Sophisticated Living Columbus Summer 2023

Confidence

Charles Dankworth, CFP® , CIMA®, CPWA®

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Romeo Vuticevski, CRPS® Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Kevin Snead, CFA, CEPA Account Vice President

Patrick Clark, CFP® Senior Registered Client Associate

Courtney Storer Client Associate

Amy Baker Client Associate

New Albany Wealth Partners

UBS Financial Services Inc.

180 Market Street, Suite 200 New Albany, OH 43054

614-939-2202

newalbanywealthpartners@ubs.com

advisors.ubs.com/newalbanywealthpartners

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that you understand the ways in which we conduct business, and that you carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to you about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the client relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationshipsummary, or ask your UBS Financial Advisor for a copy Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and Certified finanCial PlannerTM in the US. CIMA® is a registered certification mark of the Investments & Wealth Institute™ in the United States of America and worldwide. For designation disclosures, visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. © UBS 2023. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. CJ-UBS-395243961 Exp.: 05/31/2024

Market volatility is easier to bear when you have a sound financial plan and the support of an experienced team

Congratulations Class of 2023

These 102 graduates are ready to thrive.

As they matriculate to the following prestigious institutions, we’re proud to have empowered them to ignite their curiosity, learn voraciously and live intentionally. We can’t wait to watch as they take the world head on.

Ball State University

Bennington College

Boston University *

Brandeis University

University of California-Davis

Case Western Reserve University *

College of Charleston

University of Chicago *

University of Cincinnati *

University of Colorado-Boulder

Dartmouth College *

Drexel University

Duke University

Elon University

Emory University

University of Florida

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Harvard University

High Point University *

Hobart Institute of Welding

Indiana University *

University of Kentucky

Kenyon College *

Loyola University-Chicago

Miami University *

University of Miami *

Michigan State University

University of Mississippi *

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

University of North Carolina

University of North Dakota

University of Notre Dame

Ohio University

Ohio State University *

Princeton University

Purdue University *

University of Richmond *

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

Saint Joseph’s University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Skidmore College

University of Southern California *

Stanford University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Swarthmore College *

University of Tennessee

University of Texas-Austin

University of Toronto

Tulane University *

Union College

Wake Forest University

Washington University-St. Louis *

Williams College

Wilmington College

Yale University

OMEGA Brand Ambassador Zoë Kravitz wearing the Aqua Terra Shades collection for the brand’s “Every Shade of You” campaign.

Liz Martinez Hydra collection “Shell” lace gown (lizmartinez.co.il)

PUBLISHER

Pure Publishing Columbus

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Amelia Jeffers

CONTRIBUTORS Writers

Victoria Chase

Ruth Crnkovich

Colin Dennis

Caroline Hannan

Scott Harper

Andre James

Amelia Jeffers

Jack Mitchell

Bridget Williams

Photographers

Tony Bailey

Ben Baldwin

DDF Photography

James Henthorn

Jim Sanders Photography

Tim P. Whitby

ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE

614.896.0284

SOPHISTICATED LIVING MEDIA

Eric Williams - CEO

Bridget Williams - President

Jason Yann - Art Director

Sophisticated Living® is published by Pure Publishing Columbus, LLC and is independently owned and operated. Sophisticated Living® is a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sophisticated Living® is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of Pure Publishing Columbus, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Single copies may be purchased for $5 at select fine retail outlets. Address all subscription inquiries to: Sophisticated Living®, P.O. BOX 164106, Columbus OH 43216. Telephone 614-896-0284.

SLMAG.NET

2128 ARLINGTON AVE.

COLUMBUS, OH 43221

LEALBOUTIQUE.COM

614.488.6400

29 YEARS OF TIMELESS FASHION.

In 1982, Sardis Elementary held approximately 90 children across kindergarten through 6th grade. Housed in an abandoned high school, it was the poorest school in Harrison County, with nearly 100% of the children receiving free or reduced lunch. Each teacher was assigned to two grades, and anything outside of the basics (reading, writing, and arithmetic) was handled by specialists sent from a nearby town once a week. Physical education was conducted in an adjacent barn or open field, and school buses could not navigate the mountain on which the school sat – so every child who attended had to traverse the steep and winding drive morning and afternoon, no matter the weather.

I was in the fifth grade, and for the prior two years I had been bused two days each week to Morgan Elementary, in the city of Clarksburg, for a special education program known to me and my teachers simply as “gifted”. At “gifted”, I studied architecture and mythology and practiced mindfulness and meditation. The days were varied and exciting, and traveling to the city by myself on a small school bus felt adventurous and special.

On one of my “Sardis” days that fall, my teacher announced to the class that we were to have a library. To the best of my recollection, our faculty had lobbied the education community in the area for more resources, and a book drive was made at several schools. To me, the prospect of having a library in the school where I still spent most of my time was beyond exciting. Our teacher had (from her perspective) some bad news, too: though we were receiving several hundred books and some modest supplies, there was no budget for a librarian. Our teachers, who were already stretched thin, would not be able to organize or maintain the collection. If it was to be a library, it was up to us.

My arm shot in the air immediately – the prospect of leading the project of setting up a card catalog, borrowing system, and dewey decimal files was thrilling. My teacher called on me, and I began my appeal for the position of lead librarian. Before the second sentence was out of my mouth, my classmate, Chris wailed, “Noooooo! Why you? You get to do everything. One of us should get to do it.”

For the first time in my life, I realized that my enthusiasm, ambition, and abilities might actually have been thwarting opportunities for my peers. I found myself in a conundrum: blast full speed ahead and do all that I could when I could or temper my interests and passions to keep the peace with kids around me. Of course my teacher navigated it skillfully; I don't recall exactly who was in charge – but I do distinctly remember the feeling of not wanting to miss the opportunity.

The theme of not wanting to miss an opportunity has remained a constant pattern in my life, and not always the most helpful. Sometimes it has looked like biting off much more than I can chew, letting people down unintentionally. It has also resulted in some pretty incredible experiences and relationships, so most days I am grateful for the dna.

As the dog days of summer descend upon us, here's to making the most of every moment as it comes – and never missing an opportunity...whether it is to learn or to teach, to change or to sustain, to adventure or to relish a bit of rest.

Amelia Editor in Chief

THE JUNTO

Written by: Amelia Jeffers / Photography courtesy The Junto

If you followed any of the Gwyneth Paltrow trial coverage or caught an episode of Succession on HBO Max (ok, who could actually watch just one episode?), then possibly you have heard about the latest headline-making trend: stealth wealth. If you are unfamiliar, steal wealth refers to an understated style that relies on timeless design made with quality, lasting materials. Think Sharon Stone circa 1998 on the red carpet at the Oscars, incomparably elegant in a Vera Wang couture evening skirt paired with a white button-down from Gap. For many of us in the Midwest, stealth wealth isn’t new; a laidback, approachable sensibility doesn’t equate to a lack of luxury.

Stealth wealth was on my mind when I visited The Junto (Columbus’ brand new (and first) independent lifestyle hotel) several weeks ago. The comfortable-swank-meetsindustrial-chic aesthetic creates a seemingly effortless backdrop to what the management hopes will become a focal point for the sprouting and ambitious Peninsula community, described by the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation as: “bring{ing} together the best of all worlds - just around the bend of the Scioto River. Already on its way to becoming a lush, urban oasis, the Peninsula will have something for everyone: miles of waterfront views and pathways, acres, and acres of parks and community greenspaces, conveniently connected bike trails, easy access to Scioto River canoeing and kayaking, and close to Downtown’s most popular places, happenings, and events, and steps away from Franklinton’s arts scene.”

Columbus-native Jimmy Merkel is the visionary behind MakeReady, the leisure brand and property management company responsible for The Junto. Merkel has decades of success in the hospitality arena: the company he co-founded in 1999, Rockbridge, has made more than 290 real estate and hospitality investments in 39 states worth over $10 billion. The Junto is Merkel and Co’s first venture in his hometown. For Merkel, the opportunity to leverage the talent and experience of his team to impact life in central Ohio has been exciting. He defines the role of The Junto design as behaving “like the neighborhood’s living room.”

Translating as “an assemblage coming together for a common purpose” (or “together” or “club” depending on the language), The Junto is definitely living up to the name and goals. Guests to the imposing brick facade located directly across from COSI are greeted by the Trade Room, where hotel check-in occurs alongside coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions among colleagues who need a convenient and comfortable place to work. Local friends gather around the fireplace in the adjacent library with cocktails while an outof-towner nestles into a cozy spot with a book. Around the corner, a small family checks out the Gear Garage for afternoon entertainment options, and the expansive patio with a double-sided fireplace serves as a warm and inviting space streetside as well as hotel-facing.

A tiki hut offers shade and snacks when poolside gets the better of guests.

Food and beverage options are as thoughtfully developed as expected from a property of this caliber. Maudine’s Coffee Shop serves up delicious brews from local fave One Line Coffee with a playful brand built around The Ohio State University 1926 homecoming queen: “Maudine Ormsby, a local farm girl with big brown eyes and a sweet-natured disposition.” The back story is worth a trip to the website, I promise. The Brass Eye is a decadent and dynamic rooftop bar with a witty nod to one of the great minds in America’s history, Ben Franklin. Little West Tavern brings a bit of the old West spirit to the modern atmosphere, cooking up wood-fired comfort fare from yummy burgers to sizzling seafood.

The Junto has only been open for a few weeks but is already topping the charts at visitor-reviewed sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp. With its muted palette and warm wood and leather appointments, The Junto is stealth wealth at its finest. Hotel rooms number just under 200 and range from 250 to 1250 square feet, including several lofts and a spacious apartment. More than 13,000 square feet of flexible and unique meeting space means that The Junto can handle large corporate events and conferences as well as more intimate celebrations. In fact, the rooftop terraces present what is possibly the very best spot for one of central Ohio’s most popular traditions: Red, White, and Boom (in our interview, management hinted at the option for renting out an entire floor of rooms and meeting space for the annual fireworks display). sl

The Junto is located at 77 Belle Street. Check out Staycation discounts, private party reservations, and special events at The Junto by visiting thejuntohotel.com.

DIVINEO

Breaking tradition in Burgundy

Written by Claire Williams

To truly know French people, one must completely grasp their food and wine culture and the rules they abide by. The need to have a baguette accompanying every meal to soak up that leftover jus on your plate; the direct eye contact made with every santé as glasses raise in a toast; and the ritual of a coffee and cigarette on an outdoor terrace after a long day.

But then the question comes to mind: when is it the time to break those rules and go against tradition to create something truly exceptional? DIVINEO does just that in the wine world by breaking the traditional codes of French wine to give a new life and reputation to Vins de France.

In 2021, after discovering a preserved valley in the heart of the Languedoc region, in the southwest of France, a group of friends from varying backgrounds, including an ex-CEO of OranginaSchweppes and winery owners, founded DIVINEO and embarked on a journey to take grapes from the South and mature them in Burgundy in the east of France. DIVINEO aims to show that it's possible to make great wines by freeing themselves from traditional codification and appellations while highlighting terroirs that sometimes go overlooked.

During the early 20th century, wine production in France was plagued by fraud and low-quality wine that prompted the creation of the Institut National del'Originee et de la Qualité (INAO), an organization charged with regulating place of origin, quality, and style of French agricultural products such as wine and

cheese. Under the INAO, the wine classification system, known as Appellation d'originee contrôlée (AOC)—French for controlled designation of origin—sets the standards for wine in France. The wine produced outside an AOC is referred to as Vin de France, denoting only that the wine comes from France. Such a designation is historically associated with wines of lesser quality and often sold under brand names.

In Burgundy alone, there are 84 AOCs, ranging from Grand Cru to Régionale appellations, which guarantee the authenticity of a region's wines, reflect the diversity of the terroir and that of its winemakers, and typically secure a higher price point. Most connoisseurs and lovers of wine are attached to specific appellations, and each have their preferred AOC; a Pauillac from Bordeaux or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhône Valley are all examples of this.

An AOC guarantees quality and protection in the production of wine; it can also make wine predictable. While each cuvée varies yearly, most are attached to certain AOCs because it's familiar, and consumers have come to know what to expect in the bottle. This is where DIVINEO comes in: their winemakers work with Southern grape varieties in Burgundian cellars to create a new universe of sensations oscillating between intensity and freshness. DIVINEO's founders boldly aim to be the dawn of a new era of wine in France by not being classified as an AOC and reinventing the Vin de France category.

DIVINEO owns 19 hectares (nearly 47 acres), with nine under vine in the Robiac Valley. The valley offers a micro-climate of cool

nights, advantageous elevation, and a forest environment. DIVINEO hasn't shied away from embracing variety in their grapes. They cultivate Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Vermentino, Roussanne, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc for their white wines. The main grape varieties already planted for their red wines are Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. Their remaining land will be planted little by little in the coming years, with Chenin, Petit Maseng, Carignan Blanc and Gris, and Aligoté all on the agenda.

Clodéric Prade manages DIVINEO's vineyards. A selfproclaimed Languedocien winegrower with a Burgundian palate, he is one of DIVINEO's co-founders and also the owner of Domained'Erianee in Saint-Mamert-du-Gard. In the time between DIVINEO's 2021 and 2023 cuvées, five other winemakers passionate about their aim to make revolutionary wine joined their team. The newest member of the DIVINEO team, Maëlys Jardin, says of their unusual method, "Our winegrowers are free to express all their knowhow and passion in their wines. The maturing in Burgundy barrels allows us to obtain wines characterized by their freshness and elegance. They are always high-quality wines, made with precision and care."

DIVINEO, like most wineries in France, grasps the importance of biodiversity in their vineyards and attempts to have as little intervention as possible, such as using indigenous yeasts and very low doses of sulfur in the winemaking process. With an emphasis placed on agroforestry and organic farming, DIVINEO wants their terroir and the talent of their winemakers to speak for themselves.

DIVINEO produced five cuvées for 2021 that genuinely express the journey from the Robiac Valley to Burgundy.

Of the five, the Grenache Vieilles Vignes—a blend of Black Grenache and Syrah—is one of their most unique and prestigious wines, made with grapes from 60+-year-old vines from vibrant terroir that imparts the grapes with a taste rarely seen in Southern territories. With notes of black fruit, spice, and a touch of smoke, this prestige range is limited to only 700 magnum bottles and will be available as of April 2023.

Creating a sense of community is also a core business goal, with DIVENEO fans invited to join their Club des Affranchis, "The Freedmen's Club". Club members are privy to exclusive convivial events in Paris, Languedoc, and Burgundy and can access members' only cuvées

While DIVINEO is just beginning its journey, the possibilities seem endless as they grow by exploring new grape varieties and continually innovating through winemaking. Julien Petitjean, one of DIVINEO's winegrowers, said he sought guidance from winegrowers on the verge of retirement to "opt for know-how over knowledge" as he forged his path to creating wine free from preconceived notions. While the time and UNESCO-honored French food and wine culture resolutely persists, DIVINEO's challenge of the status quo may lay the groundwork for new traditions to take root. sl

You can taste DIVINEO wines at Domaine

de la Roseraie in Nolay (winemaker Julien Petitjean), Domaine Petit Roy in Chorey-les-Beaune (winemaker Seiichi Saito Wang), and at Domaine Nicolas Perrault in Dezize-lès-Maranges (Perrault family winemakers). Learn more at vindivineo.com.

Seiichi Saito Wang Julien Petitjean Clodéric Prade

OOH LA

Graziela Ascension ring ($8,750; grazielagems.com). Suzanne Kalan diamond heart necklace (suzannekalan.com). David Yurman Streamline Tag in platinum with baguette diamonds ($18,000). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Moyer Fine Jewelers and Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, and davidyurman.com. Ananya Fine Jewelry Chakra ring ($5,400; ananya.com). Fred Leighton 1950s platinum diamond waterfall pendant earrings by Boucheron ($310,000; fredleighton.com). Effy Nature black and white diamond butterfly ring ($6,440; effyjewelry.com). Shahla Karimi long baguette V ring ($7,400; shahlakarimi.com).

Xpandable Gold Accent bracelet from Picchiotti ($66,300). Available from Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Elleard Heffern Fine Jewelers in St. Louis and at picchiotti.it/en. LXI OOAK sunset V-shape scatter ring from Ellis Mhairi Cameron ($3,010; ellismhairicameron.com). Nadine Aysoy Le Cercle ring ($14,060; nadineaysoy.com). Sig Ward Manifest charm ($4,050; sigwardjewelry.com). Yessayan baguette diamond statement earrings ($28,000; yessayan.us). Halleh pearl and baguette diamond earrings (halleh.com). Walters Faith Ottoline rose gold baguette hoop earrings ($9,950; watersfaith.com). Hoop earrings from Albarré Jewelry in St. Louis (price upon request; albarre.com). Harakh colorless diamond men’s ring ($6,800; harakh.com).

A NEW NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Robert Rieger courtesy of Aman New York

In the City that Never Sleeps, the ebb and flow of hotel openings and closings happen so regularly that they often register as a ripple in the Hudson to those outside the Big Apple bubble. However, when Aman New York opened its doors in August of last year after a series of delays, it made a full cannonball-style splash.

With its takeover of the historic Crown Building, Aman New York delivers the peace promised by Aman's Sanskrit-derived name and the palpable tranquility of its Asian roots to a covetable corner of 57th and 5th Avenue in the heart of Manhattan. The stepped skyscraper with a gilded chateau-esque tower, completed in 1921, has long held the distinction of garnering some of the highest rents in the city. The mixed-used building has a fascinating and diverse tenant and ownership roster including being the first site of the MOMA from 1929-1932 in a rented 12th-floor six-room suite.

Long-time Aman collaborator Jean-Michel Gathy, a Belgian architect whose three-decade dossier in all-exclusive luxury resort design includes Aman's exquisite Venice property on the Grand Canal, spearheaded the building's renovation.

When I tell you this place is magnificent, I mean it. There's a beguiling generosity of space and a harmony of design that instantly envelopes all the senses. Both overt and subtle design elements hearken to the brand's Asian roots. Intended to be a vertical resort, seating in public areas is oriented to keep the gaze inward on the beauty and serenity of surroundings rather than the city's frenetic

energy. We found it to be such a haven that throughout our two-night stay, we only (and reluctantly) left the confines of the haute hotel twice: once to meet an old friend for lunch and the other for a long walk in nearby Central Park, as a petite penance for all of our glorious and gluttonous indulging and imbibing at the property's signature restaurants—Arva and Nama—and its subterranean jazz club.

If you are someone desiring to feel like someone, this is the place for you. A team of attendants awaits at the front door, with more security at the elevator that takes guests up to the reception area on the 14th floor. As soon as the door opens, it's difficult not to be gobsmacked by Aman New York's bold minimalist view of a luxury urban hotel.

Calm, cool, and curated, the lighting design beckons you to want to see what's around the next corner. Fire is a recurring element, and a fireplace in the reception area helped to take the chill off a cold February morning while we completed the check-in process. The reception level is the heart of the hotel and populated with beautiful people from day to night. At present, only residents and registered guests have access to these elevated areas. Still, I can't imagine the powers that be at Aman will be able to fend off the requests for extended access, particularly in the summer months, when its exquisite 7k square-foot Garden Terrace, replete with extensive landscaping, fire-centered water features, retractable roof, and chic seating areas are fully availed.

The Bar Lounge. Artist Peter Gentenaar created the paper and bamboo sculpture that “floats” overhead.

Aman brings its Asian-inspired tranquility to the heart of Manhattan

Each suite boasts a large-scale art mural on rice paper inspired by the 15th-century masterpiece Pine Trees (Shōrin-zu byōbu) by Hasegawa Tōhaku.

Junior suite bathroom.

Bedroom in a corner suite.

The 83 suites are located on the floors beneath the lobby, as well as the spa, which encompasses 25k square feet over three entire floors (more on that later). The attention to detail and lighting extends to the guest rooms and suites, which are colossal by NYC standards.

As soon as the door to our room opened, my eye was drawn to the warm glow emanating from a fireplace—a rarity in Manhattan hotel rooms—at the far end of the room between a pair of windows overlooking Bergdorf and the crowds assembled to ogle the animatronic Yayoi Kusama painting her signature polka dots in the window at Louis Vuitton's midtown store.

To my left, a wall of handsome cabinetry concealed a generous amount of closet space, a coffee station with beautiful handmade ebony stoneware cups and saucers, and a minibar. On the right, a series of shoji-like screens, softly illuminated from within and mounted on swivel hinges, allowed for a "choose your own entry" into the spa-like bathroom with a low soaking tub and TOTO smart toilet. A clever console inside the door allows bags to be stored out of sight to maintain the feeling of feng shui.

Complementing the aesthetic while creating a dramatic focal point encompassing nearly the entire wall opposite the bed was a large-scale art mural on rice paper inspired by the 15th-century masterpiece Pine Trees (Shōrin-zu byōbu) by Hasegawa Tōhaku. After the giddy chatter of our reaction to the room subsided, we were met with something that's often a rarity in big city hotels—

complete silence. And, when the inevitable siren did find its way into our cocoon, it was more of a whisper than a wail.

Having visited five Aman properties, I can now count myself among the "Aman Junkies" club members. As such, the food and beverage program at Aman New York is heads and shoulders above what I've experienced at other Aman properties where the setting and architecture were the scene stealers.

Arva is located adjacent to the double-height buzzy Bar Lounge, where sinuous saffron-colored paper and bamboo sculptures that reminded me of a koi fish in motion (but were created by Peter Gentenaar to resemble Oriental lanterns) "float" between four stone columns. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner under the direction of Italian Chef de Cuisine Dario Ossola (whose previous gig was at Aman's Venice property), the Aman brand's signature Italian restaurant Arva pays homage to Italy's rustic, cucina del raccolto tradition with seasonally rotating, elevated comfort food served in refined spaces around a central open kitchen. Arva strives to source seventy-five percent of its ingredients locally via partnerships with Grow NYC and Our Harvest, representing over 750 farmers and managing at least 100 farmer's markets in and around New York City. Lucky for us, it was truffle season during our stay, and we went decidedly nonlocal, opting to have the fragrant fungi crown nearly every course of our leisurely lunch.

Chef de Cuisine Takuma Yonemaru at Nama, Aman's celebration of Japan's washoku dining tradition.

The heated pool is the centerpiece of the three-floor Spa at Aman New York.

A double treatment room in a private Spa House.

Dramatic cubes of chiseled rock mark the entrance to Nama, Aman's celebration of Japan's washoku dining tradition. Just inside the entry, a Japanese Hinoki wood counter is the site of twicenightly seatings for a 15-to-18-piece omakase-style fine dining experience. The staggered Complementing Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired ceiling and lighting pendants is a feature work created by local artist Melissa Hart.

Chef de Cuisine Takuma Yonemaru's sublime cuisine shines with every course, and we enjoyed sitting at the "kitchen counter," where we ate with our eyes before feasting on everything from sashimi to fork-tender Wagyu sirloin sprinkled with Moshio mineral salt and presented on handcrafted tableware emblematic of the Japanese notion of wabi-sabi. My better half, who has traveled extensively throughout Asia for work, remarked that it was the best Japanese food he'd had outside Japan.

Attesting to the property's ability to engage and satiate from morning till night is a basement-level speakeasy-style Jazz Club, one of the few venues "slightly" open to the public by reservation and boasting state-of-the-art acoustic technology. The intimate area is populated by crescent-shaped banquettes along the perimeter and tables near the draped stage, where a vintage Steinway sits in residence. Six-time Grammy nominee Brian Newman is the venue's creative director, booking a well-rounded group of acts encompassing contemporary jazz to the Great American Songbook. Live acts preceed late-night DJ sets (which, despite our best

intentions were unable to stay awake for). We fully expected the food to be an afterthought, but I am still craving just one more bite of their truffle grilled cheese some four months later.

If you are serious about self-care, the sanctuary offered by the vast Aman Spa is for you. At its heart is a 20-meter pool ringed by fabulous cone-style fireplaces and sleek seating areas. En route to your treatment, be sure to check out the boutique, featuring a selection of Aman-branded Goyard-esque leather goods, and Aman's eponymous apparel, skincare products, and fragrances; a whiff of the latter is enough to transport me back into a vacation state of mind.

As someone who checks out a hotel's gym on their website prior to booking a stay, the generously sized fitness facility was a dream for a workoutaholic like me with both tried-and-true equipment and high-tech offerings, including an anti-gravity treadmill.

Unique to New York City, Aman's indulgent and private Spa Houses, used for full or half-day retreats, offer either a Hamman or a Banya (a wood-clad sauna), in addition to a double treatment room, a living area with fireplace, and a large canopied outdoor terrace with hot and cold plunge pools for an utterly personalized spa experience. My chosen spa treatment, the two-hour Aman New York Signature Journey, focused on the healing, stabilizing, and balancing benefits of the fluorite crystal and, with apologies to Billy Joel, put me in a new New York state of mind that I could easily get used to. sl

For more information about Aman New York, visit aman.com/hotels/aman-new-york.

The Jazz Club at Aman New York

ODDS-ON FAVORITE

Written by Claire Williams / Photos courtesy of Badrutt's Palace Hotel

After making a bold bet with a group of summer English guests to stay in the Swiss town of St. Moritz for the fall season, claiming it to be more agreeable than London, Johannes Badrutt and four Brits who stayed behind would found not only the birth of winter tourism but also put this mountainous town on the map. Some 30 years later, in 1896, Caspar Badrutt followed his father's ambitious footsteps by opening Badrutt's Palace.

Although more than a century has passed, the chateau theme of the Palace remains but on a much grander scale. Most guests arrive in St. Moritz via the Bernina Express, more lovingly known as the Little Red Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Property. The storybook journey wends past villages built on mountainsides and snow-capped peaks while powdery snowflakes fall so gently that it's possible to imagine yourself inside a snow

globe. The pampering begins at the station, where a smartly uniformed Badrutt's Palace chauffeur awaits to whisk you away to the hotel in a Rolls Royce.

It's a short ride up the mountain to the heart of St. Moritz. The scale of Badrutt's Palace is hard to appreciate from the city center: 10 restaurants, three bars, a nightclub, a spa, and an array of other offerings await behind its spinning doors. On the other side, you're greeted by grand wooden vaulted ceilings, with antique and authentic pieces adorning the space, and floorto-ceiling windows to make sure you never miss the beauty of the land that made those English linger longer way back when. Constantly evolving, Badrutt's has carefully crafted a grand hotel that exudes the glamour and glitz you expect from St. Mortiz while also celebrating the local styles and heritage of the area.

Almost 160 years after a bet by Johannes Badrutt created a winter tourism renaissance, Badrutt's Palace continues the family legacy that started it all.

As a historic hotel, there are no cookie-cutter rooms; each tells a unique story. In fact, Alfred Hitchcock famously drew inspiration for The Birds from one of them, and the Palace named room 501 the Alfred Hitchcock suite after his 34th visit. Guest rooms offer opulent touches, including spectacular wooden moldings on the ceilings, antiques, art, and even local crystals in the chandeliers. The marble bathroom in my suite was nearly as large as my Paris apartment!

Guest experiences abound in all seasons. In winter, the obvious main attraction is skiing. As a novice, I appreciated the expertise of the ski pro in the Badrutt's Palace on-site ski shop, although my bunny-ski skills were a far cry from the Olympic athletes she's outfitted for more than 17 years. She aptly demonstrated her prowess by guessing the correct size of our needed gear with a cursory glance.

Having skied only once before, as we ascended the mountain with seasoned skiers, I was worried my flashy ski suit would be the only thing going for me. Spending the morning with Pierre, one of the Palace's resident instructors, quickly allayed my fears. Having worked worldwide with beautiful people like Claudia Schiffer, Pierre remarked that people who've been skiing for decades will still hire him to continue the relationship they've built over the years.

After a day of busting down black diamonds or sticking to the more sedate slants of the bunny slopes, Badrutt’s Palace’s Paradiso is one of the hottest tickets in town. Paradiso sits at the apex of the après experience with a sprawling mountain-view terrace, spectacular food and wine, and a seasonal Gucci-branded lounge. Seizing the moment definitely calls for some fur accessories and bling. While my slope skills don't qualify me to participate in a stylish 007-esque pursuit down the mountain, I did my best to exhibit the effortless glamour of a Bond girl while at Paradiso.

One of the other main attractions of St. Moritz is shopping, and Badrutt's has that covered, too, with its prime location on Via Serlas, the world's highest luxury retail street. They recently opened a Golden Goose storefront on the property, allowing shoppers to create the ultimate souvenir: a shoe from scratch. Just across the street, Badrutt's Palace partners with the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and more locally-known European brand Fusalp (their Emilio Pucci ski suit might make you want to rethink taking more ski lessons) to cater to any and all shopping fantasies. There's even the possibility of arranging private shopping at any point, even at two in the morning. During this past ski season, Louis Vuitton opened a second-of-its-kind branded Khazastan-inspired yurt pop-up. Guests of Badrutt's Palace receive special access to this one-of-a-kind shopping extravaganza.

Spa wellness garden and pool

Living room of the Helen Badrutt Suite

Paradiso. Photo by Steve Herud

St. Moritz Suite

The Grand Hall at Badrutt’s Palace

Badrutt’s Palace balcony view

The Gucci room at Paradiso

Like their shopping experiences, Badrutt's dining options cater to all palates and appetites. A short walk across the street from the hotel leads you to the center of the village and the 364-year-old Chesa Veglia. This former Swiss farmhouse specializes in authentic Italian pizza, elegant French cuisine, and rustic Swiss specialties (and where truffle is never lacking). For an even more authentic experience, you can ask for a private candlelit dinner in the wine cellar of the original Badrutt family farmhouse. The prices of the rarest among the 30,000 bottles it holds rival the Rolls Royce that brought me to the hotel.

What had been the hotel's tennis hall, the first in Europe, is now La Coupole-Matsuhisa, which offers Japanese-Peruvian delicacies by chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, or as many know him, the man behind the infamous Nobu empire. The star-studded roster continues with King's Social House, helmed by Michelinstarred chef Jason Atherton. The food is just as spectacular as the

after-party, when the restaurant transforms into a nightclub, with table service consisting of sparklers and Dom Perignon. Finish off the night in the Renaissance bar, where you can pair your cocktail from their choice cigar collection and truly feel like the James Bond villain.

They say the new statement pieces are experiences; material objects are briefly exciting, but adventures stoke the fire of our memories for a lifetime. The highlight reel from a stay at Badrutt's Palace encompasses moments big and small, from indulgent treatments in an underground spa with a heated outdoor infinity pool so you can watch the snowfall to a simple touchpoint of a musician playing the harpsichord every morning at breakfast every carefully crafted encounter creates unforgettable moments. And if that wasn't reason enough to return, the property is building a new addition across the street to ensure that coming back again and again is a safe bet. sl

Chesa Veglia restaurant

HOW THE WEST IS WORN

Fine jewelry inspired by the rich heritage, culture, and landscape of the American West.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Jill Heller squash blossom vintage silver and turquoise necklace (jillhellerjewelry.com). Jenna Blake beaded necklace ($4,800; jennablake.com). Turquoise nugget necklace Seaman Schepps ($17,500; seamanschepps.com). Nunchaku earrings from Nak Armstrong ($1,275; nakarmstrong.com). Penacho ring from Colette ($4,770; colettejewelry.com). Marlo Laz Southerwestern ring ($2,400; marlolaz.com). Cece Jewellery A Traveler’s Tale ring ($10,600; cecejewellery.com). Signet ring with turquoise Hibiscus medallion from Nouvel Heritage ($5,600). Available through Reis-Nichols in Indianapolis, Ylang Ylang in St. Louis and nouvelheritage.com. David Yurman Petrvs horse amulet in 18K yellow gold ($1,450). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Moyer Fine Jewelers and Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, and davidyurman.com. One-of-a-kind Leo necklace from Emily P. Wheeler ($26,000; emilypwheeler.com). Effy 925 sterling silver and 18K yellow gold diamond bracelet ($1,365; effyjewelry.com). Jacquie Aiche Thunderbird cuff bracelet ($17,500; jacquieaiche.com). Fancy yellow diamond solitaire from Albarré Jewelry in St. Louis ($22,000; albarre.com). Karina Brez Fearless Feathers ring ($1,900; karinabrez.com).

SINGULAR SENSATIONS

Superb stones that hold their own.

Compiled by Bridget Williams

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Yvonne Léon grey diamond solitaire bracelet ($3,179; yvonneleon.com). Anita Ko emerald heart chain bracelet ($2,975; anitako.com). Harakh Sunlight collection earrings with .72ct colorless rose-cut diamonds ($5,000; harakh.com). Bondeye Jewelry Calming Clear Shield bracelet ($790; bondeyejewelry.com). Nana Fink blue heart pendant with hand-carved emerald ($3,100; nanafink.com). Shay Colombian emerald solitaire studs ($8,860; brokenenglishjewelry.com). Ashley Zhang mint green tourmaline bubble pendant ($2,000; ashleyzhangjewelry.com). Ramona Albert Bloom ring with aquamarine ($7,700; ramonaalbert.com). Marco Bicego Petali Collection extra large flower ring ($4,900). Available at Diamond Cellar in Nashville and Columbus; Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis; Davis Jewelers in Louisville; Simons Jewelers in St. Louis, and at us.marcobicego.com. Sidecar engagement ring with 4ct emerald-shaped diamond from Phillips House ($150,000; phillipshouse.com). Kassandra Nicholson ruby teardrop earrings ($1,820; kassandranicholson.com). This page, clockwise from top left: Akaila Reid Ridge Edge solitaire ring ($32,920; akailareid.com). Tejen Collection Iconic Collection 5mm diamond capstone split ring (tejen-collection.com). Sorellina Cigno cocktail ring with 4.50ctw opal ($9,000; sorellinanyc.com). Rebel Black ring from Thelma West (thelmawest.com). Verragio Renaissance-973-R Two Tone ($3,000, excluding center stone). Available through Genesis Diamonds in Nashville, and at verragio.com. Shahla Karimi Mid-Century Kahn emerald ring with cigar band (from $2,290; shahlakarimi.com). VRAM Chrona demi ring with bicolor tourmaline (vramjewelry.com). Chris Ploof tension setting ring in 18k yellow gold and stainless steel Damascus, setting for .20ct diamond ($4,550, excluding center diamond; chrisploof.com). Continuity ring with .50ct diamond from White/Space ($6,650; modaoperadi.com). Unheated 7.20ct lavender sapphire solitaire from Albarré Jewelry in St. Louis ($24,000; albarre.com). Ray Griffiths Crownwork ring with bezel set Aquaprase ($4,170; raygriffiths.com).

NEWSWORTHY

It was love at first bite on my inaugural trip to New Orleans. However, in my case, the ardor was auditory rather than gustatory. Having arrived after midnight due to a frustrating series of airline snafus and eager to make up for lost time, I set out just after sunrise to stroll the empty alleyways of the French Quarter. Much to my surprise, as the first rays of sunlight latched onto the Romeo spikes found on the posts supporting the ornate iron galleries that serve as launching pads for countless beads, street corner musicians had already set up shop to tickle the ears of tourists. While I couldn't discern whether they were extreme early birds or hanger's-on from the prior evening's revelry, I appreciated the distinct sense-of-place soundtrack for my wandering.

After working up enough of an appetite to justify grabbing a bag of warm beignets from Café Du Monde that I'd intended to enjoy in The Eliza Jane's large and lushly landscaped open-air courtyard, I spent the rest of my walk back to the hotel vigorously dusting the evidence of my early indulgence—a preponderance of powdered sugar—off of my ill-chosen black leggings.

Opened in 2018, The Eliza Jane is fashioned from seven 19th-century warehouses that, in past lives, included manufacturing Peychaud's Bitters, publication of The Daily Picayune, and a nondescript Comfort Suites. A two-year renovation stripped away the genericness imposed by the most recent inhabitant to reveal the pleasing patina of the past, including exposed brick, masonry

arches, and metalwork. Located on what was once known as "Newspaper Row," where no less than seven different papers were published in the late 1800s, only one—The Daily Picayune— was the first major newspaper in the country to have a woman at the helm. That woman, Eliza Jane Nicholson, is the hotel's namesake.

Born into a well-to-do Mississippi family in 1843, Eliza Jane sought more from life than marriage and motherhood, so she moved to New Orleans. After submitting several poems to The Daily Picayune under the name of Pearl Rivers, she was hired as the literary editor, earning $25 a week. She went on to marry the paper's owner, Colonel Alva Holbrook, who had sold the paper only to repurchase it after the new owners pushed it to the brink of bankruptcy. Before he could complete the turnaround, Col. Holbrook died, and on the paper's front page on March 26, 1876, Eliza Jane, just 26 years old and $80,000 in debt, announced herself as the owner. She implemented changes to appeal to a broader readership, including adding sections on international news, a society column, and pieces of fiction by notable writers such as Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain. Her astute business sense and a willingness to surround herself with capable and creative colleagues made the paper one of the most successful in the region. She remained at the helm with George Nicholson, her second husband and the paper's business manager, until they both succumbed to influenza in 1896.

Written by Bridget Williams

The Eliza Jane Hotel pays homage to a Big Easy publishing icon

A communal table in The Press Room.

Photo by Taggart Cojan Sorensen

The Press Room is a popular gathering spot day and night.

Part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio, the 196-room hotel is a short walk from the French Quarter. In my tworoom Editor's Suite, in what was the newspaper's offices, Stonehill Taylor designers opted for an eclectic, homey style executed in jewel tones with a clever mish-mash of unique accessories and art, plush upholstery, and wallpaper. Near the beverage station, classic bentwood Thonet chairs pulled up to a round table accentuated by a vintage typewriter holding a personalized welcome note, to which I added my own hunt and peck addendum. A brushed brass finish on the suite's lighting and bath fixtures encapsulates the forward-looking retro trend.

My suite's wet room took full advantage of the soaring ceiling height by placing a soaking tub in front of a floor-to-ceiling arched window dramatically dressed with drapery. At press time, the property was developing a bespoke line of lime-basil-scented bath amenities, including bath salts, room spray, and velvety hand cream. Eventually, they plan to have these and their line of cocktail bitters (more on that later) for sale in a lobby boutique.

With only one full day on my first visit to The Big Easy, I called on New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours for a half-day jaunt around the city's highlights. After learning of my affinity for a good yarn, especially when it involves ghosts, Dane Rhodes, my guide and a card-carrying SAG member, put on quite the performance. He also peppered his talk with stories of New

Orlean's most notable women, including Mother Henriette DeLille, Micaela Almonester, Rosa Keller, Baroness de Pontalba, Mahalia Jackson, and Leah Chase (all of whom are worthy of a Google search to learn their stories). "New Orleans would not exist without badass women," Dane remarked emphatically.

Our half-day tour ended with lunch at Gris-Gris on Magazine St. (grisgrisnola.com). While Gris-Gris means "bewitch" in Creole, and the restaurant is decked out with Voodoo memorabilia and motifs, it was their chicken and andouille sausage gumbo washed down with a frozen King Cake frozen cocktail that put a spell on me. Chef-owner Eric Cook is a native of New Orleans and a combat veteran who served six years in the United States Marine Corps.

Having checked both King Cake (aboulangerienola.com) and gumbo off of my culinary checklist, I couldn't complete my stay without making a stop at Central Grocery on Decatur Street (cemtralgrocery.com) for an authentic Muffuletta sandwich and Hansen's Sno-Bliz, which has been slinging snoballs since 1939. At the latter, the combination of soft-shaved ice, condensed milk, and flavored syrups made in-house from family recipes created a delightful velvety treat.

After depositing my leftover Muffuletta in my hotel room, I headed down the street to the Sazerac House for a tour to learn about one of the city's most famous exports. New Orleans'

The Press Room, the Eliza Jane’s lobby lounge.

Photo by Taggart Cojan Sorensen

pharmacist Antoine Amédéé Peychaud is famously known for inventing the cocktail in the mid-1800s. His blend of whisky, absinthe, bitters, and sugar, known as the Sazerac, and served in an egg cup called a "coquetier," was initially intended for medicinal use. The well-executed and engaging three-floor museum offers a fascinating deep dive into New Orleans' cocktail culture. Don't ask for the 200-year-old Peychaud's recipe; it's under lock and key as securely as the famous 11 herbs and spices in my home state's famous fried chicken.

Back at the Eliza Jane, Michael Glassberg, Lead Bartender at The Press Room, is developing a proprietary line of bitters for use in the bar based on knowledge gleaned from reading The Standard Manual of Soda and Other Beverages, published in 1897. "Bitters are like a finishing salt for cocktails," remarked Glassberg, who also leads Bitters 101 courses for guests wanting to learn more about creating bitters and crafting cocktails with these herbaceous liquids.

With its library-inspired setting and unique architectural flourishes, the Press Room is a hub of activity day and night. While the cocktail program skews towards a Francophile bent to complement Couvant, the hotel's French brasserie that’s located in the former Peychaid Bittners factory, Glassberg says he relishes the occasional challenge from clientele who hail from around the

world. Complementing the building's history as a welcoming space for women writers, the Press Room is home to monthly "Dear Eliza Jane" author talks in partnership with The Garden District Bookshop.

At Couvant (couvant.com), Executive Chef Ryan Pearson, who cut his teeth working at Restaurant Daniel in New York City before returning to his hometown, explained that the menu looks like what would result if a French-born chef was dropped into New Orleans. Pearson employs a minimal waste, snout-to-nail approach in his kitchen, and I regretted not having more time to sample Couvant's decadent and delicious fare. I did, however, partake of duck and waffles for breakfast and enjoyed a feast fit for a queen at dinner: Provençal flatbread, classic gougères, a beet salad with locally procured strawberries, tagliatelle topped with mushrooms from a family-run small farm in Saint Francisville, Louisiana; côte de boeuf with a black garlic bordelaise, and brioche-crusted veal.

Walking (more like wobbling) out of dinner at Couvant, which followed a "to die for" day of over-indulging in New Orleans' culinary delights, I recalled a framed quote by Insta-poet Atticus that I'd spied in a shop window earlier that day that read, "I hope to arrive to my death late, in love, and a little drunk." To this, I'd add, "completely stuffed." sl For

more information about the Eliza Jane, visit theelizajane.com.

A frozen king cake cocktail at Gris-Gris Brioche-crusted veal at Couvant.

Duck and waffles for breakfast at Couvant

The makings of a classic Sazerac cocktail on display at Sazerac House.

IT'S A DUESY

A gathering dedicated purely to elegance and design amidst the grounds of the storied Villa d'Este in Lake Como, Italy, the Concourso d'Eleganza was held for the first time in 1929.

Awarded by a Jury, Best of Show went to a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster styled in the coachwork design by Gurney Nuttin and owned by William Lyon of the United States.

In addition to the trophy, the victor received an 1815 Chronograph crafted by A. Lange & Söhne with a hand-engraved Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este crest on the hinged cuvette.

Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, James Cagney, and many other stars of the silver screen drove a Duesenberg during the 1930s. In 1880, the company's founders, Fred and August Düsenberg, emigrated from Westphalia, Germany, to the USA. Speedy successes in motorsport and a small series of exclusive models quickly made them a household name. The marque's crowning glory came in 1932 with the extravagant SJ model. As much as 320 hp was available when the supercharger kicked in, propelling the colossal car to around 140 mph. Speaking to the quality of its vehicles, the turn of phrase "it's a Duesy" arose in the popular lexicon as a general indication of luxury.

Beyond the top prize, the participants and competing vehicles at the Concorso battled it out for victory in individual categories. The Coppa d'Oro prize awarded by Public Referendum went to a

1961 Ferrari 250 Syder California with

coachwork

by Pininfarina/ Scagliette and owned by Jonathan Hu, Keybridge Collection of Hong Kong. Helmut Käs, Head of BMW Group Classic and President of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, presented the Trofeo del Presidente to Rob Walton of the United States, owner of a 1968 Ford GT 40. BMW Group Classic brand ambassador and star tenor Jonas Kaufmann presented the Trofeo Il Canto del Motore for best engine sound, as chosen by the Jury to a 1970 Porsche 917 K to Christophe Count d'Ansembourg of Belgium.

Pagani's Huayra Codalunga, boasting Bronzo Aymara livery with an exposed carbon fiber finish, exclusive vintage leather and upholstery, and fine Loro Piana fabric, won the Design Award in the "Concept Cars & Prototypes" category, an award created in 2022, besting stiff competition that included Bugatti's W16 Mistral.

"The Huayra Codalunga is a tribute to Italian coachbuilders and race cars from the 1960s, cars that I love so much and that take me back to when I was a child," commented Horacio Pagani, Founder & Chief Designer. "We are happy to have won this award the first time we have participated in the most exclusive and historical classic car event in the world, in a category that represents the link between the automobile's glorious past and its exciting future." sl The 2024 event is scheduled for May 17-19.

Written by Andre James

The coveted Best of Show trophy at the Concourso D'Eleganza

Villa d'Este

went to a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster.

William Lyon behind the wheel of his 1935 Duesenberg SJ, awarded Best of Show

Photo by Gudrun Muschalla

Best of Show timepieces by A. Lange & Söhne.

Photo by Gudrun Muschalla

Bugatti W16 Mistral Pagani Huayra Codalunga

The Coppa d’Oro prize went to a 1961 Ferrari 250 Syder California

At its global debut at Auto Shanghai this past April, BMW solidly demonstrated the seamless interaction of its XM Label Red’s electric motor with a V8 engine. The company shifted gears at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival a few weeks later by assembling a global team of like-minded next-generation artists and cultural creators to express themselves alongside boldly styled Sports Activity Vehicle.

“Our goal is to be at the heart of where the creative magic happens – and Coachella is an excellent platform to foster new conversations with emerging talents as well as established artists,” said Stefan Ponikva, Vice President Brand Communication, Brand Experience. “BMW wants to enable artists – musicians, designers, actors, storytellers – to express themselves and engage with our brand and the first-ever BMW XM.”

The company’s claims are not mere hyperbole as the 738hp Sports Activity Vehicle, expected to cost in the neighborhood of $186k, can sprint from a standstill to 60 in 3.7 seconds, making it the most powerful BMW M road vehicle ever made. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph or 175 mph when the optional M Driver’s Package is specified.

The M HYBRID system of the BMW XM Label Red blends the virtues of electrification with the traditional qualities of a high-revving 8-cylinder combustion engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 4.4 liter V8 engine alone produces 577 hp at 5,600 rpm – a 94-hp increase over the unit in the standard BMW XM. Peak torque is 553 lb-ft – an increase of 74 lb-ft over the standard model – and is available from 1,800 to 5,400 rpm.

Drawing energy from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the underbody, the electric motor also employs innovative technology to deliver a noticeable increase in power. The permanently excited synchronous motor is integrated into the 8-speed M Steptronic transmission together with its power electronics and helps to provide precise throttle response and nearly instantaneous power delivery. The electric motor, which enables an estimated electric-only range of about 30 miles at speeds up to 87 mph, contributes up to 194 hp to the maximum system output of the BMW XM Label Red, along with 206 lb-ft of torque.

The Combined Charging Unit of the M HYBRID system enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW. The high-voltage battery

Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy BMW Group

With a 738-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain, the 2024 BMW XM Label Red is the most powerful member of the BMW M family.

takes just 3.25 hours to be replenished from zero to 100% charge. In addition, predictive heat management reduces charging times by preconditioning – warming or cooling – the HV battery. The charging cable stows away in a weekender bag secured in the rear cargo area using a carabiner-belt combination in M tricolor.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased, imparting the BMW XM Label Red a dynamic sense of agility and poise, especially in 4WD Sport mode. An electronically controlled differential lock in the rear axle further enhances traction, agility, and directional stability.

Standard equipment for the BMW XM Label Red includes adaptive M suspension Professional – featuring electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilization with Active Roll Comfort to eliminate body roll on one side of the vehicle – and Integral Active Steering. The M Sport braking system comprises six-piston, fixed-caliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-caliper units at the rear.

Distinguishing exterior features of the BMW XM Label Red include an available Toronto Red metallic accent band

instead of the standard black. The use of red also extends to the model badges and the wheel inserts. The BMW XM Label Red is fitted as standard with 23-inch light-alloy wheels, with 22-inch wheels available as a no-cost option. The surrounds for the BMW M kidney grille and diffuser elements are finished in Black high-gloss.

Customers can select either Brooklyn Grey metallic or choose from more than 50 BMW Individual special paint finishes at no additional charge. In addition, the new BMW Individual Visualizer (bmw-m.com) is available from the start of orders for the BMW XM Label Red to help customers with the paint selection process.

The bold design continues inside the cabin with a rear passenger area modeled after a luxurious lounge, complete with diamond quilted BMW Individual Vintage Merino leather seats set beneath a three-dimensional sculptural prism headliner containing 100 separate LED lights.

Production of the 2023 BMW XM Label will begin in August of this year at the company’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. sl

SUMMER STUNNER

Thirty years after the presentation of the Boxster concept car, Porsche will launch the most powerful version yet of the popular mid-engine roadster: the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS, which will celebrate its public premiere on June 8 as part of a livestream event in Stuttgart-Zuffenhau marking 75 years of Porsche sports cars (youtube.com/@porsche). The following month, it will appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England (goodwood.com).

"With an engine taken directly from racing, the 718 Spyder RS offers a driving experience like no other," says Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. "Slicing around a tight corner with the top off and the engine soaring to 9,000 rpm is an experience you will never forget."

The new 718 Spyder RS is a counterpart to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The same lightweight powertrain with high-revving engine characteristics also powers the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racing car. The four-liter six-cylinder boxer engine generates up to 493 hp and 331 lb.-ft. of torque. Combined with a short-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission, the engine catapults the twoseater roadster from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Compared to the

previous 414 hp 718 Spyder without the 'RS' designation, the 718 Spyder RS boasts an additional 79 hp and accelerates to 60 mph 0.5 seconds quicker toward a top track speed of 191 mph. In addition, paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel even when shifting gears manually.

Weighing slightly more than 40 pounds, the exceptionally light soft top of the 718 Spyder RS makes the engine's iconic and instantly recognizable sound an even more stirring experience. A standard lightweight stainless steel sport exhaust system and distinctive combustion air inlets on the sides behind the headrests further heighten the effect.

Consisting of two parts—a sunshield and a weather protector— the single-layer soft top can be used with the sunshield alone. Both are entirely removable and stowable in the vehicle.

Sporty character defines the inside of the car, too, with a Race-Tex-covered GT Sport steering wheel with yellow 12-o'clock marking, standard full bucket seats made of lightweight CFRP in a carbon-weave finish, and perforated Race-Tex seat centers in a contrasting color with a black background. Available exterior colors

Written by Andre James / Photos courtesy of Piaggio Group

The 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS is the most potent version of the popular mid-engine roadster.

include four standard and three metallic paints, including the new Vanadium Grey Metallic and the special colors Arctic Grey, Shark Blue, and Ruby Star Neo.

An optional Weissach Package is defined by forged magnesium wheels, titanium sport exhaust tailpipes, an exposed carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber combustion air scoops on the sides, and a carbon fiber Gurney flap on the rear spoiler. Inside the cabin, the upper part of the dashboard is covered with Race-Tex, while the seat headrests boast embroidered "Weissach" logo.

Owners of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS have exclusive access to a handcrafted chronograph by Porsche Design, and made by the Porsche watchmaking operation in Solothurn, Switzerland. Designed to match the configuration of the car, the case is made of titanium, the dial is made of carbon fiber and the strap is made of vehicle leather. The rotor on the back reflects the respective wheel design on the 718 Spyder RS.

The new 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS carries an MSRP of $160,700, excluding $1,650 for delivery, processing, and handling. Arrival at U.S. dealers is expected in spring 2024. sl

COLORING OUTSIDE THE LINES

For many, the world of wine is mainly monochromic: white, red, and pink. As a result, vino drinkers may think that the world of spirits gets to have all the fun experimenting with colors and flavors. However, you may be surprised to learn that there is a long history of colorful winemaking.

In the red winemaking process, colors ranging from pale ruby to deep garnet result from allowing the juice from the crushed grapes to macerate with skins. Winemakers tinker with the maceration period, which can be anywhere between three to 100 days depending on what effect they want the skins to have on the wine, such as creating a rosé from a short maceration period, increasing wine flavor, tannin, or the viscosity (the body) because many flavor and phenolic compounds come from the grape skin. Contrarily in the white winemaking process, the skins are customarily discarded, giving white wines completely different characteristics, mouthfeel, and flavor.

Orange wines are an outlier. More technically referred to as "skin-contact wine" due to the winemaking process, orange wines are essentially white wines that take a page from the red wine-making book; counter to their moniker, citrus fruit is not part of the equation. Instead, the skins of the white grapes ferment with the juice to impart the wines with a range of colors ranging from medium amber to deep copper. Voila, orange wine!

Georgia (the country, not the state) is considered the "cradle of wine," with the archaeological record crediting wine creation to the people of the South Caucasus in 6,000 BC. Although it's enjoyed a resurgence for the past few decades and is a product of almost all of the world's wine-producing regions, orange wine has been among Georgian winemakers' métier for many millennia. Slovenian and Italian-made are also well-known, with new world wine regions, such as Australia, South Africa, and the United States, following suit.

While orange wines come from various grapes, they're often described as robust and full-bodied with a great depth of flavor,

akin to red wine, due to the grape skin contact, with the bonus of boasting the refreshing qualities of white wine. Common tasting notes include bruised fruit like apple, honeyed aromas of jackfruit (a fleshy tropical fruit), juniper, sourdough, dried orange rind, and savory flavors like hazelnut and apricot.

Notable orange wines include an Italian orange pinot grigio. The Italians use the word to Italian pinot grigio made in an orange wine style, known for honeysuckle, stone fruit, and citrus flavors.

For a complete departure from Italian riesling presents a tartness that is off-putting to some and endearing to others whose palate prefers complex sour flavors. The 2019 Orange Riesling from Bannister Wines in California's northern Sonoma County has flavors of quince, pomelo, tart apple, and allspice that will evolve with bottle aging (bannisterwines.com/ shop/2019-orange-riesling). Whereas other wines have limitations, orange wines like Bannister's Riesling fill the space of wines that pair well with more exotic and spicier cuisines.

Gerard Bertrand's Genora Orange wine from the south of France, made from four white grape varieties, presents aromas of white flowers, candied fruits, and white pepper. The wines' freshness pairs perfectly with aperitifs, cheese platters, and Indian and Asian dishes (en.gerard-bertrand.com/en/products/genora).

Another memorable wine on the color wheel is orange's cousin: yellow. Also known as "vin jaune," yellow wine is white wine exclusively produced in the Jura region in eastern France from the local grape variety, the Savagnin. Only four regions or appellations d'origine contrôlée (AOC) are authorized to produce it: Arbois, Côtes du Jura, Château-Chalon and Etoile. Legend has it that a winemaker found a forgotten barrel in his cellar and opened it to find "the Gold of Jura."

Today the process is not one you should wait around for: after fermentation, the wine is kept for six years and three months in oak barrels without "topping up," meaning that the wine that

STEERING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Hotel Drover is the centerpiece of the revitalized Mule Alley in the Fort Worth Stockyards

Written by Bridget Williams

I'm fairly certain that it's part of our collective DNA as Americans to have some modicum of affection for the lore and legend of the American West. I am not immune to these fascinations, part of which spurred an early and enduring interest in Southwestern archaeology, an unwillingness to part with a childhood collection of American West knick-knacks, and a wholehearted willingness to don a cowboy hat and boots when given a chance. The opportunity arose a few months ago during a visit to the Hotel Drover in the heart of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.

The anchor of the award-winning Mule Alley, a collection of 100-year-old horse and mule barns wonderfully refurbished and repurposed for entirely different types of horsing around, Hotel Drover is a chic cathedral of cowboy culture, whose name honors the pioneering spirit of Texas cattle drivers. Best exemplified by a signature neon cowboy installation by Austin artist Evan Voyles, varying and carefully calculated kitsch sprinkled throughout the indoor and outdoor public areas and the 200 guest rooms and spa suites pulls the heartstrings and adds a kick-off-your-boots welcoming spirit to the rustic-luxe design that belies the hotel's relative newness.

Far from cookie-cutter, Hotel Drover employs antique and bespoke pieces to encapsulate a distinct sense of place. From a signature scent with notes of fine leather, campfire, mango, and pepper (and coming soon to a branded candle); to Hotel Drover-

branded leather check-in booths; hand-forged chandeliers; Los Poblanos lavender-scented bath amenities sourced from a small maker in New Mexico; Rose Ann Hall hand-etched glassware in the restaurants; contemporary artwork; and lounge chairs upholstered in cowhide and dripping with fringe, the design artfully engages all of the senses. For me, it's the minor touches that attest to a hotel's attention to detail, and the chilled eucalyptus-scented towels in the workout room were the perfect post-workout olfactory pick-me-up.

Each spacious guestroom is unique, with most being in either a Texana, Frontier, or Republic style. Our Texana room was chockfull of vintage cowboy and cowgirl imagery, embossed leather, distressed wood, and a lively-tiled bathroom with a stainless steelskirted soaking tub—a perfect blend of fun and fancy.

In the Hotel Drover's "backyard," a $4 million investment in landscaping alone makes this a verdant and quiet oasis that makes the hustle and bustle of nearby Mule Alley seem miles away. Among the amenities are a refreshing pool; an arbor-covered private event space where Executive Chef Grant Morgan offers "adventurous" seven-course dinners; firepits with available s'more and mobile bar service; and an acoustic stage complete with seasonally changing murals of pin-up style cowgirl paintings by a local artist that's the site of the Drover Unplugged music series.

The lobby of Hotel Drover

Private dining is available in the Hotel Drovers “backyard.”

Providing shady respite from the hot Texas sun, the Hotel Drover’s “backyard” is a multi-functional space.

The Lucchese Fireplace Suite at Hotel Drover

Sweet and spicy bacon at 97 West

The first step in designing custom boots at the Lucchese boutique in the Hotel Drover’s lobby is having your foot traced to ensure a perfect fit.

At the entrance to 97 West, whose design pays homage to Wild West outlaws, dueling vintage prints of Tonto and the Lone Ranger with weapons drawn flank the entry. The menu features elevated ranch classics and reimagined comfort foods. Their brunch is stellar, with our favorites being the brunch taco board, sweet and spicy bacon (served "clothesline style" above jalapeno cornbread, and a decadent giant cinnamon roll served piping hot in a cast iron pan. The Lobby Bar, The Backyard, and The Courtyard at 97 West all offer chic spaces for sipping seasonallyinspired craft cocktails.

It's just a short walk down Mule Alley to Exchange Avenue, where twice a day, drovers parade longhorn steer, fascinatingly aware of the awe-inspiring span of their hood ornaments, down the street that's often lined three-deep with onlookers. An initiative conceived around the 150th anniversary of the city's founding, Fort Worth is the only city in the world to own a herd and employ full-time drovers. "It's important to remember that we're a cow town," said Ed Brown, the lead ambassador for the Stockyards. His entertaining and enthralling historical tours of the area touch on lore, legends, and why it came to be known as "hell's half-acre." As

he spoke, my head filled with hazy images of crushed red velvet and whiffs of stale tobacco and whisky breath.

The entirety of The Stockyards is a playground for grownups, with scores of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. From embellished boots and cowboy hats to colorful embroidered dresses, big hair, and shiny belt buckles, the predominant style among the throngs milling around the several-block area is the antithesis of "quiet luxury." Highfalutin folks flock to the Lucchese boutique in the Hotel Drover's lobby (lucchese.com). Here, specially trained staff offer the company's only "sole to scallop" custom boot experience that begins with an in-depth foot tracing and consultation. Options for personalization are limitless, making the experience of designing these wearable works of art akin to a tattoo that you can take off.

Proper Supply Co. (@propersupplycofw) offers another highstyle souvenir. General Manager and Creative Director Christina Falconer uses steam and know-how to hand-shape a beaver fur felt hat into your chosen style (I opted for a classic Cattleman crease). A self-taught hat shaper, Falconer cut her teeth at the rodeo, and under her direction, the shop showcases an eclectic mix of upscale cowboy couture. "I love being the voice of artisans," she remarked.

The Veranda Bar at Hotel Drover

An available and locally-inspired in-room amenity at Hotel Drover.

The Fort Worth Stockyards employs a team of professional drovers to lead the twice-daily longhorn parade down Exchange Avenue.

Photo by Glen Ellman

At Proper Supply Co. General Manager and Creative Director Christina Falconer uses steam and know-how to hand-shape a beaver fur felt hat into your chosen shape.

Proving that the world is indeed a small place, during our private hat party, Taylor Samuels, owner of Los Almas Rotas mezcal bar in Dallas, was on hand and offered me a "ranch water," a Texas-style tequila or mezcal highball made with lime and Topo Chico. As we chatted, he casually mentioned that he, too, was from my hometown of Louisville. "You might know my dad, Bill," he said casually. That would be Bill Samuels, Chairman Emeritus of Maker's Mark. So, of course, I asked why he opted for a south-ofthe-border spirit over Kentucky's most famous export, to which he replied, "Agave is a terroir spirit that makes mezcal more interesting because every batch is unique."

One thing is for sure in The Stockyards: you won't go hungry. Chef and entrepreneur Tim Love is the drover of dining here, with six distinct outlets: Paloma Suerte (palomasuerteftx. com); Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, where Hotel Drover has a dedicated balcony suite (tannahills.com); the alfresco Love Shack Burgers (loveburgershackfortworth.com); Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (lonesomedovefortworth.com); the White Elephant Saloon, famous for hosting Fort Worth's last gunfight (whiteelephantsaloon.com); and Caterina's (caterinasftx.com). Each of Love's outlets is a highly personal expression of his passions and affection for his friends and family.

Generating as much buzz as its elevated Italian cuisine are the jackets-required, phone-banned policies at Caterina's. Love, who said he got in a "huge" fight with his wife over the no phones policy, said the idea came to him after being seated next to an influencer at a restaurant in Miami who made a big spectacle filming their entire meal. Phones are placed in a neoprene case and locked at the door.

To assuage the anxiety of being so close and yet so far, patrons are presented with a complimentary glass of rosé Prosecco.

"Italian food is my favorite to cook," said Love, adding that he appreciates the focus on few and fine ingredients paired with proper technique. The high-ceilinged dining room at Caterina's is intimate and lively. Sitting in what was a hayloft, it was fun to peer over and see a sea of cowboy hats. Not content with resting on his celebrity chef laurels, Love said he frequently works the line in his various restaurants to keep his skills sharp. He's also recently dipped his toque into fashion, launching the Love Collection in Tannahill's Tavern's Goods and Chattels shop (goods-chattels.com).

Appropriately attired with new boots and a hat, we further immersed ourselves in cowboy culture with a stop at John Wayne: An American Experience (johnwayneae.com), a 10,000-squarefoot museum dedicated to the life and films of The Duke with 400 pieces of personal and professional memorabilia. Just outside The Stockyards is the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (cowgirl.net), the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the West.

The crowning event of our extended weekend stay was the Stockyards Championship Rodeo (fortworthstockyards.com), the world's only year-round rodeo every Friday and Saturday night. As this was literally my first rodeo, I was enthralled by the athleticism of horse and rider and totally swept up in the energy of the packed house.

As we reflected on a whirlwind visit, the Texas-sized hospitality most resonated. It's a way of doing business that Ed Brown aptly summed up by remarking, "We don't have tourists; you're our guests." sl For more information, visit hoteldrover.com.

An available and locally-inspired in-room amenity at Hotel Drover.

Photo by Lola Hardisty

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Of Note... Beachy Keen

Compiled by Colin Dennis

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RUNWAY FOR AWEARNESS

In 2009, Pat DiNunzio was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer. A fierce advocate for her own care, she left no stone unturned in seeking the latest advancements in research and experimental treatments. Her tireless fight for her own life was only bested by her compassion for others: rather than sit quietly in a waiting room or during chemotherapy, Pat would garner the strength to comfort others and often stepped in to help with insurance or treatment roadblocks.

Like many women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Pat’s symptoms were a mystery to doctors for a year-and-a-half before her diagnosis, which came after the cancer had metastasized. Ovarian cancer often causes no obvious symptoms in the beginning; the most common symptoms (bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, and urinary issues) are often symptoms of other noncancerous conditions, making diagnosis difficult. By the time a patient is diagnosed, the cancer has usually spread.

In 2010, fueled by her passion for helping others and her drive to empower women to become their own healthcare advocates, she founded the Patricia A. DiNunzio Ovarian Cancer Fund. This

501(c)(3)public charity provides new gynecological cancer patient education, community awareness for the signs and symptoms for ovarian cancer and nursing scholarships. The fund also supports OhioHealth Hospice Kobacker House; Room 25 at Kobacker House is dedicated to Pat in her honor.

Shortly after starting the fund, Pat threw herself into fundraising and created the Runway to Awearness Fashion Show. The fashion show blended her zest for fashion with a desire to raise money for the Fund’s mission. Sadly, in June 2014, Pat lost her battle to ovarian cancer at the age of 52, but friends and family continue the tradition in a determination to keep Pat’s legacy alive. To date, the “Runway to Awearness” Fashion Show has raised over $450,000 and funded reseqarch and patient-comfort projects at The James, OhioHealth Hospice, and Kobacker House.

The 13th Annual Runway to Awearness Fashion Show will take place Wednesday, September 27, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at THE FIVES. The show will highlight the latest fashions presented by Léal Boutique.For more information or to buy tickets, visit patdinunzio.org. sl

Runway For Awearness

SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY

15 Picnic With The Pops:The Concert: A Tribute To ABBA, 8pm, Columbus Commons; columbussymphony.com 15

for Wildlife, Columbus Zoo; columbuszoo.org/events/wine-wildlife

20 Dancing in the Street:The Music of Motown,The New Albany Community Foundation; newalbanyfoundation.org

21-23 Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest; hotribscooljazz.org

22 Picnic with the Pops: Ben Folds – What Matters Most Tour, 8pm, Columbus Commons; columbussymphony.com

28-29 The Ohio State University Marching Band, 8pm, Columbus Commons; columbussymphony.com

2 Galler y Hop, 4pm, Short North Arts District; shortnorth.org/arts-galleries/gallery-hop

13 Wine Down Wednesday: The Lincoln Patio Jazz Series – Starlit Ways, 6pm, Lincoln Theater; lincolntheatrecolumbus.com/events/

13 Gavin DeGraw & Colbie Caillat, The New Albany Community Foundation; newalbanyfoundation.org 22 A&F Challenge, 5pm, A&F Home Office; myanfchallenge.org 22-23 Concours d’Elegance America, Detroit, MI; concoursusa.org

ALVIS EVENING OF LIGHT

Alvis’ Ninth Annual Evening of Light took place at The Exchange at Bridge Park and was, once again, sold out. The event raised over $300,000 for the Alvis Family and Children’s Program. Matt Hartman, president of FST Logistics, and his wife, Stacy, chaired the event and kicked off the program. Denise M. Robinson, president, and CEO of Alvis, shared stories of lives turned around because of Alvis. Amelia Jeffers, Publisher, and Editor-in-chief of Sophisticated Living, returned to serve as auctioneer and emcee for the fund-a-need segment, both of which raised money to address the need for affordable recovery housing for women and children in the program. The audience of more than 300 watched a heartwarming video about the children of Alvis. Heidi, a program graduate, spoke about how the Alvis program helped her reconnect with her children and how Alvis helped her adapt her natural talents into a living wage job and begin studying to become an engineer. The Bobby Floyd Trio provided musical entertainment. Watch Evening of Light highlights or learn more about Alvis to see how you can become a part of turning lives around. For more information, visit alvis180.org. 68 slmag.net

1) Bozidar and Francis Janakievski, and Nikki and Tony Galiardi 2) Kim and Keith Shumate 3) Connie and Adam Luck 4) Deanna and Steve Stewart 5) Clay Rankin, Demicha Rankin, Tracy Stearns, and Keith Stevens 6) Dan and Sarah Rankin 7) Chris and Emily Garvey 8) Denise M. Robinson, Habiba and Nick Bankston, and Jason Clayton 9) Janet and Katherin Steitz 10) Michele Cramer and Sana Barrett 11) Judge McIntosh and Dr. Sara McIntosh 12) Jill Kuhlman, Stacy and Matt Hartman 13) Monica Lehman, Tracy Kirby, and Natalina Fickell 14) Robert and Erin Barnhart, Linda Janes, and Stephen Nielsen 15) Priscilla Tyson, Tracy Kirby, and Remy Tyson

NEW ALBANY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY DERBY GALA

The New Albany Symphony Kentucky Derby Gala took place at the Jorgensen Farms on May 6th, 2023. Everyone gathered to celebrate the orchestra’s 15-Year Anniversary at this spectacular event hosted by Jeff Ramm and Neal Hauschild and the Nth Degree Companies. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a horse on a beautiful early summer day; dressed in their derby finest. Gala Chair, Lori Weiner, (something about her). Amelia Jeffers, the live auctioneer, (talk about how awesome you are and what you did). Throughout the evening, guests enjoy music by Columbus Musicians: Bobby Floyd on the piano, Sydney McSweeney with the vocals and Derek DiCenzo on the bass. For more information, visit newalbanysymphony.com.

1) Ira and Karen Dennis 2) Rick and Lori Weiner 3) Jonathan Gilchrist and Amelia Jeffers 4) Jeff and Meredith Sellars 5) Mike and Traci Gollis 6) Krishna Bobba and Michael Dennis 7) Luis Biava 8) Marc and Kimberly Lee Minor 9) Linda and Harry Brown 10) Sloan and Jennifer Spalding 11) John and Heather Garner 12) Neal Hauschild, Heather Garner, and Jeff Ramm 13) Mike and Kris Foley 14) Paul Heller, Jane Lennox, and Charlotte Lennox

COSI: CATALYST

COSI hosted their fundraiser, Catalyst: A Celebration of Inspiration, on the evening of Wednesday, May 24. The event was hosted by 10TV’s own Angela An and featured the presentation of the John Glenn Inspiration Award to Jack Kessler, who single-handedly secured state action to rename Columbus’ airport to The John Glenn International Airport, worked to help create The John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, and so much more. COSI’s President & CEO, Dr. Frederic Bertley, revealed a brand-new John Glenn-themed Learning Lunchbox science kit that will be distributed at no cost to under-resourced learners, and to conclude the evening, guests sampled delicious cuisine, enjoyed live jazz from The Bobby Floyd Trio, and explored a Lunar Rover replica from the Armstrong Museum for the night. To learn more about COSI, visit cosi.org.

1) Jack Kessler 2) Aimee Kennedy and Dana Croom 3) Angela An 4) Greg Henchel, Liza Kessler, Liza Lennox, Austin Edwards, Charlotte Kessler, Jack Kessler, Katie Chatas, Charlotte Lennox, Jane Lennox, Tom Lennox 5) Catalyst Group Photo 2023 6) Aimee Kennedy, Jennifer Massanova and Lou Von Thaer, Cindy and Larry Hilsheimer 7) Dayanna Williams, Elijah Ayeni 8) Jack Kessler and Louis Beck 9) Krishna Bobba, Michael Dennis 10) Paul Heller, Jane Lennox, Charlotte Lennox 11) Beth Sparks, Emily Alonso-Taub, Tina Skestos, Linda Hondros 12) Bobby and Kylie Whitman

A POSITIVE NOTE: JOURNEYS OF HOPE AND HEALING

Earlier this month, The Buckeye Ranch was joined by more than 300 alumni, staff, and family storytellers to showcase the organization’s impact on youth mental and behavioral health. Presented by Zipline Logistics, ‘A Positive Note: Journeys of Hope and Healing’ was an evening of music, storytelling, and community that raised nearly $340,000. Cameron Mitchell catered the event, and Arch City Lights and The Buckeye Ranch youth choir performed the music. The Buckeye Ranch is one of the area’s oldest and largest mental and behavioral health treatment agencies for children and families. To learn more about Buckeye Ranch, visit buckeyeranch.org.

Geena Crosby, Occupational Health Administrator, COTA 5) Alex

Behavioral Health

Specialist

Nationwide

Hospital, and his wife, Sandy

Nurse Practitioner at OSU Wexner Medical Center 6) Kamilah Twymon, VP of Community Based and Educational Services at The Buckeye Ranch, and Aileen Hoffman, VP, Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s 7) Caroline Larsen, Mark Howard, Chief Legal Officer at Nationwide Insurance and TBR Board Chair, and Jay Larsen, VP Enterprise Sales & Intermediary Customer Experience at Nationwide Insurance 8) Trish Gentile, MD, Director of Psychiatry at The Buckeye Ranch, John Dornback, Chef/Owner of Basi Italia, Janey Gentile, Owner of JHG Design/Branding, and Dr. Steve Gentile, Emergency Physician at Mt. Carmel Health 9) Babacar Lam, Internal Security Manager, Vickie Thompson-Sandy, CEO of The Buckeye Ranch, and Michelle Tucker, VP, Security Outreach Manager, both of Huntington Bank 10) Christina Massey, Executive Vice President of Programs and Services at The Buckeye Ranch and Kim Graffis, owner of T’s Taste of Home 11) Henry Howard, My Place at The Buckeye Ranch, Beth Petkoff, Professional Development at The Buckeye Ranch, McShan Smith, Residential at The Buckeye Ranch 12) Terry Jones, Vice President of Midwest Development at Eastway Behavioral Healthcare, and wife Sheila Jones slmag.net

1) Andrew Lynch, President of Zipline Logistics and TBR Board member and co-chair of the event, and wife Katie Lynch 2) Mike Zampini, Director of Marketing & Promotions at Big Lots and TBR Board Member, and his wife Lindsay Zampini 3) Kimberly Land, attorney at Bailey Cavalieri and Luke Overmeyer, Corporate Counsel at BMW of North America and Risk Committee Member at The Buckeye Ranch 4) Clay Crosby, William “Chip” Livisay, Behavioral Health Professional, TBR BoardMember and DEI Committee Chair, Tia Moretti, President, Ohio Market, Behavioral Health Solutions,

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MAKE A WISH GALA

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz of Easton Central Ohio Wish Gala on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Hilton Columbus at Easton, raised more than $864,000, surpassing the goal for the event. Guests heard inspiring local wish stories about St. Frances DeSales freshman Jocelyn, who wished to give to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and wish kid Santiago, who wished to meet his favorite Columbus Crew Player, Cucho Hernández. Attendees also enjoyed a delicious dinner and drinks, bid on exciting live and silent auction items, and experienced a surprise wish reveal for wish kid Donte who learned his shopping spree wish was coming true. Funds raised will help grant more than 80 wishes for central Ohio children. Research shows that children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their critical illnesses, potentially improving their quality of life and producing better health outcomes. This year, Make-AWish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana is celebrating 40 years of wishes and on May 20, 2023, the 20,000th wish was granted. MercedesBenz of Easton helped make this inspiring evening possible.

1) Beth Radcliff and Guest with Mac Worthington Painting 2) Colin Gregory, Artist Steven Koveleski, Bob Murray 3) Brian and Victoria McCurdy 4) Wish Kid Katelyn Weirich and Family 5) Wish Kid Jocelyn Green and Mom Allina Green 6) Wish Kid Kelley Philhower and Family 7) Stephanie and Russ McCormick

OPERA COLUMBUS GALA

The annual Opera Columbus Gala was held on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Athletic Club of Columbus to celebrate OC’s Immediate Past President, Bill Miller, and his tenure and achievements. During the evening, more than 150 guests enjoyed the art of opera and a celebration of Bill’s work on behalf of Opera Columbus and the wider Columbus community. In addition to the wonderful performances by People’s Circus and Hilary Ginther & Robert Kerr, accompanied by Edward Bak, the live auction conducted by Amelia Jeffers was full of excitement and competition. The auction helped raise necessary funds for general operating support for Opera Columbus to continue its mission of advancing the experience and the art of opera. To learn more about Opera Columbus, visit operacolumbus.org.

1) Bill Miller and Tommy Dole 2) Julia Noulin-Merat, Sandra Lopez and Chad Whittington 3) Jenna and Shawn Homan 4) Bethany James, Lori Sayre, Molly Sferrella and Emalee Hamric 5) Michael Lester, Karen Peeler, Julia Noulin-Merat, Rev Deniray Mueller and Rose Zuber 6) Ryan Eberhart, Bob Phillips and Todd Majidzadeh 7) Femi Adeyanju, Julia Noulin-Merat and Bill Miller 8) Honoree Bill Miller 9) Matt Hall, Christina Brown, Michael Smith and Jaclyn Evans 10) Gerard Basalla, Bill and Coreen Jenkins, Doug and Cookie McIntyre, Ryan and Megan Eberhart, Kara Trott, Bob Philips, Karen Hough and Todd Majidzadeh 11) Sharon Wei and Dr. Arthur Bing

I met Ross Bridgman at a formal gala for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, where he has served on the board for 11 years. A debonair presence in a tailored tuxedo, he could have been walking the red carpet at the Oscars - a fitting image for the professional actor. Introducing himself with the requisite details, Ross told us we could see his work on Titans, The Rise of WallStreet: The House of Morgan, where he portrays Junius Morgan. It isn’t every day that you run into an actual Hollywood actor in little old Columbus. Learning that he had once been an accomplished attorney at the prominent Vorys law firm, I was intrigued: how does a midwesterner retire from law and transition to the big screen?

For Ross, the transition was more intuitive than it seems. We met in his former law office on East Gay where he methodically laid out a comprehensive biography. A self-professed country kid from Springfield, his ancestors farmed in Madison County from 1848 through 2015 when he sold the last of the family tillage. He was active in sports and extracurriculars (an Eagle Scout, Ross is still on the board of the Boy Scouts), but recalls with admiration all of the kids who out-performed him. Though he had difficulty learning to read, he earned a philosophy degree with honors from Yale, graduated Northwestern Law and practiced at a high level for 42 years - all at Vorys, missing an oral argument at the United States Supreme Court by a coin flip. Thirty-nine years ago, he went to treatment, got sober, and later joined the newly-formed Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program - where he has shared experience, strength, and hope with others struggling with alcoholism or addiction since 1989. Of his own gowing family, he boasts like a proud papa of his three kids, a gaggle of grandkids, and a wife he adores.

As affably as he rattled off the “statistics”, Ross’ demeanor noticeably changed as he described a pivotal moment in his life: when Mrs. Beard, his sixth grade teacher, took note of his wonderful soprano voice and launched what would become a lifelong avocation of singing and acting - seeing him through lead roles in high school, college, and community performances of well-known musicals and relatively obscure operas. Setting aside his stage aspirations in favor

11 Things I Cannot Live Without Ross Bridgman

of a more traditional career path, the thought of returning to his love of performing returned after retirement. “My wife asked me if I tried acting and failed, would I sit and pout in my brown chair,” he laughs. “I told her - ‘I’m not sure, but I know if I don’t try I will most certainly sit and pout in my brown chair!’”

When I asked him to be profiled for this feature, Ross replied, “How on earth could I narrow it down to 10 things!”, but with some probing, his deepest interests were revealed; notably the symphony. “The first time I went to a concert, it was like the scales fell off my eyes and I saw the world completely differently.” Because of his early exposure as a kid, Ross is passionate about the impact of music education and exposure to live musical performances - something we have in common. Nearing the end of our visit, we discussed how fortunate we are to have an incredible and engaged symphony in Columbus. Ross said it beautifully: “there are a lot of little Rosses and Amelias out there, and our symphony is changing lives each time they reach one.”

For more information about Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the many community programs they support, visit columbussymphony.com.

1. Our house, is a very, very fine house…life use to be so hard. Life is wonderful with Pat (my wife) and Birdie (our cat).

2. Spring and summer flowers in Ohio.

3. My sobriety without which I would not be here.

4. Friends, particularly those who are “trudging the road to happy destiny” with me.

5. Music, all kinds. Favorites too numerous to mention.

6. Singing, which has been a source of joy and spiritual contact with others and my higher power from age 4.

7. Comfort food - I am a bit of a gourmand as opposed to gourmet.

8. Family.

9. Travel: new places, new experiences, new people, new hikes, mountains, oceans, cities, museums etc.

10. Working with others.

11. Acting, performing, presenting. sl