Summer Colony report

I love attending events that are for local charities, and this weekend was all about our beloved Summer Colony. Friday night was an absolute delight, with a live jazz performance at the oceanside home of Julia Vance Carter on Meadow Lane.

Julia was kind enough to open the doors to her home, Oceancastle, for the Southampton Historical Museum. Guests were treated to a tour by Gary Lawrance and Anne Surchin, co-authors of “Houses of The Hamptons 1880-1930,” of this historic pink stucco home, which was built in 1880. The estate is truly spectacular and features more than 50 rooms on numerous levels, including a giant children’s rec room complete with an ice cream parlor motif. The home has quite a history; of special note was Fernanda Wetherill Niven’s debutante party in the early 1960s that landed nearly half the guests in jail.

After the tour, it was out to the deck for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, which were from everyone’s favorite eatery, Sant Ambroeus. Seen enjoying the ocean view were Amy and Bob Gianos, Karen and David Fleiss with their son Andrew, Zita Davisson, Debbie and Noel Hare, Larry Rundie, Maribeth and Ellen Welsh, and Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley with his wife, Maryanne.

Guests then walked along the pool’s edge to a tent that was set up on the lawn. Under the tent were Kevin Maple, Hilary and Eric Woodward, Anne Rachel, Jamie White Wilson, Pam Jackson and husband Bill, Catherine Cahill, Sheila Guidera, and Jerry Adams. Gregg Yale, who generously loaned his baby grand piano (dating back to 1898), was there beaming as the talented Judy Carmichael tickled the ivories.

It was truly delightful to sit by the pool enjoying a cool ocean breeze, the sun setting and the sounds of jazz wafting through the air—it couldn’t be more magical. With the waves crashing on the beach, it lent a wonderful accompaniment to the sounds of the jazz music. I loved watching Andrew Fleiss and his fiancée, Jen Carter, gazing into each other’s eyes, looking at the beautiful setting and thinking of their wedding next year.

Thank you to Peter Hallock and Joanne Patemann, co-chairs of the event, for all their hard work in coordinating this evening. This was one of my favorite events this season, and I look forward to next year’s.

The morning of the big Southampton Hospital Gala, hordes of volunteers arrived at Wickapogue Lane to perform their magic to transform the tent. Under the guidance of stylist extraordinaire Tony Urrutia, the white tent was transformed into a sparkling oasis of gold. It was so special to see our community come together for our hospital. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work.

By 3 p.m. on Saturday, it didn’t look promising, with the rainstorm, but by the time guests started to arrive for the Gala, the sun was out and everyone was ready to celebrate. This was the 50th anniversary of the Hospital Gala and was chaired by the delightful duo of Jean Little Fitzsimmons and Ann Grimm. These two women have worked so hard for the hospital over the years and were the perfect choice to head the evening.

Seen mulling over the silent auction items were Nancy Simpson, Cheri Kaufman, Millie Brinn, Larry Horton, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Judy Hadlock, Somers and Jonathan Farkas, and Debbie Bancroft, who looked stunning in a silk dress from her new favorite designer, Jackie Rogers.

Guests walked into a gold paradise with pale pink and ivory tablecloths adorning each table, topped off with wide gold ribbon runners and seashells painted gold. Tall glass vases filled with tiny gray pebbles and long thin branches dipped in gold glitter were the centerpieces.

Mingling among the tables were Cindy and Ladd Willis (Cindy looking stunning in a strapless Nanette Lepore silk print gown), their daughter Haley (who was modeling the Buccellati diamond and gold earrings from the raffle), Candy and Mark Udell, Maura Weissman and Sean O’Rourke, Liz Battle, Phil and Marion Piro, Bill and Vicki Johnston, Julie Kammerer, Melanie and John Wambold, and the Reverend Peter Larsen and his wife, Nancy. Patty and George Krauss were enjoying themselves and still beaming after their son’s wedding last weekend.

As always, Chuck Scarborough was the master of ceremonies followed by brief speeches from Rev. Larsen, chairman of the board, and Bob Chaloner, the hospital’s president and CEO. It was a true testament to Jean and Ann to see so many come out to support their many years of dedication to the hospital. With this being Jean’s swan song, and with Ann being so busy with the Fresh Air Home, I hope the next generation takes a page from these wonderful ladies’ book and continues this truly special tradition.

Seen dancing the night away were Ana Maria and Jimmy Holme, Christl and Kenny Meszkat, Sheila and Joe Fuchs, Nancy and Dr. Martin Stone (Nancy looked regal in a coral silk strapless number from Style Paris), Joann and Richard Lasman, Chris Obetz and Sandra McConnell, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, and Alessandra and Dr. John Hubbell (Ali looked stunning in a vintage couture champagne cocktail dress with silver beading).

Steven Stolman couldn’t make it up from Palm Beach and was sorely missed. However, the fashions he made famous were well represented, as Bob Taft wore a pair of signal flag Stolman slacks, and Jack Hadlock looked dashing in an all-over print blazer, signature Stolman.

Next Saturday night is “Sunflowers After Hours” at the home of Henry Buhl, the unofficial “sunflower king,” on Narrows Lane. The event is to benefit ACE, a non-profit organization that helps homeless men and women re-enter the workforce. For tickets, call (212) 737-7896.

On Sunday, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk will be holding his first-ever East Coast benefit for his charity Stand Up for Skateparks, to be held at the Ross Lower School. This should be a fun event for the entire family. For more information, contact cc@tonyhawkfoundation.org. Hope to see you there!