Generally Gstaad - GstaadLife print edition

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Friday, September 25 2009
No. 18
gstaadlife.com
GSTAADLIFE IS AVAILABLE
IN THESE FINE HOTELS
***** Gstaad Palace: Le Restaurant, La
Grande Terrasse, Snack & Barbecue, The Lobby
Bar, Le Bar du Grill & GreenGo Nightclub,
Beauty & Spa, Outdoor Pool & Snack, Tennis.
Tel 033 748 50 00, Fax 033 748 50 01,
info@palace.ch, www.palace.ch
***** Grand Hotel Park, Gstaad: 99 luxurious
rooms, exclusive Guerlain-Spa Chakra,
Restaurants & bars: Marco Polo, Le Grand
Restaurant, Greenhouse, Chalet Waldhuus, Le
Bar and Marco Polo Bar.
Tel 033 748 98 00, www.grandhotelpark.ch
***** Grand Hotel Bellevue, Gstaad:
114 beds, 2,500 m2 SPA, Restaurant Prado,
Restaurant Coelho, Brasserie, Bellevue-Bar,
911 Club, Carnotzet.
Tel 033 748 00 00, www.bellevue-gstaad.ch
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Ambulance 144, Police 117
Police offi ce 033 356 84 31
Fire-brigade 118
Saanen Hospital 033 748 02 00
Château-d‘Oex Hospital 026 923 43 43
Car accident service 033 744 88 80
Veterinary F. Neff 033 744 35 31
Veterinary S. Frohloff 033 744 06 61
Medical emergency 0900 57 67 47
Dental emergency 033 748 02 00
For additional useful numbers please visit
www.gstaadlife.ch/usefulnumbers
For the latest local weather forecast visit
www.gstaadlife.com/weather
CHURCH SERVICES
St Peter`s English-speaking Anglican
Church, Château-d’Œx: Sun September 27
17h30, Reverend Clive Atkinson.
Roman Catholic Church St Josef, Gstaad:
Sat September 26 18h00 eucharistic ceremony.
Sun September 27 11h00 eucharistic ceremony,
16h00 Santa Messa (Italian). Wed September
30 16h30 rosary, 17h00 eucharistic ceremony.
Generally Gstaad
The established annual spring,
summer and now autumn
events calendar has trundled
along seemingly as usual and
without extraordinary comment.
Adjoining this air of regularity
however is an emergent public
dialogue that seems to be
gathering momentum. This dialogue,
amidst the jovial atmosphere
of summer festivities,
considers such sober topics as
concerns over new property
developments and observations of
newly actualized events. In some
instances petitions have been
drawn up – formal letters have
been handed over to municipal
authorities, and views have been
aired in the local German
language newspaper, The Anzeiger
von Saanen.
In this issue of GstaadLife we
feature this dialogue as a central
topic. We have gathered articles
out of the AVS and translated
them. We have put to print readers
comments sent to us, Taki has his
say on the matter as does, in
separate instant, Taki’s daughter,
Mandolyna.
Our objective is to remain
impartial as this dialogue ebbs
and fl ows and bring to our readers
the weight of public comment as
it is at the time of publishing. In
■ By Peter Sonnekus-Williams
order to keep a balance on matters
we encourage readers to send us
their opinions in order for us to
promote lively debate and keep
the scales balanced.
The Saanenland region what
it stands for culturally and
aesthetically and what it off ers to
its residents, visitors and patrons
alike, is a topic that will continue
to generate lively conversation. So
as we now contemplate the change
in season, it seems to be a good
time to take a look over our
shoulders and see what has
transpired regarding this energetic
dialogue over the past months.
continued on page 3
■ Readers comments p. 3 ■ Visitors share worries p. 4 ■ Taki p. 6 ■ Automobile rally’s p. 6/7 ■ I shop, therefore I am p. 8
Photo: Anita Moser

New address
med. vet. Silke Frohloff M.A.
Veterinary Center ARCHE
has moved
The Veterinary Centre ARCHE
has left their provisional premises
in the Badweidli and moved into
the new built chalet in Rütti,
Gsteigstrasse 5, Gstaad.
At the new location they are set
up to deliver the highest standard
of veterinary medicine with the
latest equipment for surgery and
diagnostic procedures in spacious
rooms.
Arche states that they are the fi rst
veterinary practice in the
Saanenland working with digital
X-Ray, Ultrasound, ECG and
blood pressure measurement
apparatus. Further they have a
complete laboratory for the
examination of blood, urines or
faeces.
To ensure safety during anaesthesia
and particularly for older
dogs and cats they use inhalation
anaesthesia, controlled ventilation
Gsteigstrasse 5
Rütti
CH-3780 Gstaad
Tel. 033 744 06 61
24h emergencies
Mobile 076 534 14 59
and extensive monitoring. Further
on off er is hospitalisation in
diff erent light rooms for dogs and
cats and a 24-hour emergency
care.
Primary concern is for the well
being of their patients and the
contentment of their owners.
Beside the small animals they also
treat farm animals and are looking
forward to increasing this involvement.
The organisation thanks their
clients for the confi dence that they
have received during the fi rst year
of practice and continue to off er
their veterinary medical support
to the community whenever
needed.
Opening hours:
Monday - Friday 8-12 h
and 14-18 h
Saturday 9-12 h
���������������
GSTAAD PALACE SPA MEMBERSHIP
Enjoy the exclusive Spa at the Gstaad Palace as one
of our limited Spa members. Benefi t during the
entire season from 1’800 m 2 including indoor and
outdoor pool, jacuzzi, relaxation areas, gym, sauna,
steam bath as well as a 10 % discount on treatments.
3780 Gstaad - Switzerland
Phone +41 33 748 50 00 - www.palace.ch
Event corner September 25 2009 until October 25 2009
■ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
until SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31: Exhibition
of Thomas Zipp at Galerie
von Patricia Low, Gstaad. Thomas Zipp
presents his new exhibition: The world’s
most complete congress of strange birds.
Preview Friday, August 28, from 6 to 8
pm. Open from Tuesday–Saturday, 1–7
pm, Sunday 3–6 pm. Brochure available.
Phone 033 744 88 04.
■ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Market in Gsteig: Traditional market
with jodel, music concerts and food in
the village of Gsteig. For more info phone
033 755 81 81.
■ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
09h00: Elderly people day on the
Rellerli, Schönried. Special rates for
elderly people – bring your insurance
identity card! For more info phone
033 748 87 11.
■ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Goats parade through Saanen: 12h30
– Route: train station, Landhaus, Gehret,
Enzian Keramik. For more info contact
033 744 87 55.
■ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
MEMBERSHIP
WINTER CHF 1.500 WINTER / SUMMER CHF 2.500
For further information please contact our Spa Manager
+41 33 748 5000 - spa@palace.ch
Goats parade through Saanen: 11h00
– Apéro at the Train Station. For more
info contact 033 744 87 55.
10h00: Traditional market in Lauenen.
Folklore in Restaurant Geltenhorn. Swiss
music evening in Hotel Wildhorn at 20h30.
until SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4: Family days on
the Glacier 3000: For more information
contact 033 748 17 17.
until SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4: Mountain bike
weekend tours Gstaad: Price incl 2 tours
with guide, 1 cable car trip and 2 energy
packs and drinks. Added 1 overnight stay in
a ***hotel with breakfast. For 1 person per
room SFr 113.00 or for 2 people per room SFr
196.00. Reservation possible, 079 282
83 85.
until SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4: Glacier days,
Gsteig: To pass a day on 3000 meters is a
splendid experience for the whole family.
Special price: SFr 29.00 for the cable car ride
(up and down). For more info phone 024 492
09 23.
■ MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Market in Saanen: Sale of local products.
For further information, contact 033 748
92 10.
■ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
until SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25: Gstaader
Messe: Exhibition of the local shops – free
entry at the Tennis hall in Gstaad. For more
info contact 033 744 15 23.

Friday, September 25 2009 · gstaadlife.com
Page 3
continued from page 1
Readers comments regarding
develoment
I am writing to express my
concern about the planned new
constructions in the centre of
Gstaad. I have been coming to
Gstaad for the last 50 years. This
village and its surroundings have
become my second home and I
am very attached to it. So it is
with sadness and anger that I see,
hear and read about the various
projects - for example the tearing
down of the old chalets on either
side of the Promenade which are
so characteristic of this village
and replacing them with new ones
which are going to be much larger
and out of proportion with the
rest of the old ones. By allowing
this to happen all the charm of
Gstaad will disappear and likewise
the reason why so many people
like to come and spend time here.
I fail to understand why the local
authorities permit foreign
investors to buy so much of the
village and ruin it. Gstaad is
unique in its authenticity and it
should be preserved at all costs.
Let’s not turn Gstaad into another
Crans, Sierre with nothing but
deluxe boutiques and fancy
apartments which remain empty
most of the time. Think also
of the local youth which soon
will have no place to meet
anymore. No wonder they all
want to leave! Please let’s preserve
our heritage and don’t kill the
golden goose!
Brigitte Crompton
Here are my thoughts, for what
they are worth. Since I live in
Lauenen, I can’t sign the petition
that has been passed around. It
seems like Gstaad has become a
giant monopoly board, with the
same players hoarding all the
places available to build incongruous
shops. It is unfor tunate
that these people cannot fi nd
more interesting or more worthwhile
ways to occupy themselves.
Apparently, they are “au forfait”,
in which case they are pushing
their luck, and jeopardizing the
situation for the other similar
residents. Maybe some suggestions
on ways of helping the com-
munity, instead of angering them,
would interest them.
It is a beautiful day in the Saanenland;
maybe I’ll bike up to the
Lauenensee.
Evelyne Peten
As a visitor, resident, and tax
payer of the region since 1983
(26 years), I couldn’t agree more
with your article “One precious
Pro menade”. The relentless
develop ment, traffi c, noise, and
greed are forever destroying
what’s left of a once special place.
Gstaad owed its prestige to Le
Rosey (the alumni), The Palace,
and the surrounding beauty. Now
the ceaseless development has
driven away most high-worth and
internationally-renowned in dividuals,
leaving only the sportswear-clad
‘mainstream’, coach
parties, and camper vans. For
example, Supermarkets don’t
entirely support local business;
they buy nationally and drive
local suppliers out of business. In
the process they fi ll our ill-suited
roads with countless lorries (for
deliveries), and force once local
suppliers into property development
(all that’s left to them),
further exacerbating the pro blem.
The current pace of development
is as self-defeating as any other
abuse on the environment (forget
the cows). Not only will local
property eventually fall into line
with the rest of Switzerland but
prestigious traders will be driven
out of business too. If the Saanen
Gemeinde doesn’t freeze all
further development in the area I
fear Gstaad will soon be as ‘special’
as Bulle (no off ense to Bulle
intended).
Allister Mannion
Readers comments regarding
Events on the Promenade
I would like to thank Mr. Daniel
Loertscher for his wise remarks
concerning the endless promotion
of Gstaad. Why must his lovely
village be turned into a noisy,
ugly and sometimes smelly (cooking
sausages) summer circus?
Yes, put all this uglyness near
the station, and leave the beauty
and charm of our village
intact.
Valerie Youmans
Whenever something new
happens in Gstaad, there are
always “bench sitters” and “fl ower
box studiers”, who write about
someone who has ideas, which
bring life to the village. It’s
unbelievable – now even cultural
events are hosted on the Promenade.
Gstaad alive was a daring
venture and I fi nd that the
organizers attracted a very
exciting and diverse mix for
people, who don’t want to look at
a lit-up chapel or a decorated
BEKB-chalet for 365 days of the
year. I, for my part rather visit a
village, which has something
more to off er in the evening than
a solo entertainer on a hotel
terrace. There are really enough
places in Gstaad where one can
observe the fl owers in peace,
marvel at the churches and count
banknotes. Really missing are
open spaces, where events take
place in the evening (especially in
summer). Somewhere the youth
can meet. This occupies the youth
and prevents any foolishness,
which could arise from boredom,
frustration or staring daily at litup
monuments. Also it is a farce
to accuse the organizers of Gstaad
alive, of staging south-sea bars.
The strength of the program was
precisely its variety. Whoever
wants to plant balconies with
fl owers, or admire chalets and
chapels, can do so. Gstaad isn’t
only a parking area for the well
heeled, Porsche-Cayenne-drivers,
a runway for Gucci-bags or a shop
counter for caviar. Gstaad is fi rst
and foremost a living space for the
population of the Saanenland.
Moreover I feel sorry for the shop
owners of the Gstaad promenade,
who have to worry about their
existence, because Gstaad Alive
chased away their startled
clientele. It should be possible to
Your confi dence is our highest commitment
Gstaad 033 748 77 88 · Feutersoey 033 755 19 51
www.raiffeisen.ch/saanenland
Local news
organize a two-week cultural
event in Gstaad, without causing
harm to the fl owers, guests and
the shopkeepers or the lovely
chalets. Keep Gstaad alive!
Christoph von Allmen
Steffi sburg & Saanen (translation)
Usually only the discontented
write a letter. I was very disconcerted
and angry, when the
newspaper “Gstaad Life” printed
a reader letter on the front page
(from Mrs. Daniel Loertscher),
which in the layout comes across
as being misleading and biased. As
such I can’t take the reporting of
“Gstaad Life” seriously anymore.
A logical consequence would now
be, to off er a counter statement
the equal converge in the next
issue. I fully agree with the
publishing of reader letters of such
nature, as I feel everybody should
have the right to voice their
opinion. I would like to point
out, that mostly discontented
people address the public with a
letter. Thereby the impression of
an event can be hugely falsifi ed.
Those who enjoyed an event
hardly ever voice their opinion.
Unfortunately I also belong to the
latter group. This is exactly why I
would like to take the opportunity
to express my praise for the
organizers of “Gstaad alive”. I
feel, they have accomplished to
put together a program that
appeals to many diff erent groups
of interests and sometimes even
brought them together. During
the time of the event I observed
many happy faces on the
Kapälliplatz, and I always
perceived the ambience to be very
jovial and relaxed. I would
welcome it for “Gstaad Life” to
become “Gstaad alive” every
summer for two weeks!
Theres Rütschi, Gstaad (trans lation)

Local news
Regular visitors share the worries
of the locals
In an open letter (AVS April
24 2009) young locals voiced
their opinions with regard to
their worries about the
development of Gstaad. At
the last municipal assembly
the local council was asked to
investigate legal measures in
order to reduce the size of
new constructions in the
village zone of Gstaad. These
locals are now receiving
support from regular visitors,
who have also addressed the
municipality in an open
letter.
The large new buildings in the
village center zone, the housing
shortage for locals, as well as the
selling of a homeland gave rise to
discussion at the municipal
assembly. “The pain threshold has
been reached”, was the title in the
Anzeiger von Saanen of June 23.
Three applications were handed
in at the assembly, with the
request that the municipal
authority investigate if and how
housing shortages for the locals
and the “mammoth constructions”
in the village center, can be
avoided.
Support from the regular
visitors
Not only are the locals concerned
about the developments, but also
are long standing faithful visitors,
chalet and apartment owners.
They also pledge for the
conservation of the village image
and share the worry about the
frequent disappearance of the
“little character chalets” on the
outskirts of the village. “We are
still very happy here, but at the
same time are worried that the
character of the Saanenland,
which we appreciate so much,
will get lost”, is how Ruedi
Spillman summarized the
sentiments of the chalet and
holiday visitors. He told the
Anzeiger von Saanen that on
request of the guests and locals, he
coordinated the open letter
petition. Hereafter is the open
letter, signed by “a group of loyal
visitors of the Saanenland, chalet
and apartment owners”, in exact
wording.
Open letter from longstanding
and loyal visitors
Dear Mr Mayor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen
We would like to bring to your
attention our concern about the
many new building projects in
the village Gstaad. In the past
years the village has undergone
many changes, which have
signifi cantly infl uenced the
traditional aspect. In consideration
of the strong development of the
real estate in the Saanenland, it
was unavoidable that over the past
years a considerable amount of
new buildings emerged.
Buildings, which diff erentiate
themselves in size and character
from the customary old chalets.
Should numerous newly planned
buildings – also if only partially
– be realized, there will be no
doubt that the image of the village
is going to be signifi cantly and
irrevocably changed, even
disfi gured and with that loose the
unique character of our village
we appreciate so much.
Mr Mayor, you mentioned this
problem in your address on
August 01. With this letter we beg
you and all the members of the
municipal council to urgently
address this issue, and that these
uncontrollable developments be
stopped and that new projects be
planned not to further disturb
today’s image of the village. We
thank you in advance for your – as
we hope – energetic intervention,
in order that our loved and typical
Gstaad be preserved.
Gioconda Cicogna; Anne d’Assche;
Sarina de Ganay; Barbara Burgerhout;
Béatrice Bracht; Benedetta Barberini;
Sveva Gaetani; Pietro Paolo Cavalletti;
Inge Kopper; Leopoldo Rodes;
Fernando Rodes; Maria Macaya;
Sandra Macaya; Javier Macaya;
Cristina Macaya; M. und Mme
Carlos und Gisela Padula; Elsa
Talayero; Carlos E. Padula; Clarissa
Padula; Denis Burrus; Albert de
Limburg Stirum; Sophie de la
Rozière; M. und Mme Bernard und
Françoise Vaxelaire-de Ganay;
Marianne Bracht; Louis de la Rozière;
Myriam De Colombi; Clermonde
Spillmann de Loes; Alexandra
Schönburg; Taki Theodoracopulos;
Hans R. Spillmann; Marc Casthelaz;
Philippe Lanckswert; Stanislas de
Sadeleer; Isabelle de Sadeleer;
Giampietro Dotti; Luca Dotti; Didier
Massard; Adelheid Massard-Koch;
Verena Spillmann; Maria Valeria
Piaggio; Michele Nussbaumer;
Nicolas Kairis; Catherine Kairis; G.
Pereira; Jeannette De Chochor; Jaleh
Khosrovani-Diba; Denise Elfen;
Peter Huri; Antoinette Engel;
Kenneth Porter; Jasmine von Spee;
Emmanuel von Spee; Sabrina
Grabau; Françoise Bodmer; Anthony
Buhl; M.-France Buhl; Henry Buhl;
Pierre Brossette; Monica de Dietrich;
Karin de Bailliencourt; M. und Mme
Jack und Leonarde Heuer; Clelia
Batista; Johannes Niederhauser;
Margot Bennett-Mathieson; Truls
Berg; Marianne Berg; Alain Benatar;
Laurence Neubauer; Lodovico
Antinori; Tomaso Sessa; Fréderic
gstaadlife.com · Friday, September 25 2009
Concern shown for Gstaad’s character chalets
Page 4
Dalle; Maria Christine Piaggio-
Croce; Isabelle de Traux; Vera
Michalski-Hoff mann; Olivier de
Croï; Eric Franck; Evelyn Franck;
Paul-Emmanuel Janssen; Cecilia
Janssen; Desmond Corcoran; Pierre
Keller; Eric Demole; Dominique
Jooris; Sophie Jooris; Eric Guerlain;
M. und Mme Karl und Elisabeth
Farner; Sergio Taddei; Stanley Weiss;
Françoise Margot; Antoine van der
Noot; Olivier Huguet; Heidi
Salvisberg; Ulrike Schüpbach;
Yannick Letort; Aliki Goulandris;
Vlad Antoniades; M. und Mme
Daniel und Sarina Marti; Martina
Schade, Hans-Peter Debrunner;
Nicole Urben; Thierry Peuvot; Eliane
Helfer; Ginevra Carrassi; Camila
Cavalletti; Juan Samaranch; Cristina
Samaranch; Clara Inera; Alfonso
Rodes; Donatella Zingone Dini;
Brigitte Crompton; Irene Küng; Fay
Hodler; Erica Narby; Luca di Marzo;
Raff aella Revano; Federica Sessa;
Hermance van der Schalk Kamberg;
Carol van der Schalk Kamberg;
Elisabeth van Till; Woen van Andel;
Egberdina Aardenburg; Lucas Aarden
burg; Urs Hodler; Eugenie Radziwill;
Lukas Radziwill; Clive und
Anne Gibson; Christine Camerana-
Lang; Giovanni Fani Giotti; Ferdinand
Gaetani, Cedric Notz;
Margherita Purinegri, Maurice A.
Amon.
Photo: AvS

Friday, September 25 2009 · gstaadlife.com
Page 5
Local news
Open Architecture in the field of
Asset Management at Saanen Bank AG
Saanen Bank AG is today in a
unique position to provide its
fi nancial as well as private banking
services in a totally neutral
and independent manner.
Having said that Saanen Bank AG is
operating under the aspects of an
open architecture, a database on
which they can monitor the total
universe of funds as well as other
fi nancial products. In such a manner
the advisors at Saanen Bank AG
would seize down the total universe
of various products including hedge
funds and create tailor made risk
adjusted portfolios for its clientele and
implement short fall risk scenarios on
request.
According to the Head of private
banking, Mr. Toni Knecht, the
Saanen Bank AG would deal in most
of the funds on a net asset value basis
for its clients. Toni Knecht: “Lately
Saanen Bank AG has attracted a
number of new clients on the asset
managment side having identifi ed us
as being not only a source of diversifi
cation of their assets but even
more importantly having access to a
second opinion on the markets and
being entitled to access our research.
The fact that we identify ourselves
as being Marathon men in the
fi nancial markets and not really 80
yard sprinters makes us an even more
valuable partner for our clients. Local
as well as in ternational clients are increasingly
sharing our view of a
mutual benefi t in selecting independent
and neutral advisors in the
fi eld of wealth management and consequently
the size of the provider of
the services is becoming less important”.
Head of private banking Mr. Toni Knecht
Photo: zVg

Local news
Gstaad – Life ■ by Taki Theodoracopulos
When my son asks me what
Gstaad was like when I fi rst visited
more than fi fty years ago, I amuse
myself by describing the Rita
Hayworth Cup, and when Gstaad
won the Series A in hockey, with
Rudy Mullener, G. Hermann and
G.von Siebenthal on the team.
It’s all a joke, of course, as those
events took place before my time,
during the late forties and early
fi fties, when I was still locked up
in school back back in America.
Not that much had changed by
the time I got here in 1956. The
sleepy, unhurried bygone era
feeling will always be associated
with Gstaad as far as I’m
concerned, the sheer blissfulness
of the place always close to me
heart, especially as other resorts
the world over decided to
modernize and become “cool.”
I remember well a Greek lady
telling me not to write about
Gstaad, in case the place became
popular and lose its uniqueness.
Well, write about it I did, and I’m
Jewel of the Alps
Under the patronage of The
Lord Montague of Beaulieu.
Jonathon Lyons’ “Jewel of the
Alps” recently passed through
Gstaad. The Jewel series of which
Jonathon is the Chairman is a top
draw tour series for owners and
lovers of classic and rare cars.
Previous tours include, The Jewel
of Jordan, the Jewel of the Cape,
the Jewel of Europe and the Jewel
of China whereby extra special
locations host a spectacular
itinerary developed by Jonathon
and his team. Such itinerary
includes some of the most
spectacular scenery in the world,
accommodation at some of the
world’s most fabulous hotels and
dining in the very best of
restaurants along the way.
The recent Jewel of the Alps
started in Lausanne continuing
via Les Diablerets to Gstaad then
on to Lucerne and Pontresina near
as responsible as anyone in
advertising the “Mecca of the rich
and famous,” a place where
expensive boutiques catering to
the rich and hundred million
franc chalets replaced the corner
butcher shop, the tiny grocery,
the bakeries, and the picturesque
dwellings dotting the hills. Let’s
face it. Although Gstaad has not
gone the way of Courchevel,
Verbier, and Crans-Montana, our
standards have been lowered and
coarsened, and our image of a
picture-perfect Swiss village of
old is no more. Progress, of
course, cannot be stopped and
shouldn’t be, but keeping the
character of the village should be
uppermost in our minds. Gstaad
was and is unique, and its
uniqueness has to do with one
thing only. Its architecture. Other
resorts have been vulgarized by
large modern buildings which
attract the wrong kind of guests.
The greeting card image of bliss
has gone the way of good manners.
I spent one night in a French
popular ski resort and it was hell,
a honky-tonk, shopping mall
sprawl full of drunken Russians
and their fur-clad girlfriends,
with night clubs lining the streets
and drug dealers openly advertising
their wares. A more
malodorous cesspit teeming with
leeches I have yet to see, and this
was a skiing paradise only twentyfi
ve years ago. The locals I spoke
to wailed about their village, but
it was they who had chosen glitz
over tradition.
My concern is that this doesn’t
take place here. Keeping the
charm and façade of our old town
is the way we can keep Gstaad’s
image intact. And it seems that
the young people of Gstaad agree.
They, too, wish to keep the
character of the village, which if
we replace the old with bigger
new, will be gone forever. Once
the change takes place, no matter
how gradual it is, the spirit of
Gstaad will be impossible to
recapture. Many of us old time
The Jewel of the Alps tour makes a pit stop at Pichler GFG AG
St Moritz, then Lugano and back
to Lausanne. The tour through
Switzerland embraced magnifi cent
landscape, brilliant roads and a
well-balanced set of cultural
variety. Whilst in Gstaad the tour
was accommodated at the Palace,
dined at the Posthotel Rössli and
visited Pichler GFG AG, whereby
the participants were treated to
seeing the impressive extended
Pichler establishment as well as
enjoy a private viewing of the
brothers Pichler’s on-premises
gstaadlife.com · Friday, September 25 2009
Page 6
guests wish to see Gstaad remain
the way it is. Old village chalets
can be rebuilt, but as long as they
remain in exact proportion of
what they are replacing. Modern
glass is vulgar and forbidding,
wood is charming and it has selfeff
acing dignity.
Unfortunately progress is no
longer associated with moving
forward, but with enlargement
and growth. The way to move
forward in a manner benefi cial to
all, locals and guests alike, is to
remain transfi xed with the past.
What made Gstaad exclusive was
its loyalty to the architecture of
the past. Let’s never forget this.
Big is bad, and small is not only
beautiful, it’s also benefi cial to all
of us.
Yours sincerely, Taki.
collection of some of the world
fi nest cars. For more information
regarding the event see www.
thejewelevents.com
By Peter Sonnekus-Williams
Photo: Martin Sonnekus-Williams

Friday, September 25 2009 · gstaadlife.com
Page 7
Gstaad Classic Audemars Piquet
Together with the Gstaad
Automobile Club Patrick Peter,
Isabelle de Sadeleer and Jerôme
Della Santa have put together
a signifi cant summer event.
Recently, 88 gracious and valuable
old-timer touring cars, GT’s and
sports cars were on view for all to
enjoy in the centre of Gstaad,
where the start of the fi rst
old-timer-rally “Gstaad Classic
Audemars Piguet” took place.
The Swiss Formula-1-driver
Sébastien Buemi, was a guest and
he took the trouble of setting up
an autograph session which was
equally enjoyed. “Gstaad is a very
attractive region and participants
from all over the world would
like to get to know it better”, said
Isabelle de Sadeleer, founder and
co-organizer of the event. The
well-worth seeing Oldtimer-
Rally, which the local community
can watch, will take place every
two years.
The three visionaries of the
event : Patrick Peter, Isabelle
de Sadeleer and Jerôme Della
Santa (from left)
Local news
On Thursday around 09h00 was the start of the fi rst leg. The
speaker described every rare car in detail, before it went onto
the “race track” – it was worth seeing!
Bentley rally visits Chopard in Gstaad
The “Bentley Alps and Valleys
Rally had a recent two- day stop
over in Gstaad. 14 Unusual cars
(majority pre-war models) of the
Bentley label became the proud
members of the legendary
“Bentley Boys”, which have
driven through all continents
since the 1920’s.
Participants were cordially received
in Gstaad by family
Scheufele at the Chopard Gstaad
establishment. Chopard has
supported the world of classical
automobile sport for 20 years with
passion and was the main sponsor
of this event.
Karl-Friedrich and Christine Scheufele, Karl and Karin Scheufele
Photos: Tina Doset
Photos: zVg

Photo: © photocase.com, xxxxcesxxxx
Local news
With all the new buildings going
up in Gstaad, why not build a
pantheon to commemorate the
worlds’ most brilliant thinkers? I
nominate the man responsible for
erecting the fi rst shopping mall.
By the look of things, he will
probably make the short list, along
with Paris Hilton, and George W.
Bush. The powers that be can
decide where in town they want
this pantheon, perhaps in lieu of
the church, or the Olden. Some
might object to tearing down
prominent architectural features
of our alpine wonderland, but
why not, after all, where would
mankind be without saviors like
Ikea, Globus, and Coop? Nowheresville.
That’s where. Think
of the magnifi cent concrete, the
stupendous car parks, and all that
neatly presented paraphernalia a
shopping center has to off er.
They are rather like the chateaus
of Europe once were, modern
symbols of everything one wants
but usually can’t have. Furthermore,
they are a great place to
meet people, watch people, eat,
and go to the movies.
For me, malls are like Mecca.
Once a year I make my annual
pilgrimage to a new mall proudly
wearing my most treasured
t-shirt. I bought it at the Beverly
Center in Los Angeles, one of the
greatest malls ever built. One can
see the Beverly Center appro aching
from miles away. I’d love to
be stuck up there on that brilliant
hunk of concrete one day, on a
billboard the size of a New York
gstaadlife.com · Friday, September 25 2009
GSTAAD LIFE: Publisher: Frank Müller frank.mueller@gstaadlife.ch; Editor: Peter Sonnekus-Williams peter.sonnekus@gstaadlife.ch; Editorial: Diana Oehrli diana.oehrli@gstaadlife.ch; Photography
& food writing: Sanet Sonnekus-Williams sanet.sonnekus@gstaadlife.ch; Advertising: Peter Kuntze-Schneider peter.kuntze@gstaadlife.ch; Publishing, conception, printing: Müller Marketing
& Druck AG, Gstaad. Subscriptions: Jacqueline Beetschen tel 033 748 88 74. Classifieds: tel 033 748 88 74, info@gstaadlife.ch
Page 8
I shop, therefore I am? ■ by Mandolyna Theodoracopulos
We would
like to hear
from you
GstaadLife is the English speaking
press of the Saanenland. We
report on local news and events,
present local personalities and
general interesting topics related
to the unique lifestyle of the
Saanenland.
We also invite you, the reader, to
share your thoughts and
experiences with us. So many
unique experiences happen that
we would love to hear about.
Good or bad, we are interested to
City block. Of course I would
wear my favorite t-shirt, it says I
shop therefore I am. When I wear
my shirt people often shout
Descartes at me. My French isn’t
that good, so it took me a while
to realize that they meant, des
(shopping) carts. I was so pleased
to know that I am not the only
person obsessed with shopping.
Imagine my excitement when I
heard they were thinking of
building a new mall in Gstaad. I
can’t wait for the whole place to
be swallowed up into one giant
concrete block where I can shop
indoors without the threat of sun,
snow or fresh air.
Save a few aesthetes and infi dels,
almost everybody loves shopping
centers. So, why is everyone in
Gstaad rattling sabers over the
new mall proposal? I guess
traditionalists would argue that
tearing down a charming old
chalet where they sell women’s
lingerie is a crime against men,
and big breasted ladies that need
their brassieres. They might also
object to turning Gstaad into a
theme park like they did this year
on hot summer nights. Sounds a
bit ornery to me, but I guess I can
understand why someone would
want to see Mickey and Minnie
in their natural habitat. Speaking
of which, I hear new malls usually
destroy the environment. I guess
that’s bad, but since cows seem to
pollute more than cars, maybe we
should build a drive through mall
and just get rid of farmland
hear from you. Of course we
publish at our discretion and edit
content. How ever, constructive
points of view and charming
stories always come up trumps.
Please send contributions to: the
Editor, GstaadLife, Kirchstrasse,
3780 Gstaad, or email to peter.
sonnekus@gstaadlife.ch
altogether. The big stinker, I am
told, about big stores, is that they
kill small businesses. I still don’t
see why it’s such a big deal.
Having someone else worry about
the critical details is so much
easier. I guess one could also
contend that people really don’t
need that much stuff . But how
wrong they are! Obviously
someone is getting rich off
manufacturing malls and what
goes into malls, and they will need
a mall to buy all sorts of things to
put into their big new houses.
In a perfect world, everything
would be free, or based on a barter
system. But since we live in a
world where people must make a
living, I wonder, does prosperity
need to come at such an expense?
Sure, malls are convenient, but
they contribute to the evergrowing
sprawl plaguing su burban
vistas. They breed a culture
of fancy, rather than one of
intellectual curiosity, respect for
nature, preservation, and innovation.
They are built with
little more than profi t in mind.
The consequences of which,
unfortunately, last far longer than
the time unsophisticated architects
take to design them. With all the
technological know-how, and
human intelligence we are
resourced with, couldn’t we fi nd
a way to get people what they
need, without turning the world
into a monstrous industrial city,
and an old ski station into Rodeo
Drive?
Classifi eds
diverse
Gstaad Yacht Club looking
for a bridge teacher to give
lessons in French or English
to a group of beginners.
Please contact: 033 748 0190 or
secretary@gstaadyachtclub.com