Beachcomber, August 18

This past week, I had dinner with several friends who are very involved with the STAR AquaCenter, the proposed indoor pools for our community. I originally thought that we didn’t need this, but upon going to one of the charity’s fundraisers, I realized just how important and vital the center is to our community.

Once it is built, residents will be able to use the facility to enjoy swimming year round. However, there is so much more to this than just the enjoyment of swimming. Their goal is to teach individuals about water safety, as well as offering senior aquatic exercise. Also the EMTs, fire departments and police can practice water safety rescues, while the East End’s lifeguards will be able to train during the winter months. How fantastic is that?

Thursday evening, I ventured to East Hampton, to The Baker House 1650, for the New York City Second Chance Rescue cocktail party. Music, nibbles, cocktails and a little shopping in this incredible location were the perfect setting for the evening.

Co-founded by Jennifer Brooks and Lisa Blanco, the organization has rescued over 13,000 dogs and cats and put them into loving homes. It is the city’s largest volunteer and foster-based rescue organization.

Seen: Lisa and Flip Crawford, Kelly Bensimon, Kate McEntee, Bessy Gatto and Dylan Lauren (the honorees for the evening), Joe Gatto, David Lauren, Georgina Bloomberg, Katie Couric, Andrew Lauren, Nathania Nisonson, Christian Wyatt, Evelyn Subramaniam, Candy Udell, and Paul Arrouet, Kingsley and Jesse Smith, and Antonella Bertello, who generously offered The Baker House for the event.

I couldn’t stay long, as I had to get back to Southampton for a dinner party. Dear friends who winter in Miami hosted a small group for a lovely evening. Our hostess is an incredible cook and made a delicious meal. It turned out that it was one of the guest’s birthday, so we celebrated late into the night. Happy B-day, J.J.!

The next night, I headed to Christie’s for the Kholer cocktail party to celebrate the upcoming Designer Showhouse. The timing was perfect, as the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach had just finished setting up its pop-up outdoor space. Guests enjoyed cocktails and incredible hors d’oeuvres prepared by Stephanie Vakay of Catering by Stephanie.

Seen: Jared Laidlaw, Debbie Bancroft, Cricket and Richard Burns with daughters Manzi and India, Tim Pontarelli, Jean Shafiroff, Elyn Kronemeyer, Greg McKenzie, Barbara Ostrom, Brian Brady and his daughter Aly, Steven Stolman and Rich Wilkie, Notoya Green and Fred Mwangaguhunga, the Kholer Group’s Jen Kading, Sydney Cleven, Setta Tavitian and Michael Corr, Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler, Melanie Roy, Jim Dove, and Paul Winum and Leila Pinto. By the way, Leila’s artwork is being featured throughout the Showhouse.

First stop Saturday evening was Edge of Woods Road and the Designer Showhouse opening cocktail party. A team of designers selected various rooms in the home to transform them into their visions. I always enjoy going to see what the designers come up with — it never fails to amaze me.

Among my personal favorites was the foyer designed by Chad James. The wallpaper he selected was stunning — a charcoal gray background with a lighter gray floral motif made for a great backdrop for the room. Keith Baltimore’s master bathroom design was inviting and a wonderful mix of contemporary and traditional, making for a fantastic look.

Barbara Ostrom’s master bedroom, with a light blue Anna French wallpaper, Christopher Guy furniture and a unique multi-piece mirror over the bed, was very attractive. Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler used a Fromental treatment on the living room walls that was very unique. A stunning large Robert Dash oil painting on the wall over the sofa made the room.

Seen walking through the Showhouse: Kendell Cronstrom, Marianne Howatson, Meg McCartney, Scott Sanders and Peter Wilson, West Chin, Robert Chaloner and Oscar Mandes, Raya and Clifton Knight, Roy Ostrom, Aisha Christian, Chris Mead, Pamela Eldridge, James Brockman, Setta Tavitian, Sydney Cleven, Craig Goldberg, Roxann Couloucoundis, Mark Chiffert, Myers Bartlett, Cay Chandler, and Ted Taylor.

After a whirlwind tour of the Showhouse, it was off to Water Mill to the stunning home of Victoria Moran-Furman for the Northwell Summer Hamptons Event, or SHE for short. Guests walked out onto the patio to a vision of Mecox Bay as our backdrop and a tent that was beautifully decorated by Laurence Scott and his team.

Laurence, Victoria, and Iris and Saul Katz were all hosting this wonderful charity this night to support the Katz Institute of Health for Women. There was also an incredible performance by Cyndi Lauper to cap off the night. It was cocktails and nibbles around the pool, then under the tent for a surf-and-turf dinner.

Rosanna Scotto was the emcee for the evening and introduced Dr. Stacey Rosen and Dr. Tara Narula, who gave one of the best speeches I have ever heard at a fundraiser. The two worked seamlessly to get the point across about women’s health and the need to recognize and understand the patient to correctly diagnose them. The organization’s slogan is: “When we raise the health of women, we raise the health of everyone.” Well said, and great job, ladies.

Seen enjoying the night: Brooke and Patrick Murray, Jennifer Miller and Mark Ehret, Fern Mallis, Emily and Jeff Kuvin, Bettina and Donna Zilkha, Eugenia Gianos, Steve Abrams, Eric Moran, Beth and Peter Hammack, Christie and Bob Donaldson, Ruth and Michael Slade, Elaina Scotto, Michael Epstein (chairman of the board of Northwell), Margery Josephs, and Joe Benigno.

When Cyndi sang “Time After Time,” half the guests got up to slow dance to the number. Once they got on the dance floor, they never left and rocked to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” It was a magical night at an amazing venue. Congrats to everyone who made the night so special.

Sunday evening, friends decided to have an impromptu beach party — what fun, and a perfect night for it. Everyone brought a favorite dish, which led to a variety of nibbles with something for everyone. It was a good, old fashioned get together, with no pretense, just friends enjoying each other’s company. Thank you, PH and CM, for a fabulous night.

The events start on Thursday evening this week, with a cocktail party at Christie’s gallery hosted by The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. They are celebrating their pop-up installation.

Friday evening, the place to be is Mulford Farm in East Hampton for Guild Hall’s Summer Gala. Cocktails and dinner under tents, all to honor Kathy Rayner and her establishing the William P. Rayner Artist-in-Residence Program.

Saturday morning is Brunch with Bob at the Peter Marino Art Foundation on Jobs Lane. This weekend, they are hosting Johan Creten and Jean-Michel Othoniel. I just know this is going to be a wonderful event.

That afternoon is the Artists and Writers charity softball game in East Hampton at Herrick Park. A head’s up for the following week: On Thursday, August 20, CTREE will host its annual summer cocktail party at Sebonack Golf Club. They always have the best silent auction of any charity on the East End.

Hope to see you there!