D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A H O R T I C U LT U R E S O C I E T Y O F N E W YO R K ’ S D I N N E R D A N C E AT T H E A LT M A N B U I L D I N G
Sheila Stephenson
Missey Condie and Kamie Lightburn
(I also pointed out also that I knew they were no longer the family of power.) He asked which member I’d dined with. When I told him it was Princess Margarita, he became very excited and animated. He loves her father, King Michael I, who is now in his early 90s. He recounted how Michael had given a speech at some occasion in the U.K. a few years ago. And even at his great age, he was wearing—a half century later—“the same suit” he wore when he abdicated his throne in 1947. “He is a man of great humility!” the cabbie stated, adding with certain pride of person, “And he was 24 QUEST
CeCe and Lee Black
seated next to the Queen of England, his cousin!” The cabbie referred to “His Royal Highness” as representing the best spirit of “his people.” The best always has the real title. The Merry Month of May in New York. Wednesday, May 1. The Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy’s 31st annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, which is popularly known as the “Hat Luncheon.” I’ve been covering this lunch for years, and it seemed it was hattier this year than ever before. Many were very stylish, some very funny, others amusing, and some occasionally a question mark. I liked it all. You could see the influence of
Mario Buatta and Clare Potter
Julie Skarratt and Howard Christian
Kate Middleton in the crowd too. There were a couple of girls (young women) who kind of looked like her. One thousand and three hundred guests under the vast, white tent. Festive mood. A beautiful day in the park’s festooning and flowering Botanical Garden, taking place behind the Vanderbilt Gates on Fifth Avenue and 104th Street. The trees are in full, fresh bloom in that shiny, lime-green shade, and so were the tulips, in masses. They honored Jenny and John Paulson, who last October donated $100 million to the Central Park Conservancy. This is the largest sum ever given to the organization (the
Martin and William Dessoffy
Charles and Cristina Masson
lunch raised $3.3 million this year—a record). Mr. Paulson also didn’t request that his or anyone else’s name be placed anywhere in or around the park, although the nature of his donation is significant and civic-worthy. That, too, signified a fresh outlook. The night’s jam-packed calendar: The Art and Antique Dealers League of America opened its spring show at the Park Avenue Armory with a preview to benefit the ASPCA. Down at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers, the International Center of Photography hosted its ICP Infinity Awards, featuring a presentation with actor Jeff Bridges, who is also a serious photographer.
JOHN C ALABRESE
Rick and Karon Meyer with Sherri Stevenson and Tom Dittmer