No. 025 | April 2025

DIGEST

DRAX ISSUE 25

APRIL 2025

MRS.’S 95TH BIRTHDAY EDITION

DEAR MRS. VON LIEBIG //

STRAWBERRY PANNA COTTA

The Italian Slow Beauty Brand

Now Available at Wellness+ Studio www.wellnessplusstudio.com | 646.398.8080 980 Madison Avenue, Suite 203, New York, NY 10075

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DIGEST

DRAX CONTENTS

ISSUE 25

APRIL 2025

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FROM THE EDITOR

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DEAR MRS. VON LIEBIG

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STORIES

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Drax Fine Art

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Bread Story

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Drax Productions

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Wellness+ Studio

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William J. von Liebig Foundation

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STRAWBERRY PANNA COTTA

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FROM THE EDITOR “conventional” for someone of her stature. Instead, she chose to take a risk — to invest in people and her community. That courageous leap of faith became the foundation for what is now The Drax Group.

Under her visionary leadership, we’ve grown into a vibrant constellation of five active entities and two non-profits, offering a home for individuals to thrive, dream big, and amplify their impact.

It is with deep gratitude and joy that we celebrate this incredible milestone of 95 years. Mrs. von Liebig’s legacy is not just one of longevity but of bold generosity, elegance, and unstoppable drive.

As always, our Drax hive has been buzzing with activity. From exciting new developments in our branding and scaling our honey production (quite literally) to the early seeds of promising new projects, there is no shortage of momentum at either our Connecticut or New York home bases.

This issue celebrates some of the vibrant aspects of our ecosystem inspired by Mrs., along with a few behind-the-scenes updates we’re excited to share.

This month is particularly special, as April 4 marks Mrs. von Liebig’s 95th birthday. It’s no exaggeration to say that Mrs. is an incredibly inspiring woman — a radiant force who continues to defy society’s expectations of what it means to age. Each day, she shows up with curiosity, intention, and a deep passion for the meaningful work we are all collectively invested in here at The Drax Group.

Mrs. von Liebig is living proof that the idea of “too late” is nothing more than a myth — a small, timid story we tell ourselves to avoid risk, vulnerability, and growth. She reminds us that your voice, ideas, creativity, and presence are always valuable. You never truly know the ripple effect of your choices; while you may not change the whole world in a day, the smallest act of courage or kindness can change someone’s world — including yours. And maybe that’s just as powerful.

At age 89, Mrs. boldly shifted her investment focus away from what is traditionally considered “safe” or “conve

Thank you for being a part of this ever-growing story.

Until next month!

With love, light, and gratitude,

Eleonora Fogg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF eleonora@svvl.net

Publisher

Editor-In-Chief

Michael Ennis

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!

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DEAR MRS. VON LIEBIG A Letter by The Drax Group’s CEO, Michael Ennis

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DRAX PUBLISHING

I've had the great privilege of working for Mrs. for nearly twenty years. She would insist I say "with" instead of "for," as I've been with her as we navigated many stormy seas—and many more celebrations.

From weddings, births, deaths, a pandemic, and a myriad of political and economic upheavals to the bestowing of her Honorary Doctorate and multiple Tony Awards for the shows she has produced, we have been through it all. Our ability to navigate the hard times as well as the good is primarily because we do not fit within the confines of the definitions of "office" or "business." Mrs.'s generosity and unfailing loyalty have fostered a family, with her staff being some of her dearest connections, many of them devoted to her for decades.

I marvel at all she has achieved and her continued engagement in creating a legacy of beauty, innovation, and compassion.

While her impact on the world is undeniable, I can, more personally, attest to her impact upon me. She has transformed my life, providing me with opportunities and allowing me to express creativity in my work that I could never have imagined. Her beautifully diverse staff feels as close as any joyous family.

It is with great honor I congratulate Mrs. on her 95th birthday, and it is my greatest wish for there to be many, many more birthdays, adventures, successes, and impactful endeavors. It is the greatest fulfillment of my life to help Mrs. build a legacy worthy of the woman she is.

Michael Ennis

DRAX PUBLISHING

DRAX DIGEST

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DRAX FINE ART A Return to Light: The von Liebig Collection Giavanna Mattera, Collections Manager

Mrs. von Liebig has long exemplified impeccable taste—her eye for art, architecture, and design is refined and deeply intuitive. It was my pleasure to be entrusted with a selection from her Indian miniature collection and to help bring these works into public view.

Several works were attributed to renowned names like Rukn-al-Din, his son Ibrahim, and the celebrated Ghasi, with others linked to the lineage of Nainsukh, one of the most influential Pahari masters. The selection was a celebration of storytelling—poetic, devotional, romantic, and mythic.

The von Liebigs' collection is a rich tapestry of history and emotion. These paintings—many centuries old—offer more than aesthetic beauty; they tell intricate stories through pigment and gesture. With reverence and curiosity, Mr. and Mrs. von Liebig collected works that reflect India’s diverse artistic traditions and cultural narratives.

Highlights Three paintings that capture the tensions between imagination and emotion using depictions of the fantastical and mystical, divine longing and separation, and devotional sorrow and emotional reciprocity. Together, these works form a poetic arc: from wonder at the outer world to the aching of the inner heart. They speak to the richness of Indian miniature painting as both an imaginative and profoundly emotional art form that bridges nature and human feeling.

In March 2025, we had the privilege of sharing these treasures through Sotheby’s “Indian and Himalayan Art” auction in New York. Many pieces found their way into institutions and private collections with a shared appreciation for Indian culture—and some have returned to India, to the roots of their creation.

Through Mrs. von Liebig’s vision, this collection went beyond connoisseurship. It reconnected history with its origins and placed rare, storied artworks into the hands of those who will continue to protect and cherish them.

A Window Into the Collection The sale featured 30 lots that spanned centuries and styles: from Sub-Imperial Mughal, Deccan, and Rajasthan, to Pahari schools like Kangra and Guler. Themes ranged from epic tales of the Ramayana, to courtly love in the Rasikapriya, to musical moods in the Ragamala, and divine longing in the Gita Govinda—a 12th-century Sanskrit poem that has inspired painters for generations.

*See and learn more about some of the works featured in the Sotheby’s New York “Indian and Himalayan Art” auction on the following page.

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Agony of a Dejected Lover Kangra or Guler, circa 1780 This emotionally powerful folio from the Gita Govinda captures a moment of divine heartbreak—Krishna sits in sorrow in separation from Radha. The Gita Govinda was revolutionary for its intimate portrayal of divine love as deeply human, and painters of the Pahari region brought its verses to life with unparalleled sensitivity. Attributed to a master following Nainsukh, the folio is steeped in the Kangra tradition’s lyrical handling of emotion, nature, and devotion. The melancholy is palpable, with expressive faces, muted palettes, and flowing forms evoking the ache of longing. Its historical significance lies in how it elevates emotional nuance as a central focus of Indian miniature painting.

Three Wondrous Birds Deccan, Golconda or Bijapur, circa 1620 – 1640 Attributed to the Deccan master Isma’il, this extraordinary painting reflects a time when Indian artists absorbed Persian, Mughal, and local influences to create fantastical imagery. The birds, although imagined, are rendered with anatomical precision and delicate brushwork, embodying a blend of scientific curiosity and spiritual symbolism. Works like this were often created for royal courts fascinated by the wonders of the natural world and the mystical possibilities beyond it. It is a rare testament to Deccan art’s whimsical yet exacting aesthetic and is a vivid document of Indo-Persian artistic synthesis.

Radha Laments for Krishna Kangra or Guler, circa 1780 A continuation of the Gita Govinda theme, this folio centers on Radha’s perspective, an important shift in both literature and art. Her despair, painted with quiet restraint, reflects a growing focus on the inner lives of female figures in late 18th-century Indian painting.

The natural world mirrors her emotional state, a hallmark of Kangra aesthetics, where landscape and feeling are inseparable. The psychological depth and stylistic refinement mark this work as a deeply humanizing and timeless portrayal of divine love.

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BREAD STORY

The mid-1500s, Italy.

On a sunny afternoon, Queen Catherine de Médicis, daughter of a French mother and an Italian father was making war plans and drinking coffee when she heard a scream coming from the other side of the mansion. Popelini, her pastry chef, was overjoyed, she heard him shout: "Stupefacente!"

For months, he had been perfecting a dessert made from a previously dehydrated dough. He would then rehydrate it by adding eggs one by one. He wasn't exactly sure what it would be like this time. He started making a bunch of small, not very regular puffs of dough, the size of a tablespoon that he fried in oil.

This was it. A great invention! The dough was crunchy and delicious. It was the birth of Les "pets de nonnes". A puff of air, known as "nun's farts." It wasn't until the 18th century that Jean Avice, a French diplomat's pastry chef, improved the hot dough "pâte à chaud" into the « pâte à choux » and finished it with a golden coat sprinkled with sugar.

If you try one, you will taste a bubble of air, the crunchy of sugar crystals, and the exquisite fondant of choux pastry that describes la chouquette in its simplest form. The discovery of Les Chouquettes was "un peu par hasard' "a bit by chance" and we owe it to Popelini who reminds us that sometimes we need a little bit of luck to make great inventions.

~ A Brief Story of Le Chouquette | A Bread Story [Edited]

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DRAX PRODUCTIONS Step Into Opera with The Magic Flute In the spirit of our opera docu-series, if you’ve ever been curious about opera but felt a little intimidated, The Magic Flute might be the perfect way in. It’s whimsical, weird (in the best way), and full of heart—a blend of fairy tale, comedy, and deeper meaning, all wrapped in Mozart’s magical music.

The story follows a prince on a quest, a bird-catcher looking for love, and a powerful queen with one of the most iconic arias ever sung. There are talking animals and enchanted instruments, and unlike many operas, this one includes spoken dialogue, which makes it feel more like musical theater than the all-sung dramas you might expect.

What makes The Magic Flute so approachable is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun, emotional, and full of music that sticks with you long after the curtain falls. It is such a light piece that it schools frequent performances, visiting in group field trips to see the beautiful story unfold on stage. If you’re looking for an easy way to dip your toes into the world of opera, this is the perfect place to start!

Simon McBurney’s rendition of Mozart’s story is playing now at the Metropolitan Opera in New York through April 26th!

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WELLNESS+ STUDIO Wellness+ Studio’s Founder and Director, Eva Peña, celebrates another interview and feature in an article by Very WellFit!

The 9 Best Rebounders and Trampolines of 2025, Expert-Tested and Reviewed “If you’re looking for a fun, low-impact way to boost your fitness, a rebounder—essentially a mini trampoline—might just be your new favorite personal workout tool. According to certified personal trainer Eva Pena, ISSA-CPT, rebounding strengthens muscles, improves balance, supports heart health, and even helps with stress relief,1 making it a great option for anyone looking to mix up their routine or stay active—plus, let’s be honest, bouncing is just plain fun!”

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WJVL FOUNDATION The Beloved Animals of and Mascots of the WJvL Foundation Cookie and Blue Blue

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MARK TULLY Photography

NYC native photographer with over 27 years of experience in fashion, video, and still life. mark@marktully.com | 646.334.7379

Recipe by Christopher Varroux-Renaud Makes 4 Servings

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Strawberry Panna Cotta

Ingrédients: FOR THE STRAWBERRY COULIS (SAUCE): 1 pound fresh, local strawberries, washed, destemmed, and cut in half Juice of 1/2 a lemon 1/4 cup granulated sugar or sweetener of choice FOR THE PANNA COTTA: 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup strawberry coulis (keep the rest for topping) 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp gelatine powder diluted in 2 TB cold water Fresh mint and shredded coconut (optional)

Directions: 1. Combine the strawberries (setting a few aside for decoration), sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook for ten minutes.

2. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until smooth and let cool in the fridge.

3. If you haven’t already, combine the gelatin with the cold water in a mixing bowl and let it rest until it turns into a thick paste. Set aside.

4. Place the heavy cream, part of the coulis, sugar, vanilla, and bloomed gelatin in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a simmer while whisking until homogenous and sugar is completely dissolved.

Remove from the heat.

5. Pour into serving glass cups and place in the fridge for about two hours until completely set.

6. Top the panna cotta with the strawberry coulis and some strawberries (cut in half), fresh mint leaves, and shredded coconut.

7. Enjoy :)

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NOW AVAILABLE AT BREAD STORY - WWW.BREAD-STORY.COM