THE PRIZE ISSUE
FEATURING LAURIE ZALESKI
FROM THE EDITOR
This time, around the holidays in New York City, is truly one of the most magical times of the year The cityscape, already lit with glimmering lights, becomes even more adorned with the fairy-like glitter and sparkle of those that come with the holiday season something I am unconditionally enamored with I can’t even begin to describe the sheer tsunami of serotonin I experience walking at night with towering Christmas trees dressed in shining pearls of light, favorite holiday tunes spilling out of storefronts, intricately wrapped and lit trees lining the streets, and adorable European-inspired holiday markets warmly inviting you to explore their unique goodies and gifts Can you tell I am obsessed?
For The Drax Group, December comes with its own kind of magic We are happy to honor the 4th annual von Liebig Prize winner for excellence in animal welfare Laurie Zaleski We had the pleasure of hosting Laurie in New York City at our prize prizjjjgjklk
reception party on December 3rd, which we hosted for the first time at The Upper East Side’s beautiful and esteemed Carlyle Hotel
December also brings an exciting new chapter for Bread Story, Burr Hall Farm, and Drax Marketplace which will all be participating in the first-ever Holiday Market in Herald’s Square! With the incredible popularity of Bryant Park’s Winter Village and the holiday markets of the same nature in Union Square and Columbus Circle, our team is incredibly excited to be a part of the city’s winter scene From December 6th to January 3rd, stop by this inaugural Herald Square market by Macy’s and stock up on gifts baked goods tea honey and self-care luxuries! From the Stollen, Pannetone, honey cake, lemon cake, ginger bread, and baguettes from Bread Story to the incredible array of lavender products, artisanal teas, and beautiful wreaths crafted by our talented farm team, there is indeed a gift you can find for anyone in your life (even the pickier ones)
Publisher Michael Ennis
I hope this issue encompasses and conveys the warmth and love that comes with this season and that it transcends the winter chill So grab a cup of tea (perhaps the kind you acquired from the market) and enjoy this light and easy read of Drax updates!
Thank you for being here; we at Drax wish you the brightest, loveliest, and most serene holiday
Until next year!
With love and light,
Eleonora Fogg
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
eleonora@svvl net
Featured Writer
Julia Healey
Editor-In-Chief
Eleonora Fogg
Drax Digest is published monthly by Drax Publishing, LLC Don t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl net!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Laurie Zaleski
President of Funny Farm Rescue named the 4th recipient of the $25,000 von Liebig Prize
for excellence in animal welfare
The 4th annual William J Von Liebig award has been granted On December 3rd, the Foundation celebrated Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary’s incredible contributions toward protecting and saving the lives of animals Laurie Zaleski, Founder, President, and Chairwoman of the Board, found inspiration in the love her mother had for pets, both big and small Based in New Jersey, Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary is recognized by enthusiasts world-wide The Farm has won many awards and was even accredited in the “Top 10 places to visit in New Jersey” Laurie prioritizes being an active member of her community by showing children that everyone can get along despite their differences, even animals Laurie also spends time in nursing homes, recounting the hopeful stories of her adoptees and inspiring the elderly to never give up in their own battles Every year millions of animals in the US are impacted by abuse, neglect and abandonment and often times euthanized Funny Farm cherishes the belief that every animal deserves respect love and care Funny Farm’s mission is to provide a forever home to domestic, farm and exotic animals, as well as offering them healthy nutrition, clean and safe shelter, necessary medical care, appropriate grooming and of course lots of love Thank you to both Funny Farm Rescue and their team for making this world a better place Congratulations!
Bread Story
The holidays are so close we can almost taste them! With that said Bread Story is sparing no effort regarding the long-awaited seasonal specialties A French classic, the Bûche de Noël, is recognized by its whimsical decor and resemblance to a yuleshaped log, crafted initially to symbolize the start of the winter solstice Bread Story rolls ultra-soft sponge cake around a thick layer of homemade buttercream before adorning it with your choice of vanilla or chocolate glaze Whether it’s the decadent taste or the buttercream swirl, the Bûche de Noël will have you mesmerized and asking for more But wait, save room for Bread Story’s Pain d’epices! A French gingerbread made with warm spices Burr Hall Farm’s pure raw honey and a baker’s pinch of orange zest, this treat will take the chill off the coldest of weather
Perfectly paired with your morning cup of coffee or to satisfy your sweet tooth after a hearty meal, the Pain d’epices is the ultimate comfort food Glance at their other holiday specials when you stop by Bread Story or visit their website to place an order before it’s too late!
Drax Productions
And that’s a wrap! For the filming of The Dreadful, at least Drax Productions’ General Manager, Daniel Biaggi, had the opportunity to leave the luscious wintery mountains of Switzerland to be present on the set of Drax’s very first motion picture It looks like things are progressing dreadfully quickly after months filled with anticipation and baited breaths! The gothic-style horror movie was filmed in the stunningly eerie Cornwall in England
Cornwall, the rugged jewel of England s southwestern tip, is a land where the restless Atlantic meets windswept cliffs and golden beaches Rich with history and myth, this Celtic region whispers tales of ancient tin miners and legends of King Arthur whose castle ruins crown the dramatic headland at Tintagel Fishing villages like Mousehole and St Ives, with their cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages, spill down to harbors where brightly painted boats bob gently on the tide The air carries the scent of salt and wildflowers, and the landscape shifts from lush green moors to hidden coves that once sheltered smugglers Cornwall’s beauty feels untamed yet inviting a place where history is etched into the stones and the sea sings an eternal song It s a place where time seems to slow, the air carries whispers of the past, of legends and lore, and every corner feels like a scene from a fairytale or a horror movie
Left Page
Top: Bread Story’s Bûche de Noël from 2023
Bottom: Bread Story’s Stollen Right Page
Image of the Cotswolds sourced from Pixabay
SVL INSTITUTE
It’s a powerful chronicle of some of the saddest chapters in American history, and a hopeful picture of the emerging possibilities for power in the crucial fights of our time. And oh what beautiful country is at stake!”
– Bill McKibben (author/writer, New Yorker)
Two Suzanne von Liebig Institute team members had the pleasure of attending a screening of an inspiring and powerful film titled “Bad River ” Back in July of this year, Indigenous activist and narrator Quannah ChasingHorse, Academy-Award nominee Edward Norton, and awardwinning filmmaker Mary Mazzio sat down to discuss the filming process and the importance of amplifying the challenges that the Bad River Tribe has been silently facing for many years The documentary chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River LaPointe destin land of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, or the Bad River Tribe, and their growing fight for sovereignty The “Bad River” documentary shares a trailblazing story through shocking revelations devastating losses the grueling battle for environmental justice, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience This project recounts a long sweep of history, describing how each crisis and calamity passed through the tribe’s generations has led to today’s battle over a 70-year-old pipeline on the brink of rupture into Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America Eldred Corbine, a Bad River Tribal Elder, declares in the film, "We gotta protect it die for it if we have to ” The hope behind shining a light on the Bad River Tribe’s fight for Lake Superior is for viewers to realize how many other indigenous tribes are fighting silently for environmental preservation for themselves and the world The Bad River documentary is available to stream on Peacock
Sam Gilliam
A Drax Fine Art-icle
Sam Gilliam was an African-American abstract painter, sculptor, and art educator born in Mississippi and raised in Kentucky Gilliam spent most of his adult life in Washington, D C , where he grew to be a well-respected and influential figure in the art community His career and talent grew over many decades, ultimately becoming best known for his innovation of hung and draped canvas art pieces Gilliam’s fascination and inspiration was rooted in Abstract Expressionism and the pioneering Color Field movement, which emerged in New York City during the 1940s and 1950s. Gilliam began experimenting with staining and folding fabric mediums during the 1960s, which led him to become the first painter to introduce the idea of the unsupported canvas to the art world His experimentation also resulted in the work he’s best known for today, his signature pieces of draped canvas After 1965, Sam Gilliam’s cutting-edge art style only grew in popularity; his work was featured in numerous solo exhibitions, including Kunstmuseum Basel, Switzerland (2018); Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C. (2011); J.B. Speed Memorial Museum, Louisville, Kentucky (1996); Whitney Museum of American Art, Philip Morris Branch, New York (1993); The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York (1982); and Museum of Modern Art, New York (1971), amongst many other institutions. At 88 years old, Sam Gilliam passed away in Washington, D C , but his legacy will continue to influence many generations of artists to come.
Denisa’sDesserts
BURR HALL FARM & DRAX MARKETPLACE
Burr Hall Farm has been working on several special projects in preparation for the upcoming season Using twigs, pinecones, and other natural resources found on the property, the farm team has been trying their hand at wreath-making. Adorned with ribbon, ivy, holly, and other seasonal signatures, these charming handmade wreaths do an excellent job of reinforcing the farm’s mission to promote sustainability Burr Hall Farm has also been crafting a variety of decorative table accents and small wood furnishings to help you bring the holiday cheer right to your home
Join us at the Grand Opening of the first-ever Herald Square Holiday Market on December 6th to browse the farm’s handmade products and other seasonal treats! In collaboration with Bread Story, Burr Hall Farm will be offering gingerbread, cookies, honeycake (made with Burr Hall Farm’s honey!), croissants, and challah bread, as well as organic lavender products, candles, and much more! One thing is for sure: there is something for everyone at this upcoming holiday market. Be sure to stop by Herald Square before January 3rd; you don’t want to miss out on this festive event!
Dates: 12/6 - 1/3
Hours: Monday - Thursday | 10 am - 9 pm Friday - Saturday | 10 am - 10 pm Sunday | 10 am - 9 pm
Address: 34 Street, Herald Square near Macy’s
WELLNESS+ STUDIO
Celebrate the season with Wellness+ Studio at the official holiday event of Madison Avenue on December 7th, featuring strolling carolers, the chance to meet the MSK Caring Canines, and enjoying complimentary hot beverages. Not only will this event get you in the holiday spirit, but you’ll also be supporting a good cause! The Studio will donate 20% of the day’s sales to The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which will support their pediatric programs
The Wellness+ Studio is excited to announce the official opening of the W+ Aesthetics. With the holidays approaching, what better gift to give than a luxurious facial? From cleaning your skin to extracting your pores, the Wellness+ team has all the bases covered. They even customize their aesthetic services based on your skin concerns Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is an enjoyable and natural alternative to fillers and botox, specifically designed to reduce wrinkles and inflammation while boosting collagen and elastin By inserting delicate, hair-thin needles at specific facial points, this service helps increase energy flow throughout the face and neck, leaving you feeling refreshed and restored. Visit the Wellness+ Studio’s website to learn more about W+ Aesthetics, and make sure to book your appointments through info@wellnessplusstudio.com.
THIS MONTH’S SPIRITUAL READING
by Genie Burn
As the holiday season comes around We anticipate all the wonderful joys of a new beginning The changing leaves create a splash of vibrant colors of red and gold Nature creates a canvas of colors to match the joy of the season Winter sets in with somber colors of white and grey The transition that occurs is nature’s way of bringing in the Season of winter Then, the silence creates a stillness that ensues Nature is not unlike our daily lives We struggle to face the elements that surround us The colors of our lives continue to affect the climate in which we live All of nature reflects the symphony of our lives As we are one with nature so too are we in harmony with the universe and the divine
THIS MONTH’S MINI ASTROLOGY
by Julia Healey
Twinkling lights, ringing bells, mistletoes, family gatherings, and hearty meals – Sagittarius season holds all the magic we come to expect at the most wonderful time of the year Kicking off the month, the new moon on December 1st lets you wipe your slate clean After a chaotic last month, this new moon ’ s optimistic and forward-thinking energy comes on time to get everyone into the holiday spirit We have a Full Moon on December 15th and Mercury coming out of its retrograde period This is the perfect time to clear the air and resolve any issues Mercury Retrograde may have caused allowing you to be in high spirits for the rest of the holiday season
December 21st marks the Winter Solstice, or the official start of winter, when the Sun begins to move across the constellation of Capricorn which loves being proactive and organized so prepare your winter boots shovels and rock salt for any inclement weather If you have any last-minute holiday shopping or wrapping to do, the Sun in Capricorn will push you to get on that!
On Christmas Eve, Jupiter forms a tense aspect with Saturn Jupiter wants to have fun and expand, while Saturn demands order and responsibility Don’t bite off more than you can chew around this time; instead, create boundaries with others and ask for support when needed The more you relax and chill out, the smoother the holidays will be
December ends with a second New Moon (a black Moon!) on the 30th, making it an ideal time to set goals and intentions for 2025
Scalloped Potatoes or “Gratin Dauphinois”
Recipe by Christopher Varroux-Renaud
Makes 4 Servings
Ingredients:
3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup room temperature butter
Few sprigs of fresh thyme
Grated nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1 Preheat the oven to 400°F
2 Grease a large baking dish with butter and set aside
3.Layer the onions and potatoes in the dish. Separately, mix the broth, milk, and heavy cream in a mediumlarge sized bowl, adding the fresh thyme and grate nutmeg. Pour the liquid over the layered potatoes.
4 Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for an hour or until potatoes are fully cooked; the liquid should have almost evaporated and the top layered nicely golden.
5 Let the dish cool on the kitchen counter for about 20 minutes before serving.
6 Serve the gratin with more fresh thyme and any other favorite holiday dishes. Enjoy! :)
