Then of course, there’s the yachting set, also a growing demographic in these heady days of overnight billionaires, and the prime location remains the Mediterranean. Cruising around the coasts and the islands of the ancient lands surrounding, is not new at all. It is perhaps the greatest luxury in so many ways. What is new is the increasing numbers of Americans -- New Yorkers, Hamptonites -- who are spending a few weeks away from their villas on Gin Lane and Ox Pasture, away from those glad madding crowds, just dallying about the deep blue sea and surrounded by all those other yachts, and ports and islands, like Capri and Sardinia and Corsica and then on to St. Tropez. Who needs the Bathing Corporation or the Maidstone?
![]() | ![]() | | Soon-to-be newlyweds Michael Shnayerson and Gayfryd Steinberg. | ![]() |
Meanwhile back among those stalwart clubs by the blue Atlantic, the talk this season is about not divorce or real estate lottery tales, but instead, real Good News -- about a wedding. Invitations went out this week inviting the recipients to attend the marriage of Gayfryd Steinberg and Michael Shnayerson on Sunday, August 10th at the Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor. This is a real romance story, pure and simple. You almost can’t believe it. They’ve both been married more than once, raised children, made solid lives for themselves lasting, and now this.
If you witness it, you’re watching something that reminds you of when you were young and naturally intensely passionate. And romantic under the most ideal circumstances. Well, this is it. I’m not kidding. A mutual friend told me she saw the bride-to-be the other day and commented on how this naturally beautiful woman looks more beautiful than ever. My friend recalled the moment in awe. “It can only mean one thing," she said: "she’s very happy." You’re going to be reading more about this event and its players because it’s a bright light and something for everyone of a certain age – middle and up -- to consider.
All this and Michael’s too ... Yesterday was Wednesday. So ... Michael’s was full up but that clatter chatter that sometimes creates momentary deafness was not operating. A little more reserved. A lot of the regulars. In the bay, Table One, Diane Coffey was hosting a lunch in honor of her friend Bob Tierney of the Landmarks commission. This was a table of friends and political chums.
![]() | ![]() | | Diane Coffey was hosting a lunch in honor of her friend Bob Tierney. | ![]() |
At the table next to mine Nikki Haskell was lunching with Michael Klein, an old friend from Beverly Hills. In the corner David Zinczenko, writer/publisher magazine editor/TV reporter, was lunching with Barbara Fedida, SVP of talent at ABC Television. Across the way: Dr. Imber, Mr. Della Femina, Mr. Bergman and a young woman who had their ears, and their smiles.
Next to them: Diane Clehane, the Brenda Starr of Michael’s as well as a lunch journalist for mediabistro. Diane was lunching with Dini von Mueffling. Dini is a seasoned PR consultant, a lifelong girl from up on Park Avenue, naturally philanthropic and always enterprising. Among Dini’s new clients, according to Brenda/Diane, is Monica Lewinsky. Well, why not? Who needs anonymity in the world of Twitter and Instagram.
PR in New York is serious business. It may be because the client wants to promote a product, or create a public image (and maybe eventually become a “brand” – seriously, I’m not kidding – or promote a charity or a business. It’s all business at the end of the day).
![]() | ![]() | | Diane Clehane with Dini von Mueffling (via Mediabistro) | ![]() |
It may be that the client just wants to be “famous.” For what; who cares; you ask? Fame is its own aphrodisiac. They think. The Kardashians turned it into an income generating business. All through the magic of PR – their own creations or a professional’s.
Back at the tables; around the room:Charles Shuler with Kristin (Mrs. Jim) Dolan; John Arnhold; Bob Towbin; Stan Shuman; Elizabeth Musmanno; Tracey Jackson with Diane Nelson; Glenn Horowitz (Tracey’s husband) with another guest; Brian Grodin; Jerry Inzerillo of ForbesTravelGuide.com; Jack Kliger; Shelly Palmer; Kay Pick with Jim Mitchell; Henry Schleiff with Kerry Kennedy; Scott Singer; Leslie Stevens with Jesse Kornbluth; Michael Appelbaum; Michael Perlis of Forbes Media; George Malkemus, the Manolo man, with Michael Atmore of Footwear News; TV anchor Lynne White; Sarabeth Shrager; Lawrence Stuart, and Penny Bianchi, an old friend of mine from Montecito whom I met through the internet and the NYSD. |
