Royalty and Gold Celebration

“Snap, crackle and pop,” one can almost hear the fireworks announcing the New Year of 2013 . There is a lot of chatter about how to celebrate this special time. Go to a big party or have a quiet evening at home with a few friends to “ring” in the New Year? Lots of times the merriment of years past evoke one to reminiscence about a very special event.

The evening of New Years Eve in 1986, was certainly one I remember well. My dear friend and acting coach (master of improvisation, in New York City ) Stanley Zareff and I had spent Christmas in England. We returned to Manhattan for an elegant dinner party on the upper east side in the mansion of a Countess. The Countess had spent a lot of time in Spain and a matador, Ernest Hemmingway had used as a character in one of his novels, was an honored guest. Of course the matador was much older than he had been at the time Hemmingway wrote about the brave hero. Still, he was gallant, dashing, handsome and charming, All that one would expect a matador to be! The Countess was a gifted, beautiful woman filled with the spirit of hospitality and knew exactly how to combine her guests for a most exciting New Years Eve celebration.

Adding to the interesting mix of guests was Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, the daughter of King Paul. King Paul and his family were exiled to Africa during World War II. Princess Elizabeth ( friends simply called her Elizabeth) and Stanley Zareff are very acting class with Stanley. We had such good times together, Elizabeth, Stanley and I cooking , going to restaurants or any fun event going on in Manhattan. The late Merv Griffin was very fond of Elizabeth and had given her a smashing haute couture cocktail dress for Christmas, a lemon color embellished with jet beads. She donned the dress for the party and was so lovely in the color with her dark hair. Elizabeth’s personality is vibrant and fun. She told us so many stories about Prince Charles that were so endearing

and funny. Prince Charles and Elizabeth are related and she is privy to the “at home” personality of the future King of England. One particular story is about the two of them flipping green peas at each other with their forks down the very long table at a family dinner in Buckingham Palace. In other words they enjoyed a bit of mischief.

Before the eight course dinner, mounds of caviar and smoked salmon were passed by a butler, During the conversation, traditions of different cultures on New Years Eve became the topic. The matador suggested guests follow the Spanish tradition of taking off gold jewelry and placing it in a decanted magnum of Champaign, sealed very tightly so the “bubbly” would not become flat and at the stroke of twelve o’clock flutes were served to toast the New Year. This tradition represented financial reward in the New Year.

This very interesting mix of people is one I shall always treasure. As Stanley and I left the party about 3am, I thanked him for the introductions to so many people world wide. There is never a dull moment with Stanley Zareff, my dear, dear friend.

Tips; Have a safe and happy celebration!!!!

Please do not drink and drive.