1.11.08: Skating along | New York Social Diary

Skating along

Central Park Conservancy Women's Committee hosted its annual Skating Party in Wollman Rink.

This past Tuesday night, the Central Park Conservancy’s Women’s Committee hosted their Annual Skating Party at Wollman Rink in Central Park. Aspiring young “Sasha Cohens” practiced their triple toe loops while little ones sipped hot cocoa while enchanted by the surrounding Manhattan skyline.

The even honors the Playground Paretners and Patrons and the Children’s Education Committees of the Central Park Conservancy, and is sponsored by Related LP. Nearly 600 guests attended what is a “thank you” to donors and their families for their generous support of the Conservancy.

Attending: Betsy Messerschmitt, Carol Herring, Jennifer Saul Yaffa, Karen LeFrak, Gillian Miniter, Robin Bell-Stevens, Robin Joseph, and Bonnie Pope along with hundreds of other Conservancy supporters and their children.

Carol Herring, Betsy Messerschmitt, and Gillian Miniter

Doug Blonsky and May Wong

Gillian Miniter and Veronique Pittman

Doug Blonsky and Robin Bell-Stevens

Jessica and Emma Davis

Phoebe and Kami Lightburn

Skaters warmign up

Serena Miniter, Gillian Miniter, Quint Miniter, and Sylvester Miniter

Roger Webster and Mark Gilbertson

Tyler Ettelson and Adelina Wong Ettelson

Steve Zammarchi and Terry Coppersmith

Joe Raymond and Christen Gregory

Josie Rodriguez and Jared Rieger

The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and New York Times food & wine contributor Florence Fabricant have put together one of the year’s best selling cookbooks, Park Avenue Potluck, a compilation of over 100 easy and elegant recipes contributed by members and friends of The Society of MSKCC. Released nationally last October by Rizzoli the book has been named by The NY Timesas one of “25 Noteworthy Cookbooks of 2007.” In December, Rizzoli New York ordered a third printing to support the hugely successful launch of The Society’s first ever cookbook.

More than just a cookbook featuring many recipes handed down by grandmothers, mothers and good friends alike, Park Avenue Potluck also offers an unprecedented peek into homes at some of New York’s poshest addresses. With more than 70 color photographs by award winning photographer Ben Fink, the book is chock full of entertaining tidbits and charming anecdotes about each recipe contributed by some of New York’s savviest hostesses.

Lavinia Synder, Karen Glover, and Tracy Synder

Florence Fabricant

Contributors include many Board members of The Society such as Jamee Gregory, Muffie Potter Aston, Nicole Limbocker, Leslie Perkin, Kelly Forsberg, Barbara Tollis, Patsy Warner, Catherine Carey, Virginia Burke, Barbara Gimbel, Susan Burke, Alexis Waller, Karen May, Daisy Soros as well as members of The Society’s Associates including Katie Colgate, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Chessie Breen, Tracy Snyder and many more. Coco Kopelman, a past President of The Society who seeded the cookbook idea and who shares three of her signature recipes, sums up the secret ingredient to the book’s popularity with her entertaining tip, “… I believe food is love.”

As a great testament to the book’s universal appeal, potluck-themed dinners are popping up all over America in celebration of the cookbook and cancer survivorship. “We are so grateful that our recipes are warming the hearts of people all over America, and the wonderful response also reaffirms the Center’s and the book’s overriding message of hope,” said Society President Leslie Jones, who with her husband Peter, also loves to cook.

All of this was made possible by the generous underwriting of Town & Country’s Pamela Fiori and TurboChef who believed in Park Avenue Potluck from the beginning and underwrote production costs. Other wonderful supporters of The Society have also hosted several parties in celebration of the 2007 holiday launch, with the national roll-out continuing in 2008 with a series of celebrations already in the planning stages.

Caroline Dean and Anne Grauso

Mary Darling and Chessie Breen

Tinsley Mortimer

Leslie Jones and Charlotte Moss

CoCo Kopelman

Catherine Carey

Martin Saar, Somers Farkas, Leila Heller, and Muffie Potter Aston

Nicole Limbocker and Kelly Forsberg

Muffie Potter Aston and Rachel Hovnanian

Journalist and plastic surgery sage Joan Kron celebrated her birthday on Wednesday night at Centovini down at 25 West Houston with a big crowd of friends and family.

Family and friends

There was an audible gasp in the room when she announced that this one was in fact her 80th and that she had had not one, not two, but three facelifts to prove it.

Richard Barrett, Lucy Sisman, Deanna Filippo, and David Stesner

Deia Pintor and Darren Keith

Fred Brandt, Simone Levitt, Joan Kron, Nicole Bernstein, and Dr. Rhoda Narins

Francine Leinhardt and Joan Kron

Greg Grimes, Joan Kron, and Jonathan Marder

Linda Wells and Ken Auletta

Nadine McCarthy

Geane Brito and Daniel Kron

Fred Schwartz and Tracey Hummer

Joan and Daniel Kron

Judy Libe, Maureen Lippe, Emmy Lou Kelly, and Janice Kardon

Sherrell Aston and Muffie Potter Aston

Sharon Hoge and friend

Peter and Judy Price

This past Wednesday night, Haru, a modern Japanese restaurant group known for its ample portions and striking designs opened its newest location at 1 Wall Street Court. The party was packed with people who work in the area and benefited the Downtown Alliance.