34 The Courier SUN • JULY 24, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com VICTORIA SCHNEPS vschneps@queenscourier.com The Wedding of the Year As the sun broke through the clouds we made our way into the Fordham section of the Bronx to find the “catering” gate of the enormous Bronx Botanical Garden to attend the wedding of dear friend Claire Shulman’s granddaughter. I’d never been to the famous and expansive 250 acres of gardens. But I heard that it was a magical place for weddings and it truly was. As we made our way by tram from the parking lot to the two-story brick building set in the woods, I was taken aback by the tranquil, tree-filled, lush setting with a running brook on one side offering a touch of the country. When I shut my eyes I thought I was 100 miles away. It made a stunning setting. To my delight, Bayside jurist and Federal Court Judge Nick Garaufis (an old school friend of the family and of the bride’s dad, Larry Shulman) presided over the wedding ceremony. It was an old-fashioned in its simplicity and “to have and to hold” tradition. The stunningly beautiful bride glowed as her dad walked her down the aisle to meet the love of her life, who she met at Cornell University when she was a freshman. The skies were kind and the weather was summer perfect, so still and with no humidity as we enjoyed cocktails in the country setting. Since Mel and Claire’s daughter Ellen lives in Houston, Texas, son Larry in Boston and sister Ruth in Idaho, it was also a family reunion and their presence added to the joy of the event. I caught up with Ellen, a former astronaut and doctor, who traveled into space two times; she shared how she is now working with doctors to bring their expertise to doctors in remote regions in the United States and overseas. As always, she’s doing a unique service to our country! Claire’s 82-year-old sister Ruth is also a unique person working endlessly in her community, bringing her expertise as a Broadway costume designer to the hinterland of Idaho and bringing theatre into her small town. A remarkably beautiful woman. It was easy to have table talk because the music surrounding us at dinner was not blaring but background dinner music. I got to talk to Nick and Betsy Garaufis and recall the afternoon at their home when they hosted a book signing of Richard Ravitch’s new book, “So Much To Do.” More on that next week. The warm and glowing new husband and wife made their way around the room to give and get hugs. So much love filled the room. A perfect ending to a magical evening. A break from the world In the middle of the busy week I took a break to experience a therapy offered by Eleni Charalambous, a certified lymphatic therapist. Although she does facials and massages, the treatment I took was unique. Eleni used state-of-the-art technology through a machine, Lymph Drainage XP, and massage with the goal of reducing mental and physical stress in different parts of my body. She explained to me that the lymphatic system is the primary defense against bacteria, viruses and fungus. It supports your immune system and the magic words for me, it’s an “ideal anti-aging tool for a younger and healthier appearance.” Now who wouldn’t want that! The treatment was over an hour and as relaxing as any massage can be, but with an extra bonus of a new way to fight the aging process! Eleni’s services are now available at Pouran Spa in the North Shore Towers. There’s plenty of free parking. Try it, you will love it, too — for men or women in the calm, beautiful and refreshing spa setting. victoria’s secrets tweet me @vschneps The happy couple: Caroline and Paul Brown Dynamic $1000 off Lumineers $500 off Invisalign DENTAL WORK Free Whitening included the inViSiBle WAy to Some excluSionS Apply StrAighten teeth third generation dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 Vinny Riso, Claire Shulman and her sister Ruth Wagner Betsy and Nick Garaufis Caroline and Paul share a dance Ted Baker, Mel Shulman, Meredith Baker, Claire Shulman and Ellen Shulman-Baker Wendy Miao, the bride and groom, and Wendy’s mother, Michelle Miao
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