mar/apr 2013
The
Vanderbilt
Mansion
- A New Era In this Issue:
From the CEO | summer membership | HR | from the board | at the links
Spa internazionale | ON the court | on the dock | events calendar
From the CEO.
Contents
2from the ceo
3
Dear Members:
As we prepare for the official start of spring – even though we
get a head start in South Florida -- on March 20, the days will get longer and the Club will
have quite a few activities to fill the warm – and mostly sunny – days.
Our extensive list of upcoming events includes a concert by renowned Russian pianist,
Vladimir Feltsman, an art lecture by Thom Collins of the Miami Art Museum, a fashion
show by Neiman Marcus of Coral Gables, Havana Night with famous Cuban duo Hansel
y Raul, Passover Dinner, and, on March 31st, the Club will be hosting its annual Easter
Brunch and Egg Hunt. I am particularly looking forward to our Kids Fishing Workshop
and Fisher Island Sailfish Tournament featuring spectacular days of competition and fun
for the entire family. Speaking of events, I would like to recognize the sponsors of our very
successful Russian Old New Year event - we continue to hear great feedback. A special
thank you to Graff Diamonds, Elit by Stolichnaya and Caviar & Caviar for their generous
contributions. There is so much going on at the Club this spring, it will be June before we know it. I
would like to thank the Club Board and Fisher Island’s members and staff for making
my first year on Fisher Island so delightful. It has been my pleasure to represent such a
beautiful community.
summer membership
hr
4
the vanderbilt mansion:
a new era
5from the board
6
at the links
7
spa internazionale
8
welcome new members
9on the court
on the dock
10
past events
11
Events Calendar
Important Numbers
I look forward to seeing you at the Club.
Warm regards,
Bernard Lackner
CEO
Fisher Island Club News
The Newsletter of the Fisher Island Club
Mar/Apr 2013 - Issue No.3
The purpose of the Fisher Island Club
News is to build community amongst
members by sharing news and updates
related to Fisher Island Club. It is
published bi-monthly.
Editor
Joanna Santana, Director of Membership
Art Director
Julie Dull, Communications Manager
Correction: In the Jan/Feb newsletter, John Thackwray (JT) was omitted from mention of the
Fisher Island Sailfish Committee. We apologize for the omission.
2 | FIC News Mar/Apr 2013
One Fisher Island Drive
Fisher Island, FL 33109
Direct 305.535.6076 | Fax 305.604.2395
www.fisherislandclub.com
For comments or suggestions
on content, please email us at:
[email protected]
Summer
Membership
Please advise your friends that the Club will be offering a Special Limited Summer Membership*. Summer
Membership includes access to the Club amenities: the
pristine beach, Beach Club, Sunset Bar and Sushi Bar,
historic Vanderbilt pool, Spa Internazionale, Salone di
Bellezza, 18-court tennis center with two grass courts,
deep water marinas & dining venues with preferred
rates at The Links P. B. Dye Golf Course and historic
cottages.
For information about Summer Club Membership, ask
them to contact the Membership Office at 305.535.6007
or [email protected].
*this offer does not apply to property owners or tenants.
Kay Fisher
Director of Membership Sales
HR.
The Forbes Executive Training Program is now complete! You’ve heard so much about it,
but now prepare to experience it first-hand.
All management and supervisory staff were trained on the core set of standards that most
heavily contribute to a guest’s experience, and we are confident you will see the difference throughout the Club. Our focus on improving overall customer service as well as
our attention to the details that truly make the guest experience extraordinary – body
language, appropriate verbiage, etc. -- should make Fisher Island Club the five-star standard by which all others are measured.
Manager of the Year, Jed Yonge (center).
We are excited to put all of our training into practice and welcome your feedback as we improve for
you.
Celebrating those improvements is what we did best at the 2012 Employee Recognition Event held
on Monday, February 25, at the Golf Grill. Congratulations to all of those employees that were
recognized for being our shining stars. We hope our Forbes training will give each and every
employee the tools they need to be our hospitality heroes!
Racquel Johnson
Director of Human Resources
Employee of the Year, Tes Perez (center).
FIC News Mar/Apr 2013 | 3
Feature.
The
Vanderbilt
Mansion
- A New Era -
A
fter a year of renovation, Fisher Island
Club is ready to welcome back the center
of its activity -- the Vanderbilt Mansion. Fisher Island was named after Miami Beach
founder and developer, Carl Fisher, when he
purchased the island from Dana A. Dorsey,
South Florida’s first black millionaire, in 1919.
In the 1920’s, Carl Fisher’s path crossed that of
William K. Vanderbilt II. Fisher coveted Vanderbilt’s 250-foot yacht and Vanderbilt desired
Fisher’s island. “My island for your boat,” Fisher proposed. Vanderbilt promptly accepted,
and the legendary trade became history. In 1926, Vanderbilt began conceptualizing
a $1.5 million private retreat on the nownamed Fisher Island with a baronial Mediterranean-style mansion, where he and his
wife, Rosamund, enjoyed entertaining the
luminaries of their time. The estate overlooked the Atlantic Ocean and the striking
Miami skyline with its grand ballroom, snooker parlor and Napoleon-vintage, walnut-paneled rooms. Vanderbilt surrounded his mansion with lush landscaping, gracious guest
homes and a swimming pool, now all part of
our magnificent Resort at Fisher Island Club. Seeking to return Fisher Island to its Vanderbilt-era opulence, a rejuvenation project began
in 2007 which included a renovation to the
historic Vanderbilt mansion and its surrounding grounds. The lot of spectacular accommodations -- six
Courtyard Villas, four Historic Cottages and
five Junior Suites – were completely rede4 | FIC News Mar/Apr 2013
signed. The Courtyard Villas were
refurbished and include dark wood
plank flooring, new upholstery
with a light gold and blue-green
palate and intimate patios with private Jacuzzi’s. The Historic Cottages — which are original to the Vanderbilt estate —feature light stone
Top: The Vanderbilt Mansion circa 1967. Below: Fisher Island,
flooring with blue and white tones pre-Fisher Island Club.
throughout. Additionally, Rosemary’s Cottage, which was built for
expanded outdoor decking for City View Café,
Vanderbilt’s stepdaughter, was converted from
transformation of the second floor Snooker
a two-bedroom home to a three-bedroom
Club (originally the Vanderbilt’s bedrooms)
villa, and the original chandeliers in the units
into a lounge area to appreciate the ocean and
were restored. Lastly, the five Junior Suites, also
marina views, and the addition of private dinhistoric to the Vanderbilt estate, feature a siming space on the second floor. The Vanderbilt
ilar palate to the Historic Cottages. The two
Pool was also artfully resurfaced and features
smaller original rooms set on the second floor
all new pool equipment. of the Cottages were combined to make one
The dining venues inside the Mansion have
comfortable, spacious suite.
also been undergoing a rejuvenation with the
The historic Vanderbilt Mansion — the fidevelopment of stronger identites. Coupled
nal renovation phase in the renaissance of Fishwith new menu items (as well as many favorer Island — has undergone the most notable
ites) Garwood Lounge will offer members a
transformation. Executed by architect of retraditional steakhouse ambiance; City View
cord, Richard Heisenbottle— well known for
will specialize in fresh seafood with a relaxed,
historic renovations in Miami — and interior
al fresco experience; and the Snooker Club
design firm Hirsch Bedner & Associates, the
will return to its former glory as the jewel of
overall goal of the Mansion renovation and resthe Mansion, offering Equity members small
toration project was to both enhance the propplates and cocktails before dinner followed by
erty and restore it to reflect the home’s family
cordials and desserts after.
history. Paying homage to the Mansion’s storied past, much of the millwork was stripped The grand re-opening of the Vanderbilt Manand restored to its original glory, while other sion will mark the end of a masterful 6-year
parts were left untouched due to their histor- renovation and restoration, as well as a new beical nature. Upgrades to the Mansion include ginning for the heart and soul of our fine Club. From the Board.
Dear Members,
Our annual election was held January 25th, where we welcomed Daniel Azoulay to the Board for a 3-year term. Subsequently, the Board
met and elected the following officers for the coming year: President- Jack Loeb; Vice President- Howard Lorber; Treasurer- Jose Valdes-Fauli; Secretary- Daniel Azoulay. We sincerely appreciate the participation of the other candidates who ran for election and thank
those members who cast their votes.
The Master Plan is nearing completion, and we are happy to announce that the Vanderbilt Mansion, Tennis pro shop and conference
center are scheduled to be delivered to Club management by March 1. Tennis operations will be up and running the first week of March
followed by the Vanderbilt Mansion (Garwood, City View, Snooker Club) phased soft opening during the first two weeks of March. The
Tennis Center patio replacement of all terra cotta tiles will be coordinated with the roof tile installation during early summer after the
end of the season.
Additionally, the renovation of the existing Golf maintenance building and the construction of a new 5200 square foot laundry/storage
building is planned to commence midsummer with an early fall completion date, thus concluding the entire Master Plan renovations.
As previously announced, the Club moved to discontinue the operation of the hotel rental pool program in order to concentrate on our
15 owned Club suites. The Club intends to continue to work with the owners and agents of these units for the mutual benefit of all parties. We recently partnered with the Miami firm of Kreps DeMaria, Inc. to develop a branding strategy for our boutique 15-room hotel
operation as well as to ensure that the Club and Fisher Island is properly reintroduced as we complete the Master Plan projects.
Finally, the Board is pleased to announce that the employment contract with our CEO, Bernard Lackner, has been extended thru April
30, 2015. Bernard joined us this past July and his intent is to upgrade the quality of product and service standards throughout the Club.
He has utilized third parties to work with his team in this effort and has had positive results based on member comments. Bernard’s current focus is on building a strong management team to support all aspects of Club operations. Further, the purchasing power of Sherman
Associates who works with many regional 5 star properties is being utilized to ensure that waste is eliminated and that we obtain the
best possible pricing and consistency from current and new vendors. Anticipated savings from operational efficiencies will be directed to
rewarding top performing employees, contributing to our capital account, and possibly reducing member dues.
We are pleased with the successes we have had throughout the year in maintaining and elevating the image of the Club and hope that you
and your family enjoy the rest of the season with all that Fisher Island has to offer.
For the Board,
Jack Loeb
President
FIC News Mar/Apr 2013 | 5
At the Links.
W
elcome to spring! The entire golf staff
is committed to making sure The Links
offers all of our members the most enjoyable
golf experience possible. To that end, the Golf
Committee would like to take this opportunity to remind you of some important player
responsibilities when playing at your Club.
• All divots are to be filled with sand.
• Each player should repair at least TWO ball
marks on each green.
• Always rake all bunkers when exiting.
•Obey any daily cart restrictions and
ALWAYS keep carts on cart paths
around greens and teeing areas.
•All play is to begin on Hole #1 unless
otherwise
instructed by the
Golf Starter.
• Always keep
up with the
group in front of
you; allow faster groups to
play through.
Follow all instructions given by the Golf
Men’s Stableford Champion, Starter
and/or
Ken Heithoff
Ranger.
6 | FIC News Mar/Apr 2013
From top left: 2012 Mixed
Team
Champions
Gala
Cohen and Linwood Paul;
Ladies Opening Day - “Under
Construction” December 5th,
2012; 2013 ladies match play
champion - Alla Barash; 2013
Match Play Champion Tony
Fano.
•Members entertaining guests are responsible
for guests complying with all rules.
•All scores must be turned in if 7 holes are
completed (9 hole score) or 13 holes are
completed (18 hole score).
including our Men’s Day every Thursday beginning with a 9am shotgun start with lunch
and prizes to follow. Visit the Golf Shop for a
full calendar of events.
Jim Curran
•Range balls are not for use on the golf Director of Golf
course.
To ensure every member and guest playing
The Links has a pleasant experience, players
not complying with the above responsibilities
may be directed to the Golf Committee for
review.
It is also important for all members and guests
to maintain our world-class standards with respect to dress code on the golf course.
•No denim.
•No bathing suits or fitness-style shorts.
•No tee shirts.
Golf Calendar
March
Tuesday, 5th: “Nine and Dine” 3:00 pm shotgun
Sunday, 10th: Husband & Wife Club Championship
Thursday, 21st: Men’s Interclub Match – Fisher Island
Saturday, 23rd: Stroke Play Club Championships
Sunday, 24th: Stroke Play Club Championships
April
Wednesday, 3rd: Ladies “Guest or Not”
•Women’s tops must have a collar or sleeves.
Wednesday, 10th: Ladies Interclub Match – Fisher
Island
•Shorts are to be of Bermuda length; cargo
shorts/pants are not permitted.
Wednesday, 17th: Ladies Closing Day
Member-Member Format
•Men’s shirts must be tucked in at all times.
Wednesday, 24th: Ladies Shoot-Out
By observing these standards, you provide a
better golfing experience for all players. Thank
you for your consideration and we all look forward to seeing you on the course soon!
Golf Clinic - Tuesdays (4pm)
Don’t forget that we have a great deal of regular and special events scheduled each month
Ladies Day - Wednesdays
(9am shotgun start)
Men’s Day - thursdays
(9am shotgun start followed by lunch and prizes)
Spa Internazionale.
• We are expanding our
retail to include logo outfits; heart rate monitors,
workout gloves and aqua
socks.
W
e had a great January and February at the
spa and salon with our Six Weeks of Wellness series: healthy lectures, complimentary La
Bella Donna make-overs and Guinot treatments,
raffle winners, great training and classes and an allaround very busy time.
March and April promise to be just as busy with
more exciting events:
•La Bella Donna will be back with more fun
events and great promotions.
•Guinot will be providing wonderful compli mentary and introductory services with more
raffles.
•Re-vita Lash and Aromatherapy will host special
events and promotions.
•Complimentary nutritional and gyrotonic sessions.
We have very talented new
staff in both the spa, salon and fitness departments, adding to our world-class existing staff:
Carmenza Castano - Medical Massage Therapist
with 26 years of experience
Christina Maskeroni - Registered Dietitian, Master Trainer who has relocated here from New York
Crista Villella - Gyrotonic Instructor, who was
with Miami City Ballet
Olema Gonzalez - Nail Technician who comes
from Ocean Reef Club
Jendry Oporta - Nail Tech and Waxing Specialist
Amy Bernsten - Barre Instructor who was also
with Miami City Ballet teaching pure barre classes
We are also instituting a User Rating System for
our fitness classes and appreciate your participa-
tion. This will assist us in customizing your class
programs and recognizing your special teachers. It
will be prompted quarterly through the website,
and an e-mail will be sent out to notify you.
Additionally, you can now access your wellness
program in the Fitness Center through your
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and the computer.
After completeing the MyWellness application
on your device, scan the QR code on the cardio
equipment, and your personalized program will
appear to help you track your workout.
To start your spring with health in mind, take a
note from our Holistic Life Coach, Adita Lang’s
recent lecture:
“Optimal health is a balanced combination of exercise and movement, downtime and sleep, nutrition, happiness and fulfillment.”
Wishing you a relaxing rest of the season!
Cheryl Patella
Assistant Spa Director
FIC News Mar/Apr 2013 | 7
Welcome
new members
- Equity Frank Gilligan and Mario Russo
Susan Weber
Jose Alberto and Irene Souto
April Gamble
Albert and Anya Salama
Richard Gorman
- Annual Richard Palumbo
Glenn and Shannon Andrews
Tracy Maitland and Kimberley Hatchett
Membership is by invitation only. In the
spirit of a fine Club, all Members are encouraged to nominate their friends and associates
for membership.
Please call Kay Fisher, Director of
Membership Sales at 305-535-6007 if
you would like to recommend someone.
8 | FIC News Mar/Apr 2013
Tennis
Calendar
2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Men’s / Women’s Pro/Am
Doubles Invitational
On the Court.
To kick-start spring, we had a very special event on Friday, March 1. The former #1 player in the
world, Mats Wilander, brought the Wilander on Wheels clinic to the Fisher Island Tennis Center.
Many members took part in this great opportunity to work on their game and pick up tips from the
professionals.
Tentatively
March 18 and 19, 2013
Exhibition
While at the shop, try out the latest tennis gear from Wilson, Babolat and Head. And, if you are
looking to speed up your footwork, come try the newest line of Wilson, Nike, and Adidas shoes,
now at your Tennis Center!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Member / Guest Mixed Doubles
Invitational
You can also help welcome Antony Emerson to our tennis staff! Antony is a graduate and All American from the
University of Southern California. He is also a world-class
player and former touring professional in singles and doubles as well as being ranked top 100 in the world in doubles. He is a two-time quarterfinalist in doubles at the Australian Open. Not only is he a great player, he also possesses
an extensive teaching background, and we are very excited
to have him as part of our staff!
Adult Tennis Clinics:
Every Monday
& Thursday
(10am - 12pm)
We are also excited to announce our 2013 Men’s & Women’s Doubles Club Champions. Congratulations to Marcus
Katz and Samuel Libnic and Marta Babson and Marika Colt. Great tennis, everyone!
To watch a bit more amazing tennis, join us on Saturday, March 9, as we host our annual Pro/Am
Men’s and Women’s Doubles Invitational! Come out to watch exciting tennis with professionals
from all over!
See you on the courts!
Meredith Laughlin & George Bezecny
Directors of Tennis
On the Dock.
S
pring in Miami is the perfect time for boating, but it’s also a great time to just enjoy the outdoors, on land or on the water.
Visit the Marina from March 12 – 14 as the Neptune Florida Yacht Club makes its way to the island for a festive yacht rendezvous, and
get ready to drop your lines – and dip your toes – in the water on Easter weekend as the Club hosts its annual Kids Fishing Workshop.
Sign up – and then share all of your stories about the one that got away – at the Marina Store.
While there, members can shop for many great items at 20% off. It’s the perfect time to pick up everything you need for a day at sea.
And plan to spend Sunday, April 13, doing just that as the Club hosts another great event. Sign up today for Fisher Island’s own Sailfish
Tournament featuring entertainment on and off the water with prizes for the biggest catch and something to bring out the fisherman in
all of us.
Jim Watkins
Director of Marina Operations
FIC News Mar/Apr 2013 | 9
Past Events.
International
cup dinner
10 | FIC News Mar/Apr 2013
Photos by Bobbi Berkman
February 22-24 at the links
Events Calendar.
march
3Esmia Children’s Orchestra Concert @ Cafe Tangier, 4-6pm
7
An Afternoon of Fashion with Neiman Marcus @ Cafe Tangier, 4-7pm
14 Piano Concert with Vladimir Feltsman @ Cafe Tangier, 5pm
18 An Evening with Thom Collins from MAM @ Cafe Tangier, 6pm
23 Havana Night with Hansel Y Raul - Vanderbilt Mansion, 7:30pm
25 Passover Dinner - Vanderbilt Mansion Ballroom, 6pm
27 Full Moon Party @ Beach Club, 7:00pm
30 Kids Fishing Workshop @ Vanderbilt Mansion Dock, 9:30am
31 Easter Brunch @ Vanderbilt Mansion, 11:30am & 2:30pm
Easter Egg Hunt & Games @ Vanderbilt Mansion Grounds, 1:30-3:30pm April
For event reservations, please call 305.535.6001.
mother’s day Brunch
Sunday, May 12, 2013
11:30am at the Vanderbilt Mansion
flamenco festival
miami 2013
march 14 - 17, 2013
At the Adrienne Arsht Center
Jazz roots: A larry
rosen jazz series
march 22, 2013
CUBOP - CELEBRATING
DIZ & CHANO
At the Adrienne Arsht Center
home design show
march 22 - 25, 2013
Miami Beach Convention Center
13 Fisher Island Sailfish Tournament @ Beach Club, TBA
25 Full Moon Party @ Beach Club, 7:30pm
save the date!
Miami Area Events.
Memorial Weekend dinner
with entertainment
Saturday, May 25, 2013
7:30pm at the Beach Club
Memorial day family BBQ
Sunday, May 26, 2013
6pm at the Vanderbilt Mansion
diana krall
april 2, 2013
At the Adrienne Arsht Center
Jazz roots: A larry
rosen jazz series
april 12, 2013
GENERATION NEXT: PIANO
At the Adrienne Arsht Center
Important Numbers.
Island Market
305.535.6599
Accounting Office
305.535.6053
Membership Office
305.535.6076
AKAM305.673.5537
Post Office
305.535.6058
Beach Club
305.535.6038
Real Estate Sales Office
305.535.6071
Café Porto Cervo
305.535.6039
Restaurant/Special Event Reservations 305.535.6001
Catering Office
305.535.6013
Salone Di Bellezza
305.535.6033
Clearance305.535.6022
Security Office
305.535.6065
CSI305.672.8724
Spa Internazionale/ Fitness
305.535.6030
Dockmaster’s Office
305.535.6098
Switchboard305.535.6000
Chief Executive Officer’s Office
305.535.6029
Tennis Center
305.535.6010
Concierge305.535.7011
Trattoria305.535.6090
Golf Club
305.535.6016
Vanderbilt Mansion
305.535.6027
Golf Grill 305.535.6014
(under restoration)
Hotel Reservations
305.535.7011
FIC News Mar/Apr 2013 | 11