FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 25, 2021 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 47
Victoria’s
SECRETS
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
vschneps@gmail.com
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The coming of spring
It’s not easy adapting to real
life aft er a heart-warming
trip to Florida that warmed
both body and soul.
But how terrifi c it was to
have the fi rst days of spring
bring 60-degree sunny weather
back home! I saw green bulbs
bursting through the earth as
they begin their new life!
Spring is my favorite time of
year, partly because my daughter
Elizabeth was born on April
16. When I brought her home
eight days later — she was born
by Caesarean section — every
tree had bloomed, and so had
she! No wonder I adore the time
when life begins again!
For all of us who have been
in “hiding” from COVID-19,
life is slowly, but surely, beginning
again. But while I got my
second vaccination shot — as
did many friends — I fear for
those who resist the medical
facts and won’t take the shot. I
hope they change their mind for
their own safety and ours. We
all need to be vaccinated to be
safe and fi nally put this terrible
pandemic behind us.
On Sunday, with the sun sparkling
off the Shinnecock Bay, I
made my way through a secluded
winding road to Cowfi sh
Restaurant, my favorite place to
eat in Hampton Bays. Th e eatery,
perched at the edge of
the bay, is owned by popular
restaurateurs David
and Rachel Hersh,
who also own
Rumba across the
bay and Flora in
Westhampton.
Cowfi sh is my kids’ favorite
place, too, not because of their
famous food, but because of the
enchanting playground in front
of the restaurant. Th e adults eat
and the kids play!
Th is time I was meeting friends
John and Margo Catsimatidis
and PR extraordinaire Todd
Shapiro. Because of the
pandemic, I missed John’s Power
Breakfast. But that is coming
back soon, too!
Margo and John are the
epitome of the power couple.
Married for decades, they
work side-by side in business
and family. Th eir son John Jr.
is a critical part of their billion
dollar empire and their
daughter Andrea has taken on a
leadership role in the Republican
party.
To my delight, Father
Alexander Karloutsos, the leader
of Dormition of the Virgin
Mary Greek Orthodox Church
of Th e Hamptons, was dining a
few tables away! He proudly told
us his church will once again
be giving vaccines to the community.
I’m so grateful how he
and his wife Xanthi Karavellas
Karloutsos have taken me into
their hearts and lives!
John and Margo are big supporters
of the church and many
important causes. I fi rst met
them at a luncheon they sponsor
for the Police Athletic League.
Hopefully their power
lunches can return soon!
A big part of our time
together was spent talking
about how John just learned
that a ferry stop has been
approved for across the bay
from his spectacular new oceanfront
tower apartment complex
in Coney Island, aptly called
Ocean Drive.
Growing up in Brooklyn, I
adored going to Coney Island, so
it was music to my ears to hear
about Miami Beach-style housing
right here in our city! Th e
development now has a 22-story,
450-unit twin tower rental
complex and John has plans to
add three more towers.
John and Margo proudly
shared that Ocean Drive has
endless amenities, including
restaurants that will be opening
soon. Th ey even accommodate
dog owners with a dog walking
service!
Th eir advertising hype, “beachfront
living with sweeping ocean
views unlike anywhere in New
York City,” is real. Imagine living
in the city’s most exciting neighborhood,
where a Nathan’s hot dog
and the best crinkle-cut French
fries will be at your fi ngertips.
Our waterfront is fi nally getting
what is natural to the magnifi
cent ocean location, as there
will be life and beauty where
only desolated land existed at
the tip of Sea Gate. John and
Margo’s remarkable complex
makes Coney Island glamorous!
I told John how happy I was to
hear about his latest project. As
a lover of Brooklyn, I reminded
him that “you can take the girl
out of Brooklyn, but you can’t
take Brooklyn out of her heart!”
Coney Island, already home
to the historic Cyclone, Wonder
Wheel and New York Aquarium,
is transforming into a cultural
hub fi lled with fi lmmakers,
artists and entertainers, making
the booming neighborhood
the perfect destination for the
marvelous apartment complex.
Brooklyn is lucky to have it!
I’m going to plan a visit to the
boardwalk property soon! With
its balconies overlooking the
ocean, I may be tempted away
from the Hamptons, where I
love the sounds of the ocean and
the endless waves. But now I can
get that experience right here in
our great city!
Of course, we also talked politics
and John is not currently
running for mayor or governor
— but the future is so
unpredictable!
John and Margo Catsimatidis’ new
oceanfront tower apartment complex called
Ocean Drive is located in Coney Island.
Besides their hot fudge sundaes, Cowfifi sh’s banana
pie competes with their extensive fifi sh menu.
John and Margo Catsimatidis at
Cowfifi sh restaurant in Hampton Bays.
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