Celebrating Brooklyn Botanical Gardens' 100th Birthday

While the adults sipped Prohibition period cocktails, Sloane feasted on popcorn and cotton candy.

Within this sylvan setting we were still reminded of Nature's harsh realities, as a hawk heartily devoured a young hare.

Early June vernal splendor.

One of the Gardens' youngest volunteers, Sloane waters the Rose Garden.

Botanical Garden member and supporter - and longtime pal of Cafe Drake - Susan M. invited us to the venerable Brooklyn institution's centennial celebration on a recent breezy June evening. The heat and stresses of the day blew away as we strolled the vast grounds after-hours, free of the madding (and maddening) crowds and sipped on Roaring 20s-themed cocktails (Old Fashioneds, Singapore Slings and Sidecars - one of each please! To start . . .) and listened and danced to music of the same era. Many donned decade-appropriate attire and a good time was had by all, including Susan's lovely daughter Sloane.