Etiquette Lessons
Robin Jerstad / For the Express-News
Your Host
Leland Stone graduated from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration with a concentration in the management of private estates before attending butler school. While managing a distinguished San Francisco residence, he trained under Peter McGinnis, the former head butler of The Lanesborough, London’s most exclusive hotel, gaining hands-on expertise in elite household management. He subsequently managed residences from San Francisco to Palm Beach.
In 2013, Mr. Stone purchased and restored the historic Roosevelt Library, where he founded the Roosevelt Library Social Club in 2016. He is widely recognized as an authority in etiquette instruction, offering private and group lessons curated for different age groups. His classes typically begin with dining etiquette and expand into social, professional, and household protocol, providing practical skills for confidence in any setting.
“Dear Mr. Leland Stone,
Thank you for last night’s class. I had a wonderful time, I feel like I learned so much and I will now be able to handle myself in formal settings. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour you gave, you have a beautiful home. The amount of beautiful pieces and stories filling each room is extreamely impressive. I remember you saying that I was more attentive than the average student, (thank you), but I can’t see how anyone could not be attentive while seeing such amazing architecture and art.
Dinner was delicious, my one regret is not having more of the bisque before it was taken away. I’m glad to finally learn the proper placements of all the utensils and the plates. I promise to work on my posture while eating, I feel that was my largest issue. While I loved learning all the etiquette procedures, I equally enjoyed the conversations about architecture and college. It was interesting to hear the similarities we share in our first-year college/dorm experiences.
I had a great time talking and learning last night. I really appreciate the class, and it was amazing to have the course be a one on one session! ”
“Leland,
Thank you for hosting my family for the beginner etiquette class. You were such a wonderful host that handled changes to the reservation and my children with distinguished integrity, poise, and patience. Now at home, my daughters only want to dine like the class instructed. I can’t thank you enough.”
“Dear Mr. Stone,
I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful dinner and knowledge you provided my peers and I with. It was incredible. The food was beautiful, especially the cod and escargot! Absolutely divine! I have already converted to eating only continental style! I am so incredibly grateful for you and the amount of effort you put in to make the night flawless.”
“Mr. Stone,
Thank you so much for having us to the Roosevelt Library for dinner. We all learned so much that will benefit us greatly, especially for the upcoming Symphony Ball. I also enjoyed the escargot a lot, which was a surprise as I had previously not been very open to trying it. It truly was such a lovely evening and again, Thank you so very much.”
“Leland, my boys are still talking about manners class as they call it. You made it fun and the food was so good. Jude said he loved it and Knox asked when we are going again. The next morning, Jude studied the paperwork you gave us. I can see that they have had a shift. They are less resistant to our suggestions. Our experience exceeded our expectations. We look forward to more classes in our future. Thank you so much.”
REQUEST A CLASS
Every participant receives a personalized certificate and a dining etiquette Pocket Card.
“Dinner was so special! I had a wonderful time - you have an incredible talent for storytelling and hospitality! Every time I leave the library I leave inspired. Thank you for creating a place for memories!”
“Thank you for hosting Cate and Tess at your etiquette class. They had a wonderful time and enjoyed every moment of learning, the incredible food, and the tour of the Roosevelt Library. Your class is such a gift to the youth and adolescents in our community. We are grateful for your kindness and generosity hosting and teaching on such a grand level. The girls left with wonderful renewed reminders and new rules to keep with them for the future.
Thank you.”
“Mr. Stone, Thank you so much for being our guest speaker and speaking on dining etiquette. You were the perfect speaker! And I think everyone learned a little about manners. I am sorry I didn’t have more time to visit with you as I would love to learn more. I actually didn’t know the correct way to remove an item from one’s mouth and a few other points you mentioned. Next time, I would want you to speak a little longer. I had many compliments on your presentation. Thank you again for making the luncheon a success. I hope Kenady can do a young adult manners class with you sometime in the near future.”
“I attended your etiquette class with my company. I wanted to personally write and thank you so much for teaching us!
Learning the Continental style finally clicked for me - especially the trick of using the mashed potatoes on the back of the fork to help “bond” the green beans. With my coordination issues, that simple move made eating feel easier and less awkward.
P.S. Please let your chef know the food was excellent! Thank him and the the kitchen and wait staff. They were very patient with us.”
“Thank you for your hospitality and your wisdom at the etiquette lessons. I enjoyed your stories and teaching style. One thing I’ve started doing different in my eating is my practice of continental eating. I also have so many more questions now that I’ve gone out to eat with new knowledge. Thank you again...one of the most memorable things of the night was how easy the conversations were. Till next time.”
Roosevelt Library Social Club: Transforming diners into polished communicators
The Roosevelt Library Social Club hosts dinners and teaches people of all ages about dining etiquette.
“I wanted to thank you f or letting me and NCL (National Charity League) come to your etiquette class. It was very interesting and the food was delicious. I wish I had my own personal chef! Plus you had a lovely home. The party hats were amazing too! I learned a lot of useful etiquette that will definitely help me in the future. Thank you so much!”
“Thank you for the class. I will use the things you have taught me through later dinners. Thank you again and please tell your chef tank you.”
“Mr. Stone, Thank you so very much for allowing our daughters and their friends to experience an extraordinary evening at the Roosevelt Library. It exceeded their expectations! We appreciate your willingness to impart your extensive knowledge with others so generously. We look forward to the pleasure of your company in the future. ”
“It’s always great to go over and eat the food and see all the cool things you have. That hand touch closet is still my favorite thing...so far. I would also like to thank you for the patienace to teach us how to eat and act at formal dinners.”
“Good evening Leland,
My son Henry took your etiquette class Saturday and had a wonderful time. Thank you for offering this to our community. We feel etiquette is something that has been lost and it’s reassuring to know someone still cares and wants to pass along their knowledge to younger generations. ”
Your Classroom
The historic 1929 Roosevelt Library is your classroom. The building features several dining/class rooms and a chef’s kitchen featuring a $100,000 French La Cornue range. The Grand Hall features a working fireplace and a twenty foot dining table.
