Joanne and I are not world travelers, nevertheless, in an adventurous moment we decided we wanted to travel to Italy with our friends Ennid and David Berger and we planned a year ahead and decided upon Sorrento, Italy.  Laney Sachs and her company Ortensia Blu Italian Adventures helped us find a beautiful cliff side hotel in Sorrento, over looking fabled Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples (pictured).  What’s more, she helped us plan excursions to Pompeii, Capri and the Ama...

When I was young I was afraid of the dark and everything that went with it, imagined, real or suggested.  So fearful that I had extreme trouble falling asleep. Yesterday was the winter solstice, the shortest (day light) day of the year.  One could call it Heart of Darkness Day and say it is the worst or best day of year, as darkness bottoms and starts to bounce back to light. Day Light Savings Time only confuses things (circadian rhythm) and in my opinion should be banished. ...

Tuesday night was our annual Holiday Party, at the Friars Club, and it was attended by about 100 people despite the rain (how come it always rains when we have our party?).Highlights were the announcement of the 2 well deserving 2017 Networkers of the Year, Susan Zinder and Carly Meyer (pictured above) who continued our winning red heads tradition. Jason Greenberg was the recipient of our Red Bandanna Award for exhibiting selfless sacrifice in the memory of Welles Remy Crowth...

We all know the benefits of a reverse commute, well a creative variation is heading into the city from Long Island and away from the beaches and Hamptons in Summertime. It is a little known fact that the city is "dead" in the long hot Summer-especially on Holiday weekends when residents escape to beat the heat.  Consequently, Joanne and I enjoyed 2 World Class museums over the 5 day July 4th weekend.  We visited the Guggenheim and Whitney.  There were no lines or crowds, just...

Friday is not Black for this Fred!Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday on which families gather to feast and give thanks. This year I have so very much to be thankful for:I was born in America the Free and fortunate to have parents who wanted to make a better life and provided me and my sister with excellent values and extensive education.  Yes, I came up in the halcyon 50s and survived the caldron of the tempestuous 60s.  I married very very well to my High School Swe...

I know some label Mother's Day a "Hallmark Holiday" (does anyone know the first such holiday?), but as the years go by the day becomes more and more poignant to me.  On Sunday I posted the above beautiful photo of my mom on fredslist saying "Happy Mother's Day mom.  I miss you!"Oh how I wish she was still here and how well I remember her constant admonitions to be a "Good Boy Freddy". If your parents are still here take the time to treasure them. Tell them you love them and h...

As 2015 came to a close with a crescendo of "Happy Holidays" and parties I look back on the year.  It was, for me, a very good year.  First and foremost our family (immediate and Gotham) is thriving and healthy.  Secondly, I enjoyed a number of highlights along the way.  In equal measure, I was thrilled to be honored by the Russo Family Theresa Foundation (thanks to those who attended and joined me in support), I was then honored by my Friars Club as Friar of the Year and, as...

Whenever it is Christmas I think of dearly departed Bob Formica, our Networker of the Decade in 2007. 

I cherish the above picture which captures his twinkling spirit, holiday season or otherwise.  He was one extraordinary, terrific guy and he had a great sense of humor. 

He was a great addition to Gotham and my life and I miss him dearly.

...

On the eve of Halloween I know what my costume will be.  It will be the same as always: Count Dracula.  I choose the Count because, in a small way, I feel a harmless, but important kinship with him as I draw sustenance from interacting and conversing with people: networking, if you will.  Without such sustenance I would be rudderless and lost and I do not think I could exist on a deserted island.  What's your costume and why?Happy and safe Halloween! ...

Thank you "Hard Hitting" Don Bernstein for relinquishing your prime time Sunday spot, but the following just bubbled up and would not wiait until Friday. I have heard that Mother's and Father's Days are "Hallmark Holidays", but in fact they were initiated at the start of the 20th Century for good non commercial reasons. Of course, Mother's Day came first and they felt sorry for us and soon gave us a special day too. Having two married sons and two sets of grandchildren, Fathe...