What are you doing on May 16? Join us for the Renewal Summit—a day of inspiration with amazing Tomatoes. And that evening there’s a fabulous women’s chorus performance. Looking ahead to Mother’s Day? Our Long Island reporter shares fun events, and for the perfect gift (for Mom or yourself), head to Bloomingdale’s with style guru Gabrielle Carlson.

A new food hall is coming to the ground floor of the former Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue—with a respectful nod to its iconic past. Love a little NYC history? Until WWII, May 1 was the city’s universal moving day. And speaking of what’s new, our roving photographer just explored the stunning new Davis Center in Central Park.

May 16. A Day of Inspiration, Fun, and Connecting

Trust me. You don’t want to miss out on this amazing day. We have an exciting program, terrific exhibitors, a gourmet lunch, and a wine reception on the terrace. The only missing thing is you!

May 16. An Evening of Wonderful Music, Photography, and Storytelling

This women’s chorus, SoHarmonius, is back LIVE and LIVE-STREAMING for their Spring concert, in a beautiful performance venue on the Upper West Side!  This group represents three generations of women, and the multi-media concert is a unique blend of music, photography, and storytelling. Learn more and get tickets at: http://www.soharmoniums.com/

Shopping Made Easy

We know from our recent shopping survey that many of you find department store shopping overwhelming. Well, not anymore. Our dear friend Gabrielle Carlson, who is an expert in dressing women of all ages, shapes, and sizes, will make shopping a fun experience. Call her to set up a meeting date at Bloomingdale’s or just ask for her on the third floor.

Food Hall Comes to the Historic L&T Building

It was a sad day when Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue closed its doors, and the historical building was eventually bought by Amazon. Well, the grand floor is being transformed into a 35,000-foot hall. In a nod to Dorthy Shaver, a pioneer in fashion and business, it will be called Shaver Hall. She was the first woman in the U.S. to head a multimillion-dollar firm when she was appointed president of Lord & Taylor in 1945. The new culinary destination will feature 11 curated food stalls, a wine and cheese bar, a modern bodega, and even a performance space. Read on to learn more about Dorothy.

Dorothy Shaver’s career at Lord & Taylor began in the 1920s, where she quickly rose through the ranks, championing American designers and introducing the American Look—a movement that promoted homegrown fashion talent. She was known for her innovative marketing strategies, including launching suburban stores and focusing on teenage consumers.

Shaver was also a founding member of the Fashion Group, a networking organization for women in the fashion industry, alongside icons like Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. Her influence helped shape modern retail and fashion trends.

She never married and lived with her sister, Elsie, who was also involved in creative endeavors. Sadly, she passed away in 1959 after suffering a stroke.

Spotlight on Long Island: Mother’s Day Events

Andrea Peponakis says Mother’s Day on Long Island is more than just flowers and brunch—it’s a chance to create unforgettable memories with the women who’ve shaped our lives. This year, in addition to the flowers and greeting card, treat Mom to something more special. From charming farm festivals to portrait sessions in historic courtyards and scenic brunch cruises, Long Island is full of heartfelt ways to celebrate. Here are four fabulous events that promise to make her day truly one-of-a-kind. READ MORE.

When May 1 Was Moving Day

Thanks to 6qFt we found out about “Moving Day”—one of New York City’s most chaotic traditions! From colonial times until World War II, May 1st was the day when almost every renter in the city moved at the same time.

Here’s how it worked:

• On February 1st, landlords would notify tenants of rent increases.
• Tenants would spend the next few months searching for new apartments.
• On May 1st at 9:00 AM, all leases expired simultaneously, and the streets would be packed with wagons, carts, and furniture as thousands of people relocated at once.

The origins of Moving Day are debated—some say it came from the Dutch tradition of verhuisdag, while others link it to English May Day customs. By the 1820s, it was so widespread that New York passed a law, making May 1st the default lease expiration date unless stated otherwise.

The day was absolute pandemonium—farmers from Long Island and New Jersey would rent out their wagons at inflated prices, and cartmen often charged a week’s wages just to move belongings. Even schools closed because so many families were relocating!

By the late 19th century, some people started moving earlier, creating a “moving week” instead of a single day. The tradition finally faded during World War II, when rent control laws made lease expirations more flexible.

Imagine the chaos if this still happened today!

Roving at the Davis Center

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens, writes:

I have always been a big fan of the original Lasker Rink at the north end of Central Park at the Harlem Meer. Its groovy architecture from 1966 spoke to me about what the design of my childhood was about. I took my 3 daughters skating there in the winters, as it was always less crowded and less costly than Wolman Rink or Rockefeller Center. Lasker was authentic and filled with locals from the New York City community. It just felt good. As a devotee of Lasker, I was skeptical about the change.

The brand new Davis Center, opened at the old site on April 26th, and to my great relief, has exceeded my expectations. The $160 million renovation came in on time and on budget. Thank you to the city, which donated $60 million, and the Central Park Conservancy, which raised the rest, for this new jewel at the top of the park. Like the old facility, the Davis Center offers swimming in the summer and ice skating in the winter.

Adding a new pristine green space will keep the facility functional year-round. There is a beautiful building that answers to the incline and the ravine of the Harlem Meer landscape. My favorite aspects of this building are the natural resources chosen and the attention to the play of natural light.

The Davis Center will offer a new way to congregate for recreation and relaxation. There will be low cost programming for all generations, including yoga and meditation, dance, birding, skating lessons, hockey, and education for students about the park.

The gorgeous new center is another gathering place for all to come together for some respite, as originally intended by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, when they dreamed up our spectacular Central Park in 1857. Their mission lives on in the Davis Center!

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is an accomplished photographer, interior designer, and author of “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.”