This is the team that created the New York Social Diary, David P. Columbia and Jeff Hirsch. They have been working together for over twenty-two years, yet never in the same building together!
May I pour you another sip of fine wine and share another portion of my interview with David Patrick Columbia (DPC)? Who knows, perhaps I will write even more at another point in time. Hopefully, after my incessant nudging to David to write his biography, he will someday. As you can imagine, he has a plethora of life experiences to share with the world. David openly shared a glimmer with me, so that I may whisper them to you.
Holly: Given all the brilliant parties you have attended in your life, does one sparkle in your memory bank more than any of the others?
David: One of the greatest dinner parties that I have ever attended in my life was hosted by Edie Goetz in LA. Why? Because it was perfect in every way! Edith “Edie” Mayer Goetz hosted legendary dinners at her ‘Holmby Hills’ mansion, which was the epicenter of Hollywood for over twenty years. She was the “Queen of Hollywood!” The saying was, “What Edie wants, Edie gets!” Her father, Louis B. Mayer, built MGM into the most prestigious studio during Hollywood's golden age. Her sister, Irene, married Gone With the Wind producer and studio executive, David O. Selznick. And Edie's husband, Bill, ran 20th Century Fox, and then Universal-International.
Holly: I read that Edie had over sixty Impressionist paintings, which echoed the smooth elegance of her persona.
David: Edie had a beautiful house. I don’t know how many there were numbers-wise but they filled the walls of her library, Living Room, Dining Room and entrance gallery, and her bedroom. Over the fireplace was a van Gogh self-portrait. The pastel interiors were designed by actor-turned-decorator William Haines. She never discussed the interiors of the house, ever. That was because they were intended to look like her natural choices and collections. She created a social atmosphere that was very proper, with staff and chefs, which complemented the elegant decor of her house. It was a beautiful environment; it was very, very special.
Holly: In your eyes, what was it that Edie did that made her such an exceptional hostess?
David: When you went to her house, no matter who you were, if you were invited to be her guest, everyone was treated exactly the same, with the same respect and the same welcome. At her house, everyone was treated well, very comfortably and very equally. No one got more attention than anyone else, even the movie stars. Everyone was equal. Quite simply, everyone at Edie’s table was a guest of Edie before they were anything else. And everybody treated each other that way too! Cary Grant was actually just like David P. Columbia at the table because we were Madam’s guests.
Holly: How did the evening evolve?
David: Guests arrived promptly at 7:30 in the evening… you arrived on time! The food was perfect, the service was perfect, the timing was perfect, and it felt very easy... she entertained you. Drinks were served in the library. After drinks, one crossed the Living Room to the Dining Room. Dinner was presented superbly in a candlelit dining room which glowed all over, the food had the reputation as being the best in LA, and it was impeccably served. Her butler came from the Royal Household. They were not called Butlers in England, but instead, Footmen and they served in all the royal households — Clarence House, Buck House, Windsor, Balmoral, etc. Edie’s staff were local people except for the butler and the chef — those two were top of the market.
Afterward, the evening concluded with a screening in the Living Room. The screen was concealed in the ceiling until the process of screening began. It was surreal. Watching a film and sitting amongst the actors in the movie. And then, she said good night. Her sister, Irene, once wrote, “Entertaining became her career.”
(I am only telling you the tip of the iceberg of this stunning story… David, please write your biography for all of us to savor!)
Holly: As a thoughtful hostess, ‘charm’ to me is an essential factor, as charm contributes to making your guests feel comfortable. How do you describe real charm?
David: I found out early on in life, real charm is when people feel comfortable around you. You make people feel comfortable around you by being polite, by paying attention, and by being kind, even under circumstances where kindness is not the first choice! Because I am “nice,” I have had many opportunities to see, hear, and experience. Maybe not opportunities to make a lot of money, but opportunities to move around and make the most of whatever I have!
Holly: Do you think your background as a child contributed to your natural charm?
David: I came from a different world. We were poor; we were sub, not near the top. But because of my father’s early background in the 1920s and 1930s of being a chauffeur for the rich and famous, and because of my mother’s curiosity, I learned about the top and I pursued that. By the time I came along (the last of my father’s children) that was all PAST and memory. I found the way to pursue it was to always be nice, and to overlook those who are not. When people are not nice, I still remain nice, not phony. It is actually to protect myself, and it provides opportunities because it makes it easier for other people to relate to you.
Holly: We both have the same affinity for dogs! How many do you have now?
David: I have four dogs and a big soft spot for Shih Tzus. The real reason animals are good for you is because the way they make YOU feel… good! The way you feel about them, which is basically unconditional, is the best feeling in life. It is the feeling of love. You feel for them, and it is THAT feeling that makes you feel good. The same for the feelings of others, it makes you feel good!
David hit upon the notes that I believe contribute to creating a meaningful life, including treating one another equally and understanding the essence of real charm.
He said to me, “My office is my Living Room. My life is at my desk.” His stories and sage words of advice reminded me of the love he gives his four dogs… it makes us all feel good!
Thank you David for writing your clever chronicle about the social, historical, and cultural life of NYC. And, thank you, Jeff, for being the other clever half of NYSD. David told me, "Jeff is as much responsible for the NYSD as I am. I couldn’t have done it without his talent and eye and vice versa. He’s the one who makes it all look so good people want to read it!”
P.S. You are invited to send this along to others you know who may also enjoy an insight into the background of NYSD and will be inspired to subscribe!