News

The Collective Power of Palm Beach

January 3, 2025

Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The Last Day of the year, it’s not au revoir, but adieu!

Way up here, waitin’ for winter (presumably), down in Palm Beach the season is about to begin, and in bigtime where the real estate market is still booming because of the numbers. And the restaurants and private clubs are actively preparing to welcome the influx of seasonal and permanent residents (and scores of visitors, too).

Palm Beach has always been that perfect oceanside tropical American resort for well more than a century. It was created as a haven for wealthy northerners. One of its main attractions for many of the early visitors was a private (and “secret”) gambling club started in the late 19th century. Located on a block in the middle of the newly built “city,” it is now today, a public park, Bradley Park, named after the brothers who were in the business.

The Northerners arrived in their private railroad cars and built majestic tropical mansions, as well as the Broadway producers and then the Hollywood moguls who joined the fashionable crowds, among the tycoons and social leaders.

Palm Beach today remains a highly coveted destination, albeit without the allure of gambling. Its influence has expanded beyond its traditional borders, encompassing significant portions of West Palm Beach within its sphere of influence. Today’s Palm Beach is a major draw for residents and visitors from all over the world, including those hailing from Manhattan and its neighboring suburbs. Here’s a few reason why …

Lighthouse Guild celebrated the start of its 18th season in Palm Beach with a Holiday Tea on December 18, 2024, hosted by Mary Mahoney and her granddaughter, Anais Portault, at Mahoney’s iconic Worth Avenue store, renowned for the finest luxury tableware, crystal, linens and home décor. The event honored Mahoney, and Patrick and Milly Park, who will be celebrated at the Annual Visionary Dinner on February 24, 2025, at Club Colette.

1, 018 Anais Porthault, Cal Roberts and Mary Mahoney — Anais Porthault, Cal Roberts, and Mary Mahoney.

Marc Rosen, Founder of the Palm Beach Friends of Lighthouse Guild, welcomed guests.”We are thrilled to kick off the season — this is our 18th in Palm Beach — by honoring Mary Mahoney, whose generosity and unwavering support have been instrumental to our success, along with Patrick and Milly Park,” said Rosen, who then introduced Dr. Calvin Roberts, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild and Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

The Holiday Tea set the stage for Lighthouse Guild’s season of events, including a cocktail reception that will be hosted by last year’s honorees, James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui, on January 22, 2025, at Findlay Galleries. The reception will kick off the Visionary Dinner on February 24, 2025, an event dedicated to raising essential funds to support its mission of empowering individuals who are blind or visually impaired to realize their goals.

Kathy Bleznak and Marc Rosen; Fern Narvaez and Jimmy Borynack — *L. to r.:* Kathy Bleznak and Marc Rosen; Fern de Narvaez and Jimmy Borynack.

Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. The organization provides coordinated care for eye health, vision rehabilitation, behavioral health and technology as well as related services.

Its podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” offers information and insights about technological innovations that remove barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit Lighthouseguild.org.

*L. to r.:* Susan Keenan and Adolfo Zaralegui; Elizabeth Wetherell and Margie Allinson.

*L. to r.:* Bijaye Pilotte and Florence Seiler; Geoffrey Thomas and Sharon Bush.

*L. to r.:* Judy Harpel and Muffy Savioa; Denise Budnitz and Mary Louise Schwab.

*L. to r.:* Nancy Tsai and Ann Galvani; Stacey and David Bell.

The power of the ocean beckons and the depths of the blue water hypnotize, according to artist Carol Calicchio who recently hosted a celebratory book signing and exhibition at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. Calicchio Art also announced the publication of Ocean Power — Depths of Blue — The Paintings of Carol Calicchio.

IMG_0041 Carol Calicchio — Carol Calicchio.

This hardcover coffee table book documents the artist’s paintings and celebrates marine life’s inherent beauty and variety in a vibrant abstract expressionist format. The artist’s primary purpose and enthusiasm for the book is to raise awareness and educate through her art by promoting an understanding of the beauty and importance of marine life. A portion of the book sales will be contributed to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida.

Bruce Helander wrote the book with editorial contributions by Anthony Haden-Guest, renowned British art critic, and Elizabeth Sobieski, a Los Angeles-based writer specializing in the visual arts. The book was compiled by award-winning designer Dan Ellis, who has created projects for the Whitney Museum of American Art and Harvard University. This is the second hardcover book on Calicchio’s paintings, following last year’s remarkable success of Flower Power, now in its third printing.

There was a great turnout of notables from all walks of life that packed The Solarium and gardens. Guests at the soiree mingled and admired vast displays of Calicchio’s colorful artwork and waited in line to meet the artist for signed books and photos.

For additional information contact Carol Calicchio Art @ www.CarolCalicchioArt.com

IMG_0043 Jill Zerkowski, Gui Proenca, Jenna Jones — Jill Zerkowski, Gui Proenca, and Jenna Jones.

IMG_0056 Bruce Helander, copy — Bruce Helander.

IMG_0058 Jodie Kenney, Jonathan Clark, Kim Farino — Jodie Kenney, Jonathan Clark, and Kim Farino.

IMG_0080 Donna Klingel, Susan Scotts — Donna Klingel and Susan Scotts.

IMG_0083 Jennifer Gowdy, Patrick Noone — Jennifer Gowdy and Patrick Noone.

IMG_0085 J.D. Lorenzo, Perry Melzer — J.D. Lorenzo and Perry Melzer.

IMG_0090 Robin Austin, Brad Weltge, Mickey Farley Austin, Angelica Sua — Robin Austin, Brad Weltge, Mickey Farley Austin, and Angelica Sua.

IMG_0159 Anna Houssels, Dr. Garry Boxer, Cindy Karen — Anna Houssels, Dr. Garry Boxer, and Cindy Karen.

IMG_0167 Leonard lauren, Gale Brophy — Leonard Lauren and Gale Brophy.

IMG_0303 Alex Brault, Jessica Diecidue, Alessia, Stelman, John Calicchio — Alex Brault, Jessica Diecidue, Alessia, Stelman, and John Calicchio.

John Calicchio, Carol Calicchio, John Doyle, and Janet Ruggeri.

More art collectors and luminaries also gathered at this season’s pop-up gallery, Camilla Webster Gallery in Palm Beach, to launch Warhol America, the art collaboration between Warhol photographer Karen Bystedt and museum-collected artist Camilla Webster. It was also the Palm Beach debut of The Lost Warhols Exhibition, which featured works by Shepard Fairey and Bradley Theodore.

Art buffs included Simone Levinson, Sonia Cooper, and Barbara Crocker, and sponsors included The Boca Raton Artisans of Wine and Food, Florida of Tomorrow, Paul Labrecque, Limitless’s Lauren Mitinas-Kelly, and the Historical Society of Palm Beach’s Taylor Materio.

1 Simone Levinson, Camilla Webster, Karen Bystedt — Simone Levinson, Camilla Webster, and Karen Bystedt.

2 Barbara Crocker, Karen Bystedt — Barbara Crocker and Karen Bystedt.

3 WIlliam Volpe, Lauren Mitinas-Kelly, Silvia Lopez de Mesa, John Varker — William Volpe, Lauren Mitinas-Kelly, Silvia Lopez de Mesa, and John Varker.

4 Evan Lucas, Dagan Gose — Evan Lucas and Dagan Gose.

Sandra Khilnani, Andrew Sneath, and Rakesh Khilnani.

Xiomi Murray, Tom Bonfield; 7 Gale Brophy, Leesa Rowland — *L. to r.:* Xiomi Murray and Tom Bonfield; Gale Brophy and Leesa Rowland.

9 Shannon Materio, Taylor Materio, Paget Kirkland, John Critchett — Shannon Materio, Taylor Materio, Paget Kirkland, and John Critchett.

10 Cara Mimun, Jennifer Gowdy — Cara Mimun and Jennifer Gowdy.

11 Jayne Chase, Camilla Webster, Jack Lynch — Jayne Chase, Camilla Webster, and Jack Lynch.

12 Lucia Eckles, Stephanie Hershman, Daniella Flamingo — Lucia Eckles, Stephanie Hershman, and Daniella Flamingo.

If you haven’t noticed, Palm Beach is serious business, especially in the world of design and art. And it’s where the ICAA Florida chapter hosted a dynamic two-part lecture series at Casa Branca’s Atelier in Palm Beach, celebrating the power of collaboration in design.

In late November, Rita Konig, Gil Schafer, and Cecilia de Grelle joined Jennifer Ash Rudick for an engaging discussion on the transformative nature of creative partnerships.

Outside Casa Branca’s Atelier on Florida Ave, a sign promotes the first lecture featuring Rita Konig, Gil Schafer, Cecilia de Grelle, and Jennifer Ash Rudick.

In conversation, Rita Konig, Gil Schafer, Cecilia de Grelle, and moderator Jennifer Ash Rudick.

Cecilia de Grelle, Gil Schafer, and Rita Konig.

4. Alessandra Branca, the designer from which Casa Branca began, was in attendance. — Alessandra Branca, the designer from which Casa Branca began, was in attendance.

Cecilia de Grelle, Anne Finch (ICAA FL Chapter Director), Gil Scahfer, Rita Konig, andChris Baker (ICAA FL VP) — Cecilia de Grelle, Anne Finch (ICAA FL Chapter Director), Gil Schafer, Rita Konig, and Chris Baker (ICAA FL VP).

The series continued in December with Richard Sammons, Betsy Shiverick, and Jorge Sanchez, who shared insights on their enduring collaborations with Palm Beach Cottages and Gardens Editor Harriet Mays Powell.

Cocktails flowed between Casa Branca and the newly opened ARCA showroom on Florida Avenue, adding to the lively atmosphere of both events. A vibrant audience attended, united by a shared appreciation for timeless design.

6. Richard Sammons, Harriet Mays Powell, Betsy Shiverick, Jorge Sanchez — Richard Sammons, Harriet Mays Powell, Betsy Shiverick, and Jorge Sanchez.

Jorge Sanchez speaks while fellow panelists Betsy Shiverick and Richard Sammonslisten. — Jorge Sanchez speaks while fellow panelists Betsy Shiverick and Richard Sammons listen.

Chris Baker (ICAA FL VP), Richard Sammons, Harriet Mays Powell, Betsy Shiverick,Anne Finch (ICAA FL Chapter Director), and Jorge Sanchez — Chris Baker (ICAA FL VP), Richard Sammons, Harriet Mays Powell, Betsy Shiverick, Anne Finch (ICAA FL Chapter Director), and Jorge Sanchez.

9. Guests enjoy cocktails and explore the next-door new ARCA showroom. — Guests enjoy cocktails and explore the next-door new ARCA showroom.

Andrew Uihlein, President of Casa Branca, gives guests background on Casa Brancatextiles. — Andrew Uihlein, President of Casa Branca, gives guests background on Casa Branca textiles.

Photographs by Jerry Lacay/AnnieWatt.com (Webster & Calicchio); CAPEHART (Lighthouse & Casa Branca).

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Lighthouse Guild is dedicated to providing exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals.