SSMAC 2nd Annual Ketucky Derby Champagne Brunch

Hats and Horsies, what better way to spend a Saturday morning. The Junior Committee of the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard, and Airemen's Club, headed by Rachel Kirwin and John Vricella, couldn't agree more. From a bottomless champagne brunch at Harry's, 1 Hanover Square, to the races watched live at the 283 Lexington Ave Clubhouse, this was an excellent day. Friends gathered in their preppy finest, with hats donned by the gentlemen as well as the ladies. After a three course brunch and plenty of champagne a huge crowd migrated uptown and gathered 'round to root on their favorite horses. After two years of successful brunches, we hope that this is a tradition that will continue for a while longer.

For more information on the SSMAC check out their website at http://www.ssmaclub.org/ or head to their next event - The SSMAC Fleet Week Happy Hour on May 26th at Hurley's!

15th Annual Military Ball

Fall is in full swing and one of the best ways to start off the benefit season is with the Military Ball. The event benefits the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard, and Airmen's Club located at 283 Lexington Ave. The club, more affectionately called the SSMAC, is a New York institution which has been around since 1919, helping to serve those who serve our country. Notable guests at this year's ball included SSMAC chairman Prince Ivan Obolensky, Tony Sirico, Dr. Robert and Kate Wickham, Margo Catsimitidis, Marvin Scott, Allison Chase, Bob and Susan Frederick, Minnette Boesel, Mary Elizabeth Dooner, Tiana Idoni-Matthews, Rachel Kirwin, Gregory T Angelo, Camille Fesche, and Love Brigade's Devan Markiewicz.

SSMAC Junior Committee Derby Day Brunch

The Junior Committee of the Soldiers', Sailors, Marines', Coast Guard, and Airmen's Club hosted their first Kentucky Derby Champagne Brunch this year at Harry's Cafe and Steak in Lower Manhattan. The millenry was the fashion focus of the day with girls donning their racing day best for the event. The event was populated with perrenial SSMAC supporters Sherry and Bruce Laue, Tiana Idoni-Matthews, Erika and Benoit Meister, Allison Ecung, Dana Markiewicz, and Mary Elizabeth Dooner. The event included speaches from SSMAC Junior Committee chairpersons Rachel Kirwin and John Vricella. With such a spirited, and champagne filled afternoon behind us, I for one hope this will become an annual Derby Day tradition.

Champagne Brunch to benefit The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club

Minnette Boesel, Ian Bone, Lauren Driscoll, Alexander Korallus-Shapiro, Anne Moody, Brooke Stoddard, Asha Talwar, and Sofia Vassilakis hosted a Champagne Brunch in the Olympic Suites of the New York Athletic Club to benefit The Soldiers', Sailors', Marines', Coast Guard and Airmen's Club. Erin and her Cello performed during a VIP reception and Kim Cameron and Side FX performed during the main brunch. Prince Rudolf Knaise-Melikoff met up with new friends Rachel Kirwin, Asha Talwar, and Eamon Wood whom he met at the Frick Ball days before. Axel Ditlev-Simonsen and host Sofia Vassilakis, both from European shipping families, introduced many guests to the group of Young Shipping Professionals in attendance. Recent debutantes making their way across the social scene after coming out at the Crillon Ball, International Debutante Ball, and Viennese Opera Ball (among others) included Anne Moody, Elizabeth Brown, and Alex Kolasinski. Admiral Craig Bone, father of host Ian Bone, added some top brass to the military-focused charity event. Guests also enjoyed Nat Sherman cigars – some taking their gift bags early and enjoying a mid-brunch smoking break with a view from one of the NYAC balconies. The brunch ended with the attendees donning sunglasses from their gift bags to brave the all-too-bright 3:00 sunlight after several hours of Champagne and Bloody Marys.

SuperYacht Pre-release Viewing

The Young Shipping Professionals of New York (YSPNY) hosted a pre-release viewing of SuperYacht for prospective members at the landmark Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club. Attended by over 100 professionals in the marine shipping industry, this cocktail party was abuzz with conversations ranging from business to friendship. In such a global community, gatherings like this are a major part of how business gets done. One highlight of the event was the book SuperYacht from luxury publisher Gloria Books. The 620 page glossy was out for guests to peruse and pre-order one of the limited edition copies. In addition to the beautiful images inside the book, SuperYacht comes in an artfully designed lucite case whose cover has been sculpted to mimic the undulation of a wave. The first of many social and educational events for 2009, this is a good start to what looks to be an interesting year for shipping – and especially the YSPNY. “The greater New York area is teeming with young professionals working in all facets of the shipping industry,” said YSPNY President Sofia Vassilakis. “It’s exciting to be able to create a venue for our colleagues to get out of the office, come to our events and network, learn about the industry and most importantly, have a great time.”

YSPNY Board