Sophisticated Living St. Louis Jan/Feb 2022 by Sophisticated Living Magazine

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Congratulations to Katie Dooley Curran of Compass Realty Group for being appointed to The Private Client Network! A collaboration of invitationonly top agents nationwide.

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Your Heart to America’s 66 Following First Wine Region Photo by Carmen Troesser

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on the cover: Our model captures the exhilaration of starting the new year by hitting the slopes in high style. From BOGNER Sport: Inka headband ($120) Beline first layer ($260), Carry down ski jacket ($1,500), Hilla gloves ($190), Fraenzi ski pants ($750; bogner.com)

First Impressions

Earth, Wind, and Fire

Cultivating Culture to Create a Better World

The Superstar Next Door

Growing Up Slatkin

Alpine Chic

Bibliotaph...

Past, Present and Future

Why You Should Buy Spirits from Independent Bottlers

Elevated Island Time

Rose to the Occasion

Home in the Range

Time for a Change

Leaning In

Rock Candy

Following Your Heart to America’s First Wine Region

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Jan/Feb 2022

28 The Superstar Next Door Image courtesy of the artist. Photo credit: Javier Romero

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Sophisticated Society

An Evening with Leonard Slatkin

Fashion Group International of Saint Louis 85th Anniversary Celebratory Symposium

Operation Food Search: Feast for Change

Cancer Support Community Hope After Dark

APDA Optimism Walk

Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Little Bit Foundation Join the Journey Gala

Boys Hope Girls Hope Evening of Hope

Food Outreach: A Tasteful Affair

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From the Publisher Happy New Year and thanks for all of the positive feedback and energy on our Nov./Dec. issue. With the exception of having my son on the cover last issue, I hope you like this issue even more. Since I moved to St. Louis in 1988 for my career and my wife (or was it the other way around?), I have continued to look for the perfect place to live. Not just here, but everywhere I go. As each year passes, I haven’t found another place I prefer to call home more than St. Louis. Our city is far from perfect, but so many of our best and brightest St. Louisans featured in this issue came here for too many reasons to count and have not left. Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting David and Jerri Hoffmann (page 66) who are turning Augusta, Mo., into a wine, food, and lifestyle destination comparable to Blackberry Farm, Napa, or the North Fork of Long Island. I know it sounds awfully lofty, but everything the Hoffmanns touch turns to gold. In short, they have invested in virtually every aspect of Augusta with a vision of making it a getaway for the rich and famous, and of course you and me. Whether you fly there by private jet, follow the twisties on your motorcycle, drive with your top down, or cruise there on the 105 ft. Miss Augusta yacht, you’ll be amazed with what this Washington, Mo. native son and daughter are doing. Take a drive there and discover the four wineries in which they have invested and see the five-star hotel now under construction. The intended results will add millions of dollars worth of landscaping to an already beautiful Mississippi River valley, world class chefs to make the food worthy of a schlep, and new shops and artisan studios which can flourish again...the list goes on. And, the St. Louis-born artist phenom Katherine Bernhardt, who grew up here, spent 22 years in the New York City art scene, but has returned home to open a studio and two galleries in Midtown. She produces contemporary works valued in the six figures which are being collected by brands like Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and J. Crew, and collectors worldwide. While at one time people like Katherine flocked to New York and Los Angeles to build their careers, they are now coming home to St. Louis since COVID-19 has made it fashionable to work virtually. Many say they are now able to do what they have always wanted to do but couldn’t in bigger cities. On the heels of Jim McKelvey, Steve Smith, and Rex Singuefield, life here is getting very exciting. One St. Louis company, Emerson, has long been an importer of business and talent. When I first moved to St. Louis, one of my first clients was Emerson and the enigmatic Photo by Lauren Fair Photography Chuck Knight. The next CEO, Dave Farr, was a friend through our kids. Both Chuck and Dave were known for running a tight ship and never mincing words...to say the least. In this issue, I interviewed Lal Karsanbhai who became CEO in February 2021. I was surprised at the very different point of view he holds from his predecessors, his attraction to St. Louis, and why he has no plans of moving the headquarters despite the rumors, the threats for tax abatements from peer companies, his curiosity, or the allure of a more global city. Leonard Slatkin, the legendary symphony conductor of our time, grew up in Hollywood (his parents worked and were friends with Frank Sinatra), came to St. Louis, moved around for his work, but now resides in Clayton. When you do what he does, are known in the rarest of philharmonic circles, and have a hectic schedule of guest performances around the world each year, what brought him back? Please read my story on page 30 to find out why he returned to St. Louis. What struck me most about each of these people -- and the dozens more I meet each month -- is that each of them have the opportunity to work and live anywhere in the world. Yet, despite our problems with crime, racism, city/county politics, and a plethora of other issues, they are working to build a thriving community with a robust economy, a cultural infrastructure, nationally regarded healthcare and universities, world-class sports and recreation facilities, and much more. With coastal cities struggling with rising tides or lack of water, housing shortages, unaffordable real estate, and unbearable traffic, we often overlook or forget that people return to cities like St. Louis for the quality of life. My high school friend Wendy Cromwell (see her column on page 20) who came to St. Louis recently to check out the art scene, engage with contemporary art collectors, and visit some of our best galleries and artist studios, was blown away with what we have here. Her admiration of St. Louis is especially meaningful since she has traveled around the world for her business -- consulting for high net worth clients building art collections. Like most of you, I love leaving St. Louis, but I always love to return. Now it looks like the word is out about how good we have it here. If we can attract about a million more people, we’ll really have something incredible. May you and all of St. Louis have a peaceful, healthy and happy New Year.

Craig M. Kaminer, Publisher craig@slmag.net

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KIRKWOOD This young family moved into a 1923 Kirkwood home with plenty of charm but without the room or a layout conducive to modern living. Enlisting the help of interior designer, Laurie LeBoeuf of Castle Design, the homeowners planned an addition and interior renovation that allowed for larger rooms, as well as an open-concept. The design team ensured that these changes were not only functional but resulted in a home that still felt original to the neighborhood while also reflecting the homeowners’ clean and coastal aesthetic.

PHOTO CREDIT: ALISE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY

In the dining room, detailed crown molding and trim work highlight the home’s original ceiling beams. Since the homeowners love pattern, a beautiful striped fabric was selected for the Lexington Newport Collection dining chairs. To complete the look, the designer incorporated a soft blue grasscloth wallcovering and hand-knotted patterned rug to effortlessly infuse the coastal color palette throughout the home. The end result is a fresh, colorful gathering space – perfect for this growing family.

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One of Slavin’s favorite pieces in the living room is the Jacques Adnet end table, whose tartan plays off the plaid of the Gucci pillows.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS Written by Jessen O’Brien / Photography by Alise O’Brien

Shake siding, a sloped roofline, and an asymmetrical layout may put you in mind of the Hamptons upon arriving at the Slavin residence. But there’s a saying about first impressions -- and there’s far more to discover here than can be revealed at first glance. “I’d been wanting to do a shake house for a long time,” says homeowner Bobby Slavin. A desire for a new style and a slightly smaller home had him transforming a spec house into a space that would be just right for his family of four. Typically, Slavin builds and designs homes for others in his role as owner of Slavin Homes and Slavin Realty -- homes which are quickly snatched up by fans of his signature style, which is anything but cookie cutter. “I try to do something different, that’s very specific to the lot with every house I work on,” Slavin says. “This house was originally a bit more of a Craftsman home than the style I really 14 slmag.net

wanted. So my wife and I went to Southampton multiple times that summer, toured houses, and took a million pictures. I then hand drew the details that I think make the house very special -like a true shake house that would be seen in Southampton.” While the entryway -- with its shiplap walls, transitional light fixtures, and octagonal tile floor -- feels in keeping with the Hamptons’ aesthetic outside, that impression doesn’t last. “You’re not surprised when you walk in the front door. But then, you walk onto the wood, and things take a dramatic turn,” Slavin says. Classic shake elements quickly give way to a much more modern interior, beginning with a hallway lined with an abstract, hand-painted silver-and-white wallpaper by Porter Tello. In the living room to the immediate right, a vintage French light fixture bursts like champagne bubbles from the blue-lacquered ceiling.

Part of the joy of collecting things over time is that every piece comes with a story, from the dining room buffet -- a French piece picked up while on vacation in Aspen -- to the chairs, found in L.A.

Below, a red-and-blue oriental rug, a pair of plush grey couches from B&B Italia, and a built-in window seat flanked by plaid Gucci pillows form a lounge that’s far more SoHo than Southampton. “We wanted it to be a very cool, funky room with plenty of personality that you really want to hang out in. To make it all work took a lot of trial and error; there’s a ton of pattern in that room,” says Slavin. “I think all houses should have a flow where there’s some uniformity, but at the same time, you do different things in different rooms.” If not done with care, the combo of shake house simplicity and fashionable eclecticism could easily become a mismatch. After all, what do Hamptons homes have in common with interiors that draw inspiration from the storied boutique hotels of Los Angeles and Palm Beach?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. Both looks have a certain casual, uncluttered cool to them. And, Slavin is careful to tuck details that would be typical to a shake house throughout the interior to create a sense of connection -- while giving them just enough of a spin. Take the lounge, whose would-be beachy shutters are painted a sleek black, or the dining room just opposite, where a shiplap ceiling sets off the two Rosie Li pendants that hang from it like gilded ginkgo branches. Other stand-out items in the dining room include the table -- a custom piece made in the style of George Nakashima -- and the eight vintage wood-and-leather Brazilian chairs that surround it. Kate Moss and Dua Lipa look on from two large-scale black-and-white photos taken by Slavin’s friend, Greg Williams. Even the air vents -- woven brass, commissioned in London -- have a cool factor.

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Slavin dressed up the country kitchen with new fixtures and pendants.

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The bar blends Hamptons’ simplicity with French chic.

In fact, there’s plenty of glamour throughout the entire home -the kind that makes you think that you could stumble into a fabulous party at any minute. “I want all of these rooms to be places that you want to have a cocktail in, rather than being a room you don’t want to go into,” notes Slavin. Another central tenet of the Slavins’ design philosophy is to slowly accrue pieces rather than filling up a space all at once. “As you live in these homes, they grow on you, you get a feel for how to use each room, and then you decorate around that. I would rather have fewer things than an overcrowded home,” says Slavin. “In terms of accessories, it’s a never-ending search. It makes your home have a richer, more traveled feel when you collect things over time; there should be a presence among your accessories that brings weight to those items.” 18 slmag.net

Two of the Slavins’ favorite pieces of decor can be found in the bar: a pair of solid brass lamps found in Palm Beach. “The shades are the same material, which is pretty incredible, so they weigh a ton,” says Slavin. Here, the floor picks up the same black, octagonal tile from the entry. Shiplap walls provide another layer of visual continuity in contrast to the shelves, built from brass piping and marble countertops. “The doors of the cabinets feel like they’re out of a country house. But then the hardware, which we added, dresses it back up,” Slavin says. “You can change the look of pretty much any room by changing out the hardware.” In the nearby scullery-style kitchen, the Slavins hung two historical industrial pendants encased in wire netting above a large island. A butler’s hall connects the kitchen to the dining room; this,

Modern furniture sits side-by-side with antiques, adding extra richness to the stylish master bedroom.

they tiled, while the swinging door between the two rooms is painted black. “We painted all the doors black when we moved in to bring in a cooler, more transitional feel, especially in areas like the kitchen and hearth room where we needed to balance out the Hamptons’ casualness,” Slavin says. Around the corner and down the hallway, things get decidedly more mod in the powder room, whose banana leaf wallpaper is the same as that in Palm Beach’s iconic The Colony Hotel. Palm green extends to both the trim and the ceiling, the latter of which is lit up by the kind of striking, oversized vintage pendant you’d expect to see in the entry. “That’s what makes it so great,” says Slavin, who has a flair for exactly these kinds of twists and turns. Just when you think the house has revealed all of its surprises, you come to the backyard. “It even took me by surprise,” says

Slavin. “The lot was overgrown, so you really couldn’t imagine what was here. But when everything was cleared, you could see how special the backyard was.” The rolling hills make the neighbors disappear, as if you’ve somehow escaped into the country in the few minutes it takes to travel there from the home’s entrance. With such a view, it’s no wonder the Slavins have built an outdoor fireplace and living room and have plans to add a pool house. Ultimately, the magic of this lot is what sold Slavin on it being the ideal spot for his family. It’s the same motivation that drives him to help others create their own dream homes. “Finding the right lot and making it work, then creating just the right home for it -- there’s just nothing more important than that,” says Slavin. “That’s what I love doing.” sl

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EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE When Objects Become Sculptures By Wendy Cromwell

Ceramics by Kathy Butterly, Out of one, many / Headscapes, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Sept 3, 2021 thru Feb.27, 2022. Photo by Dusty Kessler.

I’ll never forget mushing my hands into a lump of clay that my art teacher plopped in front of me in fourth grade. Everybody received the same lump, but what we all did with it was wildly different. The kid in all of us comes out when we play with clay, and that’s part of its enormous appeal. Today, a new generation of artists is pushing the boundaries of art-making through ceramics. Inspired by practitioners such as Betty Woodman, a bonafide “trail-glazer” who recently passed away at the age of 88, artists are experimenting with unpredictable kiln effects and challenging the status quo by elevating ceramic to the loftier realm of sculpture. For many would-be collectors, Contemporary art can be mystifying and expensive. Ceramics offer an easier point of access, both visually and economically. The medium is literal in form, organic in makeup: the simple combination of earth and water baked at very high temperatures yields straightforward results. There’s comfort in the tactility of ceramics and delight in beautiful glazes. Asian porcelain (a type of ceramic) has long been collected, validating the viability of a lasting market for ceramics. For artists, ceramics offer an approachable entry into the world of making, unlike painting and sculpture, both of which are steeped in history and weighty biases. The practice of ceramics provides a communal maker space for artists to work alongside artisans. 20 slmag.net

Universally, ceramics engender a comfort factor that Danes call hygge: surrounding ourselves with warm materials and tactile objects to create a cozy sense of well-being Circa 3,500 B.C., before the invention of paper, scribes relied on clay tablets to write. These tablets were a mix of water and earth left to bake in the hot sun and could be “wiped clean” by rehydrating in water. When burned by fire, they remained fixed forever. Sumerians and Egyptians were experts at firing and glazing clay, which they used for architecture (tiles and bricks), decorative purposes (beaded jewelry), and funerary objects Greeks and Romans used ceramic to store grains and wine, but also as ceremonial, painted trophies. By around 1,500 B.C., China was producing porcelain, a highly refined type of ceramic, which later made its way into Europe over the Silk Road. Persians also used refined glazes, creating exquisite tiles that covered mosque interiors. Through a cross-pollination of cultures in medieval Spain, clay innovations traveled into Portugal and Italy. By the early Renaissance, Florence was the center of ceramic production in Europe, where exquisitely formed and glazed dishes and bowls were all the rage. Ceramics were also used to make sculptural reliefs that were embedded into the facades of buildings and church interiors. In the early 20th century, pioneering Modern artists like Picasso and Matisse came to the South of France to escape chaotic city life.

Hannah Wilke Five Androgynous Vaginal Forms

Vallauris, a Riviera town, had a tradition of ceramics dating to Roman times -- its earth is particularly well suited to firing at high temperatures. Picasso, reacting against the pressures of painting, found simplicity by the sea and also ceramics! From the late 1940s on, Picasso made hundreds of sculptures in Vallauris’ famous ceramics studio. His charming and creative ceramics found their way into the homes of both Picasso collectors and those who could never afford the paintings, remaining at accessible price points to this day. Broadly speaking, San Francisco is the city most associated with ceramics. In the 1890s, the Californian Arts & Crafts architecture and design movement took hold as a reaction against Industrialism. In 1906, a fire destroyed San Francisco, galvanizing Arts & Crafts artisans and artists to rebuild, so crafts proliferated. Studios and schools to train artists that were established in Northern California are still going strong today. Perhaps no artist has been as influential in the field of American ceramics as Peter Voulkos (1924 - 2002). In the 1950s, Voulkos applied the principles of Abstract Expressionist painting to ceramics. He made sculptures with ceramic, not lamp bases or pitchers, removing the function from form. This small difference created a huge leap forward in the possibilities for the medium, which could be thrown on a wheel, OR flattened and cut into strips -- to endless effect. Voulkos ran the ceramics departments at UCLA, UC Berkeley, and the Archie Bray Foundation, the oldest ceramics residency in the

United States. Viola Frey was equally influential as Chair of Ceramics at the California College of Arts and Crafts for three decades. Recent exhibitions reflect increased interest and awareness of ceramics: • Sterling Ruby: Ceramics at the Museum of Art and Design, New York 2019 • Making Knowing: Craft in Art 1950-2019, at the Whitney Museum, New York 2019-2020 • Clay Pop, at Deitch Projects, New York, a sold-out survey show, fall 2021 • The Flames: The Age of Ceramics, at the Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris (ceramics from 3,500 BC to present) Ceramics may be trending now, but they’ve been around for millennia! sl Prior to founding Cromwell Art 18 years ago, Wendy Cromwell was Vice President of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art for nearly a decade. She ran a Fortune 500 corporate art collection before that, and consulted for several blue-chip art galleries while in graduate school. Wendy received her Master of Arts in Modern Art from the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University and graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Wendy is past president and current board member of the Association of Professional Art Advisors and a member of the Appraisers Association of America. For tasty bites of art world knowledge delivered to your inbox monthly, subscribe to the Cromwell Art Snack.

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TED WIGHT

CULTIVATING CULTURE AT EMERSON Written by Craig Kaminer

After working with Chuck Knight when I first came to St. Louis in 1988 and knowing his successor, Dave Farr, as a friend, I was curious to meet the man who was named to follow in their footsteps at Emerson. After trying to fit into his hectic schedule, I finally met Surendralal Karsanbhai, named CEO in February of 2021, via Zoom. The result: a reveal of his vision for Emerson, his perspective based on where and how he grew up, and his love of St. Louis. Known as Lal, he was born outside of the United States and comes from a multiethnic family. His father is Indian, his mother is Portuguese, and he didn’t learn to speak English until age 10. “I’m grateful for my upbringing -- it afforded me opportunities to live all over the world and experience new cultures as my father was transferred to different countries for work.” Lal came to the United States to attend university -- first a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and then an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Introduced to Emerson while attending Washington University, he started working for them at age 26 in 1995, right as the company was expanding into global markets. “With my background living in Europe and Africa, I was excited to lend my skills to that aspect of the business,” he recounts. While his initial role at Emerson was in international planning, over the next few years he was in a variety of positions around the world including business development, corporate planning, and management of different Emerson businesses like regulator technologies, network power, and measurement. He was named executive vice president of the Automation Solutions division in 2018, where he was responsible for implementing strategies, technologies, and innovations to enhance operations and achieve Top Quartile performance. When asked about his enigmatic predecessors, Lal said, “David and Chuck both drove meaningful growth throughout Emerson, focusing our resources on our strategic areas of strength and creating value for our shareholders through a disciplined management approach. Emerson faced numerous challenges throughout both of their tenures, and they both navigated the company through those times in a way that sustained us and made us stronger. I’m committed to the same level of business rigor, execution, and innovation so that our stakeholders and customers continue to find the consistent value and solutions they need through partnering with Emerson.” Lal states that his priority is building the culture at Emerson. “I believe there’s a direct link between the culture of a company and the 24 slmag.net

value creation of a business. And at Emerson, our employees are truly our biggest strength. A strong culture enables us to do so many things -- from attracting and retaining talent to empowering our employees to collaborate, innovate, work in the way that’s best for them, and drive new solutions for our customers. This means development opportunities for our people, diversity efforts that will help our company reflect our world, inclusion efforts so that when people come to work at Emerson they feel like they belong, they have a place and can be themselves.” “I am taking a new direction to cultivate Emerson’s people and our culture. The way people work is changing -- and so are the expectations that top talent have for a workplace. It’s time for Emerson to follow suit and modernize our workplace so that we can attract, retain, and support diverse, high-performing talent worldwide. So, I’m particularly focused on working with my teams to create more opportunities for collaboration, flexibility, diversity, inclusion, and learning and development.” “Hopefully I’m thought of as approachable and modern, not intimidating,” he says. “It’s my job to set that tone so everyone can drive value. I’m surrounded by a tremendous group of people at Emerson. They are experts in their fields -- both at the executive level and across our entire organization. So, I rely on the team heavily. I trust the team and I empower them to execute.” “Furthermore,” he continues, “Emerson will continue to evolve its portfolio to position the business across large, profitable end markets that will remain relevant for the next 10 to 20 years. Throughout this journey, Emerson will maintain its relentless execution. This is the hallmark of the management process instituted by Chuck Knight in 1973 -- a passion for technology based on a deep understanding of its markets and customer needs, a thorough understanding and ability to pull the levers that impact costs, and a strong balance sheet to give Emerson the financial flexibility it needs.” “We’re also seeing an increased focus on ESG issues -environmental, social, and governance. This involves how a company impacts the world and its people. This is top of mind for me and throughout Emerson. Every day, we’re asking ourselves, ‘How can we evolve our business practices to operate in a more environmentally friendly way? How can we help our customers do the same? How can we help create a better world for the next generation?’” To that end, the company has developed a robust framework to lead its sustainability journey and named Michael Train as the company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. “Emerson is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, not just within its facilities but using technology to enable our customers to reach their net zero goals.” When asked about what he is most proud of to date, Lal says, “I’m very excited for all things we have ahead of us at Emerson, but my proudest moment so far is the process we went through earlier this year to establish Emerson’s diversity goal -- to double representation of women globally and U.S. minorities at the leadership level by 2030. And as part of that -- hiring Emerson’s first Chief People Officer, Elizabeth Adefioye. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how important a diverse, inclusive culture is to a company’s success, so this was a very important step forward for me personally and something I believe will put Emerson on a path to distinguish us as a company.“

Photo by Chris Malacarne

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According to Lal, Emerson is proud to be part of St. Louis’s strong business community. “As a leader of a St. Louis-based company, I’m dedicated to continuing the work Emerson has been driving for years to positively impact the places where we live and work -- especially in our hometown of St. Louis. We feel an immense responsibility to do our part to strengthen our communities and be a good corporate citizen. This means not only taking care of the employees we have in St. Louis but also taking care of our neighbors -- and we do that through volunteering, corporate giving, and several programs in the areas of health and human services, education, culture and arts, and civic needs.” In terms of St. Louis and what he wishes we can fix, he said, “I would start with education. There’s so much we can do to address the education inequalities across the St. Louis region and surrounding areas. The fact is that so much of the foundation of a child’s future life is laid in the early elementary years -kindergarten through sixth grade. If I could wave a magic wand, I’d make education more accessible and equitable. I think that would help our city greatly. I believe individuals and businesses can play a big role in improving the education ecosystem -developing future leaders and affecting the outcome of our communities. I’m proud that Emerson has a strong legacy of investing in education, particularly in the St. Louis region, and I plan to continue growing this legacy.” “As you know, the company was founded here in the 1890s. From the first electric motor from a very small manufacturing company all the way to today, the roots of the business have been in St. Louis. We employ approximately 1,000 people in St. Louis, most of whom are located on our campus in Ferguson. In terms of the abilities and the pool of talent that we need for the company -- we believe that St. Louis can compete for that talent primarily because of the quality of life here. And I can tell you, having grown up and traveled all over the world, and having lived all over the world while at Emerson, the quality of life in this city is very high. My wife and I are very excited about raising our kids here,” he adds. “From an education, healthcare and cultural perspective, we find St. Louis very attractive. I think we and others can be happy and successful here in St. Louis.” While spending much of his time at Emerson, “My favorite thing to do is spend time with my six-year-old twins and my wonderful wife, Vija,” he says. “When I have free time, I love to run. It’s something I fell in love with again in my mid-to-late 30s when I wanted to get back in shape. If I can squeeze in an hour or so each day -- on the treadmill or outside -- it’s a good way for me to stay balanced both physically and mentally.” On a local level, Lal stays home a lot. “Believe it or not, with two six-year-olds running around our house, we don’t go out to restaurants much! But on the rare occasion when we have, one of my recent favorite spots has been iNDO in Tower Grove.” “Every day’s a little bit different, depending on what’s going on with our employees, or customers, or investors. But, typically I get up pretty early in the morning, around 5:30 or 6 a.m. If I have the energy, I go for my run. If not, I just get a cup of coffee and then get 26 slmag.net

to the office. I try to run several miles per week so if I don’t run in the morning, I squeeze it in at lunch or rarely, after work. Obviously, 2021 has been different from a traveling perspective. I think in aggregate, I might’ve spent about 30 days out of St. Louis since I’ve been CEO, but that’s probably not uncommon since the Delta variant of COVID.” “I look at my calendar the week ahead and we manage it in that fashion. It’s made up of different sets of meetings. Some of them are virtual, some are calls, some are in-person. It just really depends. I do my best to get home for dinner. With young kids that is a treat. I hear about their day and then get them to what we call the ‘bewitching hour’ -- when we try to get them upstairs into the bath, and the reading, and all that before bed. I enjoy that.” “Once they’re in bed, around 8 or 8:15 p.m., I go back and look at my emails a couple of more times, catch up on a little reading, and spend time with my wife. So that’s kind of how the week goes. On the weekends, it depends. Sometimes I am here at the office on Saturdays and even Sundays. And then of course, there’s the travel, which is beginning to pick up again. “With all the jobs that I’ve had at Emerson, every day is different. There isn’t a routine. It’s just addressing the issues that come up. We have a management process as well, so that brings some degree of consistency day-to-day, but generally speaking, you’ve got to be somewhat flexible to deal with different things.” Although he has traveled the world for business, Lal said he’d love to see the Great Wall of China some day. “I’ve been to China more than 20 times but have never made it to the Great Wall. I’d also love to see Mount Everest. I don’t want to climb the whole mountain! But hiking up to the Everest base camp would be amazing.” When I asked him what most people don’t know about him, he said, “Two things: I love LP vinyl records! We have a record player at home and really enjoy listening to old records. And, I love to cook, especially my mother’s Portuguese recipes.” “When I became CEO of Emerson, my roommate from the University of Michigan, who lives in London, sent me a gift -four LP records of bands we used to listen to in college, which was fun. And by chance, we had a turntable. We dusted it off, figured out how to connect it to our speakers, and listened to the music. That was just pure coincidence. The kids said, ‘what’s that?’ and I told them the music sounds a lot better this way. Since then, I’ve gone to Vintage Vinyl in The Loop a couple of times and got a few more LPs.” I asked Lal if he could have only one LP, which would it be? His answer, “The one LP I need is ‘Meat is Murder’ by the English rock band the Smiths. To me as a teenager and as a young man, that one LP was probably the most influential in my young life -- even though it is very depressing!” “Now, we listen to just about everything at home -- music from different countries and in different languages. There’s always music playing -- our children also sing in the St. Louis Children’s Choir. Obviously, we speak Portuguese and Latvian (Vija is Latvian) at home as well. Everything you can imagine is played over our speakers.” sl

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Image courtesy of the artist. Photo by Javier Romero

THE SUPERSTAR NEXT DOOR Written by Craig Kaminer / Photos courtesy Katherine Bernhardt

When you grow up in New York City like I did, it’s possible to live your whole life there and never really know your neighbors. But since I have lived in St. Louis since 1988, I say hello to people on the streets, work hard at getting to know my neighbors, and make a concerted effort to find out who the people are that I see regularly. Recently, my friend Wendy Crowell, who writes an art column in each issue (page 20), asked if I knew Katherine Bernhardt. Truthfully, I had heard some buzz from friends but never realized how big of a deal she is...or that she has moved back to St. Louis. Like you, I know a number of artists and the majority of the more successful ones here sell their work for $10,000 to $15,000 (at most) for a painting. In comparison, Katherine’s work starts at $100,000 for a 5 ft. by 4 ft. canvas and goes up from there. And she’s represented by David Zwirner, who is arguably the market maker for top Contemporary artists such as Joan Mitchell, Donald Judd, and Dan Flavin. So I was delighted to see that Ronnie Greenberg, the St. Louis gallery legend, was going to have a show of Katherine’s recent work at his eponymous gallery and even more delighted to meet Katherine in person. The night of the opening, the gallery was filled with collectors and gallerists alike, with the most notable being Greenberg’s superstar daughter, Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, who now is a mainstay of the Gotham social scene. Since the opening, I have bumped into Katherine at other openings (William Shearburn’s Robert Motherwell show) and Katherine agreed to do an interview with me for Sophisticated Living. Our first scheduled time had to be postponed due to Katherine contracting COVID, but a week or so later we met via Zoom. Our conversation ranged from what it was like growing up in St. Louis, her various stages as an artist, life in New York City and being discovered, and her recent decision to return to her hometown of St. Louis. While she may not stand out in a NYC art opening and look the part of an artist, Katherine does here. Her funky glasses, 28 slmag.net

whimsical sweatshirts, puffy down coat, bright sneakers, and oneof-a-kind giggle is the first tip-off. She’s fun, irreverent, and a total original. If she weren’t a wildly successful world-class artist whose works are being collected globally, she would just be the kooky (in a good way) person next door. Bernhardt’s boundless visual appetite has established her as one of the most energetic painters working today. She first attracted notice in the early 2000s for her paintings of supermodels taken straight from the pages of fashion magazines such as Elle and Vogue. In the decade following, she began making pattern paintings that featured an ever-expanding list of quotidian motifs. Tacos, coffee makers, toilet paper, cigarettes, E.T., Garfield, Darth Vader, and the Pink Panther make unlikely visual combinations within expansive fields of exuberant color. She takes pleasure in variety, and fully investigates each of her obsessions before moving to another. Bernhardt’s trust in the fundamental underpinnings of painting gives her the freedom to depict anything she wants, and the democratizing surfaces of her canvases work without illusion, perspective, logical scale shifts, or atmosphere. With Bernhardt’s blunt yet lyrical approach, each painting has the feel of a complete thought that engages the artist’s rich and raucous free association. Since she has moved here, she has bought three buildings in Midtown -- one for her studio, the other as a gallery and storage to show works from artists from St. Louis and friends from her travels, and the other as a big, raw space which currently features the large work of Jose Luis Vargas from Puerto Rico. She’s a one-woman art machine, warehousing many of her works from years past, working on major commissions in partnership with the likes of brands such as Chanel, J Crew and Marc Jacobs, and promoting artists she feels have the chops to make it big. As she continues to work on these three studio/gallery spaces, she and her son, Khalifa, are living in her childhood home in Clayton. With plans to buy a home soon, she seems equally comfortable in her childhood bedroom and disturbed by it at the same time. I guess living with that kind of tension comes with the life of an artist. Before achieving critical acclaim, Katherine started painting in high school, in the very bedroom in which she now lives, and she knew then that being an artist was what she wanted to do. She had

very clear ideas of what she was doing, regardless of what people thought of the art or her. She remembers going to Washington University’s portfolio day, applying to and getting into The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, and never looking back. From there, she received an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, New York, in 2000. While there were many years between graduate school and her first big sales, she did what most committed artists do. She started working in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, then moved to a tiny studio in Manhattan on Christie Street, and then moved to Murray Hill. Then later, she moved back to Brooklyn and having a studio with no heat or hot water in Flatbush. “It wasn’t glamorous at all, but I was working with so many talented artists -- all of us struggling to get noticed.” Her first break was when Team Gallery -- which was founded in SoHo -- opened a gallery in Chelsea. They were one of, if not the first, galleries in Chelsea around 2000. “It was a really cool and under-developed area but I knew it was the place to be,” she says. “After Team Gallery, I went with Canada Gallery, which a friend (Brendan Cass) took me to one day. I thought it was cool and open, so I sent them slides and asked them over to my studio. They called and decided to do a studio visit which was in the corner of my apartment at the time. We agreed to do a show then.” She has been with them ever since. Today, Bernhardt’s work is in demand and she has been able to remain with Canada Gallery while also joining the ranks of one of the world’s most powerful dealers, David Zwirner. Zwirner will represent Bernhardt in London, Paris, Hong Kong, New York, and Los Angeles. Through her index of images, from childhood sticker books to a ketchup bottle seen during travel, Bernhardt chronicles her life and the broader culture, synthesizing her visual material with hard-won ease. Her influences span from Henri Matisse and the Pattern and Decoration movement to Peter Doig, Morris Louis, Mary Heilman, Laura Owens, Alex Katz, and Chris Ofili. She is an artist’s artist, admired by many contemporary peers working today as a singular voice in painting. In a palette that ranges from restrained to vivid Day-Glo, Bernhardt paints the canvases face up on her studio floor, employing spray paint, puddles of thinned-out acrylic, and utilitarian brushwork to emphasize aspects of her motifs. Bernhardt’s process is improvisational and loose, at times inviting accident and chance into the works, as well as asserting an equal relationship between artist and material. It’s hard to imagine that her simple spray-painted images of these subjects are fetching more than $100,000 per painting, but as is the case with many artists, once they are recognizable with a list of impressive galleries and collectors, there’s no turning back. Perhaps it’s the time we live in when affluent people want to collect art, but this has probably been true since gallerists like Leo Castelli first gave Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, and Frank Stella their big breaks. As Katherine explains it, “I knew I never wanted to do anything else. I knew with persistence, working all the time, hustle, and innovating, I wasn’t going to stop until I made it.”

Bernhardt admits that she was very bored growing up in St. Louis, spending hours looking at Swatch watches and Esprit designs at the malls, and reading lots of magazines. “All of these things became part of my art,” she says. Ironically, she’s back in St. Louis and now New York is a turnoff in some ways. “I hate Hudson Yards and the Vessel, and those types of developments with no character. Life with my son in New York was a hassle, not to mention that he had the same teacher for three years in a row and then my studio lease ran out. It also didn’t hurt that my sister moved back to St. Louis from Italy and I wanted to be near her,” she explains. “My big breaks came from being critically reviewed. My first big break was in the Village Voice review during my years at Team Gallery. After that there were two New York Times reviews in a row, and my work really started to sell. I started showing at Xavier Hufkens, then art fairs and more recently Zwirner.” “Life is so much easier now in St. Louis. I have my first car, Khalifa plays outside, and he can go anywhere. But for most artists who want to do what I did, they need to be in New York. You need to show where the majority of collectors are.”

What’s next for the St. Louis-based art phenom? “I’m working on a long-term project of building a house in Puerto Rico; it’s already seven years into the making,” she says. “I am the artist ambassador to Greenpeace, have a show with Zwirner in London in 2022, Art Basel Miami with Canada Gallery and Zwirner, and a print coming out with Counter Editions of Scotch Tape. But, I am not going anywhere until Khalifa finishes high school. Hopefully I can help attract more artists to St. Louis. We need more coffee shops and especially a matcha shop. Artists need more places to meet other artists.” Some of the artists she likes in St. Louis and has featured at her gallery, Dragon, Crab and Turtle, include Philip Slein (another gallerist), Ashley Colangelo, Bianco Fields and Vaughn Davis Jr. So, when she’s not painting, curating shows for Dragon, Crab and Turtle, or traveling, you may be able to find her at one of her favorite restaurants, Olympia Restaurant on McCausland Ave. I asked? “It’s delicious!” she says with her sly ImageWhy courtesythere of the artist. smile and signature laugh. sl

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GROWING UP SLATKIN

Sometimes You Have to Leave St. Louis...Only to Come Back Written by Craig Kaminer / Photography by Cindy McTee While my music genre of choice is jazz, I recently had the opportunity to meet Leonard Slatkin and interview him about his life, his music, and how he ended up settling in St. Louis after living and conducting music around the world. I first addressed him as Maestro Slatkin, but he quickly corrected me and said he much preferred to be called Leonard. From the moment we met on Zoom, he was charming and delightful -- nothing like the unapproachable musical genius I imagined him to be. As a casual listener of classical music, I had constructed an archetype in my mind of someone with crazy uncombed hair, whirling arms, and a short temper who preferred to have his back to the audience. But Leonard wasn’t like that at all, or at least not to me. So I started at the beginning and while I thought he may try to avoid some of my more personal questions, he seemed delighted to talk about whatever I had on my mind. Leonard was born in Los Angeles to a musical, Jewish family who immigrated from the Ukraine area of Russia. His father, Felix Slatkin, was a violinist, conductor, and founder of the Hollywood String Quartet. His mother, Eleanor Aller, was the cellist with the quartet. “I’ve had one of the most interesting backgrounds in terms of heritage and occupations,” Slatkin states. “Most people would gather from my name that there’s some sort of Slavic heritage, and that’s true. We don’t know 100% what our name was when my grandparents were living in Russia, but we do know that when they arrived at Ellis Island at the end of the 19th century, the immigration officer asked them their name. They didn’t speak English and the officer didn’t speak Russian. They said ‘something’ and the officer wrote down Slatkin. When we asked our grandmother, ‘What was our name in Russia?’ she would say, ‘Our life didn’t begin until we moved to the United States. So we’re Slatkin.’ More than likely, it was Slotkin. My brother, Frederick, uses the spelling ZLOTKIN.” Leonard’s father’s family actually settled in St. Louis and his mother’s family settled in New York. His parents met in Los Angeles where both were working in the film industry. “My dad was the concertmaster at 20th Century Fox and my mom was the first cellist at Warner Bros. I was a Hollywood soundstage brat.” Pop music played an important part in their life too -- at Capitol Records and specifically with Frank Sinatra. Slatkin’s father would go on to become conductor at the Hollywood Bowl. He had a distinguished career as a record producer and eventually produced his own set of albums which he recorded for Liberty Records. He died in 1963 at the age of 47. Leonard was 19. His mother continued to 30 slmag.net

play cello but then left Los Angeles and went on to teach in Chicago. She eventually returned to Los Angeles and gave up the cello, but still coached and advised musicians until she died at the age of 78. “I had this incredible background filled with people from the world of popular music, from jazz, from films, and from classical music,” Slatkin says. “Of course, all of it influenced me. I had almost no choice other than to become a musician. I studied piano, violin, viola, and composition, but eventually felt that conducting was the thing that I was best suited to do. It sort of worked out,” he adds wryly. Of all of the Hollywood stories about the Slatkins, the most intriguing is their close relationship with Frank Sinatra. “In the 1940s, when Sinatra began recording and had moved to Los Angeles, my father was the concertmaster of pretty much every session Sinatra ever did,” Slatkin recalls. “My mother was the first cellist. In fact, Sinatra wouldn’t record unless my parents occupied those chairs. One time my father came to Sinatra and said, ‘Frank, I’ve got a really bad cold and I can’t hear. I don’t think I can do the session tonight.’ Sinatra paid the entire orchestra not to record that night because he said, ‘If Felix, can’t be here, I’m not going to record.’ That’s just how it was.” “Sinatra was always at the house. We went to his places in Los Angeles, Vegas, and Palm Springs. He was very kind to my brother and me. When we were very little, he would take us by the hand, take us upstairs, tuck us in, and sing us to sleep.” “We knew Sinatra was a big deal, but everybody was a big deal. You know, Stravinsky was at the house. Nat King Cole was at the house. The great film composers were there, but that was the life. They were kind of all equal to a kid.” Slatkin spent the first 19 years of his life in Los Angeles. “I usually don’t say that I grew up there because it was L.A. You can’t grow up in L.A. -- you have to get out of L.A. to grow up. So I left after high school and went to Indiana University for a few months. I was thrown out for not attending ROTC classes -- not for any political reasons -- I just didn’t want to go. They threw me out because you had to go. For a brief time, I left music altogether. I thought I would become an English teacher. Gradually, I came back to the music fold and was studying at Los Angeles City College when I became interested in conducting.” His music teacher arranged for him to have an opportunity to conduct. ““I felt this was okay, that I could do this,” he remembers. Slatkin then auditioned and was accepted into the music program at the Aspen Music School and The Juilliard School in New York. “In my third year at Aspen, the music director there, Walter Susskind,

was appointed as music director of the Saint Louis Symphony. He asked me to come here as his assistant. So, in 1968, even though I was eligible for the draft, we took a chance. I did not pass my physical. It was the only time in my life my blood pressure went sky high. And that was that. As assistant, my responsibilities were to be around for every rehearsal and to hold 83 young people’s concerts. That’s how many we had back then. It was amazing.” Slatkin said it took time to really become part of the community. “People saw me at ball games all the time, taking the trash out, at the supermarket, and even going and visiting churches. I’m not a particularly religious person, but I thought it would be interesting for me to understand some of the roots and heritage of the population of the city. I found it all fascinating. From that point, we started various programs designed for different people in the community.” “After about 10 years in a variety of secondary capacities -assistant to the associate conductor, associate principal conductor, principal guest conductor, whatever -- I left to become a music director on my own, spending the next two years in New Orleans.” “Then, I was asked to come back to St. Louis as the music director for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. I served at that post for 17 years. So altogether, my time in St. Louis was 27 years. I then went to Washington, D.C. to lead the National Symphony Orchestra for two Senate terms -- 12 years -- and then to Detroit for 10. I saw that things in the music industry were very different than they had been when I started. Of course,

things change, but it had changed to a degree in terms of the responsibilities that one had as a music director, where you could make all the decisions. Now it was being delegated more to orchestra members who could make determinations about the future of the whole organization, artistic administrators, executives. It just became very different than what I was used to and what I preferred. I thought, ‘I’m going to step down from the administrative part and just focus on guest conducting.’” At that point, Slatkin was 73 years of age. “I’m 77 now and I haven’t retired,” he says. “Some people think I have, but I haven’t. In fact, as we’re speaking, I’m about to embark on a nine-week guest conducting trip, mostly in Europe. We’ll see what happens. We don’t know yet about all the entry requirements because of COVID. In fact, one of the orchestras that I was to conduct in Moscow said, ‘We don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come right now. We’re only at 300 people in the audience and we need to cut your fee in half.’ That doesn’t bother me. I don’t do anything for the money anymore. But clearly they wanted to postpone until it would be a more hospitable situation, and that’s fine.” “Now I enjoy taking lots of vacations. I build a lot of my guest dates around places in the world that I want to visit. Within my upcoming trip I’m able to, for the first time, take a week off at the Amalfi coast and spend a nice week in Bordeaux, which will be just fine. I’m happy.” Slatkin says there are a couple of things that he wants on his tombstone. “I want to be known for working very hard as an

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advocate for the American composer. That is why I did not go to Europe to develop my career. I stayed here. That was important,” he explains. “One thing specific to St. Louis was not the symphony orchestra but the formation of the youth orchestra. That’s my proudest achievement, especially because they have done so well since the time when we started it. And then when I left, they became really important, vital, and they helped place instruments in children’s hands. They have distinguished themselves now for more than 50 years. And, of all the things I did here, in a way the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra was my child.”

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Coming back to St. Louis from Detroit was not his first choice, however. “I didn’t want to stay in Detroit. It’s too cold in the winter and I didn’t have the kind of connection with the city or the people that I thought would be conducive for staying there. I thought about moving out to the West Coast because my son is there. He’s a composer for film and television. But, let’s see -- there’s earthquakes, fires, mudslides, high taxes, property rates...it’s just not for me. We thought maybe the southwest could be interesting, but we didn’t know anyone there.” “Then, three years ago, I was guest conducting here. My wife, who didn’t know St. Louis particularly well, was out doing some shopping. I didn’t need the car so she was tooling around the city. She said, ‘You know, it’s really nice here. We should look at homes.’ And so she flew in here a couple times and found a place that was under construction. We were able to design the interior of the house and customize some of the exterior.” “So the house itself was one attraction. I still know a good number of people here -- a couple of them very closely. That was nice. I’ve had two major heart procedures in my life, so medical care became important. St. Louis is a terrific city for that. Of course, people probably know that I’m a baseball fanatic. And another thing that was particularly attractive is that you can get pretty much anywhere you need to be in 10 or 15 minutes.” “I know this is a city where you have to discover things on your own. When you drive around, there are lots of great places to go, but they’re voyages of discovery -- small galleries, which are of great interest, little bookshops that are wonderful, and neighborhood communities that make the city, the whole area, very special.” “The downside for me is that we don’t yet have a true international flight to anywhere that I usually go. St. Louis used to have direct flights to London, Frankfurt, and Paris, but that disappeared a long time ago. My sources are telling me maybe something is in the works, which would be helpful because I spend 11 or 12 weeks in Europe a year, maybe a little more, and at least one good chunk, if not two, a year in Asia. I need to get back and forth easily. It’s better to do it if you don’t have to change planes either once or twice, but we’ll see. I do love it here. And one interesting thing is to see what has changed from when I was music director here, which was almost 25 years ago.” “We had a block party here on our street. I don’t really know my neighbors, but here was a chance to say hello. They’re sometimes a little bit hesitant to come up and talk to me because they don’t know what I’m like. They don’t quite know how to approach me. I’m sort of just a normal guy. Once they know who I am, we’ll talk about the Cardinals or the crime statistics, whatever happens to be. You know, I would suggest If you see me around, come up and say ‘hi.’ It’s really okay.” sl

ALPINE CHIC

Looks that project steezy status even if you’re more green circle than double black diamond. Compiled by Bridget Williams

From the Lindsey Vonn + HEAD Legacy Collection: JET Pants ($390), DAISY vest ($550), TIFFANy jacket ($1,000), LEGACY beanie ($90; head.com). Photo by Dan Campbell.

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Clockwise from top left: Bomber by Bentley: The limited edition Bentley Black Diamond 84 skis take design cues from Bentley’s newest concept car ($2,750; bomberski.com). From Goldbergh: Cool goggles ($294), Bold helmet ($457), Canyon faux fur jacket ($997), Emma pullie ($223), Pam pants ($600; goldbergh.com). Longmont ski suit ($1,304) and Hill mittens ($203) from Goldbergh (goldbergh.com). Ruven Print ski jacket with premium light 4-way stretch material and a grey camouflage pattern by Toni Sailer ($1,610; tonisailer.com). The Fusalp PACE HEAD helmet ($1,340; fusalp.com).

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From Goldbergh: Jaguar printed softshell hooded down jacket with fringe ($1,375), Paris ski pants ($429), Freeze gloves ($203; goldbergh.com)

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BOGNER Sport Lizzy down ski jacket ($1,800; bogner.com)

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Clockwise from top left: Fusalp Montana III ski jacket ($2,470), Chloe x Fusalp high-waisted ski pants ($1,050) and Amy sneakers ($410; fusalp.com). BOGNER x Breuninger base layer ($260; bogner.com). From Fusalp: Pop beanie ($80), Pave Eyes II goggle ($360); Liam sweater ($410), Franz III ski pants ($480), Primus mountain shoes ($1,260; fusalp.com). Lightweight ski mid-layer with stand-up collar from FALKE ($192; falke.com). Cow Girl longsleeve top from Goldbergh ($131; goldbergh.com). Amber pullover from Head ($550; head.com).

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Bibliotaph...

Compiled by Victoria Chase The more than 80 cabins featured are all available to rent. With chapters divided among Forest, Tropics, Mountain, Arctic, Water and Desert, it makes it easy to find your favorite. JJ Eggers—Cabin Tripping: Where to Go to Get Away from It All—hardcover, 352 pages, Artisan Books

From Thoreau’s famous cabin to Dahl’s garden hut, this book reveals the quirky, private, and sometimes curious places where literary magic has happened. Neil Burkey—Writers’ Retreats: Literary Cabins, Creative Hideaways, and Favorite Writing Spaces of Iconic Authors—hardcover, 176 pages, Imagine Press

The book began as an online scrapbook compiled by friends to gather inspiration for building projects on a 55-acre tract of forest in Upstate New York. It showcases the cozy interiors of places that epitomize what comprises the enduring appeal of cabin living. Zach Klein—Cabin Porn: Inside— hardcover, 336 pages, Voracious Books

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Composed of interviews with leading architects and expert do-it-yourself advice, Cabin Fever examines some of the most enticing cabin architecture on earth. gestalten—Cabin Fever: Enchanting Cabins, Shacks, and Hideaways—hardcover, 288 pages, us.gestalten.com

A showcase of minimal, innovative, and ecofriendly abodes around the globe. Philip Jodidio—Cabins—hardcover, 640 pages, TASCHEN; taschen.com

bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books A celebration of the simple pleasures of hanging out at home. Available in February. Elizabeth Gray—The Happy Homebody: A Field Guide to the Great Indoors—hardcover, 208 pages, Blue Star Press Through 20 different projects, Sarah Ditchfield shows readers how to make beautiful candles for all occasions, using both traditional and modern materials and techniques. Sarah Ditchfield—Making Candles—paperback, 80 pages, Search Press

Drawing inspiration from snow-covered mountains, ski towns, and cozy winter cabins, author Lizzie Kamenetzky shares recipes that are perfect for savoring in front of a crackling log fire. Lizzie Kamenetzky—Fireside Food for Cold Winter Nights: More than 75 comforting and warming recipes—hardcover, 160 pages, Ryland Peters & Small

A giftable collection of 70 cocktails composed to fortify against the cold. Editors of Punch—Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails—hardcover, 160 pages, Ten Speed Press

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Artist Sheppard Morose with the dye sublimation prints she created for the JCCA of Kansas City and Omaha.

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

An interview with artist Sheppard Morose who reflects on the multi-generational significance of creating and appreciating art. Written by Bridget Williams Sheppard Morose strongly believes that art is much more than just pleasing to the eye. “Great art lasts lifetimes, and I'm challenged to create art that meets that standard,” she said. Read on to see how the St. Louis-based artist has created a unique niche creating bespoke pieces for clients in both the public and private sector. SL: Tell us about your background. SM: I came to fine art through the back door of an advertising and graphic design career. Not only was I was able to learn the fundamentals of design from the working professors at the University of Illinois and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, but I was also able to experience a glimpse of how the corporate world works. My Mom was a fine art major, and my Dad is a civil engineer, so we always had plenty of art supplies and examples of beautiful, functional design all around us growing up. I remember conversations with my Mom in our garden where she described the colors and textures of the plants, sky, and landscape in fascinating detail. She was coaching me to have an "artist's eye" at a very young age and I'm grateful for that. Modern masters like Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly, Henri Matisse, Mies Van der Rohe, Pablo Picasso and Helen Frankenthaler help inform me of complex color combinations and composition. 40 slmag.net

Frankenthaler pioneered what came to be called "color field painting," a style of abstractionism emergent in New York City midway through the 20th century, and she's been a key influence. SL: How would you define your style, and has it evolved over the years? Do you have any unique methods that you employ when creating art? SM: I think I'm known for my bright, bold abstract work that's showing up in corporate collections across the country and my nature-inspired original paintings for healthcare spaces and homes. It's usually the color that moves my audience. I often put contrasting colors right next to each other to pack an extra punch. I use soothing muted colors for spas or hospitals, often green or "nature's neutral" that serve as a backdrop for healing. It's a privilege to participate in a profession that serves others. My strength lies in working directly with CEOs, architects, and interior designers to help create interiors that uplift and engage. Some of my installations stretch three stories high as my digital files can be enlarged and printed, keeping their crisp resolution. I use two main processes to create my work. In the first, acrylic paint is applied layer after layer as tints or sold colors. As the layers build, texture is often created. I use traditional paintbrushes and what I call "kinetic" paintbrushes, which are

Detail of a painting created by Morose using a palette knife.

An example of dye sublimation printing.

Morose applied the Golden Ratio to create this series of dye sublimation prints.

large industrial mops that I've trimmed to unique shapes and move or swing as I use them. Palette knife paintings have been innovative solutions where there is excellent lighting and a need for texture. The second method is dye sublimation printing. Once I create the image, typically on my Mac, there is a high heat transfer of powdered pigments that are permanently bonded with aluminum, then coated with a polymer that protects the art, so it wears like iron. This is perfect for public spaces as the color never fades, and the surface is protected. SL: What does art, particularly a custom piece, contribute to a space? SM: It brings individual expression. When April Jensen, a St. Louis designer, and her client needed art to serve a real function within her interior design concept, we created custom art pieces that made the client feel calm and peaceful in her home. Something many of us need in a busy world. When the JCCA of Kansas City and Omaha remodeled and expanded their spaces, they envisioned Centers where people could be active and engaged, accented with natural light and colorful artwork. We used glossy, reflective dye sublimation prints to accomplish this goal.

St. Louis interior designer April Jensen tasked Morose to create a custom painting for a client’s bedroom. Photo courtesy of ADJ Interiors.

SL: What does art mean to you? SM: Art is powerful. Throughout history, it documents unforgettable events and the natural world. Species that are extinct live on through the botanical renderings from artists' past. Art is healing. Scientific studies prove that natural images and colors will lower blood pressure, reduce stress and elevate mood. Research also shows that patients exposed to art during a hospital stay heal quicker and have a better overall experience. Art is an avenue for communication for those who use it as therapy. This process helps one to re-experience emotions and organize feelings around an overwhelming experience. Art is a study of mathematics. I use the Golden Ratio; the ratio is 1 to 1.618, also called Phi, to determine proportions and break up space. Artists and designers have been using this ratio since the beginning, and it occurs in nature repeatedly. (Photos of color block pieces.) Art explores the latest technology. For example, NFTs or 'non-fungible tokens' are unique digital certificates stored on a blockchain and have certain ownership rights in an asset, typically a digital one. What an exciting time in art history! The challenge for designers today is to create surroundings at home and work to support individuals' communal, mental, and physical needs within the space. Art is often part of the solution. sl To learn more, visit sheppardmorose.com.

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WHY YOU SHOULD BUY SPIRITS FROM INDEPENDENT BOTTLERS Industry veteran Sam Filmus, creator of the ImpEx Collection, tells us why. Compiled by Chloe Gellar / Images courtesy of ImpEx Collection

We asked Sam Filmus, President of ImpEx Beverages, to share what he sees as the evolution of the independent bottler movement and why luxury consumers should start adding independent bottles to their whisky collection. Filmus has his Whisky Certification from the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray College and is a designated Keeper of the Quaich, an exclusive and international society of individuals recognized for their commitment to the Scotch whisky industry.

cases) as single casks and (in most cases) at a higher ABV under their own label. We are fortunate enough to feature quite a few IBs in our portfolio at ImpEx Beverages—the importation company I run with ImpEx Beverages Vice President, Chris Uhde—such as Single Cask Nation, Single Malts of Scotland, Port Askaig, Adelphi, and now The ImpEx Collection. Chris and I launched the Collection in July after taking three years to hand-select and bottle what we believe to be some of the best spirits in the world.

SL: Let's start with the basics - what is a single cask whisky? Filmus: A single cask whisky is one in which all the bottles have matured together. So, they stay in the same cask or can be transferred into another for finishing. Some distilleries will use these to create vattings of multiple single casks or to become part of their official bottlings/distillery releases.

SL: How do they compare to Original Distillery Bottlings? Filmus: Since both are produced at the same distilleries, in many cases, they would both carry the signature style and profile of these distilleries. I think the main difference is that while the distillery is working towards being consistent with their original bottlings, there is a bit more flexibility in terms of single cask offerings, such as their wood treatment and desired outcome. The opportunity to find some really unique and special offerings that could have been lost in a vat is really the desired outcome when it comes to single cask expressions as this is a chance to see the casks shine in their true and natural form.

SL: What is a distillery release? Filmus: This is (in most cases) a vatting of a large number of casks that distilleries are aiming to be part of their core offerings. Some examples could include Lagavulin 16 yr, Oban 14 yr, Laphroaig 10 yr, or Glenlivet 12 yr – among many others. Small batches can also apply to this, and there are single casks and limited release offerings that come out from time to time as well. SL: What are Independent Bottlers? Filmus: Independent bottlers (IBs) are companies that source casks from various distilleries or via brokers and bottle them (in most 42 slmag.net

SL: Why don't more consumers know about or purchase from IBs? Filmus: 90% of what is produced these days in Scotland are blends. From the remaining 10%, you find the more well-known single malt contributors, and then from there, you find some major IBs who have been establishing their names for decades, if not centuries (like Cadenhead's and Gordon & MacPhail).

Casa Grande. Photo by Simon Lewis

While people are used to seeing labels from these more wellknown brands (OBs), when they see a recognizable name and the label looks different, people automatically suspect that the quality would not be the same. Therefore, more and more people are now gravitating towards what they can expect to find from these lesserknown bottlings coming from IBs and appreciate now that they are both coming from the same distilleries. SL: I noticed you don't only have whiskies in your collection, can any spirit be independently bottled? Filmus: Yes, any spirit can be independently bottled, provided the distillery is open to it. We have included World Whisky and Rum in our Edition One bottlings. We are anticipating a Japanese whisky release with Edition Two along with a mezcal. SL: How has the IB industry changed over the years? Filmus: I think people are much more receptive to trying independent bottlings now than they were in the past. People have started to see this as an art form and are more willing to try something Independently Bottled than they were in the past. SL: Where do you see it going? Filmus: I see the category growing rapidly. When I started representing IBs over 15 years ago, there were only a few of them then, and it was a very tough sale as people didn't understand the concept. Now, we've seen many IBs showing up on the shelf, and the category has grown for all.

SL: Why did you enter the IB business? Filmus: While consumers have appreciated the distillery releases we are carrying, there is something special and collectible about single cask expressions that are one-time releases. SL: What gets you excited about this side of the industry? Filmus: Maybe it's a little ambitious, but I would like to think that these single cask offerings bring a greater appreciation for the distilleries we bottle from, giving a new segment of customers the chance to enjoy these expressions in their truest form. A great example of this is Caol Ila; it is one of the largest portions of what goes into Johnny Walker and gives it the peatiness and smokiness that you find there. When people draw a comparison between the two, they find they grow a fondness for the mainstream release because of what they find unique about the Single Cask. SL: Can you give our readers some tips for picking IBs? Filmus: I think that the beauty of IBs is that you can explore individual components of something that may be more familiar. IBs give you the ability to explore the juice in a higher ABV and the truest form. I think you get a chance to really appreciate what you love about a specific expression. When you go with an IB, you can narrow down what is appealing to you as an individual. We try to give as much information as possible on our labels distillation date, bottling date, number of bottles, cask type, etc. so that the consumer can decide what is most appealing to their senses and palate. sl

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ELEVATED ISLAND TIME A resort-within-a-resort, Rosewood Baha Mar delivers all the amenities of a mega resort with an aura of exclusivity Written by Bridget Williams

Somewhere in the not-too-far distance, screams of delight are funneling down a colorful tube in a waterpark; cries of jubilation ring out in the casino; people are nodding their head to a pulsing beat at a pool. But here, during teatime in the Library Lounge at Rosewood Baha Mar, I am world's away and perfectly at ease while I savor a perfectly brewed cup of tea whose color mimics my sunkissed skin, still warm from the sun. Opened in 2017 with 2,200 rooms spread across three hotels on 1,000 acres in New Providence in The Bahamas, Baha Mar is by definition a mega-resort. This designation that can elicit a notso-favorable response based on one's prior experience, this writer 44 slmag.net

included. However, after a recent visit, I was forced to rethink my innate aversion to large-scale developments. There are three distinct brands on property: Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood, with the latter, at just 12 stories and 230 rooms and suites, perches above Cable Beach and the pecking order on the property. The Rosewood Baha Mar's contemporized take on British Colonial-style begins as soon as you enter the foyer-like lobby, enveloped in a floor-to-ceiling hand-painted mural reminiscent of de Gournay wallpaper. In keeping with Rosewood's Hotels "A Sense of Place" philosophy, John Cox, Rosewood Baha Mar's Creative Art Director, collaborated with artists at SilverHill

The reception area at ESPA

Atelier to create Bahamian scenes evocative of another celebrated island artist, John Hussey. Intimate seating areas, plenty of coffee-table books, and creative accessorizing add to the upscale residential feel. My favorite public space inside Rosewood Baha Mar is the Library Lounge, defined by muted colors, handsome furnishings, and tall ceilings accentuated by a pair of bookcases separated by another bespoke artwork resulting from SilverHill and Cox working in concert. We found ourselves here multiple times a day, selecting from an extensive selection of loose leaf teas, including unique Bahamian blends, while we relished the beauty of the surroundings.

Guest accommodations carry forth the casual elegance established in the lobby. Closets flanked the entry to the spa-like bathroom, sheathed in marble. Colors evocative of the island— coral and Caribbean blues—pop against a soothing sun washed backdrop. From our balcony, we noted that the pool areas' landscaping is so lush that you see enticing slivers of blue among an expanse of green. The elevated vantage point allows you to appreciate the sprawling nature of the property. Still, it doesn't feel that way as you wind your way through the lush setting at ground level, where the landscape's design reveals intimate seating areas, shops, and restaurants around every corner.

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Chefs Daniel Boulud and David LePage

Baha Mar takes its food scene seriously, and it has recruited a galaxy of star power to lend credence to its 40 unique dining venues celebrating a variety of global cuisines. Sadly, there are way more dining options than we had days available to try them all. At the pinnacle of the culinary program is Café Boulud The Bahamas. Located in the lower level of the Rosewood in a beautifully outfitted dining room bursting with Bahamian art, traditional French technique meets island hospitality (minus the island time). A production in the best way, our dinner was a true feast for the senses, and after we savored the last bite of our Tarte Au Citron and rose to leave, our server warmly embraced us like we were old friends. There's nothing that compares with genuine and kind human interaction, and the staff at Baha Mar seem to possess this innate ability to connect in spades. Award-winning chef Danny Elmaleh conceptualized the menus at Cleo Mediterraneo, adjacent to the SLS Baha Mar's lobby. The focal point of the restaurant's relaxed interior is an organic sandstone wall with succulent plants and moss spilling from the crevices. We enjoyed a Mediterranean-inspired feast over a series of small plates. Seeking shelter from a popup rain shower allowed us to discover Da' Poke Bowl Shack for lunch. Located in one of a series of cute beach "shacks" with other dining establishments in a pathway that links the Grand Hyatt to the beach, the umamipacked punch of flavor was just what we needed to forget the rainy day blues. Another lunch standout was Costa, a Mexican restaurant 46 slmag.net

with unique dining cabanas overlooking Rosewood's lush gardens. El Jefe is another delicious Mexican option serving tacos from a beachfront Airstream trailer. If you time it right, you can nosh while watching the daily parade of flamingos and the hordes of guests accompanying them. Enjoying fresh seafood close to the source is on the menu at Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House. Six-time James Beard Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson spent four years learning everything he could about Bahamian cuisine and island food culture to develop his spin on Caribbean comfort food. While eating to your heart's content is undoubtedly an option, I'd highly recommend partaking in a host of onsite recreation amenities in between meals. Of course, water is the obvious star of the show when it comes to activities. There are more pools than I could count, including many adult-only options. In addition, guests of the Rosewood are privy to a private beach and exclusive fullservice pools. The kid in me loved the newly opened and crowd-free waterpark; my adult side appreciated its distance from the heart of the resort so that you didn't have to walk through it while traveling from one side of the resort to the other throughout the day. Those who prefer greens over blue will appreciate the Royal Blue Golf Club, an 18-hole par-72 course designed by Jack Nicklaus. As my golf skills are subpar, but I'm still competitive, I thoroughly enjoyed a round at Mini Blue, a professional puttinginspired 18-hold miniature golf course near the Racquet Club.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson

Fish and chicken wings at Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House

The Manor Bar in Rosewood Baha Mar

El Jefe

Café Boulud Bahamas Truffle-topped ravioli at Café Boulud Bahamas

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The Library at Rosewood Baha Mar

The daily flamingo walk is a guest favorite.

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A hole at Mini Blue

The working art studio within The Current

While you can treat yourself after a round at Rosewood Baha Mar's onsite spa, I'd highly recommend the short stroll to ESPA, which serves the entirety of the property with a 30k square-foot glitter fest of tranquility. An affirmation walk etched into the floor leading to the lounge reminds guests to "let it go." The complex also boasts a sprawling fitness facility. Linking all three hotels is the Caribbean's largest casino, with 18 different types of table games and more than 1,000 slot machines. We didn't partake of the games, but we did enjoy the nightly live entertainment at Bar Noir, which offers a prime view of the action on the casino floor, lots of interesting cocktail options, and signature Petrossian caviar. Of the many things unique to the property is the attention given to elevating Bahamian artists: ninety percent of the art displayed is Bahamian in origin. John Cox, a painter, sculptor, and former chief curator at the National Art Gallery in the Bahamas, oversees the 2,500 pieces in Baha Mar's collection and The Current (thecurrent.bahamar.com/), an onsite art gallery, working studio, and retail shop. The Rhode Island School of Design alum cuts a striking figure that exudes the confidence of someone with the "it factor,"

but without any hit of pretentiousness. What is most captivating about Cox is his palpable passion for his craft and elevating the work of his contemporaries and predecessors. A powerful storyteller, Cox has a gift for switching up messaging on a dime so that whether he's speaking to an aficionado or a child, there's a meaningful context in his message. "Our goal is to see if we can inform what the Bahamian experience is through art so that it causes people to see and experience and shock them in a good way," Cox explained. A significant portion of the collection is on display in the pre-function space in the onsite convention center as part of the Fairwind Exhibition, a showcase of Bahamian art from the early 1800s to the present. We'd arranged for a one-hour tour with Cox, and two hours later (and late for his next meeting), we continued to be enrapt by his enthusiasm and the immensity of the thought that has gone into the themed groupings, that encompass everything from coral reefs to colonialism. This subtle encouragement of more thoughtful tourism is just one example that Baha Mar is seeking to redefine the notion of a mega-resort. sl Rates at Rosewood Baha Mar from $695/night. For more information and reservations, visit bahamar.com

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ROSE TO THE OCCASION Blush-worthy fine jewelry for your Valentine Compiled by Bridget Williams

Clockwise from top left: 18K rose gold Butterfly hair jewel from Gumuchian. Available from Simons Jewelers in St. Louis and at gumuchian.com. YI Collection diamond chain ring ($395; yicollection.com). Assael clip back earrings with watermelon tourmaline and J.Hunter Fijian natural color cultured pearls ($39,000). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus and Nashville, and at assael.com. Sig Ward Jewelry Pea Pod opal and diamond ring ($8,400; sigwardjewelry.com). Halleh Fine Jewelry Grande Door Knocker cuff bracelet ($14,500; halleh. com). Harvey Owen Hex bracelet ($25,500; harveyowen.com).

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Clockwise from top left: Ritique Halo drop pendant ($4,290; ritique.com). Roberto Coin Venetian Princess black jade and diamond wide hinge bangle ($19,980). Available in Columbus and Nashville from Diamond Cellar, in Indianapolis from Reis-Nichols, in Kentucky from Davis Jewelers, in St. Louis from Simons Jewelers, and at robertocoin.com/en-us. Jessie VE Femme Fatale ‘Enchantress’ double finger ring ($3,279; jessieve.com). Ippolita Starlet hoop earrings ($7,495). Available in Columbus from Diamond Cellar, in Indianapolis from Reis-Nichols Jewelers, in Nashville from King Jewelers, and at ippolita.com. Shahla Karimi Mid-Century emerald ring with cigar band (from $1,790; shahlakarimi.com). Bibi Van Der Velden Rainbow Alligator Bite earrings ($13,886; bibivandervelden.com).

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HOME IN THE RANGE Cozy up to the elegant 2022 Range Rover, which provides more refinement, customer choice, and personalization options than ever before. Written by Andre James / Photography courtesy of Land Rover The fifth-generation luxury SUV, designed, developed, and engineered in the UK, presents a contemporary interpretation of Land Rover’s trademark profile. “The New Range Rover is a superb manifestation of our vision to create the world’s most desirable luxury vehicles for the most discerning of customers. It writes the next chapter in the unique story of pioneering innovation that has been a Range Rover hallmark for more than 50 years,” said Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover. In creating the 2022 Range Rover, Land Rover filed no fewer than 125 patents covering everything from its pioneering chassis technologies to its PHEV battery. No less than 140,000 hours of computational analysis took place before the rubber ever hit the road. During research and development, a fleet of disguised prototypes dispersed across the globe endured temperatures exceeding 100°F in arid deserts to -20°F in the icy Arctic. While decidedly forward-facing, the SUV’s falling roofline, strong waistline, and rising sill line discernably trace their origins back through the generations. These trademark features 52 slmag.net

combine with a characteristically short front overhang and a distinctive new boat-tail rear. Underpinning every aspect of the SUV, available in SE and Autobiography models at launch, is a brand-new flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLAFlex), virtually eliminating unwanted noises and vibrations. The New Range Rover is the first Land Rover vehicle to feature optional Power-Assisted Doors – available at 2023 model year – with integrated hazard detection and anti-pinch features. The practical two-piece split tailgate that has been a Range Rover hallmark since 1970 is updated for 2022, with a series of new technologies providing greater versatility and convenience. Further enhancing the ride are Dynamic Response Pro and pre-emptive suspension that use eHorizon Navigation data to read the road ahead and prime the suspension to provide appropriate responses. Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist can smooth out body movements resulting from sudden speed changes. Land Rover’s first-ever five-link rear axle isolates the cabin from surface imperfections using advanced air springs.

Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response 2 system harnesses the various chassis systems to automatically provide the perfect settings and minimize driver workload across multiple terrains. Alternatively, the driver can manually select the most appropriate setting or use Configurable Terrain Response to create a bespoke chassis set-up. In addition, every New Range Rover features All-Wheel Steering for heightened stability at higher speeds and improved maneuverability at low speeds. At present, buyers can choose either a turbocharged 3.0liter inline-six that delivers 395-horsepower or a thundering 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 engine. Spearheading the Land Rover brand’s Reimagine strategy, a new extended-range plug-in hybrid (PHEV) joins the family in 2023. It combines the inherent refinement of Land Rover’s inline six-cylinder Ingenium engine with a 38.2kWh lithium-ion battery. Together, the powertrain provides a projected range of 62 miles of near-silent pure-electric driving. The 105kW electric motor can reach up to 87mph without using the gasoline engine, allowing customers

to enjoy pure-electric driving for most journeys. The battery is located beneath the vehicle and within the wheelbase, ensuring that luggage space and all-terrain capability are uncompromised. A host of sustainable, progressive, and responsible options are available to outfit the cabin, giving customers a broad range of personalization options to create an optimal ride for everyone from the driver to those in the new optional third-row seats. Optional Versatile Loadspace Floor protects luggage and boasts a clever floor panel that can be raised forward across the width of the load area around its mid-point to form a partition to contain smaller items and keep them within easy reach when unloading. It can also pivot backward along its leading edge to serve as a backrest when using the lower tailgate as outdoor seating. In addition, the optional Tailgate Event Suite takes the Versatile Loadspace Floor backrest concept to new heights by combining additional lighting, audio features, and tailored leather cushions to create the perfect vantage point for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

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Working in tandem with the MLA-Flex system, the Meridian Signature Sound System monitors wheel vibrations, tire noise, and engine sounds in the cabin and generates a canceling signal played through the system’s 35 speakers. Creating personal quiet zones are pairs of 60mm diameter speakers in the headrests for each of the four main cabin occupants. Alexa voice AI embedded within the New Range Rover allows users to experience seamless interactivity by working with other Alexa-enabled devices. SiriusXM with 360L debuts on 2022 Range Rover with advanced in-car technology to guide users through the most extensive in-car catalog of SiriusXM channels, shows, and exclusive content. Building upon Land Rover’s award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment technology, a 13.1-inch curved, floating touchscreen provides intuitive control of all major vehicle functions. The central display offers haptic feedback when customers touch and press the screen, eliminating the need for visual confirmation. Pivi Pro works in harmony with a new semi-floating 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display featuring high-definition graphics based around a threepanel customizable layout. Not to be left out of their screen time, rear passengers can enjoy an optional Rear Seat Entertainment System, which provides adjustable 11.4-inch HD touchscreens mounted on the rear of the front seatbacks. Representing the pinnacle of personalization, the hand-crafted Range Rover SV will be the first to carry the new ceramic SV roundel and simplified naming strategy – known simply as SV. Available in

model year 2023, the SV roundel will identify all-new Land Rover vehicles launched by Special Vehicle Operations in the future. Both Standard and Long Wheelbase body designs – including a five-seat LWB configuration for the first time – are available with specially curated SV Serenity and SV Intrepid design themes that introduce two-tone front-to-rear contrasting colorways. Exclusive materials encompass lustrous plated metals, smooth ceramics, intricate mosaic marquetry, and soft near-aniline leather, as well as sustainable non-leather Ultrafabrics. The SV Signature Suite option on LWB models epitomizes the heightened luxury and craftsmanship of Range Rover SV, providing a bespoke traveling environment for its most discerning customers. Its uniquely cosseting seats feature 24-way adjustment with massage functionality, while an elegant electrically deployable Club Table rises theatrically from the fixed full-length center console on handsomely engineered supports to provide a convenient workspace when required. “The New Range Rover is a vehicle with a peerless character, from the impeccable restraint of its exterior to the flawless tranquil sanctuary of its cabin,” commented Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rover. “Informed by creative intellect and a desire for perfection, it doesn’t follow fashion or trend, but by a modernist design philosophy, combined with over 50 years of evolution, it is quite simply the most desirable Range Rover ever created.” sl MSRP from $104,000 for the Range Rover P400 SE to $163,500 for the Range Rover P530 First Edition (LWB)

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TIME FOR A Opposite page clockwise from top left: 41mm Flying Regulator Open Gear Pink Panther from Chronoswiss. Limited to 50 pieces, it features a three-dimensional; hybrid dial made of handmade guilloché ($11,214; chronoswiss.com). Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono White Hawk. Limited to 250 pieces ($6,600). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, King Jewelers in Nashville and bellross.com. Chinese actress and OMEGA ambassador and Dongyu Zhou wearing the brand’s 34 mm Constellation Small Seconds ($22,800). Available from Richter & Phillips Co. in Cincinnati, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, and at omegawatches.com. Image courtesy of OMEGA. Gran Seiko SBGC244 with stainless steel and rose gold case and Spring Driver Chronograph Caliber 9R86 movement ($18,100). Available through Richter & Phillips in Cincinnati, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Diamond Cellar in Nashville, and gran-seiko.com. Clockwise from top left: Breitling Super AVI P-51 Mustang in stainless-steel pays homage to the best all-around fighter plane of its era ($10,100). Available through Richter & Phillips in Cincinnati, and at breitling.com. Longines women’s PrimaLuna in steel and 18K pink gold with mother-of-pearl dial ($3,950). Available through Reis-Nichols in Indianapolis, Davis Jewelers in Louisville, King Jewelers in Nashville, and longines.com. Arnold & Son Luna Magna Ultimate I. The 44mm case is made of white gold and set with 112 baguette-cut diamonds. Hundreds of blue ruthenium crystals compose the sparkling blue façade of the watch face. Alligator leather strap (arnoldandson.com). The polished and satin-finished 39mm case of the Clifton chronometer from Baume & Mercier make it suitable for both men and women. 18K pink gold accentuates the gradient burgundy lacquered dial ($7,400). Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, and baume-et-mercier.com. 36mm OMEGA Trésor with malachite dial and 18K Moonshine Gold case ($31,800). Available from Richter & Phillips Co. in Cincinnati, Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis, and at omegawatches.com. BVLGARI 40mm Aluminum watch ($2,950; bulgari.com).

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CHANGE

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LEANING IN

Grand Residences Riviera Cancun emerges from the pandemic as the flagship resort for Wyndham's Registry Collection Hotels. Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Shelby Bourne Technology is both a bane and boon when traveling with children. While I can fully appreciate its usefulness during long flights or car rides, I am dismayed when I see both children and adults mindlessly scrolling rather than being present in the moment while vacationing. So it was a striking absence of screen fixation that struck me while strolling the grounds at Grand Residences Riviera Cancun. With the resort ideally positioned to face the east, sleepy-eyed guests filed onto their balcony or the beachfront each morning for a front-row seat to the sunrise. By mid-morning, children lined up outside the activity center. Anticipating the arrival of their favorite staff members, they bounced with the same enthusiasm as though Santa and his elves were on their way. Staff reciprocates this eagerness in spades, as I discovered while watching an energetic instructor leading a morning poolside Zumba class. Although only one guest opted in, the instructor was strutting his stuff with the energy of opening night on Broadway. Overall, there's an aura of relaxed energy; by afternoon, many of the youngsters I spied in the morning were napping under the shade of a poolside cabana, worn out from a full day of fun. 58 slmag.net

Thoughtful service begins upon arrival as all guests receive complimentary private transportation to the resort from the airport in Cancun. During the 30-minute trip, our driver asked what we'd like for a welcome drink—it was a spicy margarita for me! The 144 all-suite Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, a flagship resort for Wyndham's Registry Collection Hotels, is located at the terminus of a long stretch of roadway lined with resorts near the sleepy fishing area village of Puerto Morelos. With accommodations ranging in size from a 635 square-foot junior suite up to an 8,762 square-foot penthouse presidential suite, the resort is an ideal destination for family and group travel. At nearly 1,800-square-feet, our well-appointed onebedroom oceanfront room boasted a fully equipped kitchen and large dining area. Walking past his and her closets and into the full bath, I was quick to note the Bulgari toiletries and an indoor soaking tub located under a gilded dome ceiling that could have doubled as a kiddie pool. A furnished balcony with a jacuzzi runs the suite's length and is accessible from the bedroom or living area. Suites located on the ground floor are notable for their private plunge pools.

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Most guests choose to spend their days around the heart of the resort: a blue-tiled heated pool that terraces down to the beach and offers a designated adults-only pool with a swim-up bar. Attentive and personalized beach service is available at the pool and beach with welcomed amenities like cooling Evian mist, tropical fruit skewers, and fruitsicles. Based on the warm interactions between staff and guests, it was clear that there were many repeat customers among us. A designated lap pool located near the activity center also serves as an ideal spot for serene sunbathing. Knowing that the entirety of our short stay would be devoid of far-flung excursions, we opted for the All-In Grand Experience Plan, which included all meals and premium drinks. Unlike some all-inclusive properties where there are separate meals for room-only and all-in guests, at Grand Residences, there is no differentiation. You can even order prime cuts of beef from the room service menu to prepare in your suite, although we preferred to leave that up to the on-site kitchen experts. Arriving at lunchtime, we headed straight for Heaven Beach Bar and enjoyed a toes-in-the-sand al fresco lunch with superb shrimp tacos and the first, of what would be many, orders of 60 slmag.net

guacamole. The resort's two main dining options, El Faro Grill and Flor de Canela, are located at the apex of the pool area. The former serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with both buffet and a la carte options and weekly themed menus that highlight global cuisines. I particularly enjoyed the regional Mexican favorites on offer as part of the breakfast buffet, which allowed me to indulge in plenty of spicy heat to jumpstart my day. Adorned with locally made art, Flor de Canela is a celebration of authentic Mexican food from all regions of the country. Seafood plays a starring role on the menu, though for me, it was the pomegranate-spiked guac and a serenade by local musicians that highlighted my dinner here. Those looking to indulge in the spaciousness of their suite can opt for a complete menu of in-suite dining options. An ingenious network of tunnels under the property allows an army of culinary and maintenance staff to go about their business nearly undetected and out of the heat and humidity. Afternoon tea is served three times a week on a covered terrace near the lobby in a building that overlooks the entirety of the property, including a verdant mangrove forest that serves as

a visual buffer between the surrounding structures. Popular for grabbing a morning coffee to go or wrapping up the day with a nightcap, the Lobby Café and Bar is notable for its handsome antique bar imported from England. An on-site Natural Foods Gourmet Market offers a fairly diverse array of prepackaged and fresh food, sundries, and souvenirs. While it was clear that most guests were content with downtime spent poolside or beachfront, there are many activities on and offsite to satiate those looking to be less languid. Snorkeling, ocean kayaking, tennis, beach volleyball, salsa lessons, cooking demonstrations, tequila tastings, and yoga are just a few of the offerings. Our only time off property was a short group bike ride into Puerto Morelos, reportedly the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett's iconic "Margaritaville." We enjoyed wandering around this laid-back village, visiting local shops, and snapping photos of its famous leaning lighthouse. For those who want to venture out further, the concierge can help arrange a multitude of adventurous excursions throughout the Riviera Maya. A small-but-capable spa and salon offers a host of indulgent and restorative body and face treatments. At the same time, the

fitness center with available personal trainers is amply-equipped to satiate the needs of workout fiends. Children can partake of an adult-supervised kids' club with activities from mask-making to sandcastle building taking place in a whimsically decorated "clubhouse" and throughout the resort. Just outside the entrance to the kids club is a pottery painting station, where guests can select a piece to paint and have it fired before their departure for a truly unique memento. At any given moment, it was a common occurrence to see more adults than children intently focused on creating a masterpiece. The leaning lighthouse has come to serve as a local symbol of resilience. The ability to adapt in the face of adversity also applies to the resort, which has persevered after a nearly fourmonth closure at the height of the pandemic in 2020 to see its average stay creep up from three to seven nights. It's no doubt a testament to their stalwart commitment to creating unique and elevated experiences for every guest. Room-only rates at Grand Residences Riviera Cancun from $350/night. For more information and reservations, visit grandresidencesrivieracancun.com sl

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ROCK CANDY

Even though it’s impurities that impart diamonds with hues ranging from black to pink, we think our selection of colored diamond pieces is purely perfect. Compiled by Bridget Williams

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Opposite page clockwise from top left: Nima Star bracelet with grey diamonds from Samantha Tea ($2,175; samanthatea.com). Kwiat engagement ring with a blue-green diamond and pink diamonds. Available through Diamond Cellar in Columbus, Reis-Nichols in Indianapolis, King Jewelers in Nashville, and kwiat.com. Orange diamond halo stud earrings from Stephen Silver ($8,500; shsilver.com). Vram pink gold and black diamond Sine ring ($15,500; vramjewelry.com). Clockwise from top left: Silver Little Snail earrings with Silvermist diamonds from Alex Soldier ($623; alexsoldier.com). Almasika Le Grand Cauri Noir black gold and black diamond necklace ($18,500; almasika.com). Aaron Basha Pave Frog Prince pendant with black diamonds ($9,400). Available from Richter & Phillips Jewelers in Cincinnati, Reis-Nichols Jewelers in Indianapolis, and at aaronbasha.com. Graziela black diamond bolo bracelet ($2,650). Available from Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis and at grazielagems.com. Ananya freshwater pearl earrings with white and black diamonds (ananya.com).

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Clockwise from top left: Sinar Bulan band ring from John Hardy with treated black diamonds in 18K white and yellow gold ($35,000) Available in Indianapolis from Moyer Fine Jewelry and Reis-Nichols Jewelers, in Kentucky from Davis Jewelers, and at johnhardy.com. Daisy medium bracelet with brown diamonds from Buccellati ($2,700). Available from Simons Jewelers in St. Louis and at buccellati.com. Rainbow natural colored diamond earrings from Amali ($14,520; amalijewelry.com). Xpandable ring with fancy yellow diamonds from Picchiotii ($83,900). Available through Moyer Fine Jewelers in Indianapolis and at picchiotti.it/en/. Artemer Studio grey baguette diamond sphere ring ($5,400; artemerstudio.com)

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ST. LOUIS APRIL 7, 2022

JOIN THE CELEBRATION! You are invited to attend Planned Parenthood’s Annual Luncheon.

Celebrating

SCAN HERE

www.ppslr.org/luncheon

FOLLOWING YOUR HEART TO AMERICA’S FIRST WINE REGION by Craig Kaminer / Photography by Carmen Troesser

My favorite getaway places have always been those surrounded by picture-perfect scenery and with great food, wine, art, and authentic shops in which I can wander for hours. Perhaps it was living in Florence, Italy, for a year, taking getaways with close friends to Napa and San Francisco, or spending weekend afternoons at wineries in Sagaponack, N.Y., or Newport, R.I., that influenced me. And, because I have enjoyed a lazy Sunday drive with the top down to the Missouri towns of Defiance, Hermann, and Augusta, I was instantly drawn to the news stories about David and Jerri Hoffmann and their plans to invest $125 million in Augusta to create a luxury destination -- a combination of Blackberry Farm in Tennessee and a sort of Napa Valley of the Midwest. Frankly, my first response to these stories was to wonder if this couple who grew up in Washington, Mo., as the son of a milkman and daughter of a retail jewelry salesman, was that they had lost their minds and were soon to lose lots of money. But after I visited them at Mt. Pleasant Winery and toured their other vineyards followed by 66 slmag.net

hearing their story, vision, and business plan, I was sold. So much so that I have thought of buying a cabin nearby. True, David Hoffmann is a very convincing self-made billionaire with some 50 profitable businesses ranging from a global recruiting firm (DHR International Inc.) to real estate (the largest private owner of commercial real estate in Naples, Fla.) and private equity. But after seeing the landscape, the architectural plans, the hundreds of people hard at work making it a reality, and even sommeliers talking about the potential of the Norton and Chardonel grape varietals to compete on a national level, it’s hard not to drink the Kool-Aid. What makes Hoffmann’s plan so credible is that the business entities in his enterprise all complement each other. Companies include building supplies, destination management, transportation, event planning and design, a cruise line, hotels, and restaurants. A close look at the portfolio confirms that Hoffmann has executed on a grand level before and will do it again here. “We saw an opportunity in Augusta,” says David. “Achieving it is our sweet spot. We’ve done it before. This is what we do.”

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While there have been some rumblings from Augustans who fear the worst for their small town, Hoffmann is doing everything he can to include them in the planning and in the business opportunity. He responds personally to their complaints and criticism. Before the Hoffmanns, Augusta was declining quickly with business closures, a shrinking tax base, and the haunting reality of the effects of COVID-19. The way I see it, David and Jerri Hoffmann and their family are the best thing to happen to Augusta since the small wine producing town shipped its hearty vines to Bordeaux in 1872 to rescue the French vines from an infestation of phylloxera (a small American plant louse spread by aphids). If you spend an afternoon at a winery and then head directly home, it’s easy to miss what’s so attractive about Augusta. But if you 68 slmag.net

go from winery to winery, check out the vineyards, watch the wine being produced, have lunch while looking out on the rolling hills with renovated homes and working farms, and imagine that this was the land of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Daniel Boone, you realize it has the makings for a Hollywood movie. Oh -- did I mention the Miss Augusta -- a 105 ft., 149-passenger, three-story luxury yacht on the Mississippi for day trips, weddings, and private events? A 1947 antique Chris-Craft on a pond stocked with fish? Or, the dozens of antique cars which will fill a museum on the same property? When I first sat down with David and Jerri I said, “I feel this is what it must have felt like to talk to Walt Disney when he was first planning Disneyland.” David was quick to remind me that Disney originally wanted to build a Disneyland in St. Louis but

the community was not on board with his vision. So, my analogy was not off base and in fact it was something very much on the minds of the Hoffmanns. Along with his hard nose for business, though, Disney had a nostalgic heart. Like David and Jerri, Walt grew up in Missouri and was fixated on Mark Twain, riverboats, and the Mississippi River, which is why, in 1964, he was in negotiations with the city of St. Louis to open America’s second Disneyland on the St. Louis riverfront. “They had plans for a little boat ride that traveled along the river -- a Lewis and Clark adventure,” says Mike Fazio, the animation/ Disneyana director at Los Angeles auction house, Profiles in History, which in 2015 auctioned an original set of blueprints for what would have been called Riverfront Square. “What’s even more interesting is

that several of the proposed attractions ended up at Disneyland and Disney World: the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad,” he adds. What killed Disney’s Riverfront Square? It’s said that August Busch Jr. stood up at a banquet the night before the deal was to be signed and said anyone who thought he could run a park in St. Louis without booze should have his head examined. The truth is more complicated. Disney wanted the city to cough up $9 million for the building; it balked. And preservationists irked Disney when they accused him of wanting to build a cheap, fake version of the old riverfront on the site where the real one had once stood. Disney the romantic sighed as Disney the businessman killed the deal -- and headed to sunny Florida.

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Humble Back Story | The Hoffmann’s story starts as two teenage lovebirds who grew up in small-town Missouri -- the high school quarterback headed to college on an athletic scholarship and his popular and pretty girlfriend who have been at each other’s side since they were 15 years old...literally. As David tells the story, “We started dating and ended up going to different colleges. I played college football at Northwest Missouri State in Kirksville, Mo., (now Truman State) where I had a scholarship. I was a quarterback. Jerri’s father didn’t think it was a good idea for her to follow me so she went to Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, Mo. It didn’t take long for me to realize how much I missed her. I quit playing football and transferred to CMSU to be with her. That was the end of my great football career. So, no concussion or career ending injury -- just a longing heart.” “I was a poor kid growing up,” David continues. “Our house didn’t even have hot running water until my sophomore year in high school. My father drove a milk truck in Washington door to door, delivering milk every day for a little creamery that’s now out of business. I would get up with him at 3:30 a.m. three days a week. We would go to Augusta and other farms in the area and pick up 55-gallon cans of milk and deliver them until 5:30 a.m. Then I would do a couple of door-to-door deliveries and after that I would go to school.” 70 slmag.net

Chiming in, Jerri said, “We didn’t have much more but we did have running water! I had a great childhood with a mother and father who really loved me. We were very happy. David and I are the first members of our families to attend college. For sure, we come from very humble beginnings.” The Midas Touch | During my research for this story, I asked people about the Hoffmanns and especially David to find out what makes him so successful? They all said he is great with people and has an ability to make connections. His genuine, look you in the eye, firm handshake, roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic, along with the swagger of a quarterback, is not what you would expect of a jet-set businessman. “Well, I do like people,” says Hoffmann. “And, I think the people in our company are great people and it all starts with the people.” According to David, all 52 of their core operating companies make money. “Our brand sells a lot of things. I think we’ve had great successes as an enterprise by having a diverse set of portfolio companies and we learned how to connect them in one way or the other. Then we leverage those connections to achieve our various business goals. We come in with a corporate infrastructure that supports our projects.”

David offers several examples. “We own a very large recruiting company -- the fifth largest in the country -- and the largest privately held search business in the world. If we place a CEO of a company, we know they usually hold events. Well, Augusta is an event center. So, they will naturally come here if they were pleased with our performance finding a new CEO. We’re already seeing that happen. And we know how to transport people because we own several successful companies in that area. When we began buying properties to renovate, we purchased a profitable local nursery because we need plants. We need a lot of plants. We’re now able to enhance that profitability by giving them other venues where they can sell their products. And so those things fit in very nicely to what we’re doing.” Kids’ Reaction | I couldn’t resist asking what their two sons had to say when their parents told them they were investing more than $100 million in Augusta? “At first they thought we were crazy,” recalls David. “They were concerned that we were committing $100 million to the project up front. They thought, given the financial history of the market, that it was a pretty bold thing to do. That number has now grown to $125 million. But now they are on board and in fact my son Greg has moved his family here from Chicago to spearhead the project.”

Positioned for Success | Regarding the likely success of achieving his vision for Augusta, David says, “What we offer blends together a lot of resources, allowing us to achieve our goals. We’re bringing 6,000 employees across our enterprise together for this project. It’s a big project for us, make no mistake about it. And we’re extremely passionate about it. “We’re from here and we believe in Missouri. We’ve traveled all over the world and built companies all over the world. We’ve lived all over the United States. Missouri always felt like home to us. Our roots were here.” “We are rebuilding a house on 16 acres overlooking the Missouri River in St. Alban’s now,” adds Jerri. “It’s my favorite home that we have anywhere. It’s got spectacular views and a 200-year-old log cabin on the property that hangs out over the river.” Concludes David, “I’ve been blessed and we have been lucky. I feel like I’m here with my high school girlfriend and starting all over again. It’s a cool feeling. What we’re doing in Augusta is just a neat, neat thing and all the memories come flowing back. But at the end of the day, I’m a capitalist. We make money and we will make money at this. It’s a passion, but it’s a passion that has commercial applications that will be successful. I’m not spending $125 million just to be a nice guy. We call it the win-win and Augusta is a win-win.” sl

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THE NEW AUGUSTA WILL OFFER PLETHORA OF THINGS TO DO by Craig Kaminer / Photography by Carmen Troesser

The town of Augusta, situated on the hills overlooking the Missouri River valley about 37 miles west of St. Louis, was founded in 1836 by Leonard Harold, one of the settlers who followed Daniel Boone to St. Charles County. The town was originally named Mount Pleasant, with the riverboat landing known as Augusta Bend. Harold laid out the town on part of the government land he purchased in 1821 -- the site being chosen for its excellent river landing. In 1855, the town was incorporated as the city of Augusta and by that time was a prosperous agricultural community producing grain, livestock, and wine grapes. A trading center, it supported numerous craftsmen, merchants, and hotels. In 1859, Georg and Friedrich Muench founded one of the earliest wineries in the area, Mount Pleasant Winery. Flooding in the Missouri River valley caused the river to change course in 1872, drying up the area’s riverboat landing and leaving a unique soil type in the area between the town and the river. The area’s early vineyards were planted in the 1880s and the area began receiving recognition for the distinctive flavors and profile of the wine being produced there. With Prohibition, local wineries closed and vineyards were uprooted. A revival period occurred in the 1960s that led to the founding of many of the area’s current wineries. Napa Valley of the Midwest? About That Wine... | The Augusta American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established on June 20, 1980, as the first federally approved American Viticultural Area, eight months before the Napa AVA in Northern California was 72 slmag.net

established. An AVA is a delimited grape-growing region with specific geographic or climatic features that distinguish it from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown. Using an AVA designation on a wine label allows vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and helps consumers identify wines they may purchase. The petition was submitted by Clayton W. Byers and Lucian W. Dressel, representing the local wine industry, to the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on October 16, 1978. The boundaries of this wine region encompass 15 sq. miles around the city of Augusta near the intersection of St. Charles, Warren, and Franklin counties. At the turn of the 21st century, wines from the Augusta AVA were exported to Germany. In 2003, Augusta Winery’s 2001 Chardonel won “Best U.S. wine” from the German wine magazine Selection at their yearly competition in Mainz, Germany. “I will honestly say that most people thought I was pretty brash to say we’re going to become the next Napa Valley’ but I think slowly we’re winning people over,” claims David Hoffmann. The Hoffmanns own four of the five vineyards which were in Augusta. “I think our wine is misunderstood on a national basis. We want to produce wine that people like and want to drink -- that has the same pizzazz as wine from other places but at price points that are a little bit more affordable and a better reach for people. We have the vintages to do so and already have been planting new vineyards -- about 50 acres a year which is a lot. The bones of greatness are here.”

“A lot of people in the wine industry struggle to make money. We will not struggle to make money. We’re making money now and we’re going to make more money in the future. For sure, Augusta has a history of great wine making. We have beautiful countryside here. We have exceptional and informed people to talk about our wines and to present them to our guests. And, we now have distribution channels for our wine that Missouri didn’t have before.” One example is Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla., owned by Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, which only serves Missouri wine. David expounds on why he thinks Augusta has a leg up on Napa. “One challenge of Napa is that people are drinking and then driving from vineyard to vineyard. We own transportation companies nationally and can mitigate the risk out of people driving themselves. We run the trolly systems in several cities including Naples and Jacksonville, Fla. We bought the bus company in Washington, Mo. We have limo and van sprint companies. That is a huge difference between Augusta and Napa.” Beyond Wine | Like Walt Disney, David has a big vision, and his wife Jerri is about the details. She has restored cabins into luxury getaways, painted the various vineyards with bold colors to brand the countryside and make for easy identification from the roads, and is working with the chefs and other neighboring businesses to get ready for a new wave of tourists who will start to be attracted here. When I asked if Augusta would be entirely operated by the Hoffmanns, David was quick to say absolutely not. “Existing businesses are doing better because we are drawing more people

to the area. There are opportunities for employment that did not exist before -- galleries, specialty shops, etc. to serve the greater number of people who will be coming to Augusta.” “We know what it takes to bring people in from all over the world. Our resorts in Naples and in Beaver Creek, Co., are great examples of our expertise in that area. We think the playbook for Augusta is the same. We’ve already had international guests here. They said, ‘we’re coming back every year.’ There’s more diversity in what we have to offer in Missouri. Missouri has the goods. There’s all kinds of cool stuff being built so there’s going to be a lot to do when you get to Augusta -- we got wine, we have biking, we will have golf, great food, beautiful terrain, we have other activities.” Place(s) to Spend the Night(s) | “In the past, there were 700 weddings held per year in Augusta but no hotel stays,” says David. “Building a five-star hotel was a no brainer but we’re not building something simple; we’re going to build a top-tier flag hotel with restaurants -- the Hoffmann Lodge & Spa. We’re also converting homes into small hotels and B&Bs, providing a variety of options. We’re building a little hostel hotel for bikers along the Katy Trail. We have a little hunt club. It is currently booked with five guys from Chicago for hunting season. We plan to open a boutique hotel, Chateau Hoffmann, on the campus of the former Emmaus Home in Marthasville, about 12 minutes from Augusta. The reception from guests now is good so we can only imagine it will be great by the time we are finished. The results of our current beta testing are sky high. We’re thrilled. And I think that’s going to continue.”

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A Destination for Good Food | The Hoffmanns aren’t messing around when it comes to providing good food for those coming to Augusta. Currently there is food at Montelle Winery, Balducci Winery, Augusta Winery, and in the Appellation Café at Mount Pleasant Winery. There are plans to open a five-star Italian restaurant, a deli and cheese store featuring cheese from the Hoffmann Farms, Augusta Bistro & Fine Dining (more of a pub) as well as the dining options at the Hoffmann Lodge & Spa and Chateau Hoffmann Winery & Resort. The Miss Augusta also provides catering and offers daily dinner cruises. David told me that one of his favorite restaurants in the country is Root Food + Wine, which opened in April 2021 in Augusta. “It is a great restaurant,” he said. “Their sous chef, Braiden Dowell, contacted us and is with us now. Our food was subpar but now it is very very good. People are raving about our lunches.” The Hoffmanns have begun to host private wine dinners in the 160-year-old wine cellar at Mt. Pleasant, which is a cave where the wine was originally stored. For their first dinner, they hosted Rees Jones, the architect of the soon-to-be-built 12-hole championship public golf course on the grounds of the Balducci Winery. “We served him a steak dinner,” David said. “He told us the food was fabulous. He’s not a big drinker but he loved the wine we served. He took pictures and said he was bringing his wife back here. He’s a New Yorker -- been around the world -- and he was very excited about it.” Twelve Holes of Championship Golf | “We’re pretty enthused about the construction of the golf course,” says David. “The design 74 slmag.net

is for championship golf. Each tee will have several tee boxes to accommodate all ages and skill levels.” Construction is set to begin this spring on the course, followed by a clubhouse later. The course will be named the Balducci Golf Club & Vineyards. Jones, the course’s architect, redesigned Bellerive Country Club in 2007 and 2011 and is credited with redesigning Torrey Pines in California for the 2021 U.S. Open. His father, renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., designed Augusta National Golf Club coincidentally. The idea behind a 12-hole course, according to David, is to make playing a round less of a time commitment. He said that golfers can always play one of the six-hole loops again if they want to play 18, but that he’s expecting many to spend that extra time enjoying the wineries. The Hoffmanns also own the Tom Fazio-designed Old Collier Golf Club in Naples and Old Corkscrew Golf Course in Estero, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Cycling the Katy Trail | “Jerri and I, as a couple, have bicycled around the world, taking trips for 15 or 16 years with a group of friends,” David recalls. “Each year we’d take a trip somewhere different and new to us. Our bike group went to Sicily last year. The Katy Trail is an attraction which we can leverage. Our cycling group is coming to Augusta this year to bike the Katy Trail. No one in the group said no to the trip! These are 10 wellknown CEOs of big American corporations and they’re excited to come here.” sl

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY

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Hello, 2022! As we move into a new year, we are open to new possibilities…especially in the form of events and celebrations. January and February are full of opportunities to engage, watch, listen, and learn all around St. Louis. From the Ray Brown Tribute Band performing at JazzSTL to the American Heart Association’s The Heart of St. Louis -- formerly known as the Heart Ball -- fill your upcoming months with meaning. Share your celebrations with us by tagging your pictures with @sophisticatedlivingmag or reaching out to grace.mikula@slmag.net and let us know which celebrations you want to see featured on our society pages. – SL

January 2 13 20 21 22 29 31

Disney and Pixar “Up” in Concert, slso.org Curator Tour: Lisa Melandri, Wassan Al-Khudhairi, and Misa Jeffereis, camstl.org Sundance Film Festival Online, festival.sundance.org Artivism by Brock Seals, cocastl.org Dianne Reeves at The Sheldon, thesheldon.org Winter Whiskey Tasting Festival, besocialscene.com Salzburg Celebration, chambermusicstl.org

February 12 14 15-27 16-20 20 23 25 26

RE: Ebony and Jet, camstl.org Lovefest is Forever Pillsbury Cookie Concert, chambermusicstl.org “Mean Girls”, fabulousfox.com Ray Brown Tribute Band, JazzSTL.org Paintings on Stone: Science and the Sacred, slam.org An Evening with Drew + Ellie Holcomb, thesheldon.org Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration, slso.org The Heart of St. Louis (formerly known as Heart Ball), heart.org

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Photos and stories compiled by Grace Mikula. To submit your event for consideration, please email grace.mikula@slmag.net.

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FOOD OF LOVE FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD FOOD OF LOVE FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD

FOOD SAINT OF LOVE LOVE FOR THE THE LOVE LOVE OF OF FOOD LOUIS MO FOOD FOOD FOOD OF LOVE FOR FOR OF FOOD LOUIS FOOD OF OFSAINT LOVE FOR THE THE LOVE LOVEMO OF FOOD SAINT LOUIS LOUIS SAINT SAINT LOUIS SAINT LOUIS

MO MO MO MO

Photos by Kara Hayes Smith

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AN ANEVENING EVENINGWITH WITH LEONARD SLATKIN LEONARD SLATKIN St. Louis County Library’s popular Author Series returned to

St. Louis County Library’s popular Author Series returned to in-person events -- kicking-off with a special in-person events -- kicking-off with a specialticketed ticketedevening evening withwith renowned conductor, composer, renowned conductor, composer,and andauthor authorLeonard Leonard Slatkin. The event was presented in partnership with the Slatkin. The event was presented in partnership with theSt. St. Louis County Library Foundation and Louis County Library Foundation andthe theChamber ChamberMusic Music Society of St. Louis. It was held September Society of St. Louis. It was held September13, 13,2021, 2021,atatSt. St. Louis County Library headquarters. Louis County Library headquarters.

1) Judy & Gerry Jehling 2) Miran Halen & Cillah Hall 3) Cindy McTee Slatkin & Mary Forsyth 4) Kristen Sorth, Wendy Hershey, Susan Gordon & Jackie Hamilton 5) Maestro Leonard Slatkin 6) Pay & Mark Ciapciak 7) John Clare & Maestro Leonard Slatkin 8) Ted & JoAnn Sanditz

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gear up to support

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XC40 RECHARGE PURE ELECTRIC $7,500 federal tax credit*

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HOPE AFTER DARK

The annual Hope After Dark -- A Day to Give. A Night to Celebrate fundraiser on October 6 and 7, 2021, raised $320,000 for the Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis. The VIP sponsor event on October 7 at PALM Health featured Y98’s Julie Tristan as emcee. The organization also recognized celebrated leaders in our community who have made a difference in the lives of people impacted by cancer. The 2021 Marsha Wolff and Tina Borchert Inspiration Award was presented to Cancer Support Community honorees the Smith Family and Waterway Carwash.

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1) Hope After Dark attendees 2) Charlie & Joyce Woodard 3) Julie Tristan & Shannon Mays 4) Sherry, Todd, Kim, Gary Wolff 5) Todd Smith, Connie Smith, Jeni Smith, Andrew Causey 6) Peggy Scott, Todd Smith, Lori Thaman 7) Paul West, Emily Coen, Matt Coen 8) Andy & Jessica Millner

Photography by Diane Anderson

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Photos by Diane Anderson

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APDA OPTIMISM WALK

The 5th Annual Optimism Walk, a short, non-competitive walk with family-friendly activities, is part of a nationwide movement to mobilize and inspire people to put an end to Parkinson’s disease. This event raises funds and awareness to support local programming and services as well as critical research. The walk was held on October 9 at Logan University with approximately 600 walkers.

Photos by Hu Man

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WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S®

Held annually in 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. St. Louis hosted its walk on October 23, 2021, with walkers gathering outside of the Enterprise Center. The local Walk to End Alzheimer’s® raised $1 million. 3

APDA Optimism Walk 1) Walking for Parkinson Disease research 2) Participant registration 3) Jeff Waldman, Catherine Krane, & Ann Schmelzle 4) David & Jeff Lazaroff 5) 2021 Optimism Walk participants Walk to End Alzheimer’s® 1) John Beuerlein & Jim Weddle 2) Grace, Matt, Henry, J.D., and Heather Mikula 3) 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer’s participants 4) Promise Garden Ceremony participants 5) Kent Ehrhardt

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Treat yourself to an evening of live jazz, cool cocktails, and fantastic food in the comfort of one of the best listening rooms in the country.

Located in the heart of St. Louis’ Grand Center.

TICKETS & INFO

jazzstl.org 314-571-6OOO 3536 Washington

Photography by Wendi Fitzgerald

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JOIN THE JOURNEY EVENT THE LITTLE BIT FOUNDATION

The 15th annual Join the Journey gala was a special night of smiles, tears, and a whole lot of love! The Little Bit Foundation celebrated the 20-year promise of Rose Hanley, co-founder and CEO, to break down barriers to education for the students of St. Louis. Hanley retired at the end of 2021. The 500 gala attendees raised just over $1 million to support the organization’s mission. In one evening, the organization raised enough to provide services to 15 schools -- about 8,000 students. Special thanks to the evening’s sponsors, TRUE Fitness and GDIT. The event took place October 15, 2021.

1) Beth & Jim Kerley 2) Arissa Ford 3) Sande & Julian Stevenson 4) Greta Nagy, Sabrina Rallo, Tori Redpath & Hallie Stupp 5) Rose Hanley 6) Jeanne & Mike Flood 7) Carrie Trulaske, Frank Trulaske, Michelle Milles & Stephanie Poteet 8) Cortney Vaughn & Rose Hanley

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“The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.”

Photography by Mary Butkus Photography

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EVENING OF HOPE

Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis (BHGHSTL) hosted its 25th annual Evening of Hope gala on October 21, 2021, at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station to benefit academically capable area youth-in-need. Evening of Hope is the largest fundraising event of the year for BHGHSTL, with 350 guests in attendance and raising more than $750,000. Funds raised from this event allow BHGHSTL to provide food, housing, education, mentoring, clothing, medical services, and extracurricular activities for all of their scholars. The 2021 gala was presented by Emerson with Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Lisa Flavin serving as event co-chair alongside Area VP - Global Corporate Development for World Wide Technology Juanita Logan.

1) Cassandra Sissom 2) Dovia Winkelmann & Joice Valentine 3) Father Ronny O’Dwyer 4) 2021 Scholars 5) Juanita Logan & Lisa Flavin 6) Jiarra Rayford 7) Katie Mancuso & Jon Jones 8) Tiffany & Kurt Heumann 9) Rene Knott 10) Gary & Terry Sibbits

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Photography by Brandon Moncada

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FOOD OUTREACH: A TASTEFUL AFFAIR

Food Outreach celebrated its 33rd annual A Tasteful Affair at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis on October 10, 2021. The event featured a 1980s theme with the tagline, “Big Mission. Big Impact. Big Hair.” More than 200 guests attended and more participated virtually. In-person guests were able to sample treats from 14 culinary and beverage partners from across the region while DJ Reggie helped guests rock out to their favorite 1980s tunes. The event raised enough funds to provide 106,000 medically tailored meals for individuals battling hunger and a diagnosis of HIV or cancer.

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1) Auction attendees 2) Guests recreate iconic dance moves 3) Volunteers at the cooking station 4) DJ Reggie, Julie Lock and Sharon Carter Eichenberger 5) Food Outreach Board Members 6) Food Outreach staff 7) Guest judges of the culinary competition 8) The registration team welcomes guests

Capacity for any occasion with refrigerator, freezer, and wine storage. Exclusive Juniper finish provides unique style and sophistication. Because the best kitchens are a reflection of vision and function.

P R E S E R V E the M O M E N T T M

TRUE-RESIDENTIAL.COM

A Taste of History in Every Glass AUGUSTA, AMERICA’S FIRST WINE REGION J U S T 4 5 M I N U T E S F R O M D O W N T O W N S T. L O U I S

P A R T O F T H E H O F F M A N N FA M I LY O F C O M P A N I E S

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Sophisticated Living St. Louis Jan/Feb 2022

Articles inside

From the Publisher

THE NEW AUGUSTA WILL OFFER PLETHORA OF THINGS TO DO

Following Your Heart to America’s First Wine Region

Home in the Range

Cultivating Culture to Create a Better World

Growing Up Slatkin

Earth, Wind, and Fire

The Superstar Next Door

First Impressions