Quest Magazine May 2024

WOMENOF SUBSTANCEANDSTYLE

AMANDA HEARST RØNNING CO-FOUNDER, WELL/BEINGS PHOTOGRAPHED BY NICK MELE

LOVE IN VERONA

THE FINE ART OF EVERYDAY LIVING

FORTÉ INTRODUCES THE WEST PALM BEACH ART WALK

Striking architecture, impeccable interiors, and phenomenal views are just the beginning. Now Forté showcases the ne art of everyday living - the onsite art walk, created with the City of West Palm Beach, will provide a peaceful oasis where residents can enjoy distinctive sculptures.

88 THE SUBSTANCE OF STYLE Shining a spotlight on the lovely women who are using their talents, time, and influence to contribute to their communities. This year, we’ve added Ruth Gottesman, Kate Gubelmann, Amanda Hearst Rønning, and Breanna Schultz. photographed by Harry Benson, Nick Mele, Julie Skarratt, Annie Watt, Carrie Bradburn, Scott Erik Buccheit, Jack Deutsch, and David Dee Delgado

114 NEXTGEN GIVING Quest’s annual roundup of young philanthropists, featuring Oliver Kennan, Henry Doerge, and George Merck. by Brooke Kelly Murray

118 HAPPY TAILS FOR “PEGGY ADAMS” Palm Beach County’s oldest animal rescue institution is celebrating the success of its Spring fundraiser.

120 QUEST’S MENAGERIE Highlighting the pets we adore.

questmag.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DAVID PATRICK C O LUMBIA

DEPUTY EDITOR

ELIZABETH MEIGHER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

TYKISCHA JACOBS

MANAGING EDITOR

BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

DESIGN EDITOR

JAYNE CHASE

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

ROBERT BENDER

PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE

JULIE SKARRATT

SOCIETY EDITOR

HI LARY GEARY

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

HARRY BENSON

KATE GUBELMANN

TONY HALL

ALEX HITZ

ROBERT JANJIGIAN

RICHARD JOHNSON

KAREN KLOPP

JAMES MACGUIRE

HAVEN PELL

CHUCK PFEIFER

JANIE PIERREPONT

LIZ SMITH (R.I.P.)

TAKI THEODORACOPULOS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

HARRY BENSON

CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY

BILLY FARRELL

MARY HILLIARD

CRISTINA MACAYA

CUTTY MCGILL

PATRICK MCMULLAN

NICK MELE

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© QUEST MEDIA, LLC 2024. All rights reserved. Vol. 38, No 5.

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Clockwise from bottom left: Nick Mele; Stephanie Shafran, Callie Baker Holt, and Emilia Fanjul Pfeifler, co-chairs of Peggy Adams’ recent “Happy Tails” fundraiser; Richard Johnson; Jorge Sanchez at his St. Lucie Ranch; Ruth Gottesman (right) with her late husband David “Sandy” Gottesman, 2014; John F. Kennedy, Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, with their dog; Steve Schwarzman during a hard hat tour at Oxford; contributor Tony Hall.

s 18th annual Philanthropy Issue, highlighted by our tradition of saluting those “Women of Substance and Style” who have made measurable contributions to their respective communities and causes. Over these past eighteen years, Quest has drawn from three generations of America’s finest females - recognizing 54 deserving ladies whose dedication and commitment have indeed made a difference. Our simple custom is to photograph these women - a prestigious alumnae association of its own - in plain white shirts “because it’s what’s inside that counts.” On this May cover, Quest’s Slim Aarons-like contributor, Nick Mele, has captured the steadfast zeal that Amanda Hearst Rønning holds for her WELL/BEINGS environmental charity. I encourage you to delve deeper into this issue of munificence, especially pages 88-89 that celebrate Ruth Gottesman’s unprecedented billion dollar donation to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine - a bequest that will provide free tuition for all students going forward. In perpetuity! This humble 93-yearsyoung benefactor has captured the hardened hearts of even the most jaded New Yorkers. Dr. Gottesman is a genuine heroine, especially with Quest’s appreciative readers. And speaking of social-minded benefactors, this pub was amused by a recent remark from a washed-out women’s magazine editor who approvingly compared Lauren Sanchez Bezos’ acclaim to that of the late Brooke Astor’s; a few acerbic media minds have opined that her tone deaf observation was more stretched than her spanx. Touche! On the cusp of the Gottesman’s transformative gift, the financier and foresightful philanthropist, Stephen A. Schwarzman, is funding the development and construction of not one, but two Artificial Intelligence Computer Colleges/Centers - at MIT and at Oxford (UK) Universities. When queried by Quest’s erudite and always curious contributor, Tony Hall, as to why a Yale College and Harvard Business School alumnus would favor MIT’s campus, Schwarzman presciently replied: “MIT has the right expertise and values to serve as the ‘True North’ for AI ... my hope is to spur similar investments in AI at other institutions around the country.” To learn more, turn to pages 80-81; from Quest’s learned observation, Steve Schwarzman’s spurring has begun in earnest. Elsewhere in the pages ahead we highlight the daily Diary appointments of of our fabled Palm Beach columnist, Richard Johnson. And we applaud an energized and youthful event that supported Palm Beach’s renowned

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League - the recognized gold standard of placing shelter animals into the caring new homes of adopting pet lovers. Further on, our diligent design contributor, Jayne Chase, takes us on a visual tour of famed landscape architect Jorge Sanchez’ verdantly sprawling ranch near Lake Okeechobee. Named St. Lucie and inspired by Jorge’s ancestral Cuban heritage, the property is a natural habitat embracing the understated style of its owner and his cultured wife, Serina. With May we’ve hit the six month “mile-marker” preceding our federal referendum, and our national mood remains in malaise. “Why?” we ask, as most American industries are prospering... the workforce is close to full employment ... our tech development is unmatched ... and our markets are strong and stable. Yet, our Country’s temperament remains ambiguous. We thirst for standards and values that those “in charge” reject as being old fashioned. And we yearn for character and selflessness in our enterprises and leadership, as our once unshakeable faith in the nation’s top command is strained. Mostly, we long for competent guidance - corporate as well as political - where professional behavior champions common courtesy and decency over personal gain. Our great Country was built on such a foundation; the time has come to mine our national bedrock for a new generation of leaders. ◆

Chris Meigher

ON THE COVER:

Amanda Hearst Rønning, co-founder of the environmental nonprofit WELL/BEINGS, photographed by Nick Mele in Palm Beach, Florida. Beauty by Deborah Koepper Salon.

RichardJohnson@questmag .com in Palm Beach

RICHARD JOHNSON has settled in at Palm Beach’s Pink Paradise (otherwise known as the legendary Colony Hotel). He is penning a column from his table at Swifty's on questmag.com.

CHUCK ROYCE has a simple explanation of why he has spent millions of dollars redeveloping decrepit old buildings — “You build it, they come.”

Royce, a pioneer in smallcap investing, hosted a cocktail party with his equally capable wife, Deborah, at their Palm Beach estate overlooking the inter-coastal waterway to promote The United Theatre in Westerly, Rhode Island.

The 1926 building was first a vaudeville theater, then

showed movies, and finally was as dark and empty as the old Montgomery Ward store next door.

But Royce, who also has an oceanfront front house in nearby Watch Hill, spent a few years and $17 million painstakingly redeveloping the venue which now houses three cinemas and a 500-person, balconied space for events.

Carly Callahan, United’s executive director, said the complex, open seven days

a week, is nearing its third birthday, and attracts  55,000 people annually.

“Sometimes it feels a bit like we’re building the airplane while we’re flying in mid-air,” Callahan told the assembled guests. “I gave up a job for a vocation.”

Royce also saved the 150-year-old Ocean House in Watch Hill, which was about to be torn down by a McMansion developer.

After buying the abandoned hotel for $11.5 million,

he painstakingly restored and rebuilt it ... at great cost.

Royce, who favors bow ties, saved as much of the original building as he could, from the front doors to the ancient elevator cars.

“I suppose I could leave tomorrow and sit around the pool and play bridge,” he told Fortune, “but I have chosen to be involved.”

There are thousands of Rhode Islanders who are thankful — and many in Palm Beach too.

Clockwise from top left: Chuck Royce and Carly Callahan; Mary Joe and Victor Orsinger with Deborah Royce and Layng Martine, Jr.; Robert and Mary McCormack with Philip and Carol Norfleet; Sharon Bush and Bob Murray.

LORI BERG  knew what to do when she became general manager of The Royal Poinciana Plaza in 2017.

The stores had their front doors facing the parking lot, and shoppers never ventured into the landscaped courtyard in back.

Berg — who had worked

at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Henri Bendel — had the shops seal their front doors and open up to the lush garden behind.

The transformation was a success, as seen on Saturday, March 30th, when hundreds of parents brought their children to the plaza

to celebrate Easter.

The kids received a canvas tote, bunny ears, and a magical map leading to treats, while their parents indulged in live music, libations, and photo ops with fashion-forward bunnies.

Among its 50 stores is an Oscar de la Renta empori -

um, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Alice + Olivia, and Cartier.

The plaza, built in the 1950s by John S. Phipps, was designed by John Volk, architect for the Vanderbilts, DuPonts, Fords and Pulitzers.

But it took Berg to realize that its doors shouldn’t open to a parking lot.

Clockwise from above: The Royal Poinciana Plaza; Easter egg hunt, 2024; Lori Berg.

IT WAS SO MUCH fun in 1976, the tall ships are coming back.

An international flotilla of sailing ships will cruise into New York Harbor on July 4, 2026, to mark America’s 250th anniversary.

Some of the folks planning Sail4th 250 met last month at Palm Beach’s Sailfish Club to hear the group’s president Chris O’Brien outline the scheme. After

a cruise on two of Barton & Gray’s Hinckley yachts, Sail4th 250 president Chris O’Brien told the crowd, “When these ships come together, it’s extraordinary.”

Tim Barton and Douglas Gray, who founded the yacht chartering business for boat lovers who don’t like the headaches of owning a boat, were in attendance and both

serve on Sail4th 250’s Senior Advisory Council. So does Quest publisher Chris Meigher, who spoke briefly after observing, “Never stand between a group of thirsty sailors and an open bar.”

O’Brien said the 30 tall ships will sail past a wind farm being built off Coney Island, providing a vivid contrast of old wind power and new. “We’re a mar-

itime nation. How are we looking back at our roots?” said O’Brien, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.

New York will have a bigger international crowd than ever because a World Cup semifinal soccer match will take place on July 5th at MetLife Stadium. America’s 250th birthday will draw even more than the 6 million visitors to 1976’s bicentennial.

Clockwise from left: OpSail 2000; boats from Barton & Gray’s fleet; Chris O’Brien.

DOUG GRAY; ALAMY

CARSON GRAY  — a beautiful, blonde mother of two — launched her jewelry design business last year and she is planning on success.

“I want to do something with my life,” she told me over lunch at Swifty’s. “I want my kids to see me succeed.”

The divorcee, a native New Yorker, worked at Tiffany & Co. and Cartier, but prefers being self-employed.

“I got tired of watching other people make mis-

takes,” she said.

She now lives in England, where her son and her polo-playing daughter are in school.

Gray designs rings, earrings, and necklaces in the price range of $5-to-25 thousand.

Even though women’s liberation is old hat, “I must convince women to buy without asking their husbands’ permission,” she said.

The most important thing her customers should know

is that diamonds are way over-priced, and that the best lab-created, sustainable diamonds are identical.

“Jewelers can’t tell the difference,” she said.

Customers over the age of 55 generally demand mined diamonds and won’t touch lab-grown stones.

But many younger customers don’t want what could be “blood diamonds” mined by slave-driving exploiters. They prefer the labgrown stones.

Gray’s a crack-shot who loves hunting stag, and she stresses the importance of culling some animals. “It’s a responsibility and I see it as such.”

She has also hunted in Africa. “I broke my toe running away from a baboon,” she said with a laugh.

If something is easy to do, there is little joy in success, and Gray realizes the satisfaction is in the struggle.

“Failure is not an option,” she told me. “Die trying.”

From left: Carson Gray; Green Tourmaline Pendant, 6.64ct ($8,000).

LUNCH BY THE pool at the Colony Hotel can be distracting.

Besides some well-toned women in bikinis on March 19th, there was Kelsey Grammer lounging poolside — not so well toned, but looking good for his 69 years. His “Frazier” reboot has been given a second season on CBS.

But I wasn’t lunching with Kelsey. I was breaking bread with Jack Lynch, v.p. of retail marketing at J.Mc -

Laughlin.

Brothers Jay and Kevin McLaughlin started out in 1977 with a men’s clothing shop on Third Avenue next to Jim McMullen’s restaurant.

McMullen, a former male model, drew a crowd that included Princess Grace of Monaco, whom he had met on a trans-Atlantic flight. The restaurant was packed.

McMullen’s is long gone, but there are now 170 J.McLaughlin stores across

the country with more to come. Although 90 percent of their fashion is for women, one of the Palm Beach stores on Worth Avenue (there are two) is menswear only, and Lynch is expecting the men’s side to grow. But they aren’t ignoring the women.

While Jay McLaughlin has retired, his brother Kevin, creative director, has said, “She doesn’t want her clothes to arrive before she does. We bring her as

close to ‘fashion’ as she wants to go without taking it too far.”

Lynch explained that many of his female customers will wear high fashion couture at night, but they’ll wear J.McLaughlin during the day.

And the 27 J.McLaughlin shops in Florida account for about 40 percent of the firm’s sales during season. That’s one reason why Lynch lives in Palm Beach.

Clockwise from top left: Barbara and Kevin McLaughlin; J.McLaughlin Men’s on Worth Avenue; Jack Lynch.

JOSE-LUIS DURAN didn’t want to be a restaurateur although his stepfather Renato Desiderio had emigrated from Capri, Italy, to open Renato’s on Via Mizner in 1987.

“I wanted to go to New York or California to study business. “I had no interest in restaurants,” Duran said over lunch at Renato’s.

“But if someone in the family has a restaurant, you need to help. Next thing I know, I spent 10 years in the kitchen.”

Renato, who died in 1998, was “a good human being who treated everyone the same,” Duran said. “He lived in gratitude. I learned to say thank you from him.”

Renato and Duran’s mother, Arlene Desiderio, “really loved each other. After he passed, it was really tough.”

But in 2001, the family took over a nearby catering kitchen and started making takeout brick oven pizza.

“When two shops nearby closed, we took them over,” said Duran, and Pizza Al Fresco was born. Instead of closing for the summer, the place stayed open year round.

The third eatery came in 2014 when Duran was asked to bid on the restaurant at the Palm Beach Par 3 golf course.

“No one else was seriously interested, so we won the bid,” Duran said. Al Fresco has been serving breakfast,

lunch, and dinner overlooking the Atlantic Ocean ever since.

The family’s latest restaurant is Acqua Café on South Ocean Blvd. which opened in 2020. “Palm Beach’s south end has become renewed,” said Duran. “Home prices are up and younger people are moving in.”

Now he has four restaurants to run, and barely finds time to go out on his cabin cruiser, Acqua Twins. But he’s not complaining. ◆

Clockwise from top left: Dining al fresco at Renato’s; Arlene and Renato Desiderio; Al Fresco patio overlooking Palm Beach Par 3; Arlene Desiderio and Jose-Luis Duran.

Dawn of Hope | Historic Rice Plantation

Hilary Geary Ross and Wilbur Ross 2. Brigid Fitzgerald and Brooke Shepard

Callie Baker Holt and Trisha Gregory 4. Diana and Richard Horowitz with Christina Macfarland

1. Sarah Cooke and Patricia Ermecheo

2. Mary Katherine Morales and Anne Messer 3. Randy and Paula Harris 4.

Breanna Schultz and Amanda Hearst

Rønning 5. Keith and Linda Beaty 6.

Heather McDonnel 7. Lauren Leslie, Arina Feeney, and Olga Lomnitz 8.

Krystian von Speidel 9. Sharon Bush

David Patrick Columbia NEW YORK SO CIAL DIARY

WRITTEN AFTER A weekend of sunny days and the temp at 70. And now at 7 p.m. it’s still light out. The temps warm(er) too. Some say that the interest in the weather is a sign of age. That would have made me an old man by age seven growing up in New England.

For me, it comes from having that annual weather in

Massachusetts and Maine; and so I remain. Living in Southern California as I did the '70s and '80s, I found the ideal weather. It was rarely if ever cold, and the same with very hot. I learned how it could change one’s way of looking at things about life. Forever.

The Southern California climate provided a very agreeable weather, easy to live in

(easy living). Coming back East-now 30 years ago-from L.A., the Northeastern climate was ordinary but it too, was changing.

I was a poor boy back in the day of dreams but I learned early how to sing for my supper, so to speak. You do your best singing in life when the weather’s singing along with you. In thinking about this I

see that social version of “singing” is how I fed myself in the early days when I was living out there.

I had made the move almost suddenly after a film script I wrote and later showed my friend Beth Rudin DeWoody This was back in the late '70s. Unbeknownst to me she had given it to her mother who was living in Hollywood (Beverly

William Haseltine, Maria Eugenia Maury and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia

Peter Gelb and Barbara Tober Silvia Frieser, Christopher Mason and Katherine Crockett

Carrie Rebora Barratt and Peter Olsen

Julie Tobey and Stephanie Stokes

TOUR OF THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE IN NEW YORK

F. Murray Abraham and John Nubian

Millie and John Bratten

Martha’s Vineyard

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

EASTER PARTY AT DOUBLES IN NEW YORK

Hills) at the time and married to an important entertainment executive named David Begelman

Gladyce (Beth’s mother) gave the script to a friend of hers who was in the business. All of this was unbeknownst to me, until one evening about 7, in North Stamford, Connecticut where I was living quite comfortably at the time, the phone rang. I answered; it was a young woman with a very nice, kind of glamorous sunny California voice who told me that she’d read the script, and said, “you are so talented, you should come out here and write scripts.”

Those were her words upon hearing that I shall never forget. I was so flattered; I was dumfounded. The conversation was brief after that – she

was an executive, new in her early position, at M-G-M, her name was Sherry Lansing (Sherry was in the early stages of her meteoric rise in the film industry). I put the phone back on the hook and said to myself: “I’m going.”

Six months later I sold my business, gave up my house and most of my belongings, and with five cats and a dog, I moved to L.A. Cold.

I had been familiar with L.A. in a vague tourist way of the city. It can look like a place where nobody works because the climate’s so great; you just take it all in – and so they’re out and about, all the time working. Or reclining. This is all in

one’s imagination because the weather is always like a great background in your life.

(and handled), called “Hollywood Babylon.” By Kenneth Anger

The reality today may look different to an outsider, but it’s still that Southern California climate reality like we all know. Although, it should be noted that the L.A. I left 35 years ago, still has the magic climate. Although – probably because of the climate – it also has an enormous number of homeless everywhere.

I opened this version of the Diary quite accidentally. Just as I sat down at my desk to begin this, I was distracted by a book a friend had just had delivered. It was a large soft-cover, a well-read

I’d heard the common phrase many times when the subject is the sex lives of a lot of people in the film industry (specifically Stars). It came from him. He was born in Southern Caifornia in 1928 when the film industry was becoming established in Los Angeles.

Writer-filmmaker-actor, I’d heard his name but not enough to attach anything specific to it. He was brought up in that part of California, and made his first short film when he was 14. He made several controversial, informative films and worked at it all his life. He died last year on May 11th at age 96.

When I first received the

Sherry Lansing

Tara and Brad Sullivan

Dustee Jenkins and Stephanie Stamas

Laura Thomas and Katy Eshelman

Mollie Acquavella, Haley Trethaway, Caroline Fall, Heather Heck and Alexandra Cooley

Lisa Collins and Amy Pompea

Emily Overlock and Sarah Mclaughlin

Elizabeth Darst

book – a friend had told me I might find it interesting because of my personal experience of that part and place of Southern California.

It’s Mr. Anger’s stories about certain famous individuals in the film industry in the 1920s and their lives in Los Angeles among the stars. It is as interesting in every way as it was when the stories first happened - now a century ago! It was a brand new world and a brand new way of life and living for many of those whose careers grew up with the film industry. And ultimately for our entire society.

Sex was always in the front of many lives in L.A. The scandal magazines was a small

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

industry out there. Paging through the just received “history,” it’s about life out there in the 1920s when the films were still Silent and the stars were living in the heavens of that climate. Along with the work and easy living and sex whenever one sought it or was presented the opportunity.

The first piece or chapter I came upon was a series of life in the film community back then, called The New Gods.

Quoting Gloria Swanson, then one of the big young stars of movies.

“Oh the parties we used to have,” La Swanson later recalled. “In those days the public wanted us to live like kings and queens. So we did – and why not? We were in love with life. We were making more money than we ever dreamed existed, and there was no reason to believe it would ever stop.”

That was just about a century ago which Anger was writing about. It was the first of several pieces that followed, each about the stars and their lives and the sensational troubles it caused on their roads to

dreamland.

If you’re not familiar with it, you can find the book on Google. Type in the title. Reading it, it’s not impossible to find the similarities between that time, those days and now; as well as to consider the similarities of the state of the economy and the financial world. But also Anger’s (famous) characters come alive, all in style – a century ago; the 1920s and beginning of America’s ascent. Meanwhile, back at the ranch. On a beautiful day in New York, with bright sun throughout the day with the trees beginning their birth once again welcoming May. There were cloud formations that were magnificent but odd:

Gloria Swanson

ALZHEIMER’S DRUG DISCOVERY FOUNDATION'S PALM BEACH DINNER

Alina De Almeida, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and John Paulson

Wendy Wilshin and Ron Dickerman

Heidi and Tom McWilliams

Howard Fillit and Nancy Goodes

Judy Glickman Lauder and Leonard Lauder

Peter Krulewitch with Michelle and Russ Appel CAPEHART

Designed For Forever

Trends fade, but true style endures forever. At Gil Walsh Interiors, we pull from an intimate knowledge of art, fashion, and culture to execute a timeless vision for your space.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

CELEBRATION

as if some artist had produced them with actual clouds.

Although cloud formations were arranged in parallel rows that when observed from the right perspective, they are also referred to as cloud streets. Unusual, unfamiliar and like beautiful pieces of natural art in the sky – again, almost as if they were part of some artist’s project.

I am one of those people who when seeing something unfamiliar in nature – like those “artist’s” clouds, I tend to look to imagine the what and the why about them. Are they real? And: If not, why?

Of course I never get the answer which doesn’t bother me because it’s the mystery that intrigues.

St. Patrick’s Day this year was officially on a weekday although the parade was held

on Saturday. For many years in the previous century it was held on a weekday. That gave the day a different atmosphere for the workers as we all well remember – those who took the time – even for just an hour or two – to “celebrate” the parade in every bar and beer hall in New York. This atmosphere of potential inebriating was rife, but mainly jolly. I didn’t see the Saturday’s parade but I’m sure it was a lot of fun for a lot of people Irish and not-so.

7. For Susan it is still jacket and tie. I mention that only because it’s losing its customary uniform, and that is an indication of something universal.

Then that same night, the official day, Susan Gutfreund hosted a dinner for 20 in her new apartment overlooking Central Park. It was called for

Susan also has a brilliant chef who provides the excellence.

And of course, elegant tables and the serving maids who see that each guest is served well.

The staff are artists at work, like the chef.

It is also notable because social habits change over time and generations, and with Susan’s entertainments one can only appreciate it. It’s another kind of artfulness that’s a pleasure for any audience, as it was that evening with Susan’s

guests. It was indeed a beautiful St. Patrick’s Day in New York for this crew.

Moving right along, 'tis the season for it: My friend Paige Peterson loves to give cocktail parties at her apartment on Central Park West overlooking the Park. It’s not that she does it all the time but she does when there is a purpose with people and governments and lifestyle.

Recently she gave one of them, a reception was for Katrina vanden Heuvel who is a part owner of The Nation, as well as publisher and former editor of the magazine. Katrina is a New York girl. Her father William (Bill) vanden Heuvel was a prominent attorney, author - and most prominently to the public, an active advisor and assistant of Robert F. Kennedy when he

William vanden Heuvel

Helmut Koller and Catherine Adler

Maggie and Mark Zeidman

Helene and Matt Lorentzen

Susan and Bob Wright

Jim and Sara McCann

Christine Aylward and Sara Griffen

AT ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS IN WEST PALM BEACH

was Attorney General under his brother, and for years active in the Democratic Party. He was also the founder of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Ambassador to the UN during the Carter Administration as well as other activities in public life.

Katrina’s mother was writer Jean Stein, the eldest daughter of Doris and Jules Stein. Jules Stein created MCA, the Music Corporation of America, the talent agency, plus a film studio Universal Pictures. His wife Doris was a huge collector of 18th century antiques and at the time of her demise was also the largest owner of ranchland in America. Or something like that.

Jean’s father’s reputation (major film mogul and talent agent) brought Jean great access to entertainers all her life. Her best known works were

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

her oral history of the American actress and Andy Warhol muse, Edie Sedgwick,  Edie: An American Biography, (1982); and the oral history  West of Eden: An American Place, which focused on five families and individuals Stein considered essential to the history of Los Angeles. She was right; it is a fascinating book about Hollywood families.

died here in New York in his 82nd year.

Paige Peterson’s reception was to honor her friend Katrina but really for Cohen’s work, and especially for a new book that for those of us with little knowledge of Russia, its history and its people, is an excellent introduction.

I mention details of Katrina’s background because like them she made a very important place for herself in public life as a journalist – mainly political, and also through her late husband Stephen Cohen who was an historian/professor and author and editor of 10 influential books about Russia, and who

Called Russian Fate / PTCCKAR CYABBA, it contains correspondence over the decades of What It Was Like for the author’s experience in his work (he was also a professor at Columbia University and Princeton). Each “correspondence” in the book is matched by the Russian version after the English.

Other important books of his include  Rethinking the So-

viet Experience: Politics and History Since 1917  (Oxford University Press, 1985);  Sovieticus: American Perceptions and Soviet Realities  (Norton, 1985);  Voices of Glasnost: Interviews with Gorbachev’s Reformers,  written together with vanden Heuvel (Norton, 1989); and  Failed Crusade: America and the Tragedy of Post-Communist Russia  (Norton, 2000). His most recent book,  War With Russia? From Putin & Ukraine to Trump & Russiagate, was published last year. It was the first time that I’ve read about Russia, its history and its political activity with an American’s fully informed/ detailed atmosphere of the country which we Americans still have little knowledge of. It also provides an excellent understanding of how we Americans look to the countries of the world where People are

Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick

HÔPITAL ALBERT SCHWEITZER HAITI'S WHITE HOT NIGHT BENEFIT IN PALM BEACH

Mary Mahoney and Anais Porthault

Steve Nicholas and Louise Stephaich with Peggy and John Walton

Catherine Keating

Chloe Squires and Andrea Stephaich Russell, Anne and Frick Byers

Walter Ross and Kristen Kelly Fisher

Pam Howard and Wynn Laffey

CAPEHART

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

COCKTAILS AT J.MCLAUGHLIN MEN'S IN PALM BEACH

People, no matter where they are or what language they speak, and/or the power of their politics.

I opened it to get a sense of what Mr. Cohen’s view was like and I was halfway through the book in the first day of the weekend. It’s a primer for us Americans; and a pleasure to absorb. It also gave me a brief opportunity to meet and learn more about Katrina and her activities acquired in upbringing from her mother and her father.

Artists’ Lives. Peter Heywood, the artist, a Brit who is a friend and partner of Shirley Lord here in New York, spent most of the last month at the baroque capital of Noto in Sicily. Peter has a farm (my word

for it) there where he makes “some of the best olive oil in the country” according to many New York restaurateurs.

In Noto - which I’m told is becoming the St Tropez of Italy thanks to the success of the TV series The White Lotus, which was filmed there - Peter traveled there to set up and open the largest exhibition painting of his life, “From New York to Noto,” featuring 40 canvasses. It includes his acclaimed Reflections series. The exhibition features several of New York’s landmark buildings “in reflection” and a series of New York dancers in action.

Noto is a very old city on the Mediterranean in southeastern Sicily. Aside from its farms, it is very popular with the rich and the famous as a resort. Madonna chose Noto for her big birthday bash last year. Mick Jagger recently bought a home there. Thousands are expected to attend the exhibition which will remain until November in the grand Gagliardi Palacio.

The opening came by invitation of Noto’s tourist-conscious Mayor Dr. Corrado Figura. Best selling novelist Maria Giovanni Mirado co-hosted the opening night

party with the artist. Many personalities flew in from Rome and Milan making it altogether a notable occasion!

Born in Yorkshire in 1944; Peter taught Math and Physics for 30 years while devoting the majority of his free time painting. In 1995 he was voted Britain’s Best Teacher in a national newspaper, and also encouraged by a successful show at the Aberbach Fine Art Gallery in London’s Savile Row. It was then that he made a “major” decision to become a full time painter. In 2011 he began spending more time in America where he created an arresting series of paintings of New York’s most famous landmarks as

Peter Heywood

Bob Carey, Tom Sheerer, Jane Beasley and Bob Hiemstra

Nathan Urbach, Michael Shutt and Michael Judd

Harry Bader, Billy Ceglia and Tom Shaffer

Scott Sanders, Sherry Chris and Scott Peltier

Chase Winfrey and Alex Casertano

Lexi Smilow and Luke Pettenati

Francie and Charles Hargrove

Expanding the voices represented in the Museum's permanent collection, OUT of the Jewelry Box considers the importance of queer perspectives in the world of studio and contemporary art jewelry. The exhibition showcases nearly 80 works given by gay collectors or made by queer artists, dating from the 1950s to the present.

Felieke van der Leest, Rainbow Moose (sculpture with necklace) (edition of 3), 2005.

© 2024 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / BONO, Oslo.

Photo: Bruce M. White.

seen through the vast reflections of neighboring buildings of the modern era. His first American exhibition took place in Santa Fe. Since then there have been several including in New York. He has exhibited his work all over the world.

I loved the photos of Noto which I was vaguely familiar with when I traveled with Charlotte and Anne Ford on their Summer yachtings on the Mediterranean 20 years ago. It always reminded me of Southern California in one way, but countrified in the Old World way, making it naturally elegant - which is all Nature.

Meanwhile back in little ole Mannahatta… One day, at noon I went down to Michael’s, invited by Paige Peterson and Ann Dexter Jones

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

The traffic getting there was predictably massive everywhere; the kind of traffic that moves a block a light, midday. Which is why I don’t get to Michaels as frequently as I used to. It was a quick trip by subway – eight minutes. I’m no longer inclined to the subway, and its too far to walk to, so I drive which is not fast with roads jammed with cars, trucks, buses, double (and even triple) parkers.

Neverthe -

with Ann was like we’d seen each other a couple of days ago. Ann’s husband is Mick Jones, a legendary songwriter, musician, producer, performer, to whom she married twice (with a divorce in between).

less, it was good to be “home,” and any Wednesday at Michael’s is and was full-up. I’m told that it’s also full up for the dinner hour these days.

Anyway, that Wednesday

She also has a business –jewelry design. As it happens during lunch I noticed that she was wearing some beautiful pieces on her hands, wrists, earrings and on her blouse.

I mention it because sitting at table with her and knowing her personality – very open and outgoing – it didn’t surprise me to see she loves beautiful jewelry and loves wearing it all the time.

TOASTING BEYOND THE HEDGES IN PALM BEACH

And it was impressive and expressive.

I’d just assumed that “when you’re married to a rock star,” you can have masses of beautiful jewelry. And wear it. And she did.

And does. While putting these words down about lunch I looked her up on Google to make sure I got the relationships right. Which is where I learned she is on the Web with a business designing and selling her beautiful pieces. There are photos of her working on her pieces.

When Ann and I met a number of years ago, she was living in a townhouse, a small mansion on Second Avenue and about 15th Street. It had been designed and built at the beginning of the 20th century by the fabled architect Stan-

Charlotte and Anne Ford

ANNIE WATT

Georgine Anton, Lisa Bytner and Vera Gibbons

Roni Duke

Collin and Virginia McNeail with Frank and Jeanne Shanley

Michael Foster, Ritchey Howe and Bruce Addison Stewart Manger and Rachel Lee Hovnanian

George Moore and Ara Hovnanian

Mark Gilbertson and Maria von Bothmer

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

"FEED

ford White for a very young – mid-teenage – impossibly alluring girl, Evelyn Nesbit – which was no accident that she was looked after by her mother who was protecting her daughter and her own interests.

If you don’t know the classic crime story that ensued into the eventual murder of Stanford White, age 53, by gunshot in a public nightclub/ restaurant in 1906, it’s been reported and told many times in magazines, books, on film and probably onstage for decades.

Naturally at lunch we talked about that house Ann and Mick Jones bought during their first marriage. Talking about its fabled history, she recalled the time a woman she knew who was naturally psychic happened to visit her at the house when Ann first

bought it.

During the visit, her guest told Ann that there was a ghost in the very room where they were sitting in, whom she described as a very young woman who seemed to be looking for someone. Ann explained to her guests that the house had been designed and built around1900 for Miss Nesbit and her mother.

Shortly thereafter Stanford White was murdered by gunshot at his table in a crowded rooftop nightclub by Harry Thaw, a young millionaire from Pittsburgh who had married Miss Nesbit. The murder trial of Mr.Thaw was heralded as the “Trial of the Century.”

Women in Business. I always read financial pages –usually to watch the markets and follow their analysts –which nowadays credit a lot of women.

One day I accidentally stumbled upon a bio/nonfiction piece focusing on King Charles and – whom we’ve always known as his little sister –Princess Anne Being of the same generation, I grew up reading about them as very special children growing up in what to a child looks like imperial circumstances – when a family always lives in palaces.

This kid was naturally was curious as to what life was like

growing up always in palaces. Having grown up in a house that was a century old, and looked it and felt it, but at least my parents could handle the rent. Real children living in castles was lucky, and amazing to this curious boy.

However it all changes once we’re into The Race (versus the Rat Race) I was always impressed by royalty and the history. As a kid, however, Prince Charles and his little sister were sort of cute children except they were always dressed up to go Sunday school, or so it looked to this boy. So I never followed their lives with tabloidal interest. Except for the multi-marriages, there seemed little of interest in their personalities.

It provides the thought of a very serious woman – Anne – who would be/should be

THE JOURNEY" TALK IN PALM BEACH

Eleanora Kennedy, Pamela Fiori and Michel Witmer

Ginny Sydorick, Audrey Gruss, Grace Meigher and Elizabeth Meigher

Susan Magrino, Pamela Taylor Yates, Pamela Morgan and Robin Baker Leacock

Pamela Wright and Jeff Pfeifle

Sharon Bush and Lenny Lauren

Stanford White

Bob Murray and Lauren Bush Lauren

Queen if all things were set right. That’s not a criticism of her big brother. It is she who spent the first seven decades of his life waiting (or in the waiting) for their mother to die so he could be The Man, the King succeeding the Queen. It has always seemed a regrettable set of circumstances for the man who had a full life being born into the role assigned by Fate.

In my youthful view of this brother and sister, I’d partly ignored her because she looked like a stern, no-nonsense type, cute as a child and not particularly goodlooking afterward. What she grew up to be, however, was a strong and wise, real (two marriages), woman/ mother who under other laws would have been the Queen succeeding her mother.

She has the power of her mother’s presence in her. She’s smart, and a complete

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

princess who sees the role as something for keeping a stable community. As her mother did.

It has often seemed that the women who had the power of the British throne brought a more livable sense of royalty to their subjects. Mother comes to mind. You’ll end up thinking this amazing woman whom my eyes have been following because of her media prominence in history, would bring an able and clearly a wise view of our world/her world.

the matters of the family.

The Royal Family today is at a new crossroads, like the rest of us. It is important to remember that this family is a business in itself, an element of the 21st century civilization. Enter Camilla. Seriously taking on the role of the wife of the heir.

Easter Sunday. Back in the news, the British Royal family was in headlines with King Charles and his daughter-inlaw Princess Kate in hospital and uncertainty surrounding

She is a modern woman, long married, a mother, a brilliant rider and well-connected socially, and also had an historic ancestral relationship to the Royal family. Her great-grandmother Alice Keppel was the last and the longest mistress of Charles’ great-great grandfather Edward VII. It was Alice Keppel who the dying monarch had personally requested his wife

Queen Alexandra be allowed to also stand by his bed as he lay dying. And so it was.

Queen Camilla’s presence in King Charles’ life is clearly his strength. It is likely that it was that quality in her that kept her in his life before he even met Diana.

The latest (tabloid) news about the family is looking more dramatic with Kate’s illness and William’s alleged outside interests; like father like son. As it is in this 21st century troubled world, some believe the Royal Family needs a sensible, practical monarch, one of experience, wisdom and all of her youth behind her. That would be good for the unity of the country. Some believe.

Ironically, many of the younger British generations have no interest in the existence of the Royal family and are unimpressed by their presence. ◆

Princess Anne

DAVID LABANDA

BENTLEY PALM BEACH'S ART BRUNCH

Ashley Bacon, Catherine Caporaso and Jacquelyn Phelon

Gina Lynch-Moskow, Marie-Donald Manigat-Craig and Claudia Coupet

Jane Manus and Bryan Walsh

Juan Bernal

Carol Calicchio

Camilla Webster

Carl Craig

IT SEEMS LIKE

YESTERDAY

THE ROCKEFELLER FAMILY is steeped in history. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be the son of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and the grandson of John D. Rockefeller? Not to mention the brother of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller who caused quite a stir himself. I can’t even imagine.

When David Rockefeller’s book Memoirs was published in 2003, it caused a bit of a stir for two reasons. There was shock among a certain group as he had written about his family which was most definitely frowned upon. Secondly, passages from the book were taken out of context, misquoted, and circulated on the Internet. This was the scene at the time I photographed the noted businessman and philanthropist.

Arriving at the Rockefeller offices above the famed Rockefeller Center, I was greeted by a jovial gentleman with a firm handshake. He graciously posed in his office surrounded by a few of his favorite paintings… And then we went downstairs for a coffee near the famed skating rink. In the photograph I can’t remember if Mr. Rockefeller is eating a donut or a bagel, but he was amused by my asking him to sit for a photograph while eating.

As I was about to leave, he gave me an autographed copy of his book. And later I received a lovely letter by post thanking me for the day. A most welcome surprise in today’s frenzied world u

HARRY BENSON

HARRY BENSON

David Rockefeller at Rockefeller Center, New York, New York, 2003. Photographed by Harry Benson.

A LOVE LETTER TO LOVE LETTERS

OF ALL THE LOVELY things and habits that Big Tech has deprived humans of by turning us into electronic robots, the one I miss the most is the love letter. Those sleepy types who go by the name of millennials have declared letter writing over, with the great majority of them ages 18 to 35 proudly admitting in a recent poll that they have never written an epistle, let alone a love letter.

So, what else is new? All one needs to

do is look at these freaky types staring into their smartphones, their mouths half open and their eyes half shut, to know they will never sit down and write a love letter to someone of the opposite sex. In Britain, the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, and soon-to-be prime minister, could not even answer when asked in Parliament to define what is a woman. He was so scared of the trans lobby that he hemmed and hawed and

never answered.

Well, a woman is a person a man writes love letters to, and if this sounds very old-fashioned to emoji users, that’s just too bad. Defying modernity is the coolest of the cool, so if any of you young whippersnappers out there are having female problems, just sit right down and write her a love letter. The power of the love letter is incredible, and no member of the weaker sex has ever been able to

From left: Vintage love letters; Keir Starmer.

resist it. And no member of the fairer sex has ever sold the love letter short. In fact, I shall go as far as to call the love letter the neutron bomb of heterosexual, romantic sex.

night, under the influence, and while exasperated with unrequited love.

In a real love letter, punctuation and grammar don’t matter all that much— the tone is all. In fact, if the besotted one wrote a perfectly constructed letter, he or she would not be as besotted as they think they are. The effort required to convey one’s feelings with precision is what makes the love letter difficult to write. The greatest and most tragic of poets, John Keats, may have died a virgin, but his letters to Fanny Browne were as good as his poems.

A love letter is a poem of sorts, like a fine madness compelling the writer to say things he or she would otherwise never say. Napoleon wrote nonstop love

As in the famous movie, it was the start of a beautiful friendship.

Eventually, I patented one love letter and used it freely. It is called the R&J letter. It goes something like this: “Dear X. There’s a marvelous line in  Romeo and Juliet when Romeo—having avenged Mercutio’s death—is advised to flee Verona. “But Heaven’s here, where Juliet lives,” he cries. However corny and sudden this may sound, this is how I’ve felt for you since the moment I met you. Love, T.”

One lady of my acquaintance once wrote that in a case of fire she would first save her love letters and to hell with her jewelry. (You can always get new jewels.) She called love letters the campaign medals of youth, “infinitely varied in design and execution, one off, and made to measure.”

Personally, I have not received many love letters, but I have sure sent my share. All of them have been written at

letters to Josephine, always complaining that she did not love him. The great Napoleon was right. Josephine was always cheating on him while he was away in Italy and Egypt fighting wars.

Because of modern technology, the love letter has gone the way of good manners. And that is a great pity. Love letters stay forever; telephone calls are gone with the dawn, even if they are recorded. I wrote my first love letter to a famous movie star and waited by the telephone for an answer. When she rang, the first question was how old I was. I added seven years to my 18. It worked.

Needless to say, one time two ladies who had received love letters from me decided to compare notes and realized that only the names were changed. I became a laughingstock. Never mind. You can’t win them all. After sixty years of writing love letters, I think I’m way up front. Hang up, sit down, write a good love letter, and give me some credit once they work. Just don’t type them or use the dreaded internet. Use pen and paper, no ballpoints, and no scent if you’re a man. Ladies are free to pour it in. Good luck. u

For more Taki, visit takimag.com.

Counterclockwise from top left: Portrait of John Keats; portrait of Lord Byron, 1813; Napoleon and Josephine, painted by Harold Hume Piffard; an 1870 oil painting of Romeo and Juliet by Ford Madox Brown.

APPARITIONS FROM MEMORIES PAST & PRESENT

BY ANTHONY HADEN-GUEST

THE PAST IN NEVER DEAD, it’s not even past wrote William Faulkner in a novel Requiem for a Nun. This was published in 1951, a period during which it rang true. I was then in my early teens and wholly familiar with the myth of movie stars like Bette Davis and Clark Gable, even though they were well past their heyday and I would only catch up with their movies on late night TV. And cultural memory has been shrinking ever since. For the TikTok generation fame is a breath. Ask them just who were JLo, Eminem, Vanilla Ice? Or names which were hugely well-known, for better or worse, somewhat further back, like Boy George, Paris Hilton, Charles Manson.

Anthony Haden-Guest’s cartoons of a past time.

Anthony Haden-Guest’s cartoons of a past time.

This shrinkage of cultural memory has been made clear to me by my cartoon work. Some years ago, for instance, I made a drawing of several unprepossessing heads popping out of a mudhole, captioning The Scum Also Rises. But just how many now will at once reference Ernest Hemingway’s formerly famous first novel, The Sun Also Rises? Or indeed pick up on any such book-based source material? And books will doubtless be followed into the twilight zone of cultural memory by movies with movie-going a dwindling practice, now that cinema screens are supplanted by hand-held screens on the street, in restaurants, on public transport, everywhere, screens into which people are so glued that a fresh arrival on an UFO might believe that we aren’t feeding on the screens but the screens on us, that we have become screen food. Or what I call for short the Scrood. It’s with all that in mind that I present this gallery of images from a different time, namely the day before, well, quite a few yesterdays. ◆

LEAP OF FAITH

FOR WELL KNOWN landscape designer, Jorge San chez, choosing this career path was really a leap of faith. The son of a Cuban immigrant and successful sugar cane farmer, it was understood that Jorge’s desti ny was to step into his father’s shoes when the time was right. Until then, he would work in the family busi ness, learning everything there was to learn about the sugar cane business. But as time passed, Jorge became more frustrated working in the family office and would come home regularly and “take revenge out on the gar den. I would clip the hell out of it” Jorge reminisces. “I figured that was the best psychiatrist and that I would

develop a great relationship with my garden. Thankfully, a few good friends who were interior designers asked me to help them with their clients’ gardens and I simply had to tell my father, I was going to follow my passion instead. With no regrets, it has been the most beautiful career for me.”

Since that pivot time, Jorge Sanchez, Founding Partner at SMI Landscape Architecture has become one of the most sought-after landscape designers in the country. From residential projects to commercial ones and every thing in between, Sanchez has created memorable landscapes and gardens, both private and public, throughout the world. His own acreage in Palm Beach has been a testing laboratory for him for years, but it wasn’t until he purchased his dream ranch in December 1999, that he had the space to really implement his vision.

Located along a magnificent section of Martin Highway near the northeast corner of Lake Okeechobee, Sanchez

and his wife Serina found their dream ranch. Although it took a few bids to really lock in their ownership, St. Lucie Ranch, as they aptly named it, stretches out over 1,000 acres in all direction, with no neighbors in sight. “I used my inheritance from my father to purchase the land and like I would approach a project for a client, I studied the land to see where it most beneficial as both stewards of the land and also to enjoy it as owners. As stewards, I wanted to very much have it as a ranch with natural habitat as

From above: The swimming pool, bath house, and sitting area beneath pleached live oak trees; constructed with materials primarily from the woods, The Bridge was built for outdoor entertaining. Opposite page, from above: A rear view of the home; gates leading into the vegetable garden.

much as possible so I spent a good amount of time looking at which would be the best area for both plant life, animal life and wildlife. Eventually, I figured out the north pasture would be the best space for structures, like houses and barns without interrupting the woodlands too much. We came weekend after weekend to analyze where the structures would have the best views, space and not be on top of each other. It takes logic to figure this out. No one wants to be near a noisy highway, mosquitoes or have little sunlight. It took a year of planning and burning old underbrush and undergrowth to bring the land back to its pristine origins and site the structures properly.”

The main house on the property was built to reflect Sanchez’s Cuban heritage. Although Cuban architecture was influenced by social and artistic developments throughout history, it is the Spanish influence that define the style. “The house is really a typical house in Cuba. It’s narrow with good light, open for good breezes and cross ventilation and the parapet,” he stops to point out, “we copied from my

From above: Inside the pool house; hallway decorated with watercolors and memorable family photos. Opposite page, from above: Entry foyer; library.

grandparents house in Cuba. We cleared from this line to that line,” he thoughtfully recounts, pointing from the main terrace off the kitchen. Flanked by two half-moons of double allees of native Bold Cypress trees, one on either side, the house is filled with other Spanish influences including large archways that lead elegantly from one room to the other. As Sanchez and his wife, Serina continued explaining, “each room has beautiful items from Serina’s family and we created spaces to accommodate many of them.” Paintings, enormous mirrors, side tables, exquisite bird watercolors, black and white photographs, historical maps and silver and leather frames filled with memorable family members and adventures fill each room, proudly nodding to their impressive family lineages.

“The ranch,” the soft-spoken designer continues, is a laboratory really. I planted Catalpa trees early on which we have had great luck with and used in many of our projects up north and they were miserable here but the elms and tropical bamboo thrived. So, this space gives me the ability to try things. To be good in my field,” Sanchez elaborates, “you have to have an imagination to be able

to see into the future. I can draw something and I can see it very much alive and also at a young stage and then, at a mature stage so I usually know what is going to be good and beautiful. That gives me immediate satisfaction so by the time I do it or complete some vision, I know it’s going to be as I imagined it, with a great sense of practicality. The ranch gives me the freedom to think and to do things that I enjoy doing with a sense of peace without the worries of the outside world and that,” he pauses and reflects, “is very important to me.”

“So, what’s next for the creative gardener?”, we ask after a delicious lunch and a full tour of the extensive property. “My wife often asks me that and if I will stop adding to the ranch.” Chuckling he adds without hesitation knowing full well what his next project will be. “I am going to experiment with cold houses,” he enthusiastically

have built many hot houses for clients and now, I think it’s time to design and build an attractive structure for cold plants. We can start with camellias and maybe add other plants that are more cold loving. If we’re going to be here in Florida, we might as well try to plant for more cold living too.” Something tells us this is not going to be Jorge Sanchez’s last project. ◆

From above: Garden pond; tree swing. Opposite page, clockwise from above: Horses graze on the lawn; the property is home to the first private legal cemetary in Martin County, where Sanchez and his family will be buried one day; a frontal view of the main house; the entrance of St. Lucie Ranch.

QUEST Fresh Finds

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

APRIL SHOWERS bring May flowers, and this season they bloom in style with Oscar de la Renta’s Painted-Poppies Jersey Maxi Dress and Cara Cara’s Greenfield Dress in Floral Cream Gold. As Mother’s Day approaches, we also curated a beautiful selection of jewelry and accessories perfect for celebrating the special women in your life.

Oscar de la Renta’s Painted Poppies-Print Jersey Maxi Dress. $3,290 at oscardelarenta.com.

Uptown Earrings by Wempe Statements in 18k white gold. $44,375 at wempe.com.

Belperron’s Serti Couteau Wave Ring in pink sapphire and gold. $22,500 at Belperron, 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1210 in New York.

Gil Walsh Collection’s hand-made ceramic bowl with 22 karat interior. Price upon request at gwifl.com.

Claire Florence Jewelry’s 18k Gold Tourmaline Hexagon Cut Choker. $20,000 at claireflorence.com.

Paradise is calling! Enjoy Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, the Dominican Republic with the Spring Savings package. Get up to 50% off. Perfect for a friend’s trip or a romantic retreat. Seize the deal, feel the thrill, create new memories, and relax on white-sand beaches.Valid for travel through June 21st. Visit casadecampo.com.do.

J.McLaughlin’s Drummond Linen Shirt in White/Blue Bengal Stripe ($148), Taylor Pants in White ($178), and Rafe Madre Espadrilles in Red/Blue Plaid ($228). Visit jmclaughlin.com.

Rolex’s new Oyster Perpetual Deepsea model. Price upon request at rolex.com.

Sail into style with Stubbs & Wootton’s Lost Naval Slippers featuring pirateinspired skulls. $575 at stubbsandwootton.com.

A rare dark rum inspired by a family recipe from 1862, BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho is known as The Family Reserve. $30 at select liquor stores.

The all new BMW X2 makes an unforgettable entrance with its striking combination of SUV & Coupe Design. ’24 brings the X2 more horsepower, more interior room, and state-ofthe-art tech. Order yours at BramanBMW.com or visit Braman BMW in West Palm Beach or Jupiter.

Fresh Finds

Hamilton Jewelers is proud of its partnership with Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF). Part of the “Charms of Hope” collection, a portion of proceeds from this 18k Gold Sunflower Small 14mm Pendant will be donated to the charity. $1,495 at hamiltonjewelers.com.

Cara Cara’s belted Greenfield Dress in Floral Cream Gold. $895 at caracaranyc.com.

Tucked away on quiet South Summer Street in Edgartown village, The Charlotte Inn in Martha’s Vineyard is exquisitely appointed with fine art, English antiques, luxurious linens, and fresh flowers—a romantic reflection of a bygone era. Visit thecharotteinn.com.

Roberto Coin’s 18k Yellow Gold and Diamond Navarra Bangle. $11,100 at robertocoin.com.

Nestled in Via Mizner off of Worth Avenue, Renato’s a Palm Beach classic impresses in every way, making it the perfect restaurant for any special occasion. Visit renatospalmbeach.com.

Belperron “Gemini” Earclips featuring natural oval cabochoncut turquoise. Greenleaf & Crosby Estate Collection. $24,000 at greenleafcrosby.com.

Asprey’s 167 Pochette in Crocodile in Kashmir. $21,750 at asprey.com.

Embracing the theme of fidelity and faithfulness, Elizabeth Gage’s Gold Bangle with Green Enamel, Myrtle Leaves, and Diamonds is a gorgeous piece with symbolic beauty. $43,860 at elizabeth-gage.com.

Colony Hotel x Petite Plume Adult’s Silk Sleep Mask in Exclusive Print. $46 at thecolonyedit.com.

Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options from “all-you-can-yacht” to “bite-sized-boating.”

Members enjoy a lifetime of yachting with the ability to adjust their membership and take advantage of the ever expanding harbors and new yachts being added to the club. For more information, visit bartonandgray.com.

Claire Florence Jewelry’s 18k Gold Double Chain with Pear Cut Topaz. $18,000 at claireflorence.com.

Ralph Lauren’s Harling Patchwork Lace Evening Dress ($16,000) and Allyce Embellished Denim Jacket ($7,890). Visit ralphlauren.com.

Through the end of June, a portion of all of Veronica Beard’s online sales will be donated to Penny’s Flight Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to funding research and raising awareness for neurofibromatosis (NF). Pictured is the Penny Woven Leather Loafer, a classic menswear-inspired loafer, now in an intricate woven design. $325 at veronicabeard.com.

A DOGGED DEDICATION TO SERVICE

A LITTLE MORE THAN a decade ago, one of Jeffrey Eagle’s early morning Flagler Drive jogs was shockingly interrupted by a violent commotion behind him. A fellow runner had been stricken by a wayward vehicle. The injury was clearly serious. His heart went out to the man and Jeff gave thanks to his lucky stars for making it home unscathed.

Several months later, Jeff and his wife Charlie were approaching the entrance to a local Publix when they encountered a woman with a service dog. Canine lovers and owners all their lives, the two struck up a conversation. The woman was a ser-

vice puppy trainer, fostering the dog temporarily and helping it to socialize and learn its job.

When prompted as to how she found such a vocation, the woman explained that her husband was quadriplegic—the result of a tragic jogging accident that had happened along Flagler Drive only a few months prior.

Jeff and Charlie suddenly found their new life’s mission, and shortly after founded Genesis Assistance Dogs in early 2012. Working exclusively with Golden Retrievers, the Genesis training process is extensive and intensive; beginning at eight weeks

and continuing through the ensuing two and a half years. During this period, not only are the puppies trained, socialized, and evaluated—so are their potential human matches.

The most crucial aspect of the program is introducing the puppy to—for lack of a better term—chaos. The more varied the dogs’ situations, the better prepared they are to focus on their work under potential duress. To wit, Jeff and Charlie have partnered with five puppy trainers across the state of Florida. For three to six month periods, each provides revolving conditions—from singles to couples to families with children and other pets—under which the puppies learn and hone their skills. The volunteer raisers also commit to their own weekly coaching and evaluation sessions by Genesis’ chief trainer. Being as most beneficiaries are mobility-impaired, whether from accidents or debilitative medical afflictions like muscular dystrophy or MS, the dogs learn to open and close doors and refrigerators, retrieve papers and cell phones from the floor, and more.

Potential recipients are also thoroughly vetted based on their home and work lives, personalities, and needs. Once matched, the duo then undergo a rigorous two weeks of instruction and practice lasting eight to ten hours a day.

However, the work continues even after placement, as Jeff, Charlie, and their network of trainers provide ongoing training and care for life. Though requiring upwards of $30,000 to complete, the entire process is funded through grants and donations with no passed through costs to recipients.

Going above and beyond for their clients is a shared value

Jeff and Charlie have found at Braman Motorcars. The 20-year Club Braman veterans are currently enjoying their newest purchase—a hybrid MINI Cooper SE Countryman.

Despite its outward appearance, multiple Golden Retrievers, a Christmas tree, and Jeff’s 6’2 frame have all intermittently fit comfortably within the MINI’s considerable confines. The fact that the brand originally hails from Charlie’s native England is an added perk.

To date, Jeff and Charlie have taken delivery of close to a dozen vehicles from the Braman campus; and proudly coupled nearly as many dogs with their perfectly-paired companions, with each being a special event. Earlier this year however, they were granted an opportunity that elevated their mission from serendipitous to downright miraculous; the two brought together a freshly-graduated Genesis Assistance puppy and a local man who’d suffered a traumatic accident several years ago.

The very jogger who’d been behind Jeff that fateful winter morning. u

To learn more about Genesis Assistance Dogs and donate to their programs, visit GenesisAssistanceDogsInc.org.

Genesis Assistance Dogs’ Golden Retrievers and Braman Motorcars’ hybrid MINI Cooper SE Countryman; Charlie and Jeff Eagle, founders of Genesis Assistance Dogs. Opposite page: Charlie Eagle with the assistance dogs.

MODERN REFINEMENT

MEETS HISTORIC ELEGANCE

Dating back to 1939, Gigi Mortimer’s Bermuda-style home at 255 El Pueblo Way in Palm Beach hits the market.

SITUATED IN Palm Beach’s family-friendly North End, 255 El Pueblo Way combines modern luxury with a storied history. This sun-drenched four-bedroom, four-bath home encompasses almost 4,000 square feet of charming indoor and outdoor living space. It was masterfully designed by the celebrated architect Belford Shoumate in 1939 during a time of

rapid growth in the island’s northern reaches and influenced the architectural landscape of the area. It’s an iconic piece of the neighborhood’s heritage, proudly designated an Historic Home by the Town of Palm Beach.

Originally commissioned by Edward Ehinger, a long-time building inspector for the town of Palm Beach, it was lovingly

The master bedroom opens out to a patio and the outdoor pool; aerial view of the property; the kitchen features a central island, cerused-oak cabinetry, a banquette, and stainless-steel appliances; the home’s entrance. Opposite page: 255 El Pueblo Way in Palm Beach’s North End.

maintained and handed down through generations of his family, preserving its integrity.

In 2021, Gigi Mortimer purchased this architectural jewel from Ehringer’s descendants, drawn by its Bermudian-style elements which echo her own childhood surroundings. The lure of Palm Beach was strong for Gigi, particularly because it brought her closer to her late mother, Jean Hamilton Pearman, who resided in one of the Bermudian-style Major Alley homes on Peruvian Avenue. “We love the beamed ceilings and the way the house opens to the garden. It’s so sunny, bright and beachy,” Gigi told the Palm Beach Daily News

A two-year renovation under the Mortimers’ direction updated the residence with essential elements, including new AC, roof, wiring, and impact glass, while also adding modern touch-

es like a motorized pergola and contemporary kitchen. “Our goal was to open it up and bring the outside in and to enhance the garden around the 100-year-old mango tree in the backyard, which I felt was fun and special,” Gigi explained to the Palm Beach Daily News

Having upsized to a larger residence, the Mortimers have listed this beautiful property for $10.95 million with Sotheby’s International Realty, represented by agents Lisa and John Cregan-a rare opportunity to own a piece of Palm Beach’s architectural history. u

For more information, contact John and Lisa Cregan of The Cregan Team at Sotheby’s International Realty at 847.651.7210 (call or text) or john.cregan@Sothebys.Realty.

SCHWARZMAN’S GIFTS

A philanthropist’s gift for giving has transformative impacts.

BY TONY HALL

From above: Stephen A. Schwarzman enjoys lunch with Schwarzman Scholars students enrolled at Tsinghua University in Beijing; Schwarzman speaks during a hard hat tour of Oxford’s Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities. Opposite page: Rendering of Oxford’s new Schwarzman Centre and view of its Southern Garden.

LOCATED AT THE CROSSROADS of unprecedented, global, societal transformation and raw calculations of national interest, artificial intelligence is the megatrend of the 21st century, one whose implications have yet to fully reveal themselves. Andsmall wonder - it is here where you will find the imprint of Stephen A. Schwarzman, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager.

AI has been on the mind of the famously trailblazing financier since a 2015 trip to China, where, he recalled, “Jack Ma, the

co-Founder of Alibaba, not only told me how AI could fundamentally change the way people live and work, but explained why the smartest minds in technology held widely divergent views on its risks and opportunities. As an investor, that’s the kind of information that interests me.”

Today, he says, “artificial intelligence is even more important,” in fact, one sufficiently important to justify a multi-million dollar act of philanthropy.

In 2018, Schwarzman, a graduate of Yale and Harvard Busi-

ness School, pledged $350 million to the Massachu setts Institute of Technology to create an inter-dis ciplinary college dedicated to the study of artificial intelligence, one that would pollinate every curric ulum and make MIT “the world’s first AI-enabled university.”

Schwarzman’s $350 million gift was foundational to securing the $1.2 billion commitment from MIT’s leaders to transform education and research in so cietal, public policy, and ethical considerations rele vant to computing and AI.

“The $350 million gift is unprecedented,” Schwarzman acknowledges. “But AI is ‘first-mov er advantage’ technology; I knew that every nation would be racing to establish itself as the AI leader, with significant implications for its economy, national security and global competitiveness. My hope was that my gift would spur similar investments in AI at other academic institutions around the country, and it has.”

Originally housed in buildings across MIT’s Cambridge campus, the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing brought central disciplines and faculty together in a new state of the art facility.

“The building is designed to be the computing crossroads of the campus. It’s a place to bring a mix of people together to connect, engage and catalyze collaborations in computing,” said Daniel Huttenlocher, the dean of the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

Schwarzman says he chose MIT to be the object of his gener-

the ‘true north’ for AI.”

As artificial intelligence extends its reach into every industry, discipline and area of research, thoughtful people have grown mindful of the dangers lying in wait when technological prog-

Clockwise from top left: Stephen and Christine Schwarzman at a benefit for the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center; Schwarzman meeting Queen Elizabeth II; Schwarzman on stage with former MIT president Rafael Reif. Opposite page: Schwarzman tours the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing.

ress outpaces society’s capacity to regulate it or harness it to socially responsible ends.

Schwarzman doubts that AI’s potentially far-reaching benefits can be secured unless its impacts on privacy, personal autonomy, equity and the modern workforce, among other things, are given the consideration they deserve.

“That’s what led to the creation of the AI Ethics Institute at Oxford, where I also gave a major gift,” Schwarzman said, referring to a $240 million donation he made to Oxford University in 2019, which established an institute to study the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, called the Schwarzman Centre.

In recognition of Schwarzman’s services to philanthropic causes in the UK, and particularly to Oxford University, King Charles made him an “honorary knight commander of the most excellent order of the British Empire” earlier this spring.

The gifts to MIT and Oxford may be the largest examples of Schwarzman’s philanthropy, but they are hardly the sole ones.

In New York, Schwarzman and his wife Christine are commonly regarded as natural successors to the previous generation’s

From above: The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing; Schwarzman poses for a selfie with Schwarzman Scholarship students enrolled at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Opposite page, from above: Schwarzman tours the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing; Schwarzman during a hard hat tour of Tsinghua University in Beijing.

most civic minded philanthropists, people such as An drew Carnegie, Brooke Astor, and David Rockefeller.

Schwarzman himself, however, cites he is inspired by Eli Broad, the California transplant whose fortune funded everything from contemporary art to genomic research.

Like Broad’s, Schwarzman’s background is a relative ly modest one.

Nevertheless, his grandfather and father, whose Phil adelphia store specialized in linens, provided him with examples of generosity that, he said, “have helped shape who I am. They had a strong sense of giving back, and they instilled in me the importance of that when I was a kid. I feel a responsibility to uphold their commitment to giving.”

Schwarzman’s own philosophy of philanthropy owes much to his business career, he said.

“I approach philanthropy according to the principles I apply to business: solving complex problems with creative solutions, often by making connections between countries, disciplines and people,” he said. “I try to bring to bear the full extent of my knowledge, network and time – and not just my financial resources – to ensure that an organization can meet its objectives.”

At Oxford and MIT, the brightest minds and the most ad-

vanced technology of our time have been brought together to solve the most complex problems of our times. In these two places, Schwarzman’s philosophy of philanthropy and a lifetime of giving may have found their ultimate expression. The two universities, however, are not the sole beneficiaries of his gifts. Those are an investment in the future of us all. u

On May 1st, Central Park Conservancy will host its annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org.

1

HAT LUNCHEON

Central Park Conservancy’s annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon is the signature event of the Women’s Committee, and is the premier luncheon in New York City. Each May, this invitationonly event raises over $4 million and honors some of the Park’s biggest supporters. Become a Women’s Committee Member at the Patron level or above to receive an invitation. The mission of the Central Park Conservancy is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit centralparknyc.org.

2

NEW YORK CITY BALLET

New York City Ballet will host its annual Spring Gala at David H. Koch Theater. The evening will feature world premiere works by Choreographers Amy Hall Garner, in her NYCB debut, and NYCB

Resident Choreographer and Artistic Advisor Justin Peck, marking his 24th ballet for the Company.

The event will also include a performance of George Balanchine’s Rubies, the second section of

On May 2nd, New York City Ballet will host its annual Spring Gala at David H. Koch Theater. For more information, visit nycballet.com.

the full-length Jewels which is set to Igor Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra. For more information, visit nycballet.com.

4

DERBY IN NEWPORT

The Preservation Society of Newport County will host its Young Patron Kentucky Derby Party for young members to cheer on the 150th race. The party will take place at The Breakers Stable & Carriage House at 5 p.m. For more information, visit newportmansions.org.

MIDSUMMER ANGEL GALA

The Young Professionals Committee of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research will hold its Midsummer Angel Gala at The Bowery Hotel at 7 p.m. For more information, visit gabriellesangels.org.

8

CELEBRATING WOMEN

The New York Women’s Foundation will host its Celebrating Women Breakfast at the New York Marriott Marquis at 8 a.m. This year’s

honorees exemplify the true power of creating positive change within their communities and beyond. Their extraordinary contributions serve as a beacon of inspiration, compelling us all to unite in support of this critical work for justice. For more information, contact events@nywf.org.

10

TEFAF NEW YORK

The 10th edition of TEFAF New York will take place at the Park Avenue Armory through May 14th. TEFAF New York will also include a concurrent edition of TEFAF Online with a selection of the works on display at the Armory, alongside Programming, Stories, and other content from the TEFAF community. For more information, visit tefaf.com.

VIENNESE OPERA BALL

The 68th Viennese Opera Ball will take place at The Plaza Hotel in New York at 8 p.m. Since the ball was first organized in 1955 by exiled Jewish Austrians, it has been one of the highlights of social life in New York and one of the major meeting points of the US-Austrian community. The tradition of the original Vienna Opera Ball goes back to 1814 during the time of the Vienna Congress, where the crowned heads of Europe and the aristocracy searched for

entertainment after the Napoleonic wars. The first ball in the opera house took place in 1877. For more information, visit vienneseoperaball.com.

15

WAXMAN LUNCHEON

Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation will hold its 10th

Annual Waxman Luncheon at Riverpark at 450 East 29th Street in New York at 12 p.m. For more information, visit waxmancancer.org.

21

MSK SPRING BALL

The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering will host its annual Spring Ball at The Plaza Hotel at 7 p.m. For

more information and to purchase tickets, visit giving.mskcc.org.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

Through May 25th, the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London promises amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays, and exclusive shopping. For more information, visit rhs.org.uk.

22

FAMILY PARTY

Playground Partners of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy will hold its Annual Family Party at Heckscher Playground at 4 p.m. Activities will include sports, magic, music, arts, and crafts, and more. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org.

JUNE

6

CONSERVATORY BALL

New York Botanical Garden’s Conservatory Ball will celebrate Wonderland: Curious Nature, inspired by the beloved literary classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The evening will feature a cocktail reception on the grounds of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as well as a seated dinner and dancing. For more information, email conball@nybg.org.

For more information, email conball@nybg.org.

On May 10th, TEFAF New York will take place at the Park Avenue Armory through May 14th. For more information, visit tefaf.com.

On June 6th, New York Botanical Garden’s Conservatory Ball will celebrate Wonderland: Curious Nature , inspired by the beloved literary classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The Substance of Style

PHOTOGRAPHED BY HARRY BENSON AND NICK MELE AND

ANNIE WATT, JULIE SKARRATT, SCOTT ERIK BUCCHEIT, JACK DEUTSCH, AND DAVID DEE DELGADO

Once again, Quest is proud to feature the leading women who champion and support so many charitable causes. And once again, we’ve chosen to photograph them in white shirts—because, after all, it’s what’s on the inside that truly matters.

Ruth Levy Gottesman, Ed.D.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

A former and beloved professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine has made a billion dollar gift to this Bronx, New York college, which, going forward, eliminates all tuition fees for every enrolled student, in perpetuity! The humble and incomparably generous benefactor is Ruth Levy Gottesman, whose late husband David was a friend of Warren Buffet’s and longterm investor in his legendary fund. Her wish is for this gift is to encourage a broader pool of aspiring doctors to apply to medical school. As she explained: “This will open up admission to many students whose economic status wouldn’t permit them to even dream about med school.”

The Gottesmans have been active in philanthropy for much of their lives, mostly through Jewish charities in America and Israel that support education, healthcare, and local communities. Dr. Gottesman, a Mount Holyoke alumna who earned her doctorate in education at Columbia University, definitively chose not to rename the Einstein Medical College to her own. In her typically modest manner, she shared: “We’ve got the gosh darn name ... we’ve got Albert Einstein.”

Kate Crichton Gubelmann

The Garden Club of Palm Beach

Kate Crichton Gubelmann has been a patron of cultural, civic, and charitable causes for most of her adult life. With a BFA in environmental design from the Parsons School of Design, her philanthropy has supported the ongoing preservation of such worthy institutions as Frederic Church’s enduring Olana estate in New York’s Hudson Valley, and the International Yacht Restoration School (“IYRS”) in Newport, Rhode Island. Gardens and landscapes reside within Kate’s most fervent passions, and she has been an active and generous board member of the Garden Club of Palm Beach. Additionally, she was the Founder of the Garden Committee and the Flower Show of the Preservation Society of Newport County, where she republished Newport in Flower—a journal that uncovered several lost gardens from Newport’s Gilded Age. Kate co-chaired the “Blooms in Focus” Opening Day event at Palm Beach’s Society of the Four Arts, and she was recently given the President’s Award of the Garden Club of Palm Beach. In past summers, she has championed the conservation and safe keeping of Newport’s cherished green spaces – especially the landscaped gardens of this revolutionary town’s Bellevue Avenue “cottages.” Says Kate of these famed mansions: “Each historic house has a story to tell, and so does its garden.”

HARRY BENSON

Amanda Hearst Rønning & Breanna Schultz

WELL/BEINGS

Amanda Hearst Rønning has been an animal advocate ever since she was a young girl growing up in New York City, when she would spend weekends on her family’s farm in the Hamptons. During one of those weekends, a family cat caught a baby bird that was so mangled, Amanda’s mom (also an animal lover) said its chances of survival were likely impossible. But Amanda nursed it back to health, and eventually the little bird survived. From that day forward, Amanda has been committed to saving animals. In her twenties, she started going on puppy mill raids and also founded Friends of Finn, an initiative dedicated to ending the puppy mill industry. Amanda spent 3 years on the Executive Board of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Today, she is a co-founder of MAISON-DEMODE.COM, a luxury, sustainable fashion platform, and sits on the advisory boards of the ethical fashion non-profits NEST and Remake.

Breanna Schultz has served on the Executive Committee for the National Council of the HSUS and is a member of the organization’s Humane Generation. She holds a Master of Arts in Animal Behavior and Conservation, and sits on the Executive Board of Animal Haven, a highly regarded no-kill shelter in Manhattan. After working together at animal welfare centers for nearly 10 years, Amanda and Breanna co-founded WELL/BEINGS, a non-profit that elevates underserved environmental issues impacting the interdependence between all living beings and habitats, due to the climate crisis. Every 3 years, WELL/BEINGS chooses a critical cause for its funding and awareness efforts. “Save the Mangroves, Save the Ocean” is its current campaign.

“Breanna and I started WELL/BEINGS because we wanted to focus on underfunded and underrecognized environmental issues (like mangroves!), and we wanted to partner with local non-profits and communities that understand the issues first-hand.”

Hearst continues, “Mangroves are one of the most effective solutions to combat climate change. They sequester [3-5x] more carbon than the rainforest and most people don’t even know what a mangrove is. At the rate of their destruction, mangroves will disappear in our children’s lifetime... I am inspired to see so many help raise money and awareness to conserve mangroves for future generations—and I can’t wait for my son, Hawk [who is only two], to understand their power when he is a little older!”

Thanks to the support of their donors, Amanda and Breanna will launch their mangrove conservation campaign in the Dominican Republic this year.

PHOTO BY NICK MELE/BEAUTY BY DEBORAH KEOPPER

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our April 2023 issue, photographed by Harry Benson. This page: Hildegarde “Hillie” Mahoney, Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Opposite page, from above: Judy Glickman Lauder, Glickman Lauder of Excellence in Autism and Development Disorders; Gretchen Leach, Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

“I believe that it is especially important for the educational efforts to begin as early as possible, with childhood literacy programs to provide a foundation for successful lives.”

—Wendy Bingham Cox

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our April 2022 issue, photographed by Harry Benson. This page, from above: Jennifer Fischer, Lighthouse Guild; Wendy Bingham Cox, Cox Science Center and Aquarium. Opposite page: Liza Pulitzer Calhoun, Hanley Foundation.

The “Women of Substance and Style” from our April 2021 issue, photographed by Scott Erik Buccheit and Harry Benson. This page: Gillian Hearst, The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering. Opposite page, from above: Missie Rennie Taylor, Vassar College and The Asia Foundation; Britty Bardes Damgard, Landmarks Preservation Commission of Palm Beach and The Blair House.

“I am particularly passionate about the arts, especially in difficult times.”

—Deborah Royce

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our April 2020 issue, photographed by Harry Benson. This page: Deborah Goodrich Royce, The Avon Theater, PRASAD, NYBG, and NYPL. Opposite page, from above: Louise Stephaich, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer; Denise Hanley, Palm Beach Atlantic University and the Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation.

HARRY BENSON; ANNIE WATT

“I love to be able to share the zoo’s conservation message through my films.”

—Whitney Bylin

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our April 2019 issue, photographed by Harry Benson and Annie Watt. This page, from above: Georgina Bloomberg, The Humane Society of the United States; Whitney Bylin, Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society. Opposite page, from above: Mila Mulroney and her granddaughters (Thea and Minnie Lapham), Cystic Fibrosis Canada; Ritchey Howe, Boys’ Club of New York.

from

The women featured in “The Substance of Style”

our April 2018 issue, photographed by Harry Benson. This page, from above: Jamee Gregory, The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Barbara Tober, The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). Opposite page, clockwise from above left: Julie Frist, Teach for America; Susan Lloyd, Palm Beach Island Cats; Talbott Maxey, The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

HARRY BENSON

“Social advance depends quite as much upon an increase in moral sensibility as it does upon a sense of duty.”

—Jane Addams

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our April 2017 issue, photographed by Harry Benson. This page, from above: Frances Scaife, Lighthouse Guild; Nancy Brinker, Susan G. Komen. Opposite page, from above: Hilary Geary Ross, The Blenheim Foundation U.S.A., Women’s Board of the Boys’ Club of New York, Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy, and Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach; Jacqueline Weld Drake, Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education, Literacy Partners, and PEN America.

HARRY BENSON

The women featured in “The Substance

from our April

of Style”

2016 issue, photographed by Harry Benson. This page, top row: Audrey Gruss, Hope for Depression Research Foundation; Dani Moore, Town of Palm Beach United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Bottom row: Pauline Baker Pitt, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. Opposite page, top row: Mary McDonnell Davidson, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Jacqueline Desmarais, The Metropolitan Opera. Bottom row: Edith McBean, African Parks Foundation, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya, Panthera, Rainforest Trust; Michele Kessler, Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society.

HARRY BENSON

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our March 2012 issue, photographed by Jack Deutsch and Capehart. This page, top row: Nancy Kissinger, Animal Medical Center; Anne Harrison, Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy. Bottom row: Louise Grunwald, Lighthouse International; Emilia Fanjul, Everglades Preparatory Academy and Glades Academy Elementary Charter Schools. Opposite page, top row: Sasha Heinz, Planned Parenthood; Sydney Shuman, Women & Science, Rockefeller University. Bottom row: Jill Kargman, American Foundation for Equal Rights; Emma Bloomberg, Robin Hood.

JACK DEUTSCH; CAPEHART

The women featured in “The Substance of Style” from our April 2009 issue, photographed by Jack Deutsch. This page, top row: Nancy Paduano, Central Park Conservancy; Lorna Graev, Fountain House; Susan Burden, New Yorkers for Children. Second row: Elizabeth Stribling, French Heritage Society; Cynthia Lufkin, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Bottom row: Liz Smith, Literacy Partners; Blaine Trump, God’s Love We Deliver. Opposite page, top row: Susan Fales-Hill, American Ballet Theatre; Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED. Bottom row: Diana Taylor, New York Women’s Foundation; Evelyn

Lauder, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

JACK DEUTSCH

NEXTGEN GIVING Quest’s annual roundup of young philanthropists.

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

OLIVER KENNAN

Alzheimer’s Association

SINCE THE LOSS of his mother, Libet Johnson, to early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease seven years ago, Oliver Kennan has dedicated himself to advancing research and treatment in the field of neurodegeneration. He is the co-chair of the 40th annual Imagine Benefit, a fall gala in New York that supports the Alzheimer’s Association—a vital resource for his family following his mother’s diagnosis. Beyond this role, Kennan is actively involved in The 10,000 Brains Project, a non-profit initiative aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance research and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. He also serves on the board of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Media Foundation, which is currently producing a PBS mini-series titled Defeating Dementia , aimed at raising public awareness and understanding of these conditions.

Q: How has your charitable work changed your view on the world or your personal values?

A: My involvement in these initiatives has profoundly shaped my perspective on life and the impact I can create in the world. Sharing my family’s journey with Alzheimer’s has opened my eyes to how many others are similarly affected. Hearing about the experiences

of friends and community members dealing with the disease has motivated me to continue exploring various ways to raise awareness and secure funding for research.

Q: Where do you see your philanthropic journey heading in the next few years and how do you plan to inspire more young people to get involved?

A: I am committed to these initiatives for as long as they are needed. The ultimate goal is to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, and I truly believe this can be achieved within my lifetime. Until then, sharing the personal stories of those affected is a powerful way to raise awareness. People from every corner of the globe and all walks of life may not realize how much they share in common, and unfortunately, this disease is a connection many of us have. However, raising awareness is only part of the solution; securing consistent funding for research is critical. To engage deeply with any charitable cause, I recommend starting with something close to home. Whether it’s a condition affecting your family or an issue within your community, the causes that touch us personally ignite the strongest passion and commitment, making us effective and longterm advocates.

Oliver Kennan with his wife, Brooke Kennan, at Alzheimer’s Assocation’s 2023 Imagine Benefit.

Clockwise from left: Penny’s Flight Foundation’s FamJam benefit in Oyster Bay, New York, 2023; Henry Doerge speaks during a Penny’s Flight Fundraiser; the Doerge family in Boca Grande; Henry Doerge with his sister, Penny.

HENRY DOERGE

Penny’s Flight Foundation

ON NOVEMBER 10, 2022, tragedy struck the Doerge family when Henry Doerge’s 16-year-old sister, Penny, succumbed to a brain tumor caused by Neurofibromatosis (NF), which she was diagnosed with at just four months old. NF causes the formation of tumors in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. In 2020, Penny bravely underwent the first of seven surgeries to remove these growths. After two procedures, it was discovered in May 2021 that her tumors were a malignant type of brain cancer known as Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).

Just one month following Penny’s passing, Henry, alongside his brother Frankie and their parents, Kate and Chad Doerge, established Penny’s Flight Foundation. The charity is dedicated to advancing medical research on NF and related disorders, as well as raising awareness using Penny’s inspiring story. Henry now serves on the Advisory Board and has co-founded the Penny’s Flight Chapter at the University of Denver, where he is currently a student.

Q: What inspires you?

A: I am inspired by my sister Penny, who lost her life to Neurofibromatosis (NF), the most common genetic disorder in the United States yet significantly underfunded. While Penny’s life was never defined by her diagnosis, the outcome was heartbreakingly inevitable. Hearing from countless families

affected by NF has further motivated me to continue raising the necessary funds to find a cure. My hope is that one day, no family will have to endure the loss of a loved one to this devastating disease.

Q: How do you envision your philanthropic efforts in the coming years?

A: I am committed to remaining an active participant in Penny’s Flight until we achieve a cure. Being involved has been incredibly rewarding, and I can clearly see the impact that my efforts, along with those of many others, have already made.

Q: What strategies do you have in mind to recruit more young individuals for the cause?

A: My plan to involve more young people centers around increasing awareness of the foundation. There are currently over 18 Penny’s Flight Clubs at various colleges and high schools across the country. These clubs have been instrumental in hosting popup events to both raise awareness and gather the necessary funds for a cure. I will continue organizing events at the University of Denver and motivate others to expand their efforts. Our success so far can be attributed to understanding that we can make a significant difference through social media engagement and by involving friends and their networks in our cause.

GEORGE MERCK

The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art / Norton Museum of Art

GEORGE MERCK’S philanthropic initiatives are deeply rooted in the arts. An avid art collector, Merck launched the George Merck Art Collection (GMAC) in 2023, dedicated primarily to the Light and Space movement of Southern California. The collection also emphasizes Minimalism and Emerging Contemporary Art. Additionally, Merck chairs the Board of Trustees at The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art in Washington, D.C., and sits on the board of the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.

Q: What inspired you to begin your philanthropic journey?

A: My inspiration stemmed from visiting prominent private art foundations, where I saw firsthand the tremendous impact a robust collection can have. Experiences at places like Crystal Bridges have shaped my vision for future philanthropic endeavors.

Q: Can you share a success story that you’re proud of?

A: I take great pride in every gala I help to organize, but the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art Gala in 2022 was particularly special. After a hiatus during 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, we made a triumphant return in 2022. This event was not only one of our most financially successful galas, but it also reaffirmed our position as a leading institution in the scholarly research of American art.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: I plan to further strengthen my ties with The Smithsonian and the Washington, D.C. area, as well as my hometown of Palm Beach. With significant growth occurring on the island, thoughtful guidance will be crucial to our success.

Q: What strategies will you use to engage more young people in philanthropy?

A: My exhibition space, the George Merck Art Collection (GMAC), is designed as a creative hub that prioritizes inspiration over commerce, catering to the artistic community. I aim to expand GMAC’s facilities and offerings to include large-scale exhibitions, a lecture series, and various educational programs focused on the arts, all of which will be accessible to the public at no cost. My hope is that GMAC will serve as a model for young collectors, demonstrating how personal collections can contribute positively to society. ◆

Clockwise from left: George Merck speaks during The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art Gala, 2023; Merck next to the National Gallery of Art’s Hilary Pecis, Flea Market , 2021; Merck with his wife, Lauren Layne Merck, at The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art Gala, 2019.

HAPPY TAILS FOR “PEGGY ADAMS”

PEGGY ADAMS Animal Rescue League, Palm Beach County’s oldest rescue institution and a leading force for animal care, is celebrating the success of its Spring fundraiser, Happy Tails. The event transformed Palm Beach’s Colony Hotel into a pet lovers’ paradise - 150 generous guests plus seven adoptable (and adorable!) dogs looking for a loving new home.

“This was a fun, vibrant evening filled with support and love for our mission,” said Sue Berry, CEO of Peggy Adams

Animal Rescue League. “Because of our donors, Peggy Adams has one of the finest shelter veterinary teams in the state and we can respond when other shelters reach out in times of need. In the past year, we were able to answer the call for over 35,000 animals in one way or another through our various programs, thanks to the support of our community.”

As the team at Peggy Adams reflects on the success of Happy Tails, they are filled with gratitude for the unwavering

Clockwise from left: Stephanie Shafran, Callie Baker Holt, and Emilia Fanjul Pfeifler; Reid Boren and Hillary Thomas; Sam and Vicky Hunt. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Kevin Clark and James Berwind; Sue Berry and John Hendrickson; Diane Smith and Robin Gillen; Jose Pepe and Emilia Fanjul; Mira Fain and Kevin Small; Pauline Pitt and Jerry Seay; Cathy and Jack Flagg.

The collective efforts of the hard working event chairs, Callie Holt Baker, Emilia Fanjul Pfeifler, and Stephanie Shafran, will fuel Peggy Adams’ mission - to create a community where 100% of the adoptable animals find caring homes. Their mission remains valiant: no animals will be euthanized because of pet overpopulation; and the organization will continue to champion the highest humane care throughout Palm Beach County.

QUEST ’S MENAGERIE

Mark Twain, the Father of American Literature, once said, “The more I learn aboout people, the more I like my dog.” Here, the animals—and people—we adore:

Clockwise from top left: Tippi Hedren at home in California with her 400-pound pet lion, Neil, 1971: Gloria Vanderbilt drives alonside her Yorkshire Terrier pup in Paris in the 1920s: Margaret “Maggy’ Scherer and Domino on the cover of Quest’s January 2004 “Palm Beach” issue; Carolina Herrera sits beside her Cocker Spaniel, Red, at a dog show in Caracas, 1956; Shirley Temple and Buster, 1933. Opposite page: Queen Elizabeth II playing with her black Labrador Retriever gun dogs on the lawn outside of Balmoral Castle, Scotland, 1971; young Queen Elizabeth, “Lilibet”, takes her Daschund for a walk, 1931 (inset).

Counterclockwise from top right: Audrey Hepburn rides a bicycle with her Yorkshire Terrier, Famous , 1964; Andy Warhol carries his Dachshund puppy, Archie , while walking beside Fred Hughes and Lee Radziwill in Montauk, 1978; Gloria Swanson in a scene from Teddy at the Throttle with Teddy the Dog , 1917; Wendy Burden seated on a lawn in Bedford with a puppy, 1940; John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy walk “ Friday” in New York City, 1997; Harry Benson photographs Cornelia Guest feeding a carrot to her donkey, Madonna, on the cover of November Quest , 2011. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Presidential dogs Barney and Spot step off of Marine One, 2003; Chicago It Girl Virginia Vilas and Vou, 1929; Winston Churchill and Rufus II, 1950; Alfred Hitchcock directing Madeleine Carroll’s Sealyham Terrier, Susie, on the set of The 39 Steps , 1935; Former First Lady Jackie Kennedy walking her children, John, Jr. and Caroline, to school with their Cocker Spaniel, Shannon, 1966; Brooke Astor serves tea with her Schnauzer, Jennie, in 2012.

THE YOUNG & THE GUEST LIST YGL

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

Diane Mahady presents the Hermès award.

HERMÈS HOSTS PARTY DURING THE WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL IN WELLINGTON

LAST MONTH, Hermès celebrated the Hermès Sellier 1.50M Series Final Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Hermès Sellier, the maker of equestrian equipment since 1837, was the title sponsor for the Jumping Series. Guests of the brand enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment while viewing the

Clockwise from top left: Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier; Logan Horne; Sarah Wetenhall and Suzie Kondi; Nikki Breedlove Cooney, Lizzi Bickford Meadow, and Lauren Layne Merck; Jared Seligman and Chloe Lazard.

Grand Prix FEI Final at The Wellington Club.

ON MARCH 14TH, the Art Production Fund hosted its annual gala at The Pool and Grill at the Seagram Building. The nautical themed evening featured tropical cocktails, a seated dinner with a menu curated by board member Sarah Hoover, a performance by Shikeith, and a live auction. Guests included Drew Barrymore, Olivia Wilde, Dianna Agron, and Huma Abedin, among others.

Genevieve Roth, Sophia Bush, and Ashlyn Harris

Casey Fremont Crowe and Kathleen Lynch

Olivia Wilde, Pollyanna Rose, and Dianna Agron

Sarah Hoover and Yvonne Force Villareal

Drew Barrymore and Stacey Bendet

FOR THE DEBUT of Apple TV’s Palm Royale series, the Cinema Society hosted a screening of Episode One at The Crosby Street Hotel, followed by a panel discussion with Executive Producer Abe Sylvia, as well as Kristen Wiig, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Mindy Cohn from the cast. Set during the year of 1969, the comedy follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavors to break into Palm Beach high society. Later on, attendees enjoyed a reception with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. ◆

Ashley Haas and Eddie Roche

Daniel Benedict and Candace Bushnell

Mindy Cohn, Leslie Bibb, Josh Lucas, Kristen Wiig, and Abe Sylvia

Valesca Guerrand-Hermes, Ashley Sherrard, and Kane Manera

Chloe Melton and Maud Lunenfeld

KATE MIDDLETON’S PHILANTHROPIC BATTLE WITH CANCER

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

KATE MIDDLETON recently shared a deeply personal health update that has touched the hearts of many across the globe. In light of her announcement of her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales’ long-standing commitment to philanthropy has taken on a new and poignant significance. In 2017, Middleton, widely admired not just for her royal duties but also for her genuine acts of kindness, donated her locks to Little Princess Trust, a charity that provides free real hair

wigs to children and young adults undergoing chemotherapy.

As she now faces her own battle with the disease, Middleton’s gesture shines as a beacon of the power of giving and the impact of personal challenges on inspiring action. Her journey brings a deeply human element to her public persona, bridging the gap between royal and civilian in the shared experience of vulnerability in the face of health challenges. Her courage and poise continue to inspire. u

Kate Middleton announces her cancer diagnosis in a video filmed by BBC Studios on March 22, 2024.

We look forward to welcoming you to Palm Beach’s pinkest hotel.