D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Quincy Adams, and two centuries later, Gore Vidal, and Lin Manuel Miranda who wrote in the house portions of his 2015 musical, “Hamilton”. In 1903, the Mansion was purchased by The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and converted to a Museum. It is now owned by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and is a member of the Historic House Trust. Meanwhile, back in the 21st century, with the autumn social calendar coming to life. On a Wednesday, midmonth—a beautiful, sunny day in New York with temperatures reaching up to the mid-
70s and beyond, the Central Park Conservancy’s Women’s Committee hosted their annual Fall Luncheon, outside in four different spots in the city’s fantastic 843-acre neighborhood backyard. My table was located in an area known as the Glade Arch just inside the Park off 77th Street and Fifth Avenue. I rarely get to the Park on a weekday so it’s always interesting just to see the activity—all ages, from toddlers and pre-schoolers, reveling in the space, along with the grownups enjoying the green, the serenity, the beauty, it really is amazing what it does for
the city, and what it does for your head when you’re actually in the Park. Where I was attending, there were 10 or 12 tables of 10. It was fall-inspired décor: red and white check tablecloth provided by Meg Braff Designs and beautiful centerpieces by Flowers by Philip. At each place setting there was the gourmet picnic basket, catered by Canard, Inc. containing a main course—a piece of salmon set in a fresh salad of lettuce, beets, beans, and carrots (and some dressing), and a dessert in a glass that looked like something brown or baked, topped
with a large dollop of what looked like whip cream. It wasn’t whipped cream; it was even better. I don’t know what it was but I ate the whole thing (small); delicious. There was also attached to each chair a black paperbag with the name David Yurman on it. Inside was a black box. I brought it home naturally, curious as to what was in the box, knowing it would be something that the Conservancy women would like. A fragrant candle. Ample/will last. I lit it right away. A happy dog residence can always use a little touch. The luncheon was called for noon so that everyone could be out by 2. I was the only man
DA L L A S C O N T E M P O R A RY ’ S FA L L A R T E X H I B I T I O N S
Watkins Hamilton and Jaime Rockets
38 QUEST
Karl Michaels, Carolina Alvarez-Mathies, Kristi Kirkpatrick and Cliff Risman
Lane Watkins, Mariel Sholem and Nastia Luikin
Kristie Ramirez and Renata Morales
Andrea Bastidas and David Carballido
BFA
Nancy Rogers and Tina Craig