25A magazine April/May 2014 by Jason Feinberg

April / May 2014

25A Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

Mother's Day Gift Guide Voltaire's Castle The House on Fort Hill

Anthony Rapp Basketball Legend

CLYDE

FRAZIER

Anywhere in the World.

Long Island’s most experienced air charter operator.

When it comes to air travel, nothing compares to the luxury, convenience and safety of ExcelAire’s private aircraft. No security lines, no delays, no baggage restrictions, and locations and timetables that are completely up to you. As one of the nation’s leading private aircraft operators, supported by 80 years of aviation experience, ExcelAire is dedicated to exceeding our clients’ expectations with service and safety excellence, plus personalized attention that caters to the finest details. We take great care in staffing our own crews and pilots for our fleet of aircraft, and in doing so, ensure that our safety management program is unrivaled in the industry. With one of the nation’s largest fleets available, we offer versatile aircraft charter options for all of our passengers from the convenience of Long Island’s MacArthur Airport. Whether for business or leisure, for domestic or international travel, ExcelAire’s fleet offers premium comfort and luxury, fulfilling your specific needs or desires for any trip.

Call us at (800) 77-EXCEL to arrange your next trip or send us an email at info@ExcelAire.com.

(800) 77-EXCEL www.excelaire.com

contents april / may 2014

34 Cover

Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier: The Legend, The Wit and The Wardrobe A lot has changed since Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier played his last professional basketball game nearly 35 years ago. But today, the famed former NBA star and restaurateur, graces the cover of 25A with this exclusive interview by Victoria Caruso

Splurge

Water Mill Its time for the Hamptons!

Couture

Great Looks Hot fashions from JHaus, Robert Talbot and Annachick

BMW of Oyster Bay

OysterBayBMW.com 1-516-922-5555

Clyde says

“ Styling and Redefining ”

2014 650i xDrive

Redefining The Luxury Car Buying Experience

145 Pine Hollow Road, Oyster Bay, NY |

866.383.5574 | OysterBayBMW.com

Sales Monday to Friday: 9am - 9pm | Hours Saturday: 9am - 6pm • Sunday: 11am - 4pm

contents april / may 2014

34 38

Clutch to Clutch Comes with Baggage vintage handbags

For Mom

Let your mom celebrate Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day this year with a special and meaningful gift that shows you went the extra step. To make life just a little bit easier, 25A has put together a list of easy gift ideas that will make any womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart melt

Design

Refresh your Home for Spring

By Jodi Sokol Designs

Bedtime Stories Savoir Beds Kicks Off Celebrity

Book Reading Series with Rosie Perez and Carole Radziwell

Fort Hill A magnificent Gold Coast estate

Regiman

Nutrition Myths Decoded

Lindsay Brustein Rosen is here to help debunk the misconceptions that cause so much confusion regarding nutrition

Fitness Corner Pam Polestino lets you be your best

58 Features

70 72

Defining Succe$$ Columnist Jack Mandel

Barbara Taylor Bradford

An interview with famed author Barbara Taylor Bradford. A woman of true substance

Now everyone gets an upgrade. We’re obsessed with improving everything about flying. Naturally, that starts with the planes. So we’re building the youngest, most modern fleet among the largest U.S. airlines, featuring amenities like Wi-Fi, USB and universal powerports and personal in-seat entertainment regardless of where you sit. We’re putting the wonder back into air travel, one innovation at a time. The new American is arriving. aa.com/newplanes

contents april / may 2014

Taste

A Classic Spring Fling

76 78

Music in Montauk The Montauk Music Festival heads to the East End in May

Andrea Correale takes the fun outdoors with some fancy food

Hamptons Food Venus’ top five food faves of the Hamptons this season

106

Voltaire’s Castle

Artform The Natural vs the Synthetic

A love story and history come together in the Gold Coast

110

Celeb

Modern Master Casey Bough

Anthony Rapp

25A List Event Picts

The Rent star chats about the

112

roads that led to his reunion with Idina Menzel in Broadway’s new musical

People, Places and Parties

102 Jetset

100 102 90 106

EVERWUNDER Places to Go, Places to See

Cabo Take a trip to Baja California

Grand Wailea

Discovering the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii

110

publisher’s note

Happy Spring, Everyone!

This month’s issue of 25A magazine features one of my sports idols, Walt “Clyde” Frazier. Walt made the game of basketball interesting at a time when it was far from the sport it is today. The basketball legend shares with us his life, then and now, and what he’s learned along the way. It’s that time of year again where we all make an extra special effort for our moms and 25A has put together a great gift guide for Mother’s Day. Monica Randall takes us to Voltaire’s Castle, aka Chateau des Thons, a 300-year-old chateau built in France that was partially dismantled and moved to Old Brookville, LI, with a unique story and past. Want to refresh your home for the season? In this issue, you’ll find decorating tips to transform your home from drab winter to bright and sunny spring. Then have a Spring Fling and take entertaining outside – finally! Food Editor Venus Quintana picks her five food faves of the Hamptons, a guide to where to eat and the world-class chefs waiting to prepare your food for you. After that local excursion, take a trip with us to Baja, California and to the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii. There’s so much to see and do and 25A is here to share it with our readers.

12 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Chase Backer Publisher

2014

HabberstadBMW.com

The Ultimate Driving Machine®

DESIGNED FOR THE ULTIMATE DRIVING PLEASURE Come See The 2014 4 Series Vehicles 3.34% APR Financing available on most all 2014 new BMW models** Complimentary loaner car with drop off and pick up for service for our customers

BMW

People. Performance. Passion.®

2 Convenient Locations

BMW of Huntington

HabberstadBMW.com 800-830-8412

BMW of Bay Shore

Hours: Monday-Friday 9-8, Saturday: 9-6, Sunday 11-4

945 E. Jericho Tpke., Huntington Station 600 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore

Credit Problems? We Can Help • facebook.com/HabberstadBMW • twitter.com/HabberstadBMW Vehicles shown, 2014 435i Coupe. Special lease and finance offers available through BMW Financial Services on select models, APR rates & terms may vary & subject to factory changes, for qualified customers only . Valid through 5/30/14

25A

Long Island’s Gold Coast Luxury Magazine

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Art Director Jr. Art Directors Office Manager Copy Editor Director of Strategic Marketing Director of Financial Marketing Features Editor Society Editor Editor-at-Large Fitness Editor Nutrition Editor Contributing Health Editor Features Writer Arts and Travel Editor Food Writer Gold Coast Writer Contributors

Contributing Photographers

Chase Backer Jason Feinberg Brooke Morgan Rebecca Townsend Kevin McKenna Lori Biddiscombe Carla Santella Prof. Jack Mandel Georgia Gerosaus Victoria Caruso Christopher Robbins Gwen Wunderlich Pam Polestino Lindsay Brustein Rosen, M.S., R.D. Scott B. Wells, M.D. Victoria Crosby Diana Pinck Venus Quintana Monica Randall Dr. Gerald Acker, M.D., Paul Anthony, Melissa Argueta, Andrea Correale, Shane Fonner, Olivia Katz, Jane Lerman, Kristine Livadas, Liz Mendoza, Kelly O’Malley Mattone, M.D., Andrea Mineo, Aline Marie, Alyssa Nightingale, Ilena Ryan, Jody Sokol, Iris Wiener Patrick McMullan Van Cushny, Paul Gerben, Clifton Parker, Paul Prince, Kat Rabbit, Johnny Schiano, Neil Tandy, Jennifer Thomas

Contributing Photo/Videographer

Benno Klandt

Contributing Illustrator

Robert Bergin

Advertising Account Reps

Paul Anthony, Trish Cope

Contact: 1057 Jericho Rd East Norwich, NY 11732 516.864.2525 (f) 516.399.2444 www.25Amagazine.com facebook/25amagazine twitter/25amagazine Writers, Models, Musicians and Photographers please inquire © Copyright 2013 by 25A magazine, All rights reserved. 25A magazine is published ten times per year. Reproduction without permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as such and unconditionally assigned for publication subject to 25A magazine’s right to edit.

Introducing our 564 mph recharging station. We believe that inspiration and relaxation go hand in hand. That’s why we’re the first U.S. airline to introduce the new 777-300 with First and Business Class cabins where every seat lies flat and offers aisle access. We’re putting the wonder back into air travel, one innovation at a time. The new American is arriving. aa.com/flybetter

splurge

25A

Water Mill Water Mill today is a beautiful resort community of alluring beaches, farms and colossal mansions. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere & Matt Lauer have homes or vacationed there. As of 2010, Water Mill was listed as the fourteenth most expensive zip code in the United States by Forbes. After passing through Southampton, where County Road 39 meets Montauk Hwy, we all make that dreaded left turn onto Montauk Hwy where, sometimes, the not so fun part of the Hamptons traffic begins. Luckily this is where Water Mill starts and it’s a great place to pull over for a bite to eat, get a cup of coffee or just stretch your legs and walk around the town. Water Mill is a hamlet of the Town of Southampton. In 1644 England gave Edward Howell 40 acres of land near the new settlement of Southampton to build a mill for settlers, and people began referring to other settlements that arose as East and West of the water mill. By the 1800’s the area was known as Water Mills, and eventually just Water Mill. Just before the start of Main Street is Duckwalk Vineyards South. A great stop for some wine tasting and/or a private event. Next door you might mistake this building for part of a farm but the 34,000 square foot building is the new Parrish Arts Museum which opened in November 2012. The museum focuses on East End American Art and certainly something that shouldn’t be missed. As you enter Main Street you can’t help but notice the hamlet’s landmark. Water Mill has the honor as the only settlement on the South Fork of Long Island having the only operating watermill and windmill. Until the early 90’s this endearing village was considered too quiet for aspiring socialites who preferred the old wealth of Southampton or the clinquant East Hampton scene. There were mansions and estates in Watermill and boundless tracts of farmland stretching to the sea, where the famed Long Island potatoes had been harvested for generations.

16 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Donna Parker Habitat, LTD Antiques, 710 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill

Sophie the dog at Donna’s

Hampton Coffee Company, 896 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill

Great Help!

Great Coffee!

And there was that mill powered by water, that gave the town its name. The first mill was originally built in 1664 and is now long gone, the second mill, built in the 18th century, has been converted into a small waterfront museum maintained by the Ladies Auxiliary of Water Mill. Two stores that are great for picking up something for the home are Donna Parker Habitat, ltd Antiques, a great place for some really great furniture although you will be distracted by Sophie the dog, and the other is Sara Nightingale Gallery which has some beautiful art work displayed. If you’re hungry for a bite to eat, stop into Suki Zuki for some of the Hampton’s best sushi. A little further down the road on the right is the Hamptons Coffee Shop. I warn you ahead of time the aroma is hypnotizing. So much that I walked out of there with three lbs of coffee. Even if coffee isn’t your cup of tea, they have that too as well as a full restaurant with a great menu.

Suki Zuki on Montauk Hwy

Water Mill is still an old fashioned kind of place despite becoming more crowded in the past twenty years in the rustic neighboring areas of the Hamptons, like Bridgehampton and East Hampton. The tranquil fields of Water Mill have attracted weekenders and developers looking for that little piece of Paradise.

April / May 2014 | 17

JHaus

Premium denim inspired by American roots

Chambray Denim Top / Ava Jean (Flare) in Haus Wash Dark

Casual at the beach by Sunrise

JHaus White Open Back Top / Emmie Jean (Skinny) in Blue Crush Wash

Casual at the beach by Sunset

JHaus Gold Leather Pocket Tank / Dolly Jean (Bootcut) in Haus Dark Wash

JHaus White Off Shoulder T / Becca Jean (Skinny Colored Denim) in Husker Red

1600 Northern Blvd. Roslyn, NY 11576 516.625.1600 • rallyemotors.com

Our Spring collection is out. Take to the road for a warm-weather adventure. Don’t settle for the status quo, expect more at Rallye Motors. - 2014 E350 Cabriolet - 2014 SL550 Roadster -

Visit our showroom today to view our entire lineup.

1600 Northern Blvd. Roslyn, NY 11576 • 516.625.1600 • rallyemotors.com

JHaus White Haus Jacket / Ava Jean (Flare) in Haus Wash Medium

JHaus Grey T / Denim Flare Skirt in Haus Wash Rinse

JHaus Chambray Denim Top / JHaus Shorts in White

JHaus

Premium denim inspired by American roots

JHaus Pink Leather Pocket Top Dolly Jean (Bootcut) in Haus Dark Wash

JHaus Black Basic T / Dolly Jean (Bootcut) in Haus Wash Medium

Something for her... the capsule collection by

Annachich

Descendente earrings: $106

Lioness pendant: $158

5-Hex cuff: $114

Stacked & gone: $198

Annachich Jewelry appreciates architectural ornamentation and embodies the preservation of ornate details.

Pair of Hex Cuffs $58

Dot Pendant Necklace $98

Hexidot Necklace $242

“My Capsule Collection is the Phelan building. I took images of the ceiling tiles and marble architectural details and I turned them into jewelry. I want every piece to feel as if it were unearthed from your grandmother’s jewelry box.” -Becky Johnson, Founder & Designer

couture

25A The New “It” Clutch to Clutch

Comes With Baggage Vintage Handbags By Victoria Caruso All photos courtesy of Comes With Baggage

Comes With Baggage designer and owner Lori Levine shows off an Aztec Snake clutch from her Doodle Collection.

T 34

here’s a new line of handbags making a fashion statement – literally and figuratively. Vintage clutches by Comes With Baggage are quickly becoming the latest must-have accessory and that’s because each bag is not only fashionably chic but also an interesting conversation piece.

Each CWB clutch has been extensively restored in-house and while vintage typically means at least 20 years old, not just any ol’ bag will do. Levine is constantly, meticulously and, she admits, obsessively searching vintage stores and the Internet for bags that are what she considers the perfect shape, size, color and fabric.

The Comes With Baggage (CWB) line features four unique collections, three of which include taking vintage clutches and repurposing them into one-of-a-kind accessories. For Lori Levine, owner and designer of CWB, it’s about unearthing incredible bags that deserve to be seen and heard rather than stashed away and forgotten.

Levine – who also happens to be founder and CEO of Flying Television, a Manhattan-based global talent booker and broker – funded CWB from money she recouped selling off a third of her “overgrown and a bit obnoxious” wardrobe on eBay. Since its launch last April, CWB’s Expression, Bridal and Doodle collections have been praised by dozens

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

The Comes With Baggage vintage clutch line includes the Expressions, Doodle and Bridal collections.

“I am obsessed with vintage stores and I am constantly searching all over the Internet.” of business and fashion outlets. And it doesn’t hurt that A-list celebrities – Katy Perry, Kelly Osbourne, the Kardashians, Uma Thurman, Kate Upton, Amanda Seyfried, Rose Byrne and Sofia Vergara, to name a few – have been seen sporting them. The popular Expressions Collection includes a variety of embellished vintage clutches with sassy silkscreened taglines such as Protect Me From What I Want, What You Curse Today You Will Worship Tomorrow and the popular What Are You Bitches Lookin’ At? “We all come with baggage but it’s really just our stories and experiences,” said Levine of her company’s name, adding that the Expressions Collection is all about starting a conversation. “These bags say something we may not be courageous enough to say.”

For the Bridal Collection, whimsical sayings such as Happily Ever After, @Wifey, Old New Borrowed & Blue and Always A Bride – Levine’s much more positive take on the overused catchphrase ‘always a bridesmaid, never a bride’ – adorn classic blue or white vintage bags. Additionally,

Actress Sofia Vergara, who plays Gloria on the ABC comedy Modern Family, with a What You Curse Today You Will Worship Tomorrow Expressions clutch.

since each bridal clutch is custom made, blushing brides can personalize their bag to include a date and monogram as well. The CWB Doodle Collection was inspired by everyday life and Levine’s passions, including a personal love for drawing. “I used to love drawing on my notebooks in school. Before everyone had cell phones that is what you did to pass the time,” she said. In addition to Levine’s favorite things – roses, diamonds, wine, sunglasses, love, lipstick and even antique pharmaceutical bottles –doodles and artwork by renowned graffiti artists Elle DeadSex and Nicholas Forkers can also be designed on the clutches. April / May 2014 | 35

couture

25A

“The stuff on my Birkin is specific to me; it is my story.”

The Comes With Baggage Curator Collection allows clients to turn their

Comes With Baggage designer Lori Levine with her inked Birkin bag.

Birkin bags into one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

The Curator Collection is CWB’s fourth and perhaps most notable collection. Born out of Levine’s love/hate relationship with her own Birkinis, the Curator Collection enables clients to transform their bags into oneof-a-kind hand-inked works of art.

the process is a careful and thoughtful one. All sketches must receive a client’s approval before they can be handed over to a team of professional bespoke tattoo artists.

“I received a bright orange Birkin from a client and never used it. It sat for years and one day I decided to ink it. I was either going to decimate it or create something great. I ended up turning it into a bag I never thought in a million years I would carry to one I use every day,” Levine said.

The end result is a hand-inked bag that, like Comes With Baggage and its line of repurposed and emblazoned vintage clutches, refuses to sit quietly. “The stuff on my Birkin is specific to me; it is my story,” Levine said, adding, “If you want to make yours one-of-a-kind, turn it into something special and show you are a bad ass, this is the way to do it. Each one is personalized and unique. Each one is someone’s specific story.”

Creating personalized Birkin bags entails working closely with clients to develop artwork specific to them. And, since the handmade leather purses from French designer Hermès start at $10,000, it’s no surprise

For more information about Comes With Baggage or to place an order, visit www.ComesWithBaggage.com; Vintage clutches can also be purchased at Blue & Cream boutiques in Manhattan and Easthampton.

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

A-list celebrities, including Maria Menounos and Kate Upton, have been seen sporting clutches from the Comes With Baggage Expressions Collection.

April / May 2014 | 37

couture

25A

Mother’s Day 2014

Gift Guide

Celebrate Mom by getting her one of our favorite things this Mother’s Day!

t’s not just coveted beach time and fun fashion trends that the warmth of springtime can remind us of. It can also remind us of a similar warmth via the gentle kindness of a very important person in our lives who has been there from day one, showing truly unconditional love – our moms and that one special holiday that lets you show her just how much she means to you: Mother’s Day.

Let your mom celebrate Mother’s Day this year with a special and meaningful gift that shows you went the extra step. Want to use the month of May to spoil the most special lady in your life rotten but don’t know where to start the search? To make life just a little bit easier, 25A has put together a list of easy gift ideas that will make any woman’s heart melt:

By Terry Baume de Rose 10 Year Anniversary Edition Set

In honor of Mother’s Day and the brand’s 10th anniversary, Terry de Gunzburg has designed a new limited-edition jar of the classic Baume de Rose included in a set along with the gloss form. Adorned with silver hearts, this ultra-rich, addictive balm has become a cult classic and must-have favorite. In an instant, your lips are smoothed, plumped and protected. With its creamy, rose-scented texture it delivers a shiny yet non-sticky, polished finish. Suggested Retail Price: $109, Available at Barneys/Barneys.com

| 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Wellness Shades

Nails

FOR THE WELLNESS ENTHUSIAST MOM

FOR THE BEACH LOVING, EFFORTLESSLY COOL MOM

RESORTS WEST “MOUNTAIN ZEN”, PACK-

SHAUNS CALIFORNIA SPRING/SUMMER 2014 COLLECTION, FROM $200

WHY NOT PAMPER MOM WITH A TOUCH OF COLOR? OR SHALL WE SAY, COLOUR!

For the mom who loves to soak up the sun, the SHAUNS California Argyll style will more than fit the bill. In a statement-making beige-fadeto-gold color, these chic shades will stand out enough while still remaining neutral enough to wear every day.

Nails Inc. London’s Couture is a new unique, premium service that combines individuality with quality, fashion, and luxury. • Choose the colour from the extensive nails inc. range from nudes to full coverage glitters. • Add a cap of your choice from a range of crystal or studded caps to create your very own combination. • Name that shade! Choose your own name, your mom’s or something else! It’s 100% personal to ensure it’s completely unique, just like mom! Available at nailsinc.com

AGE FROM $1,650 PER PERSON A gift that will truly last a lifetime is created through making fond memories for all to look back on. Treat your mom to a pampering vacation that she can enjoy with the whole family or her closest girlfriends like the “Mountain Zen Package” to Park City, UT from Resorts West. With activities ranging from crater yoga, to wine tastings and spa treatments, this will be an experience that will leave her feeling relaxed and rejuvenated – now what busy mom can’t use a little r&r? All packages available at www.resortswest.com

A perfect gift to match her sunny outlook and demeanor as she prepares for the warm and sunny summer days. Styles available at select Neiman Marcus department stores. To shop the full collection online, visit www.SHAUNSCalifornia.com.

COUTURE by nails inc.

April / May 2014 | 39

Linens

Shoes

Clutch

FOR THE HOMEBODY MOM FOR THE ELEGANT MOM

FOR THE STYLISH MOM ON THE GO!

LUXOR LINENS EGYPTIAN COTTON ROBES, FROM $118 +$25 FOR PERSONALIZED MONOGRAMMING

CAROLINNA ESPINOSA SHOES, FROM $200

BLACKSEA CLUTCH, FROM $599

From running errands all day to cleaning up after everyone else’s messes, moms sure know can keep their hands full. Why not give her a present her feet can thank you for? Splurge on a pair of elegant heels by Carolinna Espinosa, that come complete with memory foam cushioning for an extra comfortable stride Besides, what woman doesn’t need a new pair of shoes?

For the mom that knows how to stay stylish while always on the go, her bag inevitably becomes her best friend. That’s why a perfectly roomy clutch from emerging brand BLACKSEA makes for the perfect gift and her new on-thego-companion. With space to fit an iPad as well as her other small essentials, this sleek envelope clutch also adds the perfect pop of color and geometry to any outfit.

The key to relaxation is comfort and Luxor Linens has the perfect gift just for that! Offering an assortment of high quality products that are soft to the touch, a luxurious Egyptian cotton bathrobe is a practical gift that she is sure to absolutely love and appreciate. Have the robe monogrammed with her initials and she’ll really think you went above and beyond!

Luxury, Sophistication, Style, & Relaxation

www.marinemax.com

速

Manhattan

Huntington

Lindenhurst

Mattituck

Copiague

Hampton Bays

Westhampton

Brilliance Purify

Clarify

ILLUMINATING FACE POLISH

PORE PERFECTING MINERAL MASK

PURIFIES PORES & BRIGHTENS DULL SKIN

IT’S A NEW DAY! SOMETIMES SKIN GETS DULL AND NEEDS A LITTLE POLISHING.

EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE DETOXING AND PURIFYING NOW & THEN.

MAKEUP, LOTIONS & POTIONS CAN REALLY CLOG SKIN!

This dual action face scrub exfoliates with two sizes of natural Jojoba beads and refines with AHA’s like orange and lemon extracts. Buff and blur away dead skin and the day’s smog with this pretty pink scrub for a radiant, fresh start.

This cleansing and detoxifying mineral-based mask removes deeply imbedded impurities from within pores. Helps gently minimize oversized pores, hydrates, soothes and calms skin.

Sweep this botanical, pH balancing tonic over skin to remove product residue, excess oils, dead skin cells and blemish-causing bacteria. This complexion balancing lotion thoroughly deep cleans pores and prevents blemishes without overdrying the skin. Skin texture is refined, leaving it smooth, hydrated, and glowing.

fatgirlslim

‘Fuzz’ Off Arm Candy

Firm, Baby, Firm

Get on the straight & narrow

Get ‘armed’ + ready

Firming to the third power

Messiness, discomfort—why should southof-the-border sprucing always be such a pain in the…you know? That’s why bliss used the same amazing technology behind our bestselling ‘fuzz’ off cream to create bliss ‘fuzz’ off bikini - the only hair removal system that banishes undesired hair in the bikini area while soothing and smoothing with vitamin E, cocoa butter and shea butter. Finally, our unique angled precision applicator grants you the control to style your own way for fast, customized results..

Who among us hasn’t suffered from a fear of going sleeveless? No matter your routine, bumps and “batwings” can strike at any time and induce anxiety during the months you’d most love to shed your layers.

The only multi-action gel cream formulated with 5-patent technology to firm, lift, volumize and provide intense moisturization for beautiful, healthy, younger-looking skin. Brimming with benefits yet astoundingly lightweight, this multiaction gel cream is the only of its kind, formulated with 5-patent-technology and a blend of cell-targeting peptides, retinoids, gardenia stem cells, and replenishing apple extract to firm, lift, volumize and provide intense moisturization for beautiful, healthy, younger-looking skin.

Well, consider yourself armed and ready with the NEW bliss fatgirl arm candy. This fabulous formula is the only arm-perfecting cream, complete with a massaging applicator, proven to clinically reduce redness while providing a firmer, smoother and more toned appearance.

April / May 2014 | 43

PLANNING ON HAVING AN AFFAIR?

PHOTOS: JAN VAN PAK 路 DESIGN: YORKDESIGN.US

delicious cuisine, stylish presentation, impeccable service

OFF-PREMISE CATERING & EVENT DESIGN for your HOME, BUSINESS or VENUE Southampton 631 324 9825 路 Glen Cove 516 676 8500 路 Manhattan 212 991 0078 ElegantAffairsCaterers.com

STRIKINGPOSES p

NEW YORK

T H E O N LY P H O T O S T U D I O Y O U N E E D 631.250.9999 | 631.987.0605

April / May 2014 | 51

Refresh Your Home for Spring

By Jody Sokol Designs

pring is right around the corner and that means it’s time for spring cleaning. Long Island interior designer Jody Sokol of Jody Sokol Designs is renovating a home in Amagansett, NY and shares five inspiring decor tips to help the homeowner refresh her home, while considering her family’s lifestlye. Readers of 25A just might pick up a few tips for themselves. This Amagansett home is located a few blocks from the beach and was made for entertaining. This large house serves as the central weekend meeting spot for three generations. The goal of the designer was to create a warm, cozy and inviting hub where family and friends could gather. She selected fabrics that were durable and also kid-friendly. The owners have five grandchildren so ‘hiding little fingerprints’ was of utmost importance. Equally important to Sokol was making sure that every room felt balanced.

Create a Balance Use your existing furniture as the starting point. Celebrate spring with fresh flowers and accessories that offer bright pops of color. The homeowners inherited the two off white living room sofas. Sokol accented the sofas with luxurious silk shanting decorative pillows from Barbara Barry. The custom ottomans, Kravet slipper chairs and painting by local artisit Kry Olson titled Paris (from Sylvester & Co), tie it all together and create a stunning focal point. The custom-made distressed cocktail table provides the casual elegance Sokol was looking for and the Raul Carrasco custom sofa tables open to provide additional dining for up to 10 people, making entertaining a breeze.

April / May 2014 | 53

design

25A Simple Decor

Design with decor that can easily transition into any season. Spring is the perfect time to create a fresh start and Sokol designed the boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom with a Robert Allen comforter that serves is multi-purpose. It is durable, reversible and also forgiving. The red ticking is a perfect way to welcome spring. A wicker basket serves as a perfect catch-all for the boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mitts, balls and toys.

Lightweight Fabric Goodbye winter and hello spring! The lightweight linen drapes are perfect for year round living and provide a light airy look. They let the sun shine through and Sokol took advantage of the natural light to create a comfortable seating area where the homeowner could bask in the sunlight while enjoying their morning coffee. For more information call Jody at 516-790-5625 or visit www.jodysokol.com

54 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

110 Walt Whitman Road, huntington Station, nY, 11746. 631.549.7401 | ÂŠ 2014 douglaS Elliman REal EStatE.

Equal houSing oppoRtunitY.

How many ways can tHe largest networK worK Harder For you?

A successful real estate transaction depends on your ability to assemble the right team. From buying and selling, to appraisals, mortgage financing and rentals, top experts on AskElliman.com offer timely answers to todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s questions about all things real estate. With the largest regional and global network, Douglas Elliman offers customized resource to guide you skillfully from beginning to end. Visit AskElliman.com for a list of our office locations in your area and put the power of Elliman to work for you.

Licensed Assoc. R. E. Broker d: 516.629.2221 c: 516.521.5335 mollie.grossman@elliman.com

MOLLIE GROSSMAN

110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.549.7401 | © 2014 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. PHOTOS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

Old Westbury | $6,475,000 | Mid‑century modern masterpiece designed by world noted Ulrich Frazen incorporating 2 restored rooms from the original estate to accommodate a 21st century lifestyle on over 4 acres with pool, tennis, gardens and lawns restored from the original Ohlmstead Brothers design. 9,000 square feet of living space. Web# 2649998

HORSESHOE HILL

THE HAMPTONS | LONG ISLAND | QUEENS | B R O O K LY N | MANHATTAN

THE NORTH FORK

RIVERDALE

WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM

LOS ANGELES

FLORIDA

GATED WATERFRONT ESTATE

PANORAMIC WATERVIEWS

UPPER BROOKVILLE TWIN PINES ESTATE

ESTATES AT GREENFIELDS

STUNNING SOUTHAMPTON SHINGLE

BEST OF ALL WORLDS

THE ONE YOU’VE WAITED FOR...

GEORGIAN COLONIAL

STONE HILL AT MUTTONTOWN

Northport | $5,500,000 | 5‑bedroom 5.5‑bath gated Nantucket mansion located on 150 feet of pristine waterfront with 2 beach cottages, in‑ground pool/spa, tennis/sports court and Western views. Web# 1185835. Risa Ziegler, LAB c: 516.457.4282 | Jyll Kata, LAB c: 516.330.2321

Old Brookville | $4,888,000 | Gold Coast estate home community featuring lavish appointments and masterful architectural details. Custom designs to suite from 7,000 ‑ 11,000 square feet on 3 ‑ 4.5 acres. Web# 2565046. Roberta Feuerstein, LAB c: 631.499.9191

Sands Point | $2,700,000 | Chic and spacious shingle‑style Colonial with 5 bedrooms and 4.55 baths, including master suite worthy of a 5‑star hotel. Chef’s eat‑in kitchen opens to family room. Front and back porches. 1+ acres. Web# 2649704. Maggie Keats, LAB c: 516.449.7598

Sands Point | $5,200,000 | Sun‑drenched 16‑room masterpiece. Master suite +8 bedrooms, 9 baths and 2 half‑baths. Outdoor entertainment space. Saltwater pool, tennis and 8‑car garage. Private beach and mooring rights. Web# 2645984. Maria Rovegno, LAB c: 516.729.2413

Sands Point | $3,750,000 | Wonderful floor plan with luxurious living quarters including master suite, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. 2 acres with pool and pond. 7,500 sf, highest quality and best location. Private beach with dues. Web# 2615313. Maggie Keats, LAB c: 516.449.7598

Old Brookville | Price Upon Request | Elegant living meets formal and informal lifestyle for the discerning buyer. Lush two acres with private garden, patio and pool. Great for entertaining inside and out. Web# 2620575. Anthony Mara, LAB c: 516.659.0135

Upper Brookville | $4,988,000 | 5+ lavish landscaped acres. 7,000 sf Gold Coast manor home plus an additional 3,500 sf cabin retreat with infinity pool. Renowned architectural master craftsmanship. Web# 1184026. Roberta Feuerstein, LAB c: 631.499.9191

Sands Point | $2,880,000 | Elegant 6‑bedroom, 4.55‑bath Georgian Colonial, includes luxurious master suite with new bath and all new systems. Pool and spacious pool house. 1.36 private acres. Web# 2643671. Maggie Keats, LAB c: 516.449.7598 | Denise Silverstein, LSA c: 917.859.3500

Muttontontown | Price Upon Request | 24‑hour gated community featuring 80 custom estate homes on 1 to 2.67 acres and range from 5,500 to 8,752 square feet of luxury living with endless community amenities. Web# 2591701. Roberta Feuerstein, LAB c: 516.364.2505

Bedtime Stories with Rosie Perez and Carole Radziwill Savoir Beds Kicks Off Celebrity Book Reading Series By Melissa Argueta, All photos by Bob Coulter courtesy of Savoir SoHo

Rosie Perez shared bedtime stories from her new book Handbook for an Unpredictable Life at Savoir Beds in SoHo.

magine having the chance to sit on a luxurious $85,000 Savoir bed while listening to celebrities read you fascinating bedtime stories. Well, that’s just what happened to hundreds of lucky guests last month when Oscar-nominated actress Rosie Perez and Real Housewives of New York City star Carole Radizwill read tales of tragedy and triumph from their new books at Savior Beds’ exclusive showroom in New York City. Born in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Perez, 49, caught the world’s attention in her first major acting role in director Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing in 1989. She gained notoriety as a choreographer for music videos and on the television show In Living Color, which earned her three Emmy nominations. Her acting star continued to shine alongside Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes in the hit basketball comedy White Men Can’t Jump. In 1994, she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Peter Weir’s drama Fearless.

58 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

During the first “Bedtime Stories at Savoir” book-reading event, Perez passionately read passages from her new memoir, Handbook for an Unpredictable Life. The book accounts Perez’s untold story of surviving a traumatic childhood and her road to success – both in and out of the Hollywood spotlight. At the age of 3, her life was torn apart when her mentally ill mother took her away from the only family she knew and placed her in a Catholic children’s group home. In an interview with 25A magazine, the Puerto Rican actress spoke candidly about the message of the book. “It’s not just about overcoming adversity; it’s about honoring the special person that you are. We are all born special, but there are other factors such as child abuse, mental, physical, emotional abuse, abandonment that occur and it masks or suppresses or kills that [specialness] and I refuse to be denied,” Perez explained. “I had three formative years with my loving aunt who gave me everything … she told me every day that I was special. So when I entered the Catholic home and they tried to make me conform and just break me, they couldn’t.”

In order to come to terms with her abuse, Perez emphasized the importance of seeking out professional help. Since the book’s release, the star says she has received much unexpected positive response from people of all ethnicities who have read the book and connected to her story. “There are so many people who are reaching out to me, people I don’t know, saying ‘I, too, have suffered. I, too, have overcome. I, too, struggled.’”

Pictured top and bottom: Savior Beds showroom, Wooster Street, Soho

In a very different kind of story about loss, libido and love, Carole Radizwill read portions of her first novel (and second book), The Widow’s Guide to Sex and Dating. Radizwill, a New York native, began her career working for ABC News and went on to become an award-winning journalist. In 2003, she left ABC News to write her first book, What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love. The book was a personal account of her life, her marriage to fellow ABC News producer Anthony Radziwill, and his battle with cancer.

It’s not just about overcoming adversity; “ it’s about honoring the special person that you are. We are all born special … — Rosie Perez “ Speaking to the packed audience, Radizwill said she began writing the novel 10 years after her husband passed away and two years after her first book was released. “I call it the comedic sequel to the tragedy that was my first book,” she said, adding, “I thought writing a novel would be easier [than a memoir] because you could make it up. When you’re only limited by your imagination, it’s daunting … there’s a lot of self-doubt. You always say to yourself ‘I can always think of something better.’” Radizwill went on to say that the level of truth in a novel outweighs the level of truth in non-fiction. “At least in a memoir, the reader takes a leap of faith with you because they know it happened. It’s your life story. With a novel, every detail has to be perfect. You know, one false note, I think it pulls the reader out of the story in a way that is unsatisfying.”

Carole Radziwill and Rosie Perez shared bedtime stories with guests at Savoir Beds in Soho

The best-selling author admits that there are many similarities between her and the novel’s main character, Claire Byrne, a young widow and writer. “I think Claire is a little more neurotic than I was. In a novel, all characters are both real and imagined and this is no exception. I think I am parts of all characters. Sure, I borrow from my own life experience. It’s also my observations; it’s my imagination; it’s my friends’ stories and it’s things I overhear on the subway,” Radizwill remarked. In her second season appearing on Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City, Radizwill says she can still maintain her private life despite being on a hit reality TV show. Radizwill told 25A, “It’s a lot of work. I think of it as a job. I’ve always thought of it as a job, a kind of weird, crazy job but given the fact that I am a writer … I am an experience junkie.”

April / May 2014 | 59

Glen Cove, NY Famous luxury waterfront, The Legends Yacht & Beach Club. SD #5. MLS# 2648524. $1,588,000. Carolina Boucos, 516.626.7600 ext.27, c.516.835.1804

Centre Island, NY – Waves End SD #6. MLS# 2627768. $3,990,000. Bonnie Devendorf, 516.759.4800 ext.111 c.516.509.6229

Cold Spring Harbor, NY – Post Modern CSH SD #2. MLS# 2654971. $2,675,000. Lee Cunningham, 631.427.6600 ext.315 c.516.429.1180

Garden City, NY SD #18. MLS# 2612424. $2,875,000. Christine Cudahy, 516.248.6655 c.516.238.8768

Glen Cove, NY – Tranquil Water Views SD #5. MLS# 2641376. $875,000. Suzi Chase, 516.759.4800 ext.107 Robert (Alex) Hulse, 516.759.4800 ext.159

Great Neck, NY – Premier Building SD #7. MLS# 2647070. $319,000. Eloise Halpern, 516.759.4800 ext.128 c.516.455.8187

Greenport, NY – Queen Anne Victorian SD #10. MLS# 2577568. $699,000. JoAnn Wind, 631.477.0013, c.631.764.3847

Huntington, NY – Water Views Huntington SD #3. MLS# 2645393. $949,000. Christele Amendola, 631.692.6770 ext.285 c.631.334.7632

Lattingtown, NY – French Country Manor SD #3. MLS# 2551460. $2,595,000. Patricia Bischoff, 516.759.4800 ext.109 Christina Porter, 516.759.4800 ext.142

Mill Neck, NY – “Beechfield” Impeccable brick Georgian with attention to detail throughout. Masterpiece Listing. SD #3. MLS# 2576210. $3,800,000. Bonnie Devendorf, 516.759.4800 ext.111, c.516.509.6229 Gail Bushey, 516.759.4800 ext.121, c.516.509.5981

Lloyd Harbor, NY – Gracious and Inviting CSH SD #2. MLS# 2628369. $1,689,000. Barbara Bentley-Nash, 631.692.6770 ext.211 c.516.697.1277

Locust Valley, NY – “Pond View” Enhanced. SD #5. MLS# 2582113. $2,725,000. Bonnie Devendorf, 516.759.4800 ext.111 c.516.509.6229

Locust Valley, NY – Village Charmer SD #3. MLS# 2643637. $519,000. Eloise Halpern, 516.759.4800 ext.128 c.516.455.8187

Manhasset, NY – Plandome Heights Colonial SD #6. MLS# 2645217. $1,479,000. Catherine Matteo, 516.627.4440 ext.243 c.516.313.4466

Each office is independently owned and operated. We are pledged to provide equal opportunity for housing to any prospective customer or client, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

danielgale.com

Mill Neck, NY Quality personified in this custom built slate roofed limestone manor. 5 acres with pool, terraces and gardens. SD #6. MLS# 2630767. $5,150,000. Debra Quinn Petkanas, 516.674.2000 ext.140 Eloise Halpern, 516.759.4800 ext.128, c.516.455.8187

Syosset, NY – The Best of Everything Syosset SD# 2. MLS# 2614701. $1,275,000. Frances Covello, 516.922.9155 ext.145 c.516.359.7779

Old Westbury, NY SD #1. MLS# 2609500. $2,388,000. Ellen Zipes, 516.626.7600, c.516.817.7300 Jared Zipes, 516.626.7600. c.516.776.7993

Old Westbury, NY SD #2. MLS# 2634644. $3,300,000. Ellen Zipes, 516.626.7600, c.516.817.7300 Jared Zipes, 516.626.7600, c.516.776.7993

Old Westbury, NY SD #15. MLS# 2588013. $3,995,000. Ellen Zipes, 516.626.7600, c.516.817.7300 Jared Zipes, 516.626.7600, c.516.776.7993

Old Westbury, NY – “Club Paradise” Masterpiece. SD #1. MLS# 2605882. $2,998,000. Ronit Berman, 516.484.1800 ext.225 Richard Orent, 516.484.1800 ext.209

Oyster Bay Cove, NY – Waterfront Property OB/EN SD #6. MLS# 2648357. $2,349,000. Donna Moran, 631.692.6770 ext.225 c.631.935.2753

Oyster Bay Cove – “Over The Brook” OB/EN SD #6. MLS# 2606755. $5,750,000. Margy Hargraves, 631.692.6770 ext.227 Peggy Moriarty, 631.692.6770 ext.224

Roslyn Estates, NY SD #3. MLS# P1187230. $2,748,888. Linda Wohl, 516.484.1800 ext.201 c.516.521.6877

Old Brookville, NY 6-bedroom Colonial with guest house on 2 acres. SD #1. MLS# 2649026. $1,999,999. Sandi Lefkowitz, 516.674.2000 ext.221, c.516.816.3461

Roslyn Harbor, NY SD #3. MLS# 2647231. $2,388,000. Ellen Zipes, 516.626.7600, c.516.817.7300 Alice Walsh, 516.677.0030, c.516.353.8090

Southold, NY – Waterfront SD #5. MLS# 2641983. $1,075,000. Jill Dunbar, 631.477.0013, c.631.278.5324 JoAnn Wind, 631.477.0013, c.631.764.3847

Southold, NY – Seaside Retreat SD #5. MLS# 2637916. $1,395,000. Denice Lara, 631.734.5439 ext.211 Dougall Fraser, 631.734.5439 ext.214

Upper Brookville, NY – Classic Colonial Locust Valley SD #3. MLS# 2612020. $2,595,000. Frances Covello, 516.922.9155 ext.145 c.516.359.7779

design

25A Fort Hill

A Magnificent Gold Coast Estate By Kristine Livadas

Standing majestically on a bluff overlooking the confluence of Cold Spring Harbor, Oyster Bay and Long Island Sound, with more than 1,000 feet of its own beachfront and a 160-foot-deep water dock, this completely renovated, threestory, brick and limestone turn-of-the-20th-century Tudor mansion is truly a treasure of immeasurable proportions. With a history dating back long before the Revolutionary War, its 10+ acre grounds with sweeping meadows, lush lawns and award-winning formal gardens have seen everything from English soldiers fighting off rebels to celebrity guests enjoying a breathtaking sunset while dance music wafts on the evening breeze from the ballroom. 62 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Few estates in the United States have as long and colorful a history as Fort Hill on Lloyd Neck. Encompassing approximately 3,000 acres and known originally as Caumsett, this emerald neck of land extending into Long Island Sound between Cold Spring and Huntington Harbor was originally purchased from the Matinecock Native Americans in 1654 for a few pieces of clothing and some tools. In 1670, the area became the property of James Lloyd of Boston, who had his son Henry develop the area as a manor in the English tradition, where tenants paid an agreed amount for the privilege of living and farming there. The Lloyds forfeited the land around the fort to England’s military and it was subsequent-

ly purchased in 1879 by Anne Coleman Alden, who commissioned the famed architectural firm McKim, Mead & Bigelow to build her a summer residence on the site. In 1900, William John Matheson, a brilliant chemist who founded a dye and pigment company that merged with J. P. Morgan’s Allied Chemical, purchased the 330-acre estate from Mrs. Alden’s heirs. He commissioned Boring and Tilton, the architects who designed the Ellis Island buildings, to create a sprawling brick and limestone structure directly over the McKim house in Tudor style, with castellated parapets, colonnades and ramparts overlooking the water,

Fort Hill was meticulously restored from the ground up and today, it is not only an impressively renovated historical masterpiece

paying homage to its predecessor, Fort Franklin. One remnant of both the Alden house and former fort can be seen in the quadrangle courtyard. Here, a semicircular wall formed from the original fort earthworks displays a curved built-in seat designed by Charles McKim and a headstone taken from the pasture that pays tribute to a fallen English soldier. Matheson later added an indoor squash court, a porte cochère, a ballroom and acres of formal gardens. The present owners purchased Fort Hill in 1992 and continued to restore it to its former glory. In three years, Fort Hill was meticulously restored from the ground up and today, it is not only an impressively renovated historical masterpiece, but it is a comfortable residence with all the up-

dated amenities including new electric, heating and plumbing. Following the original footprint of Matheson’s estate, it includes three acres of exquisite formal gardens plus the addition of a 5,000+-square-foot 12-car garage, built to closely resemble the main house’s architecture. Throughout the home, the exquisite detailing and craftsmanship has been masterfully restored as seen in the stunning coat-of-arms displayed in one of many stained glass windows and an exterior limestone relief, or in the high coffered ceilings, inlaid wood floors and intricate millwork. Past the porte cochère, a vaulted entrance foyer with trompe l’oeil limestone walls and gilded accents opens through leaded-glass French doors

to the palatial living room. This grand receiving area boasts linenfold paneling, beamed ceilings and a massive, hand-carved fireplace flanked by arched bookcase niches. Pocket doors lead into the warm and inviting library that offers a cozy atmosphere with a large brick fireplace and original knotty-pine paneling, dentil crown molding and built-in bookcases. A wall of intricate leaded-glass windows provides verdant views of the property. Wide stairs ascend to a gallery leading to the upper floors and to the formal dining hall. Flooded with water vistas through a huge bay window, this banquet-sized space boasts superbly executed fresco murals by famed 1930’s naval artist Griffith Bailey Coale (founder of the U. S. Naval Combat Artist Corps), which have been recently and expertly preserved by artisans

April / May 2014 | 63

design

25A

from the Smithsonian Institute. Fielded paneling is punctuated by faux-marble Ionic pilasters, massive dentil crown molding and seashell motifs above doors and display niches. From the dining hall, a spacious service area can be accessed; the area includes a large butler’s pantry, walk-in pantry, staff stairs and half-bath, access to the esplanade, kitchen and front veranda. Designed for serving any number of guests, the capacious kitchen includes ceramic tile floors, extensive oak cabinetry, granite countertop and a large center island with butcher-block and marble countertop. Ideal for entertaining on a grand scale, Fort Hill includes a separate wing with ballroom and expansive guest suite, solarium, banquet-sized dining room, verandas, terraces, balconies and much more.

64 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

The north wing includes a caretaker’s suite with office, den, kitchen, a covered entry accessing the service courtyard and garage, and stairs to the second floor with four caretaker bedrooms and a full bath. Attached to the north wing, a heated squash court includes stairs to a second floor observation gallery. The estate’s three-acre formal English garden provides a seemingly endless array of botanical delights with emerald lawns divided by mature hedges and accented with brick walkways, exquisite and plentiful statuary, ancient trees, fountains, covered sitting areas and an everchanging panoply of color. A working greenhouse aids in maintaining year-round beauty and is a perfect backdrop for a charming lawn with whimsical statues of children playing a game of

ball. In 1996, Fort Hill won the New York State Preservation Award and in 1998 its magnificent gardens won the Long Island Nursery and Landscapers Award. An architectural and historical masterpiece, Fort Hill is a rare opportunity to own an important piece of American history on the Gold Coast. Offered at $11,700,00 USD. For more information, contact Kristine Livadas, LRES, Laffey Fine Homes International, 516.776.0039, www.KristineLivadas.com.

45 GLEN COVE ROAD, GREENVALE NY 11548 - 516-200-5700

MILL NECK - $13,995,000

BROOKVILLE - $6,998,000

PAUL TYREE - 516-426-5224 ptyree@laffey.com

DEE DEE BRIX - 516-551-5241 drbix@laffey.com

LAUREL HOLLOW - $3,950,000 DEE DEE BRIX - 516-551-5241 drbix@laffey.com

GLEN COVE - $875,000 PAUL TYREE - 516-426-5224 ptyree@laffey.com

SANDS POINT - $5,299,000 KRISTINE LIVADAS - 516-776-0039 klivadas@laffey.com

MILL NECK - $1,149,000

MANHASSET - $1,000,000

KATHERINE KEARNEY - 516-316-2511 kkearney@laffey.com

SONNY DECLARA - 516-526-4956 sonny@laffey.com

GLEN COVE - $869,000

THE LEGENDS AT TANZMAN LOT 37

DEE DEE BRIX - 516-551-5241 drbix@laffey.com

EMMA IACOVONE - 516-361-9582 eiacovone@laffey.com

WE’RE LOCAL. WE’RE GLOBAL. All information furnished regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable. No representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and it is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental, commission or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice. If your home is currently listed with another broker this is not a solicitation of that listing.

regimen

25A

Nutrition Myths Decoded By Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD Nutrition should be simple, right? Unfortunately, this is not always the case! Americans are bombarded with inaccurate nutrition information from supplement manufacturers to food producers. This misinformation creates much confusion, but luckily for 25A readers, I am here to help! Below are six commonly held nutrition myths … decoded:

Myth #1: To build muscle, you need ‘more’ protein Active individuals do need more protein when compared with those who are sedentary. However, the amount is probably not nearly as much as you’d expect. Athletes require 1.2 to 1.4 grams of protein per kilogram body weight as compared to 0.8 grams per kilogram for non-athletes. Protein intake beyond your needs will either be stored as fat or burned for energy. The bottom line is that to build muscle, you need to eat a healthy diet, which includes a normal amount of protein.

Myth #2: Eating eggs raises your cholesterol levels Dietary cholesterol found in eggs has little to do with the amount of cholesterol in your body. Dietary cholesterol, the fatlike molecules in animal-based foods like eggs, doesn’t greatly affect the amount of cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream. Your body makes its own cholesterol so it doesn’t need much of the kind you eat. Instead, certain saturated and trans fats are what fuel your body’s cholesterol-making machine. Eggs contain relatively small amounts of saturated fat (only about 1.5). Therefore, cutting eggs out of your diet is a bad idea; they’re a rich source of 13 vitamins and minerals.

Myth #3: The only heart-friendly alcohol is red wine Beer, wine and liquors all bestow the same health benefits. The ethanol in alcohol itself raises levels of protective HDL (the ‘good cholesterol’), which helps protect against plaque buildup in the arteries and reduce clotting factors that contribute to heart attack and stroke. Any kind of beverage that contains alcohol, when consumed in moderation (one to two drinks a day), helps reduce heart disease risk.

66 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Myth #4: The more fiber you eat, the better Not all fibers are equally beneficial. Consider the source. For example, some foods (like yogurt) do not naturally come with fiber, yet the grocery aisles now boast fiber-supplemented products. Because fiber is a fadfood component right now, manufacturers are isolating specific types of fiber and adding them to packaged foods. However, different fibers have different functions. Wheat bran, for example, helps move foods along. Oat bran lowers cholesterol, whereas insulin supports healthy gut bacteria. It is not clear that the so-called faux-fiber foods offer the same beneficial effect as naturally fiber-rich foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes. Ultimately, eating fiber-rich whole foods is the best way to gain this essential component of your diet.

Myth #5: Organic foods are more nutritious than their conventional counterparts Research indicates that no significant nutritional difference exists between conventional and organic crops and livestock. An organic apple still has the same nutritional qualities (think calories, fiber and protein) as a conventional apple. There is, of course, still the issue of trace amounts of pesticides or herbicides found in the non-organic version, so wash conventional produce carefully.

Myth #6: Loading up on fruit helps you slim down Although apples, grapes and berries are all loaded with nutrients, this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that you should graze on them all day. Fruit is definitely rich in vitamins and dietary fiber. Still, fruits contain calories and sugar. A medium-sized banana weighs in at 110 calories, which is the equivalent of 33 pieces of M&M candies. If your goal is to slim down, stick with no more than three servings of fruit per day. One serving is the equivalent of a half-cup or a small piece of fruit. For even better results, pair each serving of fruit with some protein, like a non-fat plain Greek yogurt or a small handful of raw nuts. This protein-carb combo will slow down digestion and keep your blood sugar levels steady.

nutritionbybru.com

Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD is a registered dietitian and the founder of Nutrition by Bru, a nutrition counseling and consulting practice in New York. She received a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Greater New York Dietetic Association.

April / May 2014 | 67

regimen

25A

fitness corner

Be Your Best You By Pam Polestino

am sharing my personal struggle with weight and fitness in order to inspire, educate and motivate others who wish to make great changes in themselves.

Looking back at my preteen years, I was already overweight and insecure. By the time I was in high school, I was already considered obese (and I despise the use of that word). I definitely had my share of ups and downs with many fad diets along the way that helped me lose weight and once the diet was over, gain the weight back – plus more.

By the time I was in my 20s, I had started training at a gym and I lost enough weight to join the fitness industry as a group fitness instructor. This career change was what would inspire me to continue on my personal journey, as well as my journey to help others. Over the years I managed to coach many to achieve serious goals. I also struggled with more ups and downs with weight. I attribute my struggles to major life stresses and I was also still ‘dieting.’

Once I found my ‘right mind,’ everything made sense and worked for me. I saw a registered dietician who, in my opinion, is the most educated person to offer advice about eating well. I removed the stresses that I could and I associated with positive and like-minded people who would support me rather than bring me down. I also realized that if I knew what I wanted, and if I could envision it, I could make it happen. At this time, I knew exactly the body I wanted to design and I strove to get better and better.

The first difference between then and now is my relationship with food. I eat to live, not live to eat. I realize to eat something that is considered wasted calories is not worth 10 minutes of deliciousness. I remind myself constantly how much cardio it takes to burn a ‘mistake’ off – it’s just not worth it. The workouts may not be as important as eating but there is a

68 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

difference between going to a gym and training hard. I believe that if your workout is not intense, the results are far less than they could be. What you put in at the gym, you walk away with. Training smart will prevent your body from hitting a plateau and a plateau is a huge factor in people giving up; it’s the change that inspires us to work harder.

Cardiovascular conditioning is going to shed body fat and weight training will build lean body mass. The combination of the two will yield desirable results. Designing a personal exercise program for someone’s exact needs is best, as not one program will work for everyone. If you are hitting the gym daily and you cannot see your progress, you definitely should contact a personal trainer to help you achieve your goals. Building a beautiful body is a constant work in progress. Everyone deserves to love how they look and to feel great about making progress. There is nothing that compares to achieving results when trying to redesign your own body through nutrition and exercise.

When you like the way you look and feel, everyone else does, too! As always, email me with any of your fitness questions. Ppolestino@yahoo.com

Kelly Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley Mattone,M.D. Ultherapy - CoolSculpting - Botox - Dysport - Restylane - Lashes - InvisiLift MicroCurrent Facial Sculpting - Endermologie - Facials - Painless Hair Removal 8 Bond Street, Suite 200, Great Neck, NY 11021 - 516.482.2424 - www.aestheticmedicalstudio.com

features

25A

DEFINING SUCCE$$ By Professor Jack K. Mandel

his semester I’m teaching a course at Nassau Community College titled Small Business Marketing 112. It covers the foundations of entrepreneurship, building a business model, developing a business plan, pricing strategies and much more. A final project divides students into entrepreneurial teams who have to develop a new product/service and ‘sell it’ to the class. It’s a lot of work but also a lot of fun. In only a few short weeks, I have already been able to identify the ‘alpha dogs’ in the class – a small but vocal group that exhibit the passion, drive and motivation to succeed in their own ventures. Imagine an NCC alumnus such as Bill Gates (Microsoft) or Howard Schultz (Starbucks) in the making! Now that would be a career highlight. But for the moment I enjoy observing these young men and women promoting their ideas (and themselves) to fellow classmates. I only hope our classroom discussions and textbook theories guide them to a long-term strategy as they follow their quest for personal,

70 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

professional and business success. Here are two examples of such students. First is Jasmine Denise, who has developed a clothing line called InspiWear. According to Denise, “InspiWear is clothing which inspires individuals of all ages and walks of life to be who they are, who they want to be and in turn, to inspire others to do the same.” Denise believes her clothing line will give individuals the confidence to follow their dreams and express them to the world. Her three collections to date are Inspire, iRefuse, and BornTo. Denise stated, “For the launch of the BornTo collection, I came up with a Born To Vote special edition tee for the 2012 election. I printed up three dozen to sell and just by word of mouth, I sold out!” So if you see someone wearing a T-shirt which says “InspireCreativity” or “iRefuse to Fail” or “Born 2 Win,” remember that you read about it here first in 25A magazine! Second is a young man named RJ. Reed from Freeport, Long Island. He is an NCC marketing major and a professional recording artist. His latest mixtape is titled 2nd Semester and features 11 tracks focusing on school, family and life. RJ told me, “Not only do I like to open up about my personal life but I also take listeners on a journey of their own.” My favorite song,

titled “Dreams,” motivates listeners to strive to make individual goals become a reality. RJ performs in many clubs and talent shows and you can Google or YouTube him: RJ Reed. Kanye West – watch out! In conclusion, I hope you concur with my sentiments that age never matters when ‘each of us dreams the dream.’ Jasmine and RJ both have a vision to see opportunities where others might see obstacles. And they each share a key asset needed for success: Attitude! What about you, valued 25A readers? Do you have anything you wish to share about your business journey? Please email your thoughts to me at jack@25Amagazine.com.

Enjoy Life’s Simple Pleasures

Matador Cigars Tobacconist and Lounge

516.626.4966 ADOR CIGARS MAT

www.matadorcigar.com

38 Lincoln Avenue, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 Mon - Thur: 10am – 11pm • Fri & Sat: 10am – Midnight • Sunday: 11am – 11pm Overall: Flexible Closing Hours

Barbara Taylor Bradford A True Woman of Substance By Victoria Crosby

arbara Taylor Bradford’s latest book, Cavendon Hall, is her 29th novel and she is already working on her 30th, a sequel titled Cavendon Women. I had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Bradford speak at a dinner for the British Schools and Universities Club a few months ago and requested an interview. She graciously took time out of her busy schedule to speak with me, despite the fact that she is not only working on another novel but is also in the process of moving. Barbara and her husband Bob live in Manhattan. Robert Bradford is a film producer and president of Bradford Enterprises. The Bradfords have been married for 50 years.

I found this world-renowned author to be friendly and charming and quite willing to talk about her fascinating writing career. When I addressed her as Mrs. Bradford she asked that I please call her Barbara.

Barbara began her writing career as a journalist at the age of 15 at the Yorkshire Evening Post in Yorkshire, England and still considers herself a journalist as she writes for four newspapers in England from time to time.

Barbara explained to me her process prior to writing a novel: she plans an outline, almost like an architect’s blueprint, and she seems to be very disciplined in her writing. An early riser, she works on her novel all day for about eight or nine months and prolifically writes one book a year.

Cavendon Hall is already a best seller in the UK, as all her books have been since her first novel, A Woman of Substance, which was published in 1979 and remains one of the best-selling novels of all time, selling more than 32 million copies. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for 55 weeks.

She told me that her publisher wanted her to change the book’s title, as at the time of publication, it was considered quite bold but she insisted that it be kept. Emma Harte, the ambitious protagonist of the story, then inspired a series of novels that were made into television films produced by Barbara’s husband.

In Britain, Barbara told me, she has been accused of copying Julian Fellows, who writes the Downton Abbey series, but she pointed out that her books and TV series came first and that she is the originator of the genre. Cavendon Hall is a family saga that involves the relationship between two families, the Inghams and the Swanns. It is not an upstairs/downstairs story, said Barbara, but more an upstairs and the middle, as the Swann family is

were given notes on how “We to address the queen. Well, I didn’t want to call her Ma’am (that rhymes with spam!), so I called her Your Majesty.

“

Winter Gar

at the top of the hierarchy of servants: the father is the earl’s valet and his wife is dressmaker to the earl’s wife and four daughters. The story is divided into five parts and takes place from 1913 through the First World War years into 1920. Barbara shared that her ideas and inspirations come from life itself. She had been reminiscing about friends she had known since she was a girl in March 2014 | 73

features

25A

England and thought she would like to write about two girls who grow up together but came from different backgrounds. Cecily Swann was the first character to materialize in her imagination. In 2007 Barbara was presented with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, an experience she will never forget. Barbara said she was told that she couldn’t take her handbag in to the room where the queen received her and she asked, “Why? I’m not a terrorist.” It was explained that many women get nervous meeting the queen and drop their handbags and lipsticks roll around the floor. So she handed off her purse and it was returned it to her after the presentation. She walked down a red carpet toward the queen, who was standing on a small platform. “We were given notes on how to address the queen. Well, I didn’t want to call her Ma’am (that rhymes with spam!), so I called her Your Majesty.”

She said the queen was friendly and smiling and remarked, “You’ve written a lot of books.” Barbara replied that she had written many on British history, to which the queen responded with a twinkle in her eye, “Oh, that gives you a lot of possibilities.” They both suppressed laughter at that comment. Barbara told me that she had worn a cream colored jacket with a black skirt, and as fate would have it, the queen was wearing a cream colored suit! Barbara joked that they looked like twins in the photos.

On a local note, Barbara’s novel, Secrets from the Past, set in modern times, pays tribute to journalists and photographers who put themselves in the line of fire, notably Marie Colvin from Oyster Bay, Long Island, who was killed in February of 2012 while covering the civil war in Syria.

As with all her writings, I look forward to Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 30th novel and I hope that there will be a television series featuring the Swanns and the Inghams in the near future.

Victoria Crosby is available to give powerpoint presentations lectures on historic preservation articles that she has written for 25A magazine. The next lecture will be at the Glen Cove Library on June 7 at 2pm. For further information or booking presentations please contact 25A magazine at info@25amag.com

74 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Because life should be beautiful... Let us be your destination for stunning plants, unique garden accents, pottery, fountains, home decor, & fine landscape design & installation.

Martin Viette Nurseries 6050 Northern Blvd. • East Norwich • 516-922-5530 www.martinviette.com

Ireland Gannon Associates

6050 Northern Blvd. • East Norwich • 516-922-4800 www.irelandgannon.com

features

25A

Montauk Music Festival, May 15 -18, 2014 The biggest event making news around the Hamptons and Montauk area ‘If you build it, they will come’ is the familiar, though technically incorrect, line from Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams (the line is actually ‘he will come’). Meet Kenny Giustino, who did exactly that with the Montauk Music Festival. Five years ago Kenny planted a seed that has grown into a hugely successful music festival and ‘they’ definitely come! Over 10,000 revelers from near and far swarmed Montauk last year. Musicians and guests alike took notice that the bar had been raised. There was a noticeable step-up in the sound quality and overall production of the event. Ken credits much of the recognition to Ocean Productions who sponsored the opening party at Gurney’s and the main open-air showcase stage in the center green. Dalton of Ocean Productions says, “We have received over 3,000 band submissions, chosen 53 to date, and have about 45 coming back next year. We also have 36 venues currently, so all the restaurants and local bars will be rocking with acts day and night.” We’re all eager for summer after this long chilly winter with too many cases of cabin fever! Now we can start summer a week earlier than the official tourist season kicks off and enjoy the party in Montauk! For more information please visit montauksun.com or call 631.688.5077

76 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

The 5th Annual Montauk Music Festival 4 days 200 shows 100 bands 40 venues

A four day long showcase of Musicians performing original music. All of the shows are free and performed at 40 different venues in Montauk, NY including two days on an open air stage at the Village Green. Featuring Rock, Pop, Americana, Alternative, Reggae, Blue Jazz, Flamenco, Rap/Hip, & Country. For more information please visit montauksun.com or call 631.688.5077

features

25A Château des Thons:

Voltair’s Castle Story and Photos by Monica Randall

The 300 year old Chateau stands unchanged from a hill top in Old Brookville

ith the onslaught of development housing during the 1950s and ’60s that turned the Gold Coast into a war zone, it is always amazing to find that anything has survived at all. The long, endless list of architectural wonders included some of the largest and grandest places ever built anywhere. Massive homes like Harbor Hill, Pembroke, Farnsworth and Oak Point in Bayville were so

78 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

vast and unique that simple photographs rarely did them justice. But here and there, hidden away behind a bank of towering pines and walls of greenery, some of those architectural gems have survived the years, one of them for nearly three centuries. Believe it or not, back when King Louis and his feckless wife Marie Antoinette were eating marzipan and out-of-season fruit cristallisé at Versailles, this little chateau

stood tall in the middle of a forest in France. So how did it get here? Well, that’s our story this month. The hauntingly beautiful Voltaire’s Castle (Château des Thons) is perched on a hilltop overlooking an ancient graveyard in Old Brookville. It is one of the last authentic chateaux to be brought over from France stone by stone and

“Life at the castle was weird and mysterious by normal standards”

reassembled here on the North Shore. Its history is obscure, as it has lived two separate lives – one abroad and one here on Long Island. Built in the early 17th century about 120 miles outside of Dijon, France, it was originally called Les Petits Thons. In 1734, it was acquired by Voltaire, the French philosopher, poet, political activist and author of Candide. At the time, Voltaire was in love with a beautiful married woman, Madame Émilie du Châtelet, with whom he lived openly for more than 16 years. She was a great beauty with dazzling sea-green eyes, was highly educated, shared his love for the arts and possessed a brilliant mathematical mind. Voltaire spared no expense on what was to become their love nest, a renovation project that consumed him for over two years. He installed elegant hand-painted bathtubs in the house with heating stoves in all the rooms, including the halls, something unheard of in his day. There were walk-in closets for Émilie’s vast collection of ball gowns, jewels, furs and shoes, which she wore around the house even when puttering around in her science laboratory. They were well suited for each other; both were energetic, creative and possessed inexhaustible wits. The lovers lived in separate apartments that were connected by a narrow staircase that was hidden behind a fireplace chimney. This architectural anomaly came in handy as Voltaire’s life was often in danger. His books on human rights, freedom of speech, liberty and the American concept of justice, yet to be created even here, got his works banned. There was a price on his head and on two occasions his radical ideas got him arrested. But the French authorities did not know about his secret hideaway deep in the woods. Voltaire had many trusted friends and he and his mistress entertained lavishly, but with few servants. It was a time when the help were easily bribed.

Main entrance with Voltair’s coat of arms over the door.

Life at the castle was weird and mysterious by normal standards. Guests had to fetch their own food from a pair of dumbwaiters located at each end of the grand dining hall. They had to scrape their own plates and carry them to the pantry where a nearly blind servant woman would wash them. Their long suffering, but devoted butler, Longchamps, was called on April / May 2014 | 79

“They would remain in an underground bunker until the coast was clear...”

to act as housekeeper, silver polisher, protector, sentry and lookout. Voltaire had a theater built in a separate wing where colorful entertainments were staged for the amusement of guests. Original plays were performed that Voltaire had written, along with the occasional opera and magical lantern show. After dinner, guests were led to the theater that was illuminated with flaming torches and lanterns tinted with colored glass. While the loving couple was always wary about who was invited to stay at their little fortress, kings, noblemen, foreign dignitaries and politi-

The towers around the house are all engulfed in vines

cal leaders were honored to be included in the great thinker’s inner circle. Frederick the Great of Prussia and Armand Richelieu were also guests at the chateau. There were odd and rigid rules for those staying overnight. The butler would often creep into the sleeping chambers of the guests’ rooms, shake them awake, then herd them, still in their nightclothes, into a downstairs salon where they were forced to sit for hours while the lady of the house read Voltaire’s poems. If the sound of thundering hooves was suddenly heard in the distance, the host and

hostess would vanish into the bowels of the secret staircase where they would remain in an underground bunker until the coast was clear. Despite these very real dangers, they enjoyed their strange life at the chateau. It was rumored that at one time an intruder was caught and run through with a sword and promptly buried in the woods. Voltaire’s world was shattered when his beloved Emilie died in childbirth in 1749. He went into an emotional decline but continued to write

Courtyard facing east with centuries old lead wishing well

“...it is easy to picture a ghost or two in the begrimed hall mirror.”

One of many marble fireplaces

and outrage his contemporaries with his radical ideas. He was a true visionary, way ahead of his time. He continued to live at the castle until he passed away at the age of 84 in 1778.

the property, long glades and groves of clipped arborvitae are dotted with whimsical statues of trolls and nymphs that seem poised at the ready for a game of hide and seek or a Mad Hatter’s tea party from Alice in Wonderland.

A New Life on the Gold Coast Voltaire’s Castle remained intact over the centuries, though vines began to engulf it. It was long abandoned by the time American financier Ashbel Barney discovered and fell in love with it during the 1920s. When he learned of its unique history, he bought the place and had it dismantled stone by stone. Thousands of terra cotta roof tiles were numbered and packed in cases, along with garden ornaments and mantels, and shipped to America where the building took two years to reassemble here on the North Shore. The theater and original farm buildings were left in France. The formal gardens were recreated with their complex geometric boxwood borders and flowered parterres. To the south of

Today the historic castle stands as it did during the reign of Louis XVI and is an outstanding and rare example of provincial French architecture. The 20-room mansion is set off by two massive turreted towers, gabled windows and weathered red tile roof. Gargoyles flank the entrance hall with its granite Louis XVI carved staircase. There are spacious salons with 17th and 18th century paneled walls featuring marble fireplaces and hand-hewn herringbone floors. The master suite and guest rooms are unique in design, with French paneled walls, carved mantels and arched windows. Massive trees blot out the sun on the east side of the house where tall French doors open out to a stone-paved courtyard with its ancient lead-domed wishing well. At one time

there was a stone garage and gardener’s cottage with attached greenhouse that overlooked a small water lily pond, but it was demolished some years ago. Also on the property is a 12foot hedge grove that surrounds a heated swimming pool decorated with Grecian pillars and a pavilion for poolside entertaining. I first photographed the estate in the late ’60s, when it was owned by Judge Lynd and his wife. They were very gracious and gave me a tour of the house, where little had changed since it was first built. The oak paneling was of the finest quality. Cascades of crystal shimmered from the ceilings, while delicate ticking clocks stood on the mantels whiling away the centuries.

Frisky Cops and Bored Housewives The old world castle still has the power to cast a spell over anyone who goes there. Some years ago I was scouting locations with a film director

April / May 2014 | 81

features

25A

“He was a true visionary, way ahead of his time. who wanted something European and picturesque for an international coffee’s commercial. I just knew the Brookville property would be perfect. At the time the new owners had not moved in yet and they would be pleased, as the film shoot would help pay the exorbitant taxes. Some houses in the area are said to be haunted with negative energies stemming from a vast assortment of murders, suicides and other misdeeds or traumatic deaths. But this charming hideaway seems to resonate with loving and romantic vibrations that have long been a part of its history.

As the director and I pulled into the wide cobblestone courtyard at the front of the house, we unwittingly came upon a scene that was right out of a Woody Allen movie. Parked in the drive was a black Bentley with a tennis racket perched on the hood. Next to it was a police car. As we walked around to the veranda on the left, we spotted an attractive blond woman in a short white tennis dress and a uniformed police officer sitting at a small café table. They were staring mooey-eyed at each other.

One of several hedge graves with a marble nymph - photographs in the date 60’s

82 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

“...this charming hideaway seems to resonate with loving, and romantic vibrations” On the table was a silver ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses. They both jumped up startled and speechless when they saw us. We just waved, smiled and continued our tour. “Beautiful day for champagne,” the director said as we slithered behind a grove of clipped topiary trees. “Are they the owners?” “No, they’re trespassing.” I had no idea who they were and I never saw them again. But you had to admire their choice of a setting for an afternoon tryst. There had always been a mysterious alchemy about the place that altered your state of mind, so the two lovebirds had to be forgiven their transgressions. They appeared to be caught up in the spirit for which these places were created – to enchant and beguile – and this little Gold Coast treasure was about as close to heaven as one could get.

Author’s note: In recent years there has been some controversy regarding the history of this house. There are claims that the house was not owned by Voltaire and/or that it was a cousin or other relative. I am of the opinion that if there is a price on your head and your life is in danger from your own government, it behooves you to put the property’s deed in the name of a trusted cousin. But let it be noted, Voltaire’s coat of arms is embedded in stone over the front entrance. Additionally, if you like haunting stories about old Long Island mansions, you might enjoy: Winfield, Living in the Shadow of the Woolworths. It’s free at your local library or not so free through Amazon.

As we walked back toward the house, the couple we’d seen moments before were gone, as were their cars. “They left in a hurry,” the director said. “I think we ruined their day. “ We filmed there the following week, as a crew of 60 swarmed over the grounds and gardens. Another unusual photo shoot that was done at the estate was for a collection of Oleg Cassini bridal gowns. The model had an attached hairpiece set into a crown of diamonds and pearls. She sat in one of the tower windows with her hair flowing 20 feet to the ground. A modern day prince in shining armor sat on a white horse below. I had borrowed the horse from a nearby estate and made sure we had plenty of apples on hand for him to munch on during the shoot. The beautiful model was an accomplished equestrian and later in the day she was photographed in a wedding gown galloping across the lawn on the trusty steed. In the background you could see the two desolate towers where a swarm of black crows were shrieking and circling the conical-shaped roof. You’d swear you were in the Bavarian Alps in one of King Ludwig’s fairytale dream palaces. Some say the castle is haunted, but 300-year-old buildings tend to attract such rumors. The chateau remains an enigma. Its age has given it an eerie, melancholy quality. Its towers are all but engulfed in a thick web of phantasmal vines that conceal most of its windows. At night the neighbors claim to see lights going off and on by themselves when there is no one there. At dawn you can hear the slow, sensual rise and fall of the mourning doves that live in the lush bowers of the towering oaks. When you enter the front hall of the house, you feel something that cannot be defined, and in such an atmosphere the past and present seem strangely alive. One senses a nameless inner life. If only in the imagination, it is easy to picture a ghost or two in the begrimed hall mirror. The house remains in private hands.

Bronze French wall sconce and gilt mirror

April / May 2014 | 83

Courtside With Clyde Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier: The Legend, The Wit and The Wardrobe By Victoria Caruso, cover and article photography by Neil Tandy

lot has changed since Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier played his last professional basketball game nearly 35 years ago. Back then, the National Basketball League (NBA) consisted of merely 16 teams – there are now 30; hand-checking wasn’t just allowed, it was encouraged; and courtside seats, like multimillion-dollar contracts, did not exist. “Basketball wasn’t very popular at the time. It was baseball, football and then basketball; we were the low men on the totem pole,” said Frazier, a point guard whose success with the New York Knicks made him a household name. “And even then, it wasn’t entertainment. It was strictly a game.” But Frazier made it entertaining both on and off the court. His success and that of the Knicks – who won their only two NBA championship titles during his tenure – not only helped shape the future of professional basketball but also led the way for Frazier’s personal success, which has continued four decades after retirement.

84 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

The Basketball Legend On the court, Frazier was the man to watch. In 1967, after graduating from Southern Illinois University, Frazier was drafted by the Knicks as their first-round pick. He played 10 seasons in New York, setting records for points scored, games played and assists, as well as leading the Knicks to NBA Championship titles in 1970 and 1973. In 1977, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in an 11th-hour move made on the eve of the 1977-’78 season that shocked fans as much as it did Frazier. In 1980, he retired from the game, ending a 13-year professional basketball career (825 games) in which he averaged 18.9 points per game. Considered one of the most decorated players in the history of the game, Frazier is a seven-time NBA All-Star, member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a few years back was named one of the ‘50 Greatest Players in NBA History.’ Additionally, in 1979, the Knicks retired Frazier’s #10 jersey.

Yet it is Frazier who watches in awe as today’s superstars handle the ball and the court with such ease and skill. “When I played, I was considered a big guard at 6’4” – today, I’d be a shrimp,” he laughs. “There are these guys who are 6’7” and 225 pounds who have extraordinary agility; it’s the most amazing thing. They are bigger, stronger and faster. I marvel at the skills of these guys and what they are doing.” That doesn’t, however, necessarily mean that if Frazier were playing today his personal accomplishments would be any less impressive. In fact, Frazier likes to think they’d actually be better. “It is much easier to score today than when I played. Back then, hand-checking was allowed and, as a rookie, guys were able to push you around the court, so defense was the best offense. Today, offense is the best defense,” he said, noting that the actual number of teams in the NBA today, as opposed to when he played, would also be a factor. “Back then, there were 16 teams; now there are 30 so while there is talent, it’s watered down so every night you aren’t playing against the best players like you did back then.”

“

My mother always taught me it is nice to be important - but more important to be nice.

While his salary would be much better today – during the ’70s, $300,000 was considered an extremely lucrative contract – Frazier is in no way jealous of today’s basketball stars making the big bucks. “I thank God for what I have and the respect people show me. I don’t need to make more money; it’s not the essence of my happiness and money cannot buy what I have – and that is my good name, reputation and respect.” In fact, he credits the talent of Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Dr. J for the popularity and visibility they brought to the game and admits he loves to watch today’s superstars Kevin Durant, Fab Melo, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, to name a few, play.

The Man Behind the Clothes Off the court, it was Frazier’s signature fashion style and alter ego ‘Clyde’ –a nickname given to him because his flair for wide-brimmed hats and flashy suits inspired comparisons to Warren Beatty’s character Clyde Barrow in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde – that garnered attention. As the oldest of nine kids growing up in Atlanta, GA, Frazier said his interest in fashion and clothes began at an early age. His style, which he personally describes as ‘flamboyant,’ ‘sophisticated’ and ‘eccentric,’ usually consists of signature suede shoes and full-length fur coats accompanied by custom suits accessorized with belts, ties and hats. “Clyde’s a cool guy who is stylish and a snazzy dresser. It’s a good moniker for me,” Frazier, who was voted one of The Coolest Athletes of All Time by GQ Magazine, said. “When I am out, I am Clyde. I take pictures and sign autographs. Clyde seeks the limelight, likes to dress up and have a good time.” Behind the stylish wardrobe and outgoing persona lies – surprisingly – a quiet man who likes

nothing more than to unwind and relax. When the season is over and Frazier heads off to his home in St. Croix, Walt returns. In fact, on the island, Frazier’s everyday wardrobe consists solely of shorts and T-shirts, the only trace of his alter ego present in his signature Clyde Puma sneakers. “While I like dressing up, going out and being Clyde, that is who I am in New York; Clyde is dormant in St. Croix and doesn’t show his face there at all,” admits Frazier, who, since 1980 has split his time between Harlem and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Walt is more of a quiet, shy guy who likes to be alone and relax. When I am there, I’m just Walt, a quiet guy from Atlanta who also happens to have flamboyant taste.” In St. Croix, Frazier lives a laid-back lifestyle that includes yoga, sailing, tennis and horseback riding. He can often be found working in his garden –which includes hundreds of indigenous trees and plants – building gazebos, painting and varnishing wood. He loves carpentry and after Hurricane Hugo destroyed much of his island home in 1989, he quickly went to work to restore it. Additionally, in St. Croix, Frazier is a professional realtor who owns 14 short- and long-term rental homes that he personally designed, landscaped and decorated. For Frazier, time on the island helps him rejuvenate before coming back and dealing with New York’s hustle and bustle. “I love the lifestyle – the water, fresh air, the sunshine. St. Croix is my version of the Hamptons – my haven, my sanctuary.”

Restaurateur, Author, Philanthropist While he used to spend the entire off-season in St. Croix, his time there over the past two years includes just weeks, rather than months, at a time, particularly because he has a restaurant to run. In April 2012, Frazier added another dimension to his already colorful career when he part-

“

nered with Michael Weinstein of Ark Restaurants Corp. to open Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine on 10th Avenue and 37th Street in Manhattan. The restaurant, which features a bar, main dining area, lounge and, of course, a basketball court, is a celebration of architecture, sports, food and fashion in the unique style that is Clyde Frazier. Life-sized images of Frazier adorn the walls of the West Side eatery and there are TVs to catch the game. Additionally, the restaurant features a menu consisting of modern American fare with Latin influences created by Chef Armando Cortes and his culinary team. And if you’re lucky enough to eat at Clyde’s on a night that the Knicks are home, there’s a pretty good chance Frazier will be there, greeting customers, signing autographs and taking pictures – all things he truly enjoys doing. “Before I was famous, I wanted people to recognize me and want my autograph. I wanted to be a star and a celebrity in the greatest city in the world. I relish it,” he said, admitting that, even after all these years, he never takes his celebrity for granted. “My mother always taught me it is nice to be important – but more important to be nice.” Frazier, a spokesperson for Just For Men hair care products and the Puma sneaker brand, is also author of a handful of bestselling books, including Walt Frazier: One Magic Season and a Basketball Life; The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Playing Basketball; Rockin’ Steady: A Guide to Basketball and Cool; The Game Within the Game; and Word Jam Guide To Awesome Vocabulary. His autobiography Clyde, published in 1970, details the basketball legend’s 1969-70 season with the New York Knicks and the team’s success in capturing its first NBA Championship title. He is currently working on a new book focusing on health and fitness that is a testimony to how he lives his life. When he isn’t working as a commentator, writing a book or running his restaurant, Frazier can

April / May 2014 | 85

Clyde “The Glide” Frazier

“Clyde seeks the limelight, likes to dress up and have a good time...

Walt is a quiet guy from Atlanta.

be found donating his time to the Knicks charity Garden of Dreams and his Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, which, since 1985, has been dedicated to helping children through mentoring programs and education. The face of his organization, Frazier often goes into schools to speak with children about the importance of education, abstinence and living an alcohol-free life. Through the foundation, Frazier also has the opportunity to introduce young kids to his ‘Keys to Success.’

and well-seasoned talking points delivered with the trademark rhymes and catchphrases – also known as Clydisms – he is known and loved for. “When I first started in broadcasting, it was on the radio and the guy I worked with didn’t give me a lot of time to say anything and would talk right over me,” he said. “Phrases like ‘swishing and dishing’ or ‘bounding and astounding’ were all I could get in before he interrupted me. I found it a necessity to come up with something to say that would have an impact on the game.”

“To be successful, you need to have confidence, a plan and know how to utilize your time. Also, you need to be motivated and have a tenacious work ethic. And teamwork is essential,” Frazier said, adding that to truly attain something one must stay away from the ‘isms.’ “Hedonism, narcissism, nepotism, racism and egoism – those will destroy you – your team – everything. Other than that, life is simple and what you make it,” he said, adding that, above all, one should never, ever envy someone else’s success. “Go out and make your own.” And so far, that’s exactly what Frazier has done. When the Knicks traded him, Frazier made the best of it and played portions of the next three seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring from the game and going on to become first a radio announcer and then an NBA analyst for TBS before he became the voice of the Knicks on MSG. He also joins Michael Kay every Friday during the season at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

The Future of the Knicks It’s in his role as the voice of the Knicks that Frazier will have a front row seat to witness perhaps the biggest move the New York franchise has made in decades. Last month, the Knicks announced the hiring of Phil Jackson, a former Knick (1967-1978) and perhaps one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA, as their president of basket-

At first, Frazier said, response to his colorful way of calling the game was not all that positive but in time it became his signature delivery. In an effort to constantly come up with new words and phrases, Frazier would carry a dictionary with him and read The New York Times’ Sunday Arts & Leisure section. He would also record his radio broadcasts and play them back on the road.

ball operations. The move has many New York basketball fans – Frazier included – hopeful the coveted titled of NBA champs will one day soon return to Madison Square Garden. “Not only does Phil bring instant credibility to the organization because of his winning record – both as a coach and as a player – but having someone who understands the nuances of New York and the fans is big and something the Knicks have never had before,” said Frazier. “This should be very exciting.” Although there is some pride in being a member of the last Knicks team to win a championship, Frazier is the first to admit that the dry spell has gone on long enough. “I never thought they’d go this long without winning another title,” he admits honestly, adding, “Knicks fans are the best fans in the world and they deserve better.” With Jackson at the helm, fans can expect Frazier to continue weighing in with solid commentary

“If you use clichés no one will say anything, but if you use the same word, you’d never hear the end of it so I would find two or three different words to say what I wanted to say,” Frazier admits. “I didn’t want to be redundant so I would read all these book on words and phrases and relate them to the player.” Type ‘Walt Frazier’ into Google and instantly you are presented with websites dedicated solely to his now famous catchphrases. There’s even, unbeknownst to Frazier, a drinking game that suggests someone do a shot whenever he uses one of them. “There’s a drinking game? I can’t endorse that, unless it’s Kool-Aid,” he laughed before the businessman in him kicked in. “Or maybe I need to come up with my own drink. Now, that could be interesting.”

“

BMW of Oyster Bay

OysterBayBMW.com 1-516-922-5555

Redefining The Luxury Car Buying Experience

Featuring

Clyde’s Ride 2014 BMW

750Li XDrive

145 Pine Hollow Road, Oyster Bay, NY |

866.383.5574 | OysterBayBMW.com

Sales Monday to Friday: 9am - 9pm | Hours Saturday: 9am - 6pm • Sunday: 11am - 4pm

Anthony Rapp The Rent star chats about the roads that led to his reunion with Idina Menzel in Broadway’s new musical

Photo: Joan Marcus

By Iris Wiener

he name Anthony Rapp is synonymous with Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking show Rent, in which the angelic-looking rocker originated the role of Mark Cohen offBroadway in 1996. After helping to garner the Broadway production its 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, Rapp went on the national tour with fellow cast-mate Adam Pascal in 2009 and continues to perform his favorite numbers from the hit show in concert. This season, Rent heads and Rapp fans alike will get their dessert with a cherry on top when he reunites with Rent’s original Maureen, Idina Menzel, in Broadway’s If/Then, an original musical from Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the Pulitzer Prize winners behind Next to Normal.

If/Then follows the life of Elizabeth (Menzel), who is moving back to New York City at the age of 40. She returns hoping for a fresh start, but in her carefully crafted new life, audiences are given a glimpse as to how the smallest decisions and most random of occurrences change the course of her future. The show splits into two vastly different realities, both of which play out with the same characters in two incredibly different situations – quite the artistic feat for actors performing in a live production.

“The nature of my relationship with Idina is very different than the nature of Lucas’ relationship with Elizabeth, but the sense of shared history and meaningful past is so Kitt and Yorkey wrote If/Then and the character tangible.” of Lucas with Rapp in mind for the role. The collaborators had worked with Rapp when he did a reading of the musical The Wedding Banquet, as well as when he was involved with

April / May 2014 | 91

celeb

25A

early developmental readings and workshops of Next to Normal (when it was still known as Feeling Electric).

has experienced firsthand the ripple effect of any single decision. However, one choice defined his path before any others.

“It’s an incredible honor and privilege to have a role written for you,” Rapp says, considering the factors that aided in his decision to return to Broadway this spring. “We did the first reading of If/Then two-and-a-half years ago and at the time it didn’t even have a title. It was really exciting. It certainly changed a great deal in the intervening two years, but the central conceit of following two parallel storylines was in it from day one. And the chance to work with [director] Michael Greif and Idina, there was just no question in my mind about returning.” In the time between his work with Rent and If/ Then, Rapp has had one foot in all mediums. From the release of his first full-length album, Look Around, to playing Hamlet at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to his performance in the recent musical episode of TV’s Psych, Rapp

“Going to an audition when I was a little kid changed my life,” he says. “I hadn’t performed before. I was six years old at a summer camp

“It’s an incredible honor and privilege to have a role written for you.” and I played the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Maybe I would have done it later in life anyway but that was the beginning of the rest of my life because it just felt so at home. It wasn’t anything that my mom pushed me to do; it was something that I did all on my own.”

Photo: Joan Marcus

The Yellow Brick Road led to a slew of film roles (Dazed and Confused, A Beautiful Mind) in ad-

92 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

dition to a long resume of theater that now includes six Broadway shows (including You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Six Degrees of Separation), and Rapp couldn’t be more thrilled to be returning to the stage as If/Then’s Lucas. “He’s a housing activist and he’s incredibly committed, probably ornery and stubborn about his interests,” Rapp says of Lucas. “He tries to live in the present but is certainly holding on to an idealized past. When so many people are in college they discover their social conscience and a lot of times as they get older that fades into the background. For Lucas, that certainly hasn’t happened. He’s still very much in the forefront of that kind of life. That has positive and not-as-positive outcomes.” Though most people attending If/Then won’t have experiences with grassroots activism, Rapp feels that they’ll still be able to relate to Lucas. “The nature of his profound and meaningful friendship with Elizabeth is pretty relatable,” he says, pointing out that he personally finds connections with the song “Some Other Me.” “It encapsulates some of the essential ideas of the show, all these possible lives that any of one of us might have led and the things that might have happened,” he ponders. “I think that that’s very well-articulated from a musical and lyrical standpoint, and for me, it’s really meaningful to get to sing a song with Idina – just the two of us.” Rapp equates the experience of working with Menzel in If/Then to that of returning home. “It feels familiar in this way,” he says nostalgically. “From the first moment that we all worked together in the rehearsal room for Rent back in the early days, it was a group of people who were bringing their best selves forth and we went through such an incredible experience together, there’s just trust and respect and love and friendship.” According to Rapp, Elizabeth

and Lucas have all of these traits in their relationship with one another, so there’s no homework to be done. “The nature of my relationship with Idina is very different than the nature of Lucas’ relationship with Elizabeth,” he says, laughing, “but the sense of shared history and meaningful past is so tangible. We’re very fortunate that that’s the case.” While working on If/Then with Idina there hasn’t been a moment in which Rapp has felt compelled to pull out Mark Cohen’s infamous camera (the Rent character was a filmmaker), but he does say that there was one point in the early stages of If/Then rehearsals that gave him a sense of déjà vu. “One of my strongest memories of the Rent experience is when Jonathan came in brandishing the ‘Take Me or Leave Me’ music, and he sat down and started playing it and teaching it, and there was a very similar moment in this process when Tom Kitt came into rehearsal with a song for Idina, sat down at the piano and started playing it,” Rapp recalls.

“Going to an audition when I was a little kid changed my life. I hadn’t performed before. Maybe I would have done it later in life anyway, but that was the beginning of the rest of my life because it just felt so at home.”

“‘Always Starting Over’ is an incredible song and people will talk about it in a really major way.” If/Then has all of the ingredients for a successful run but Rapp continues to consider his future. He hopes to resume performances of his one-man play, Without You, an adaptation of his memoir, Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent, which has already run in London, Toronto and Boston. “It was something I hadn’t been planning on doing when I was writing the book at all,” he says. “I was encouraged to try and that’s been a very rewarding and meaningful experience to work on. We are hoping and planning to do it in New York.” Though he says that his dream role would be the emcee in Cabaret, he is hoping to add another notch to his belt of accomplished genres: video game performer. “I like the really story-driven, intense stuff,” he says excitedly of his favorite pastime. “There’s incredible things going on in games now that’s sometimes better than what’s in films. You can have more time to develop the story and the characters in games,” the PlayStation junkie says. “I want to get work in games. It’s not just grunting and going, ‘Die!’ It’s actual relationships and interesting worlds being created.” For now Rapp is content with creating an interesting world on stage at the Richard Rodgers Theatre eight times each week. “One of the things that I’m proudest of with If/Then is that it’s original, that it’s not based on anything that existed before,” he says. “I get to do my own original thing, so I’m so grateful.” Visit www.TicketMaster.com or www.ifthenthemusical.com to catch Anthony Rapp in If/Then, now playing.

April / May 2014 | 93

taste

25A A Classic Spring Fling! By Andrea Correale

ake the fun out-of-doors while taking notice of what’s happening in your garden this spring. That’s what the garden party is all about and nature’s backdrop is your setting. The light is brighter and softer and nature responds to it. They still do it at Buckingham Palace and the Brits probably brought it here in the first place. The garden party ushers in the next two seasons, really. Make your garden party all that it is – full of pastel colors, green shoots and the lightness of being!

94 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

The best time of day to have a garden party is the afternoon; it has warmed up a bit and it won’t get too hot. Build your menu around what is available. Spring-inspired foods are lighter and include chilled soups, cucumbers, tea sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables, and salads. Set the table and be sure to include vases with fresh flowers, herbs and greenery. Try creating a unique centerpiece using fresh vegetables, like asparagus or carrots; we call these ‘edible centerpieces.’ A seated firstcourse option that works well is a blueberry yogurt parfait. Heavier

foods have gone by the wayside. A traditional tea sandwich buffet features salmon, chicken salad, turkey breast, egg salad and cucumber sandwiches. A chilled soup bar could include spring pea, potato leek, or gazpacho served in a large tureen with teacups for individual tasting. Mini stuffed Holland peppers filled with chicken salad, or cucumbers cut into bite-sized pieces and stuffed with seafood salad make good appetizers and grazing items. A sweets table could include a plate of petit fours, cotton candy tastes, cake pops, cookie pops and a berry flavored mousse.

Classical music works best for a garden party. Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is a favorite choice of mine. An organic tea bar works well with this menu, especially for the teetotalers. It delightfully integrates an old tradition with the new season. For those who still imbibe, a Prosecco, Beaujolais or Champagne is perfect for the occasion. Bid your guests farewell with a packet of seedlings or a newly sprouted plant to bring home to their own garden. Congratulations, you got the garden party started!

Each food station should be strategically placed throughout the garden. You create a flow that will enhance the experience. Your guests will literally graze through a meadow of spring fare. Andrea Correale, president of Elegant Affairs, is considered a celebrity caterer, event planner and entertaining expert. She has been featured in multiple magazines and television programs such as US magazine, Woman’s Day magazine, Oprah.com, VH-1 Fabulous Life, New York Housewives, and Martha Stewart Living. L’Oreal Paris Academy calls her their lifestyle expert as she inspires women across the country with a series of ‘how to’ videos.

April / May 2014 | 95

taste

25A

My Top 5 Food Havens of the Hamptons By Venus Quintana

Over the last two decades, the Hamptons has been casting its spell over world-class chefs and restaurateurs alike. As well as attracting sun-worshipers, artists, writers, filmmakers, celebrities and paparazzi, Long Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s East End has revolutionized the culinary world in a way that is remarkably inspiring. These five Hampton spots are well worth visiting and will have you dreaming of summer days to come.

96 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Fresh Opened in May of 2013, Fresh arrives courtesy of Chef Todd Jacobs. Jacobs, who earned kudos as the chef at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor in the mid90s, returns to the Hamptons with farm-to-table cuisine in a family-friendly environment that is affordable and accessible. A modern cottage exterior and manicured herb, vegetable and flower garden welcome guests into the restaurant. Derived from natural and local ingredients, the menu is abundant with organic, raw, gluten-free and vegetarian options. Dishes include appetizers, entrées, sides and desserts with most available in multiple portion sizes. Most entrées are offered in quarter, half and one pound portions and include hemp flour crusted flounder with organic carrot butter infused with ginger and lemongrass; and braised all natural boneless beef short ribs with Merlot wine sauce. A juice bar also serves Fresh’s organic fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices such as the signature organic cucumber spritzer. 203 Sag Harbor Turnpike Bridgehampton NY 11932 631.537.4700 www.freshhamptons.com

The Living Room Part of c/o The Maidstone, a Scandinavian lifestyle hotel in East Hampton, The Living Room offers a menu committed to the Slow Food philosophy, featuring fresh seasonal and organic foods. The Slow Food movement is, naturally, against fast food; it’s also for responsible, environmentally friendly choices. Chef de cuisine Mathais Brogie uses the Slow Food process to create Scandinavian/Nordic dishes reflective of the season. Peconic Pride Oysters on the half shell with a shallot cucumber mignonette; Herring Three Ways with ‘Gubbröra,’ pickled red onion, sour cream, vasterbotten cheese and potato; and ‘Köttbullar’ Swedish meatballs with classic condiments are some of the exciting dishes offered. Look out for the year-round schedule of events including wine dinners, holiday dinners and daily specials such as a chef’s tasting menu, prix fixe and the now famous Smörgåsbord Wednesdays, a Swedish happy hour with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and half-priced cocktails. 207 Main St East Hampton NY 11937 631.324.5006 www.themaidstone.com April / May 2014 | 97

Nick & Toni’s

Widely recognized as the most sought-after seat in the Hamptons, Nick & Toni’s has garnered exemplary praise since its inception in 1988. With contributions from Head Chef John Baron, the menu changes seasonally, often using produce grown in Nick & Toni’s own one-acre organic garden. Entrée selections include signature pastas such as penne all vecchia bettola with a spicy oven roasted tomato sauce and house-made ricotta gnocchi with artichoke pesto and garden mint; Painted Hills rib eye with roasted golden beets, garden leeks and guanciale; and grilled lamb tenderloins with baby carrots, snap peas and salsa verde. Nick & Toni’s has rapidly grown into a power restaurant and has been frequented by celebrities in the film and music industry as well as artists, political figures, business moguls and more. 136 N. Main Street East Hampton NY 11937

98 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Almond This iconic Hamptons French bistro in Bridgehampton offers reasonable prices, bold bistro fare, friendly service and an attractive dining room reminiscent of a Parisian bistro. The relaxed atmosphere offers a large dining space to seat 120 and is completed with casual wood topped tables, dark wood wainscoting and ambient lighting. Executive Chef Jason Weiner’s menu is comprised of many French bistro favorites, with an emphasis on local produce and local seafood. Sample entrees that will please any palate include tasty steak frites with sauce Bordelaise, roasted shallots and marrow; Le Grande macaroni and cheese with prosciutto and chopped truffles; and roasted chicken with garlic crushed potatoes and natural sauce. Friendliness is a hallmark of this charming spot and in the spirit of liberté, egalité and fraternité, Almond seems to attract just about everyone – families, couples, celebrities, locals and anyone inbetween. One Ocean Road Bridgehampton NY 11932 631.537.5665 www.almondrestaurant.com

Red|bar Brasserie With a critically acclaimed menu, soothing, beautiful décor and warm, professional service, it is no surprise that the Southampton brasserie red|bar has become such a success. Executive Chef Erik Nodeland’s modern French/American cuisine has continued to impress diners and critics alike. Entrées include sautéed local monkfish with wilted pea tendrils, lemon potato emulsion and chorizo; a grilled heirloom Duroc pork shop with roasted corn, oyster mushrooms and hoisin glaze; seared LI duck breast with toasted almond-wild rice, baby bok choy and mango-pekoe tea sauce. red|bar has the look of a sophisticated Hamptons house with creamy white walls, hardwood floors, potted palms and wainscoting. David Loewenberg, widely regarded as one of the East End’s top restaurateurs, is co-owner of red|bar and little|red with partner Kirk Basknight in Southampton. 210 Hampton Road Southampton, NY 11968 631.283.0704 www.redbarbrasserie.com April / May 2014 | 99

jetset

25A

ever wunder

Garden Party

It wouldn’t be spring if we weren’t celebrating outdoors. Kick off with The Garden Party-An exhibit at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Centered on the theme, fêtre champêtre (French for outdoor entertainment garden parties,) the exhibit explores the imagery of outdoor entertainments and garden parties in a variety of mediums. Featuring works by notable artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Prendergast, Mapplethorpe, Rosenquist, Chagall and more, it is perfect for the entire family or art-loving friends. Garden Party runs from March 8 to July 6, offering plenty of chances for those interested in indulging in a little fêtre champêtre. www.nassaumuseum.org

Cinco de mayo

By Gwen Wunderlich-Smith So long winter! We could not be any happier that spring has finally sprung because we are dying to hit all the events and activities of the new season. Foodies and oenophiles can delight their taste buds at Long Island Restaurant Week or sip on the latest and greatest at Manhattan Classic Cocktail. Add a touch of culture into your routine with a visit to the Garden Party Exhibition or the Tribeca Film Festival. With so many fun happenings this season, it looks like the winter blues are a thing of the past.

100 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

This Cinco de Mayo you’ll find us at Besito. The celebration at the Huntington based restaurant The New York Times rated “excellent” begins May 3rd! Celebrate Mexican culture and it’s delicious food and drinks with Tacos Al Besito (served in a cast iron skillet) and their special top notch tequila tasting. The ambiance, music and décor set the scene, but it’s their famous Mexican Chocolate Pudding that we’re really swooning for, (and the margaritas of course). www.besitomexican.com

Manhattan cocktail classic Part festival, part fête, part conference, part cocktail party – the Manhattan Cocktail Classic is an annual celebration of the myriad points of intersection between cocktails and culture. Running from May 9-13th, with events throughout the area, there really is something for everyone. The event we definitely won’t miss is The Gala at the New York Public Library- Over twenty-five thousand cocktails, dancing, and performances in one of our favorite NYC landmarks. We’ll be sure to see you there. manhattancocktailclassic.com

Tribeca Film Festival Once again it’s time for the annual Tribeca Film Festival. Founded in 2002 by Robert de Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff, the renowned festival draws an estimated three million people yearly, including distinguished celebrities from the worlds of art, film, and music. Stand side by side with some of the finest thinkers of the art world, catch up and coming filmmakers and be a part of this cultural affair. The festival takes place from April 16th-27th in lower Manhattan. A variety of different ticket options is provided. To learn more, visit their website: tribecafilm.com/festival

mothers day Do something different this Mothers Day and get out in this beautiful Spring weather with a trip to Long Island Wine Country! Find out why the Huffington Post has called Long Island Wine one of the ultimate places to visit in their American Travel Guide. Learn all about the wine process behind world-class wines while enjoying a tasting and walk through a 20 acre vineyard. Before heading off to dinner be sure to catch live music at Clovis Point. For more info please check liwines.com

April / May 2014 | 101

jetset

25A

Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Resort and Spa

welcome to BAJA CALIFORNIA By Victoria Crosby

102 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Suite with Terrace

Pool

abo San Lucas in Mexico is near the bottom of Baja California, with the famous arch rock at the tip, in an area is known as Land’s End. On a recent vacation there, we stayed at the luxurious Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar Resort and Spa, overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The Spanish architecture and impeccable landscaping are very inviting. There is a chapel on the property, four swimming pools (two are infinity pools), a hot tub and several 5-star restaurants. Many people come to Los Cabos, which in Spanish means the capes, for the fabulous golf courses, and of course for snorkeling, diving and deep sea fishing. There are also extreme sports for the truly adventurous, such as the 10 zip-lines that total more than four miles, skydiving, bungee jumping and even camel rides at Wild Canyon Adventures. The area and nearby towns feel very American, with many huge hotels and condos. The people are friendly and all speak English. Locals are quick to make a point of letting you know how safe it is in Los Cabos, compared to other parts of Mexico.

I was impressed with the modern roads and I was told that many tourists rent cars while in Los Cabos, as it is quite easy to get around. The huge Luxury Avenue Boutique Mall at the marina houses Tiffany, Cartier and other high-end shops and almost makes you feel as though you are at the Americana in Manhasset or on Rodeo Drive in LA. The marina just behind the shopping mall is filled with touristy shops and restaurants. The pelicans are as plentiful there as seagulls are on our Long Island waterfronts. There are boats of all shapes and sizes at the marina – glass-bottom boats for tourists, fishing boats and fabulous private yachts, as well as the aptly named Caborey, a huge catamaran. One of the options on the Caborey is a sunset cruise to see The Arch. The cruise includes a cocktail hour with a live band performing American popular music, followed by dinner and a show, in true cabaret style. The food on the Caborey was surprisingly good. I had the chateaubriand but there were five other options, including a vegetarian one. The dinner entertainment was Mexican and other traditional Hispanic-themed dance performances.

April / May 2014 | 103

features

25A

Caborey also does a daytime snorkeling cruise (with lunch) and whale watching cruises. The spouting whales were visible from the hotels and beaches during our stay, as it was migrating season, which runs from December to March, the time for gray and humpback whales to migrate to warmer waters of the Baja. There is a dolphin show at the marina but I am not comfortable with trained dolphins or whales in captivity. There is also a tour that offers snorkeling alongside whale sharks in La Paz, where they come to the Sea of Cortez in the winter. This experience is also available in Cancun from June to September in the Caribbean Sea. For a really exhilarating experience I swam with dolphins in the wild some years ago in the Bay of Banderas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The tour guides are marine biologists and the dolphins respond to their calls. When the magnificent mammals approach, you can jump in and swim right alongside of them! It was thrilling. However, we were told not to touch the dolphins as people do with those in captivity, as this is dangerous to their health. We visited San Jose Del Cabo where there are wonderful art galleries and on Thursday nights from November until June, an art walk where artists display their paintings and other works in the town square. In La Paz we watched as a weaver demonstrated how a blanket is woven in intricate patterns on a loom. Watching the weaver at work was like seeing a living tableau from a painting by Van Gogh. In Todos Santos we had a delicious lunch at Tequila Sunrise where the margaritas are supersized, then we wandered through the famous Hotel California, just across the street. The colorful lobby and the gift shop are like a step back in time, but no one said ‘Welcome to the Hotel California’! Both these places were made famous in songs by the Eagles, and while the songs have nothing to do with the actual places, I purchased shirts that said Hotel California anyway. There are also many great restaurants. The Office, right on the beach, and its sister restaurant, Edith’s, are very popular places. There are also lively places with music. Rock & Brews, Señor Frogs and Cabo Wabo are very popular. With many places to shop and interesting trinkets to purchase, the old adage, caveat emptor (buyer beware) is imperative when traveling anywhere in the world. Jewelry, handbags and any products sold as the genuine article are suspect unless you are buying in an established and reputable shop. At the famous Arch, seen so often in perfume ads and travel brochures, are two beaches – Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach. Lover’s Beach is on the side of the Sea of Cortez, where the water is calmer and it is safe to swim and snorkel. On the Pacific Ocean side is Divorce Beach, where there are warning signs not to go in the water because of the dangerous undertow, riptides and rogue waves. So that’s where you send your spouse for a quicky Mexican divorce!

104 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (Lands End, Cabo San Lucas)

April / May 2014 | 105

Discovering Maui at the Grand Wailea By Gwen Wunderlich - Smith

ven though it’s only 727 square miles, Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii, and what fits into that area is breathtaking. If you ask anyone who’s been there, Maui holds a special place in his or her hearts – a deep connection, if you will. From the majestic western mountains and the Haeleakala crater, to the turquoise blue waters and the famed “Road to Hana” (where you can swim under waterfalls, take a dip in the sacred pools and hike through a bamboo forest), Maui truly has something for everyone. Whether you are looking for secluded nature, luxury resorts, family activities or just some rest and relaxation, this idyllic island is the vacation destination for you.

My weeklong travels took us to the Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Wailea. Although it’s known as a haven for families and fun-filled activities (such as the pools, watersides, kayaking, standup paddle boarding and a private white sand beach), it’s also a retreat for romance and is home to some of Maui’s best restaurants. Among traveler favorites: Alan Wong’s Amasia, known for its fusion of Asian, Peruvian and classic Hawaiian dishes; Bistro Molokini, which showcases a sweeping view of Wailea Beach and the Grand Dining Room; and Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, set on a million gallon saltwater lagoon filled with tropical fish (try saying that once, let alone three times!). And the Grand Wailea breakfast buffet is one for the ages!

Don’t miss their homemade malasadas, a delectable deep-fried dough confection coated with granulated sugar. These alone are worth the trip! Looking for a cocktail? The property boasts the Botero Bar, set among Hawaii’s largest collection of art; the Grotto Bar, where you can enjoy a drink without ever leaving the pool; and the Volcano bar for delicious poolside Mai Tais. On my first day of arrival, I was introduced to heavy pupu along with delicious cocktails at Ho`olei Villa. The sunset was an array of colors that complemented warm evening breezes and it truly was as if we had finally landed in paradise. The tropical cocktails were sweet on the palette

Lazy River

yet delivered the right amount of punch, which is exactly what I look for in a drink making the night even more magical if that was even possible. If relaxation is the reason Maui called you, look no further than the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea. Acclaimed as the most well known spa on Maui, this mecca of tropical relaxation presents an array of treatments that reflect a balance between the traditions of the east, west and ancient Hawaii. The spa is comprised of 40 treatment rooms within a 50,000-square-foot area, making it the largest spa in Hawaii. Be sure to indulge in their exclusive Terme hydrotherapy circuit, a unique oasis of baths featuring a Roman tub, saunas, cascading waterfalls, Swiss jet showers, a Japanese ofuro and five specialty soaking salt baths. On the afternoon of Saint Valentine’s Day I was greeted with an appropriate couples massage. Upon arrival I could see why it was named “Top 10 Spas in the United States” by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazine. The massage was beyond enjoyable. My masseuse made

me feel completely at home and told me about the spa’s practice of traditional Hawaiian therapy. Her professionalism as well as her intense training was evident in the level of massage. It was definitely one of my top spa visits ever. Better yet – the view! From the Grand Wailea’s rooms, beach and pool areas, you can watch the electric pink and purple sunsets while whales jump in and out of the water, depending on the season (whales typically call Maui home from October through June). The amenities are also a thing of wonder. Starting at 640 square feet, all 780 nonsmoking guestrooms feature Italian marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and luxe bathrobes, while furnished lanais overlook Mount Haeleakala or the mesmerizing Wailea Beach.

April / May 2014 | 107

Bedroom suite with a sweet view

Waterfall poolside at sunset

The last day was left for our choice of activity. Maui has innumerable options to occupy ones time which can range from the adventurous SUP paddle to a calming bike ride to La Peruse. I opted to Kayak. Kayaking has always held an interest to me and I felt it would be an invigorating way to end such a mellow trip. We departed on a beautiful morning on Wailea Beach and traveled down the South Maui coast. The smooth, crystal clear water worked in our favor as we paddled down the immaculate coastline. The most memorable part was the private white rock beach. It was unexpected and more beautiful than words can describe. Once on the shore, we were offered the option of snorkeling and jumped on the opportunity. The vivacious and colorful coral and marine life was breathtaking and the crystal blue water was a perfect catalyst to be able to witness such beauty. The trip was around three and a half hours and was, without a doubt, enchanting from beginning to end. Between the grand guest rooms, dazzling beauty, and a wedding chapel on property, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder the Grand Wailea is an ideal wedding destination and of course, a natural honeymoon or vacation location. Find out more at GrandWailea.com.

Tub for two

April / May 2014 | 109

The Natural vs. The Synthetic Modern Master Casey Baugh By Diana Pinck

ou might, at one time or other, have asked yourself what distinguishes outstanding realistic art from merely good representational art. First, a masterpiece is so amazing that even a child will be instinctively drawn to it. It tells a story, raises questions and somehow moves your soul. Second, the expert craftsmanship of a masterpiece seems effortless. It does not get in the way of the story being told. On the contrary, the mastery of the medium underlines and supports this story so completely that you may be unaware of the technique and all that is happening as you gaze upon such a painting, photograph or sculpture. This is the point where a connoisseur or expert could help you ‘see’ the technique or understand the ‘why.’ At 29 years young, Casey Baugh is such a modern master. His paintings are lyrical, his technique is flawless and his themes completely ‘au courant.’ Baugh, a child prodigy, started selling commissioned charcoal portraits at $50 a pop in the outskirts of his native Atlanta, Georgia when he was an 11-year-old kid. Word of mouth spread throughout the city and he acquired

110 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

such a following that by the end of high school he could charge up to $1,000 for head-and-shoulder portraits. Being entirely self-taught with the help of books and videos up to this point, Baugh decided not to study painting in college; instead he got a degree in graphic and web design and also studied film and photography. Baugh moved to Boston and studied under master painter Richard Schmid, who taught him the business of being a successful artist. Baugh also frequently visited a photography studio, where he learned about lighting, finding the right model, how to organize a successful studio and most importantly, how to tell a story in one image. “To me, content is everything. It is even more important than execution and presentation.” A year ago Baugh moved to New York and he promised himself to be more honest and narrative in his work, to express himself fully and communicate to the world through his paintings, 100 percent. Consequently, Baugh’s current work is the most honest of his career. He explains, “Every painting is a metaphor for where we are today and how we deal with technology and social media – the bright and beautiful side of it, but also the pitfalls and darker side.” To this end, Baugh juxtaposes the natural with the synthetic. Soft skin against hard plastic and fluorescent lights – painted with the brushstroke of a modern master.

“Every painting is a metaphor for where we are today and how we deal with technology and social media...” To see more of Casey Bough’s work visit www.caseybaughfineart.com. Representation by Arcadia Gallery in New York www.arcadiacontemporary.com

AprilMarch / May 2014 | 111

25a-list

25A Oyster Bay’s Raynham Hall Museum by Victoria Crosby

Staff and Docents of Raynham Hall in period costumes Committee member Connie Cincotta and Zac Nudo

Theresa Skvaria and Nicole Menchise

Townsend Weeks and Diana Collins

Honorees and board members

Honoree Patricia Sands and Susan Peterson

Oyster Bay’s Raynham Hall Museum held a Valentine’s Day dinner dance at the Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley. Wearing red shoes was encouraged.The honorees were Meredith Maus, Director of Main Street Association, Patricia P. Sands, Raynham Hall Museum Board Member and John Bonifacio, President of Main Street Association. Carol Silva of Channel 12 Television News was the MC. A silent auction and live auction helped raise much needed funds for the museum. For further imformation visit raynhamhallmuseum.org.

112 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Luxury Vehicle Owners Only Trust

American Car Wash

Gift Shop

Meet me at the car wash

1035 Northern

Toys for kids

Blvd. Roslyn NY, 11576 (516)-627-5555

25a-list

25A

2014 Medical Expo Photos by Neil Tandy

On February 22, 2014 Dr. Nichloas Kaloudis, founder of Endohealth MD hosted a medical wellness luncheon at the Metropolitan in Glen Cove. Guests of this free event heard the latest on effective weight loss, diabetes prevention and treatment, thyroid dysfunction, hormone replacement therapy and much more. Guests also received a full body composition profile, blood pressure and non-invasive vascular screenings, blood glucose measurement and nutritional instruction and weight loss supplement planning. To contact Endohealth MD, please call 516 365 1150

Dr. Nichloas Kaloudis

114 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

certified specialists certified collision collision specialists

20 lakeview avenue rockville centre,nY nY11570 11570 •• 516. 516. 766. 766. 0101 20 lakeview avenue rockville centre, 0101••midislandcollision.com midislandcollision.com

certified collision specialists

ue rockville centre, nY 11570 • 516. 766. 0101 • midislandcollision.com

ndustry inLeading all aspects the of automotive repairs 1955. industry in since all aspects

of automotive repairs since 1955.

Leading the industry in all aspects of automotive repairs since 1955.

paired in Our "green" shOp, utilizing envirOnmentally friendly paints and materials.

Over 100,000 cars repaired in Our "green" shOp, utilizing envirOnmentally friendly paints and materials.

25a-list

25A

Awakened Premiere

Photos by Benno Klandt

On March 21, 2014 guests were treated to the premiere of the mystery thriller Awakened staring actress and 25A June Cover Julianne Michelle. The movie premiered at the Quad Cinema Theater in New York City followed by a star studded after party at No. 8

Actress Julianne Michelle

Julianne Michelle and Tina Louise

116 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Rita Cosby and Julianne Michelle

Dascha Polanco, Tom Murro, Kira Kazansev, Julianne Michelle

Your Affair Could Be a Work of Creative Artistry

dance floors • lounge furniture • lighting

everything you need to create your vision

Tower Productions AN EVENT PRODUCTION COMPANY

100A Dale Street, West Babylon, New York 11704

631- 501-2960

www.towerproductionsnyc.com

25a-list

25A

Photos by Benno Klandt

118 | 25A www.25Amagazine.com

Patrick McMullan’s 31st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza March 17, 2014

To Benefit the FEGS Center for Women and Families

Thursday, June 5, 2014 7:00 pm Allegria Hotel 80 West Broadway Long Beach, NY Kick off the summer with cocktails and dancing to Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot, the ultimate Billy Joel Experience.

EVENT COMMITTEE Co-Chairs Andi Black and Suzanne Gould

Become a Sponsor or Buy Tickets: www.FEGS.org/LettheSunShineIn Questions: pspiegelglas@fegs.org 212.366.8034

Bari David • Deborah Feit Gayle Gelbard • Erika Gordon Bonnie Greenfield • Stacey Herman Dana Mitchell Jaffe • Cynthia Neiditch Stacey Ribotsky • Michele Rothman Liza Sandler • Andrea Siegel • Maria Wolfe

Brighten the lives of survivors of domestic violence who have experienced too much darkness!

DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Michael A. Benincasa A benefit to support suicide awareness and prevention

$95 PER TICKET

THURSDAY, MAY 8 6:30PM

2014

HARBOR CLUB at Prime

95 NEW YORK AVE., HUNTINGTON, NY 11743

Dinner, Dancing, Charitable Casino Tables and Raffles TO PURCHASE VISIT: www.michaelbenincasa.com or MAIL CHECK PAYABLE TO: Dollars for Scholars of Commack 37 Meadowrue Lane East Northport, NY 11731 Please RSVP by April 21st

FOR INQUIRIES CONTACT: REMEMBERINGMICHAEL@GMAIL.COM

Dramatic, yet graceful. Effortlessly simple, with cutting-edge technology. Ghost Series II forges a silent path of serenity through an ever-changing world. No ordinary power. Experience it for yourself.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC 300 Chestnut Ridge Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677, USA Tel: 1-877-877-3735 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-northamerica.com ÂŠ Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC 2014. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.