Beachcomber, July 1

It is so wonderful to see things starting to get back to normal — events, cocktail parties, weddings, all those things that make for a wonderful summer. June was a particularly busy month for brides in Southampton, with so many of my friends’ children getting married. I was sorry to miss the nuptials and the parties afterward, as I am still in Florida.

I have to congratulate Haley Willis and Peter Ludlow on their wedding at the Dune Church. I also want to send my best wishes to Kingsley Crawford on her nuptials to Jesse Smith at Sacred Hearts. I did hear from many of the guests that both brides looked stunning on their special days.

I particularly loved the candid photo of Haley and Peter on the stairs of the Dune Church. The wind caught Haley’s veil just right — a photographer’s dream. And to see the photo of Kingsley and Jesse driving away from Sacred Hearts in Kingsley’s grandfather’s 1968 280 SE Mercedes was priceless.

This past Friday evening, the Southampton Arts Center opened its doors to host “Whimsy in the Garden.” The event helped to kick off the summer season for the center and had an incredible turnout, as over 250 supporters came to enjoy the night. Tom Dunn welcomed the guest and thanked them for their support. Elyn Kronemeyer also spoke and talked about the numerous programs going on at the center this summer.

The night started in the galleries with a tour of the current exhibition, “Earth: Artists as Activists,” and continued outside on the Great Lawn, surrounded by the sculptures, which were curated by Eric Fischl. The butterfly motif and the Bossa Nova band added to the festivities, which were complemented by delicious treats from Acquolina and Pomp & Whimsy gin cocktails. Graff, Artisan Luxe Bio Beauty, Purist and the Holly Peterson Foundation generously supported the evening.

Seen enjoying the evening: Lydia and Rudy Touzet, Paul Travis and Mark Fichandler, Cricket and Richard Burns, Rob and Helena Vahradian, Liliana Cavendish, Tish Rehill, Linda and Peter Talty, Cheri Kaufman and Bill Sclight, Peter Hallock and Craig Mowry, Susan and David Edelstein, Amanda Taylor, Alex Kuczynski, Robin Avram, Fern Mallis, Bettina Zilkha, Regina and Rainer Greeven, Jill Braufman and Daniel Nir, Fairley Pilaro and Joe Messina, and Elyn and Jeff Kronemeyer.

This Friday night, the Southampton Arts Center will be showing a movie on the lawn. The movie this week is “Grease,” and it starts at 8 p.m. It’s so much fun to go out to dinner in town and then stop by to catch even a portion of the movie. Or just make a night of it and pack a snack, bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy the show. I love that the center is making such good use of that wonderful lawn!

Sunday was opening day at the Southampton Fresh Air Home — it’s the first time the campers have been back in almost two years. As you recall last season, the campers had to work remotely, and while it was wonderful for the children, there is nothing like the experience they have by physically being at the camp. It was so nice to see all the campers gathered around the flagpole as they raised the flag to start the summer season.

I was so glad to hear that the reinvented DDD event was such a huge success. This year, instead of a cocktail party, they decided to turn the event into an all-day shopping spree. Being responsible, they limited the number of people allowed in during each two hours of shopping spree. According to my conversations with Ann Grimm, who is one of the driving forces for this event, the day was very successful. I was so sad not to be there — it was the first time in 15 years that I missed this event.

This Friday evening, of course, the Fresh Air Home will provide Fireworks by Grucci at 9:15 p.m. over Shinnecock Bay. It is the 33rd year for the fireworks. While the “American Picnic” will not take place, I hope everyone can enjoy the spectacle in the night sky from a safe vantage point. You can also listen and watch the fireworks live on the Fresh Air Home’s Instagram page, sfah 1901.

This year, Danielle and David Ganek are generously underwriting the fireworks. A very big thank you to both of them for their constant support.

Please remember to send a donation to the Fresh Air Home; now more than ever they need all our help to provide year-round programs for youth with physical disabilities.

I have had the pleasure over the years of meeting former campers and listen to their stories of how going to camp helped them prepare to go forward with various aspects of their lives. So many of them go on to college and are now successful, participating members of society, all because of their summers at the camp.

Of course, this weekend is Fourth of July, and Monday will be the Fourth of July Parade in Southampton. I just love this parade — to me it represents a slice of Americana and is what our great nation is all about. Watching the marchers and seeing the faces of the spectators is priceless. Remember to get there early so you have a good place to watch everyone march by.

Hope to see you there!