High on anyone’s list is the perfect backyard. It is one of the most pleasurable sights to sit in comfortable chairs and survey the pool and the rest of the scene. Once again, House magazine is very pleased to capture many of the scenes of beautiful landscapes designed by members of the Long Island Nurserymen and Landscape Association. This year’s entries were all fabulous, especially those of Kean Landscaping, Schlick Design Group, Dodds & Eder and Ireland Gannon, all of whom received Gold LINLA Awards.

Mercedes Courland is one of the brightest and best interior designers on the planet and nothing gives all of us here at the magazine greater pleasure seeing her work. Indeed, Mercedes has a unique history which is brought out in her story by June Sullivan.

There’s another story in this issue that demands a word or two to say the least. Many of our readers know Christine, my wife, who is the founder and publisher of Networking magazine. We both conduct our businesses under the same roof, but Christine has a different mission and that is culminated in the annual David Awards program which she originated to honor men who give back to the community. Close to 600 guests showed up at a breakfast on January 18 at the Crest Hollow Country Club to witnesss this highly unusual event.

Making it interesting was the fact many of guests had been there before. This highly unusual event warms the heart as the presenters, women, talk for two minutes about the background of each man. Then the honoree gets up and talks about how he gives back to the community. This is the sixth time Christine and her staff has made the David Awards work. Part of the proceeds of the breakfast goes to a different charity each year. This time it was the Long Island Housing Partnership for the Ecke Avenue Development.

What an issue!