March 19, 2024

2024 Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival

Wine and food festivals are an excellent way to gather culinary experts, spirits producers, vendors, and consumers, so they could meet and exchange ideas and experiences.

Last week, I participated in the second annual Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival in the Bahamas. It was held at Atlantis Paradise Island, an oceanside resort and home of the world's largest open-air marine habitat. The five day event was presented by Atlantis and featured tastings, wine pairings, culinary demonstrations and classes, happy hours, and meals led by various experts including Nobu Matsuhisa, Michael White, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, and others. While there, I hosted two events - a sunset cocktail hour and dinner and a mid-afternoon garden party luncheon.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

March 18, 2024

Hudson River Park Friends Luncheon

Hudson River Park continues to be one of the most vibrant spaces in New York City.

The 550-acre riverfront park and estuarine sanctuary spans four miles along the west side of Manhattan, from the northern boundary of Battery Park City in Tribeca to West 59th Street in Hell’s Kitchen. The largest open space in Manhattan since the completion of Central Park, Hudson River Park is transforming decaying industrial waterfront into a beloved, urban recreational paradise. I am very proud to be on the Board of Hudson River Park Friends - an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, care, and enhancement of the space, and the designated fundraising partner of the Hudson River Park Trust.

Not long ago, HRPF held the Playground Committee 8th Annual Luncheon to raise funds for hundreds of free public education and environmental sustainability programs, including special events for families and children, and the Park's sports courts and fields where countless children have learned to play team sports. This includes the maintenance and care of the new 4,000-square-foot Pier 26 Science Playground that opened in January. This playground advances the Park’s environmental programming and invites children to learn about local ecology and fish anatomy up-close while climbing, exploring and having fun.

Enjoy these photos.

March 16, 2024

New Potted Plants for My Greenhouse

As an avid gardener, I am always looking for rare and unusual plants.

Over the years I've amassed quite a large collection of potted plants - orchids, begonias, succulents, and other tropical specimens. I enjoy finding and learning about new and different varieties and then caring for them in my greenhouses. Recently, I added a few more interesting cultivars to my growing assortment.

Here are some photos, enjoy.