Italian American Museum

Italian Pride Leads to
Museum of Achievements

Photos by Rob Rich

H those Italians, they really know how to party!  Two of the very best parties last month were strictly of the Italian feasting kind…mangia, mangia…with fine food and fabulous wines. What a pleasure!

The Italian American Museum Gala at the Plaza Hotel came first.  It’s a premier event, and everyone who is anyone Italian was there.  The governor of New York (our most powerful and important politician) made an appearance, and choked up when he saw the giant size photo of his Italian grandfather who came to this country at the turn of the century.

The Museum is being created to honor Italian Americans who gave so much to this country, and to enable current Italians and Italian Americans to see their history and their futures.

Charles Gargano (l-r),  Chazz Palminteri, Gov. George Pataki, Lidia Bastianich, Joseph Scelsa, Larry Auriana, and Sen. Guy Velella.

Dr. Joseph Scelsa heads the museum’s board. The Grand Ballroom was packed with the likes of Larry Auriana, one of the night’s honorees, and one of the proud owners of a collection of antique, irreplaceable Italian cars that he houses in Connecticut, as well as races around the world with top name drivers.

The delicious Lidia Bastianich of Felidia’s fame and restaurant was honored, as was the great actor/director/author Chazz Palminteri.  “America’s Tenor,” Michael Assante, wowed everyone with his stirring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, and the Italian national anthem.

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Ivana Trump and Michelle

Grace and Carmen Dell’Orrefice

Susan Lucci and Dennis Basso

Abe Vigoda and Carmen Dell’Orrefice

Exciting Honorees

Photos by Rob Rich

N Italian-American celebration for The Boys’ Town of Italy, in the Waldorf-Astoria, had people swinging almost to the rafters of the huge Grand Ballroom.  The awardees were the cause of all the excitement – Susan Lucci, of TV fame and stardom, Dennis Basso, one of the world’s most famous design furriers, and Carmen Dell’Orrefice, surely the most beautiful 70-plus woman on the face of the earth!

This trio brought some 1,000 people into the mimosa draped ballroom, golden silk tablecloths, and the Peter Duchin orchestra to play for everyone to dance up a storm.

Ivana Trump presented to Dennis Basso. The handsome Jack Scalia of TV/movie/modeling fame presented to Susan.

The venerable Helen Gurley Brown, who taught most women all they know about sex, presented to the truly glamorous Carmen. A fabulous night was had by all.

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Ivana Trump and chef David Feau

Monica Lewinsky

Eileen Fulton with Joan Jedell’s The Hampton Sheet

Felicia Taylor, left, and Joan Jedell Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Joan’s Terrific Party

Photos by Joan Jedell

AMPTON SHEET founder and editor Joan Jedell hosted a terrific intime dinner party.  She gathered a truly eclectic cross section guest list for cocktails at Lutece, and a wonderful time was had by all staring at the celebrities in our midst.

Most notable was Monica Lewinsky, who has turned into quite a beauty, with flying black hair and a quick smile.

Economic czar Charles Gargano flew in and out. Mickey Sherman, lawyer in the Michael Skakel murder case, amazed everyone by how cool, calm and collected he was, especially as they are choosing the jury in this case. Ivana Trump was there…and about 50 other New York notable faces.

Everyone was raving about the elegant ambiance of the famed Lutece restaurant.  It’s new executive chef, imported from France, is David Feau. He was a blushing mess at all the praise heaped on his divine food – especially when Ivana Trump congratulated him and held his hand for a picture.  David fanned his face with his apron, and everyone just loved his charm – and fabulous food.

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The Purr-fect Movie

F you want to see a great movie – you MUST see The Cat’s Meow, the new Peter Bogdonavich film. The old master is back in peak performance.  It’s based on a true/fictional story about a very eventful yacht voyage taken by Hollywood’s elite and William Randolph Hearst.

No one knows if it’s true – or false – but the tale Bogdonavich weaves is totally fascinating.

If you want to glimpse into the lives of the outrageously rich and famous, and into a corner of history, this is the movie for you!

Michael Kors and Camille McDonald

Glowing at Beauty Ball

Photos by Richard Lobell

HE March of Dimes “Beauty Ball” is exactly that.  From the moment you stepped on to the Silver Corridor of the Waldorf-Astoria, where silver lights made everyone glow, the evening was pure magic.

Two industry heavyweights – Camille McDonald of Givenchy, and Deborah Walters of Saks Fifth Avenue – were honored. The event raised an astounding $1.25 million to help babies and children.  What a noble cause! What a noble effort!

The divine Audrey Hepburn’s eldest son Sean Ferrer and his beautiful wife were on hand.

Deborah Walters (from left), Camille McDonald, Sean Ferrer and wife Giovanna.

Givenchy is relaunching the unforgettable L’Interdit in memory of the glorious Audrey.

Designer Michael Kors and the ever-glamorous movie star Arlene Dahl, fragrance and beauty heavyweights, were all there. And a fabulous time was had by all!  And the gift bags – wow! – unbelievable. They weighed a ton and were crammed with goodies.

Catherine Saxton has been a part of the New York social and celebrity scene for
the past 25 years. She has worked with Presidents, Kings and Princes,
plus celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly,
Donald & Ivana Trump, Madonna, and on, and on.

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