on and the top down. Or overnights out of town for business. It gives you those couple of hours in the evening where you can decompress. ... I [also] try to take a trip by myself. It used to be every year. ... It's the ultimate in rejuvenation and replenishment. I'm on my schedule; my choice of where to go and what to do.