Daily Archives: 05/26/2011

(Community Matters) Suzanne Deal Booth gathers friends like Graham gathers notes. In the few short years we’ve been buddies (admittedly traveling a bit of the world together – hmm, wondering if David & Steven arrange this to gain a bit of rest) I’ve added several as my own. Last night at our table – a princess, a prince, a count, a travel writer & cook, an international architect, a writer & artist, an international art dealer and a lucky daughter – quite an evening honoring Italian artist, Luigi Ontani.

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(Community Matters) One of the guests I enjoyed reconnecting with last night is Elizabeth Helman Minchilli. We met last year and were seated next to each other last night (imagine my delight to learn she’d requested this).  She’s lived in Europe on and off all her life and in Rome since college – married architect Domenico Minchilli (who’s designing the Four Seasons in Umbria) and raised her two college aged daughters in Rome & Umbria.

She’s got a blog and iPhone aps identifying the best restaurants in Rome & Florence and has written several books on the joys of Italian life.

off to meet her by the fountain in Piazza Madonna dei Monti for coffee this morning

(Community Matters) Welcome to the world Clare Jane Ulman. Congrats proud parents, Amy Grace & Doug

(Community Matters) in Rome for the American Academy in Rome’s annual McKim gala. First attended last year and Suzanne Deal Booth invited me to join her table again tonight. Embarrassed to admit I don’t know who is receiving the award tonight, last year it was Miuccia Prada who I met briefly (and apologies ahead of time: If she’s here tonight I’m begging for an invite to their Venice museum opening – see Vanity Fair)

The mission of the American Academy in Rome, founded in 1894, is to foster the pursuit of advanced research and independent study in the fine arts and humanities. It was created in 1913. It’s founders included William Kissam Venderbilt, Henry Clay Frick, John D. Rockefeller &  Andrew Carneige.

Susanne serves on their board; David was a board member previously. Highlights of the weekend include private tours of museums, homes, galleries, the Vatican and ,the capstone, an evening picnic and tour of residents’ work at the main academy mansion.