Sold for $995,000

To view, click on images below and enlarge as needed: Please visit the web page to see photos and video:  https://www.wohlfarth.com/listing/RPLU-40362071332/

Century Association – New York

Last Tuesday we found ourselves attending a reception for The Gladstone Library in Hawarden, Wales., which was held at The Century Association.  Invited by our friend Scott, who is the president of the U.S.  Friends of the Gladstone Library,  Stanley had thought he had a prior engagement, but found he had confused dates in his calendar, so we were suddenly available.  Created by the eminent British Prime Minister toward the end of his life, the Gladstone Library  is both a library and residential “hotel” for twenty-four residential scholars and occupies a splendid Victorian gothic building not far from Gladstone’s home at Hawarden Castle.  We’ve gotten as close as Chester, which is just across the Welsh border.  It is the only prime-ministerial library, and was the model for Presidential libraries in the U.S.

Hawarden Castle

Vartan Gregorian, the former president of the New York Public Library, arrived and was recognized for having recently secured a sizeable grant from the Carnegie Foundation to allow the library to begin digitizing its collection.  He brought with him the newly-elected President of Armenia, Armen Sarkisian, whose presence served to affirm how deeply William Gladstone is venerated by Armenians.  The Rev. Peter Francis, Warden of the library, spoke about the modest fund raising effort the library is launching to meet current expansion needs prompted, in part, by the fact that they currently have only one ladies loo.  Among others present, we found ourselves chatting with Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s.  At the end of the presentations, Hugh moved to the center of the room and surprised the entire gathering with a most spontaneous and generous fund-raising proposal, the details of which it would not be prudent to make public, but if realized will certainly bring relief to the ladies in the long line for the loo.  A very splendid evening, and a great inspiration to make a visit to the library on our next trip to the U.K.

We recently tried these and liked them both very much.  Though Nicoletta bills its pizzas as Midwestern-style and Oak as Neapolitan, their styles are pretty much the same, not thin-crust but not thick either, with a puffy edge surrounding a pleasingly thin center.

Nicoletta

Pizzas at Nicoletta are quite large, easily shareable by 2 to 4 people, depending on how many other dishes you order.  Stanley and I had fried artichokes and fried calamari for appetizers (very large portions).  The artichokes were right up there with our favorites, Socarrat Paella Bar and Rafele, and the calamari lightly fried and delicious. The pizza was too big for us to finish.  I had the remaining 2 slices for lunch the next day.  We also had a growler (37 ounces) of beer, from their excellent selection.

Oak features a large selection of small plates, which can be ordered individually or as 3 for $21 or 5 for $35.  Four of us shared double orders of octopus salad (spectacular) and prosciutto and a single order of blue cheese from Old Chatham Sheepherding served with toasts.  Then we shared 2 pizzas, which are plate-size and enough for 2 to share if you have appetizers.  There is a great beer selection as well as wines by glass or bottle.

So, we now have 2 new favorites for pizza and small plates, whether we are in the city or the country.

http://nicolettapizza.com/new_york/

http://www.oakpizzanapoletana.com/

We are excited to present this brand-new, totally gut-renovated pre-war two-bedroom top-floor home. An oasis of calm, it is peaceful and bright, with open South and West exposures, city views and an efficient and gracious layout. The entry foyer leads to a spacious and light living-dining room and windowed eat-in kitchen, with angled city views. Beyond the living room, a separate hallway leads to the two sun-flooded bedrooms with open views, and one and one half beautifully finished baths. There are high ceilings, tall windows, hardwood floors, recessed lighting throughout the living areas, and three closets. The kitchen has granite counters, lovely wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher.

222 East 82nd Street is a neighborly, well-run coop with extraordinarily low monthly maintenance fees, doormen from 11 AM to 7 PM, recently renovated lobby and hallways, laundry facilities, bike room, and storage room. There is also a beautiful roof deck. Small pets are welcomed, and 80% financing is permitted. Guarantors, co-purchasers and pieds-a-terre are allowed on a case-by-case basis. The building is situated on a lovely block in the heart of the Upper East Side, close to Central Park, and very convenient to transportation, including express subways (one block to Second Avenue subway, three blocks to Lex), surrounded by great restaurants, shopping, schools, culture, and nightlife.

Asking price $1,100,000

Monthly maintenance $1,360

To view the listing, click here:

Listing Detail

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

Two weeks ago I attended the gala with my husband Stanley, who is the Secretary of the organization, at the Metropolitan Club.  This event marked Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation.  Honorees were the American artist Frank Stella, filmmaker Norman Jewison (originally from Canada), and Hilary Weston, a Canadian businesswoman and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.  Former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney also spoke and was quite entertaining.  CCAR is an organization whose purpose is to foster and encourage awareness, understanding and appreciation between the peoples of Canada and the United States through the arts.

The Hon. Hilary Weston

We were seated at a table of Americans and Canadians, and had lots of interesting conversation.

More photos at Patrick McMullan.com:

http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/site/search.aspx?t=eventName&s=council%20for%20canadian%20american%20relations

Price reduced!  $2,650,000

Please visit the web page to see photos and video:

Listing Detail

Earlier this month we attended the Hudson Valley Dance Festival at historic Catskill Point in Catskill, sponsored by Dancers Responding to AIDS.  Stanley and I are members of the host committee.   This is the second year that there were two performances, and once again both were sold out.  Between the afternoon and evening performances there was the usual outdoor reception, and once again the weather cooperated.  The reception featured a nice spread of snacks, wine and a special cocktail, much more food than in previous years when it was just cheese sticks.  This was very nice, and available to anyone who bought an orchestra seat.   Seven hundred attended in total, and ticket sales and donations resulted in nearly $150,000 being raised, again surpassing previous years.

After the reception, we moved indoors for the performance. This time, there were nine performances, by eight different dance companies, and all of the performances were quite impressive.

The following photos of the performance are by Francisco Graciano:

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Cirio Collective

Joshua Beamish – MOVETHECOMPANY

Manuel Vignoulle – Mmotions

Marty Lawson, Abigail Simon – Choreography by Rob Ashford

MOMIX

MOVETHECOMPANY

New York Theatre Ballet

Tayeh Dance

Following the performance, we headed to the VIP reception at W + G Space, an art and photography studio in downtown Catskill.  Another change this year was that instead of a buffet at the evening receptions, there were only passed hors d’oeuvres.  But what fabulous hors d’oeuvres they were!  We made a perfect light dinner of them.

To view the Hudson Valley Dance Festival website:

https://www.dradance.org/hudson-valley-dance-festival-2017

The Limestone Mansion Bed and Breakfast is a stunning 1870 Victorian house situated on an acre of land in the center of the charming village of Cherry Valley. Its proximity to the Glimmerglass Opera Festival (10 miles) and Cooperstown (15 miles) makes it an ideal spot for visitors to unwind after a performance or a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame and the numerous museums in the area. Rooms are already booked 2 years in advance for the Summer season.

The main house, with approximately 8000 square feet, includes 12 air-conditioned bedrooms, 6 full baths and 2 half baths.  There are 4 dining rooms, a restaurant kitchen, and a basement tavern room. The 2500 square foot carriage house contains an events room with bar and wide-screen TV, seating for 50, a half bath, and an apartment on the second floor with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

The house has been lovingly maintained and restored, with every architectural detail intact. There are 2 Italian marble fireplaces, all original butternut woodwork including recessed window shutters, etched glass doors, original crystal chandeliers, elaborate moldings, ceiling medallions, and polished hardwood floors. The bedrooms and public areas are furnished with beautiful period antiques. All mechanical systems are up-to-date and in excellent condition.

The owners also ran a successful restaurant on the premises. A new owner could easily do this, as there is a demand in the area for fine dining. After 25 years in business, the owners are ready to retire, and are offering this extraordinary property at an unbeatable price. The Limestone Mansion presents a wonderful opportunity to take over a turn-key operation, and enhance it as desired.

Listing is no longer on my website.  Please contact me at rrems@wohlfarth.com for more information.