News & Notes from The Lotos Club JANUARY 2008 Past President of Federal Reserve Journalist to to Speak on Global Economy Give Lecture William J. McDonough , past Additionally, Mr. McDonough is president and CEO of the Federal chairman of the Investments Reserve for ten years, will receive a Committee for the United Nations Lotos Award of Distinction at a Joint Staff Pension Fund and sits on Public Affairs lecture on Thursday, the board of advisors for the Yale January 10. He will speak on The School of Management. He also is a Challenges to World Economic member of the board of directors of Growth from an American the New York Philharmonic Slowdown (cocktails, 6:30 p.m.; Orchestra. Mr. McDonough earned a $25). master's degree in economics from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree, also in economics, from Holy Cross College. Music Evening Carl Bernstein Pulitzer Prize-winner Carl OnFeatures Monday, February Pianist 25, distin - Bernstein will give a lecture on guished pianist Jeffrey Siegel will be Thursday, January 17 and will honored with a Lotos Award of receive the Club’s Award of Distinction at a Music Evening Distinction (cocktails, 6:30; $25). (cocktails, 6:30 p.m.; $75) . In Mr. Bernstein, along with Bob addition to his solo appearances, Mr. Woodward, broke the Watergate Siegel hosts Keyboard story for The Washington Post . He Conversations, a unique concert- is the author of a number of books, plus-commentary, in prestigious including All the President’s Men . concert halls across the nation. William J. McDonough Mr. Siegel will give a performance Noted Scientist As president of the Fed, Mr. from his program American Salute , McDonough served as vice providing insight into the music of to Give Talk chairman and permanent member of Gershwin, Bernstein, Barber and On Wednes day, February 20, the Federal Open Market Committee Copland, whom he believes are the eminent neuroscientist Cornelia (FOMC), which formulates U.S. “greatest composers of the last Bargmann will receive an Award monetary policy. In his present post century.” of Distinction at a Science and as vice president and special advisor Technology Dinner in her honor to the chairman of Merrill Lynch, In addition to entertaining and (cocktails: 6 p.m.; $75). Mr. McDonough is responsible for enriching concert-goers, Mr. Siegel Dr. Bargmann is currently a assisting senior management in the has been a soloist with the world’s professor and the director of the company’s business development great orchestras, including the Berlin Neural Circuits and Behavior efforts with governments and Philharmonic, Moscow State Laboratory at Rockefeller financial institutions. (continued on page 6) University. N E W S A N D N O T E S A Note to Members Welcome to by Michael D. Yon, 1 st Vice President the Club Harriet Cohen (Resident), After such a dramatic year in the I look forward to seeing you at Lotos matrimonial attorney, New York financial markets, we are so and send my very best wishes to you City. Memberships: Barnard looking forward to our festive for a healthy, happy and prosperous College Club of NYC, Columbia Twelfth Night Frolic! Our Lotos New Year. As inscribed in the 1903 University Club of NYC, NY Yuletide tradition was first Yuletide menu, “May this Year be Women’s Bar Association (former celebrated on January 7, 1898, with the best the Club has ever seen, And president), Foster Care Commission a gala evening then called the “Yule the worst it ever will see!” of NY. Proposer: Av Westin; th Tide Dinner.” This January 5 , Seconder: Peter Friedman. Lotosians will continue the grand tradition and enjoy a lovely Joan L. Lynton (Resident); social services for the deaf (retired), New evening of merrymaking, caroling, dancing and feasting. Chef York City. Memberships: Hollanda and his talented team will Cosmopolitan Club, Ridgefield Athletic Club, New York Society prepare a sumptuous feast of “Ye for the Deaf. Proposer: Joseph Yule Tyde Stuff,” including Barons Kolker; Seconder: Harvey L. of Beef and Yorkshire pudding, in Club Holiday Shulman. the English tradition, of course! A The Lotos Club will be parade of The Lotos Club closed on New Year’s Day, John Boyd Martin (Life), portrait Beefeaters, accompanied by Tuesday, January 1. artist, Overland Park, Kansas. bagpipers, will enhance our good Bedrooms are open Painted Club portrait of past cheer. president Irwin Jacobs. every day of the year. My first experience at The Lotos D. Bruce Rabbino (Resident), real Club was when my wife and I were estate broker, New York City. guests at Twelfth Night, and we Memberships: American Society of very much look forward to a Interior Designers, Institute of Business Designers (former spirited evening with fellow Lotos president, NY chapter), National members celebrating this New Council for Interior Design Year. Qualification. Proposer: Phyllis Z. As part of your New Year’s Ginstling; Seconder: William A. resolutions, please consider 5 East 66 th Street Johnson. lunching in the Grill more New York, NY 10065 Paul Tagliabue (Resident), frequently. As John Sussek (212) 737-7100 attorney; former NFL discussed in his November “Note (212) 737-9188 (fax) Commissioner, New York to Members,” lunch attendance has www.lotosclub.org City/Washington, DC. been declining. I have found lunch Memberships: Yale Club, Boothbay in the Grill a very pleasant News & Notes Harbor Yacht Club, Council on alternative to the bustle, noise and Foreign Relations. Proposer: Av cramped seating of mid-town Executive Editor Westin; Seconder: Audrey S. restaurants. I recently invited a Stephenie Ralston Amdursky. business client to lunch at Lotos. William Weston (Overseas), art He was captivated by the uniquely Design Editor dealer, London, England. warm atmosphere of the Grill and Sharon Situ Memberships: Society of London Chef Hollanda’s delicious menu. Art Dealers, International Fine Print We enjoyed a very comfortable and Contributing Editors Dealers Association. Proposer: productive lunch meeting in one of Nancy Johnson Margaret Carson; Seconder: the most charming dining rooms in Erika Jo Brown Richard N. Snyder. New York City. Page T wo The Lotos Club N E W S A N D N O T E S From the Archives Ringing in the New Year by Nancy Johnson, Archivist Each year since 1898, The Lotos Club has welcomed the new year with a festive celebration. These images, all details from menus and song sheets from Yule Tide celebrations between 1903 and 1914, illustrate the joyous spirit of this tradition. The Lotos Club Page Three N E W S A N D N O T E S Jacobs Leads Manager’s Mid -Year Review by John J. McGrath Nominating Team The Directory has appointed a Especially at this time of year, members minimizing the number of opening and and guests alike comment on the elegance damages to the wall covering. (We Nominating Committee to choose a and beauty of the Lotos clubhouse. Few were fortunate; only one electrical slate of candidates for Club officers realize, however, exactly how much time cable was severed during the process.) and directors, to be voted on at the and effort are expended to keep it that • Hot water tank replacement : Many annual elections on Monday, May 5, way. In 2006, a preliminary three-year years ago, a decision was made to 2008. capital improvement plan totaling install two types of tanks, one electric approximately $1,500,000 was reviewed; and the other steam. Although the Chaired by Irwin Jacobs ’69, the in fiscal year 2006-2007, the capital decision was not supported by the improvements totaled $500,000; and for Committee includes Norman engineers at that time, it turned out to fiscal year 2007-2008, beginning on July Bigman ’91, Phyllis Z. Ginstling be the right one; the electric tank was 1, the approved budget amounted to ’01, Lenore Kelly ’94, Mark Lampl replaced without disruption to the $520,000. It is anticipated that this ’99, Ellen Monk ’02 and George F. operation of the Club or, most spending level will continue for at least Panariello ’85. This year, the importantly, to the overnight guests. one additional fiscal year. Committee will be asked to select • Air-conditioning water cooling tank Lotos is very fortunate to have a number members to fill the positions of five replacement : The Club uses air- of committees whose members recognize officers for one-year terms and five conditioning throughout the full year. the importance of adopting an ongoing directors who will become the Class The cooling tank circulates water to the capital improvement program to sustain a of 2011. air-conditioning units on the first and well-appointed and structurally sound second floors. We were able to plug the clubhouse. The House Committee tank leaks during the year and, Suggestions for the Committee identifies the capital projects, the Finance fortunately, the slow July 4 th week should be addressed to Mr. Jacobs at Committees recommends funding levels provided the quiet period needed to the Club. and the Directory approves both the shut the system down and replace the projects and the expenditures. tank. Lotosians in In identifying projects to be undertaken, • Grand skylight : The access door the House Committee carefully balances above was replaced, and a protective, both immediate and long-term building clear paneling was installed above to the Spotlight needs. The Committee also attempts to James Fishman , a law professor at the skylight. undertake projects that have visual Pace Law School, has published The benefits, such as decorating, as well as • Third floor men’s room : This was Faithless Fiduciary and the Quest many less visible projects, such as the painted and re-wallpapered. for Charitable Accountability , which upgrading of plumbing and electrical • Club office : The office was painted examines the enduring problem of services.