CHRONICLES
Above (left to right): Lee
Woodruff, Bob Woodruff
and Lorna Graev; Michelle
Paige Paterson; Prince
Harry Below: Rachel Roy;
Rosanna Scotto and Amy
Fine Collins; Leslie Vosshall
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, followed
by Bob Woodruff, “ABC News” anchor and
author of In An Instant, who recounted his
injury in Iraq and his long, hard path back
to his former life. He gave us some comic
relief when he recalled being asked the
question, “How is your Mandarin?” while
on a podium in London after experiencing
30-percent hearing loss.
“My manhood?” he repeated.
“No, your Mandarin!”
“Oh!” he replied. “They both are going
down the tubes.”
His story is an example of the spirit and
fight Fountain House gives to the thousands it helps. Admiring supporters include
Board Member Lorna Hyde Graev (who
was the connection for many of us there),
Honorary Chairs Glenn Close, Senator
Robert Antonioni, Congressman Patrick
Kennedy, Beth De Woody, John Pyne, Gail
Gilbert, Kari Tiedemann, Hilary Geary
Ross and Elizabeth Peabody.
‘The Brain Trust’ spoke at Rockefeller
University’s Women & Science lecture and
luncheon, and we actually understood.
Dr. Eric Kandel revealed exciting
breakthroughs in L.E.D. brain stimulation,
after which patients literally feel better
within minutes! Dr. Leslie Vosshall
shared information about what studies of
the fruit fly’s olfactory (“the neglected”)
sense reveal about our perception and
behavior, and Dr. Cori Bargmann’s work
with worms has shed light on the study of
autism and epilepsy. The conversation at
Alexandra Lebenthal’s table remained
mostly lofty because Dr. Vosshall joined
us. When we learned her kids were at
school with tablemate Kelly Bensimon’s,
and that she is an old pal of Gigi
Mortimer, well, a few motherly, fashiony,
girly chats began—but always ended with
fruit flies. Other enlightened guests
included: Fiona Rudin, Frances Beatty
Adler, Gigi Arledge, Samantha
Boardman Rosen, Anne Bass, Stephanie
Coleman and Marnie Pillsbury.
Even Kevin and Ulla Parker’s private
dinner in their sprawling, beautiful,
Robert Couturier-designed eco-home
had a smart message. The invite’s
message, “Know the number,” referred
not to anyone’s birthday (my assumption,
duh), but to the world’s first carbon
counter—a 69-foot electronic billboard
installed outside of Madison Square
Garden that will be a constant reminder
of the greenhouse emissions in the
atmosphere, which many believe (except
for the inevitable Eastside naysayers
present that night) are the heart of
the climate change problem. Kevin and
his colleagues at Deutsche Bank, in
collaboration with MIT, are spearheading
this effort. Their pals toasted them, and,
even if they were heading back to their
Hummers and 747s for four, admired
Kevin’s passionate work. They included
Carol Mack, Valesca Guerrand Hermès,
Lisa and Donald Jackson, Charlie and
Sarah Ayres, Serena Boardman, David
and Danielle Ganek (who later gave a
smart literary salon—the first in a series,
we hope), Nathalie Kaplan and Dana
and Douglas Taylor.
ING/ PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM; ROY AND SCOTTO: NICK HUN T/ PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM; VOSSHALL: AMBER DE VOS/ PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM
I know your eyes are glazed over by
now and you’re kind of looking forward
to my summer break, but I must tell you
that Prince Harry is a delight. I was
lucky enough to spend some time with
him, and, oh right, watch the polo. He is
charming, funny, unpretentious,
generous and humble. Take note, New
York. Qualities to live by.
Wear your sunscreen, don’t put the
marinade back on the grilling chicken,
stretch before tennis, have a designated
driver—hired or otherwise—and have a
simple, simply wonderful summer. ;
