DRAX
FROM THE EDITOR
Stories aren’t just fairy tales meant for bedtime; they are the very blueprint of who we are as people In fact stories are an integral part of what makes us human, distinguishing us from other living beings on this planet
The gift of language has equipped us with the ability to tell stories, as well as internalize them, whether we ’ re aware of it or not Have you ever noticed when you do something over & over again, or wonder why you are the way you are? Well the truth of the matter is you probably told yourself a story a long, long time ago & then just kind of stuck to it, continuing to live your life by its rules
Sometimes, with a bad story, you can easily allow it to enchain you, suffocate you, take your agency and control of your life Luckily, this is easy to change: you write a different story and repeat it until it has no choice but to take precedence over the old one in your mind In the words of Richard Bliss Brooke, who happens to be my godfather: “Change your story, change your life ”
who happens to be my godfather: “Change your story, change your life ”
Mrs von Liebig has changed her story countless times & continues to live by the one that makes up her core: a story of confidence bravery audacity and generosity
This issue aims to pay homage to Mrs , our founder and leader, her stories, & the incredible richness of her 95 years
I hope you enjoy this issue with new stories (new for most of you) and snippets into Mrs von Liebig’s life I also hope that this issue inspires you to examine your own stories, whether they are the ones you present externally or the internal ones you nurture or obey without anyone else bearing witness Maybe it’s time to rewrite them, just as Mrs von Liebig did
Drax Digest
Publisher Michael Ennis
Regardless of what stories you harbor, it is also my wish for you to have the courage to share them After all, what a gift it is to know that we are not alone in our imperfect & vulnerable journey of human life
Thank you for being here and being a part of our story Until next month!
With love light and gratitude
Eleonora Fogg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF eleonora@svvl
net
Editor-In-Chief
Eleonora Fogg
HER STORY
Mrs. von Liebig’s Journey to Becoming a Matriarch
Suzanne King's values, character, passions, and purpose were forged in the heat and hammering of adversity, just as with the gold and diamonds she would come later to love Her life's beginnings were not easy
Hungary in the earliest 1930s was where the foreshadows of a coming world at war grew darker by the day Families were leaving for safer spaces Suzanne's doctor father and concert pianist mother sailed for America when she was less than two years old. The tempestuous voyage that tossed their ship across an angry North Atlantic sea was an omen of things to come.
Suzanne's parents soon showed little interest in each other or her. They divorced. But with good fortune that would lead her throughout her life, she grew up in the loving light of her grandparents' influence She attended the Friends School of New York, where she encountered the Quaker values of community, equality, and integrity, as well as a love of peace and a life of serving and purpose
Suzanne was happiest as a child with animals, which would become a life-long passion She was devoted to her German Shepherds, brother and sister Peter and Pan yes, their names came from the beloved children's classic especially Pan, with whom she became inseparable for thirteen years She was quite an accomplished equestrian and probably would have gone on to compete nationally and even internationally had her mother not inexplicably put a stop to her riding
Suzanne rejected her mother's demands to attend a fashionable "finishing school " Stimulated by the couture shops, galleries, taste, and style of the 1950s' Upper East Side of Manhattan she enrolled in the prestigious Art Students League along with classmates Willem and Elaine de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, and Edward Hopper Here her "Life as Art" blossomed in earnest Hers was an unshakable determination, an intensely independent nature mixed with resilience and resourcefulness A passion for excellence always and in all ways were qualities that the young Suzanne, who would one day become Mrs , aspired to and set about achieving.
passion for excellence always and in all ways were qualities that the young Suzanne, who would one day become Mrs., aspired to and set about achieving
At a stage when most would settle for reflecting on a life well lived, Mrs is embarking on a new and eclectic mix of exciting, creative contributions From repurposing the von Liebig Foundation to become a leading advocate for animal welfare to reinventing her Drax Hall estate in Connecticut into Burr Hall Farm, actively exploring innovations in sustainable, organic agriculture, egg production, and the commercial growing and distribution of medicinal herbs Additionally, she fostered Eva Peña and the opening of Wellness+ Studio in New York City, which combines diverse healing modalities, including nutrition, mindfulness, meditation, fitness, and yoga, in a synergistic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness
And as if those endeavors were not enough, Mrs. partnered with master chef Yann Ledoux to create Bread Story in Stuytown, which supplied bread to Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City's East Village, an award-winning, authentic, artisanal craft French boulangerie.
With additional endeavors such as Drax Fine Art, Drax Publishing, and The Suzanne von Liebig Institute still in development, 95 is the number that Mrs views less as a barrier to entry and more as a renewed reason to move even faster From humble beginnings as an immigrant in the 1930s to a powerhouse leader at 95 in 2025, Mrs.’s story proves that anything is possible, that anyone can achieve anything, and that it’s never too late to start something new and create even more good
~ Excerpts from Mrs. The Book, written by John Milton Fogg, edited with additional contributions by Eleonora
High School Graduation 1947
Long Beach 1950
Modeling Shot from 1950s
Fogg
Denisa’sDesserts
Drax Productions
Empowering Artists and Inspiring Audiences
HER WEDDING
A love of adventure. An adventure of love.
Suzanne shunned the strictures of conventional education, leaving school in favor of self-directed life-learning She married early into a prominent New York "Social Register" family Although short-lived, her marriage proved to be the threshold that opened a world that would nourish her passion for living her life as art for living the rest of her life as art
Suzanne wasn't in pursuit of excellence so much as it pursued her She constantly explored art, antique galleries, museums, and refined design of all kinds: clothing, furniture, jewelry, and fine dining. She attended parties with the rich and famous yet had no desire to become either one herself Suzanne traveled extensively in her own style, such as racing around Europe one summer in a bright-yellow Mustang convertible. She fell in love with the seas and sands and the people of the Virgin Islands.
Returning to New York as if answering a call Mrs. became involved in Manhattan real estate. Her high-society style and status immediately attracted an enviable list of celebrity clients, such as Vivian Vance of I Love Lucy and Sammy Davis Jr , ambassadors, and the occasional princess. She was more than successful. She slept in late, wined, dined, and attended a neverending stream of elegant parties Suzanne von Liebig had it all And even more was to come
As a flirtatious divorcee, she had no want of invitations from ardent pursuers But her standards made the merry-go-round of lackluster men tiring So when a friend urged her on a blind date, even the man ' s resume as a decorated war hero, inventor of more than thirty life-saving devices, and a hugely successful business owner held little sway She was just pleased to go to a restaurant she enjoyed She had no inkling that her date, William von Liebig, would be the Mr to her Mrs
For him, it was love at first sight, whereas for her, it was not He was good-looking She was beautiful He was a gentleman; she was a lady. Most notably, he was more interested in learning who and how she was than in speaking of himself. In time, William ascended Their marriage was the very best of personal and professional partnerships And it was a vortex of love and adventure.
Excerpt from Mrs. The Book, written by John
I was very happy to be Mrs. von Liebig. “ ”
Mrs on remembering her wedding day on November 16th, 1978
Mr William J von Liebig married, now, Mrs Suzanne von Liebig on November 16 , 1978 th
Mrs looked so radiant in her beautiful wedding dress that you wouldn’t have even suspected that just that morning, the Martha Shop, responsible for the stunning, custom-designed gown, had mistakenly sent it out for delivery instead of pick-up, leaving, Mrs., and the entirety of the store staff, to sprint down Park Avenue after the UPS truck. Luckily, they won that race, getting Mrs to her wedding only a few minutes, but very fashionably, late
Milton Fogg
HER BUSINESSES
Bread Story
Mrs partnered with Maison Keyser s master chef, Yann Ledoux, to create Bread Story in Stuytown, the East Village, an award-winning, authentic artisanal craft French boulangerie that, according to numerous reviews, is "The best bakery in New York City " The proof is in the bread, so to speak, as Bread Story delivers daily to the city's leading Michelin-star restaurants just after they drop off a selection of muchloved croissants brioche and baguettes at Mrs ’ s home on 5th Avenue
Burr Hall Farm
With the well-being of humans, animals, and the planet at the heart of its vision and a mission to practice and promote sustainable, organic farming Burr Hall Farm is working to bring unique local and naturally grown and crafted products from farm to home in Middlebury Connecticut The farm’s greatest treasure is the honey, which is currently under investigation to confirm its possible healing properties, which may support Lyme disease treatment plans Our apiary has been consistently producing 1 000 pounds of honey per season which is astronomical for our 44 hives If you are in Connecticut, keep your eyes peeled, because this incredible product may soon be available at a market or festival near you!
Drax Productions
As a New-York-based boutique productions company, DRAX Productions invests in collaborative partnerships with performing arts streaming TV and film creators to bring their dream projects to life
From past projects, like five-time Tony Award-winning A Christmas Carol, to current works still in development, such as the documentary series OPERATIC and Diary of a Lousy Cook cooking series, DRAX Productions is paving the way for unforgettable experiences to come to audiences from the stage and the screen
Wellness+ Studio
Wellness+ Studio takes a highly personalized and integrated approach to wellness from the inside out, offering bespoke, physiciansupervised skincare, nutrition, exercise, rest, and recovery programs that allow our members to cultivate a balanced, healthy lifestyle With a discrete and luxurious Upper East Side location, Wellness+ Studio is a self-care respite that meets all your health, wellness, and skincare needs giving you complete wellness in complete privacy
The William J. von Liebig Foundation
The William J von Liebig Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Mr and Mrs von Liebig, has a rich and rewarding history of significant and innovative impact Previously supporting education within the medical health field and the arts, the foundation now generously directs its attention to the vital importance of animal rights and welfare, annually hosting the von Liebig Prize This prestigious $25,000 award is given to an individual to help them expand the impact of their meaningful mission who has made great strides in protecting the health and lives of domestic animals Submissions reopen in September 2025, so spread the word!
HER HOMES
5 Avenue
One thing that has always been true about Mrs is her impeccable taste Therefore, it’s no surprise that every space she ever inhabited oozed her personality, vibrancy, and sophistication while still providing a very welcoming feel After all, elegance without comfort isn't Mrs ' s style
After Mr von Liebig’s passing, she purchased an apartment on 5th Avenue formerly belonging to Princess Lee Radziwill, one of the swans made famous by Truman Capote The home boasting beautiful views of Central Park's greenery and just a four-minute walk from the MET's expansiveness has enjoyed the company of notable individuals such as President John F Kennedy and his wife, Jackie as well as other prominent historical and societal figures
Immediately upon acquisition, Mrs von Liebig made it entirely her own, transforming it into a living museum Priceless antique furniture and selected Indian art 'that goes to your soul' with her collection of miniatures, the largest outside of India
Drax Hall
Drax Hall is Mrs von Liebig’s gorgeous residence in Middlebury, Connecticut, and also happens to house Burr Hall Farm Surrounded by stunning gardens and vast, open fields, the property also features lovely architecture, including a beautiful 1939 two-story brick French Provincial main house Home to goats, chickens, geese, and honeybees, the farm’s vision is to practice and promote sustainable organic farming
An extension of her properties in Naples and Palm Beach Drax Hall is now composed of two homes: one where Mrs currently resides and the other, due to her immense generosity and care for her team, houses staff who work on the farm Each home comprises beautiful antiques, art, sculptures, and tokens of Mrs ’ s life and travels, with each room a unique environment that leaves guests eager to return and visit again
Black and White Dear Coco Mini Single Flap Handle Bag From the Cruise 2022 Collection by Virginie Viard www chanel com
THE RECIPE
Summer Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes
Recipe by Christopher Varroux-Renaud
Makes 4 Servings
Ingrédients:
FOR THE SALAD:
8 oz. linguine pasta
ÂĽ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
ÂĽ heaping tsp dried thyme
ÂĽ crushed peppers
1 oz fresh basil leaves, shredded
â…“ cup parmesan, freshly grated
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1 Cook pasta in generously salted water according to package instructions Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water and set aside
2 Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
3.Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for about 30-60 seconds longer, until fragrant.
4 Add tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, thyme, and red pepper, cooking by stirring frequently until the tomatoes soften and burst. Once the tomatoes are soft enough, use a wooden spoon to mash them as you stir.
5 Stir in basil.
6 Add in the warm, cooked pasta and splash in the reserved pasta while stirring. Ensure the sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
7 Remove from the heat, add parmesan, and add additional salt and pepper if needed
8 Serve immediately and top with extra Parmesan, perhaps accompanied by an arugula side salad
9 Enjoy :)
