Beachcomber, August 5

It was another busy week, so we have to jump right in again!

The other night, I went to a wonderful event at Topping Rose. Holiday House founder Iris Dankner, along with Kenneth Alpert, Ashley Stark Kenner, Campion Platt and Andrea Stark, all co-chaired “Coming Together,” a tabletop event. Numerous leading designers each created their own chic tabletop creations showcasing cutting-edge and lifestyle concepts. The idea was to come together around the table after being apart for the past year.

All proceeds from the night will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. To date, Holiday House has raised almost $2 million for breast cancer research.

Seen enjoying the night: Fern Mallis, Arthur Dunnam, Lee Fryd, Jean Shafiroff, Lynn Scotti, Dede and Terry Moan, Brenda Simmons, Tatiana Platt, Jim Miller, Gina Bradley, Jennifer Ford, John Stark, Carole Reed, Brett Beldock, Jiun Ho, Eileen and Gary Curry, Susan P. Friedman, Susan DeAngelis, Julie Ratner, Tim Davis, and Steven Stolman and Rich Wilkie.

Friday evening, dear friends hosted an intimate dinner party for their friends who were visiting from Miami. What a treat to meet such an interesting group with diverse backgrounds, and all loving their visit to the East End. Our hostess for the evening does an amazing job when it comes to entertaining and her ability to mix different groups of people.

The meal, which was prepared by our hostess, was incredible: filet mignon cooked to perfection, lemon pasta, homemade corn pudding and a shrimp Fra Diavolo that was over the top. Dessert didn’t disappoint either: It was a homemade blueberry crumble, which I couldn’t get enough of.

Saturday morning was spent running errands and trying to catch up on paperwork. It has been such a whirlwind since arriving that I haven’t stopped to take a break.

First stop of the night was MM Fine Art Gallery on North Main Street to meet international photographer Christophe von Hohenberg. The night was to celebrate his new book, “The White Album,” and to showcase several of his photographs. By the way, Christophe’s works will be on display at the Gallery until August 15 and is well worth the trip.

Seen admiring the works: Jane Holzer, Pamela and Nick Korniloff, Cheri Kaufman, Anthony Haden Guest, Karolina and Robert Albertson, Deborah Farrington, Baroness Carolina von Humboldt, Christl and Kenny Meszkat, Ellen L’Esperance, Robin and Robert Leacock, Gigi and Philippe Bigar, Amanda Taylor, Henry Buhl, and Leslie Stevens.

It was so nice to see my PR pal Melanie Seymour Holland and her husband, David Holland. Melanie was so delighted with the crowd and the energy of Southampton that she has decided to expand her reach and will be opening MSH Branding offices here and in Palm Beach in the future.

I couldn’t stay long, because it was off to the “Fork It Alzheimer’s” event in Bridgehampton. Guests arrived to two tents beautiful decorated and set up in a field; your first impression was, “How elegant.” This gala was to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and to kick off the big gala that will be held this fall in New York City.

This was the second annual farm-to-fork dinner bringing the guests a curated culinary experience with New York-sourced ingredients. Alzheimer’s Association President and CEO Harry Johns was there to give guests the latest updates on Alzheimer’s research from last week’s international conference. Michelle Florin gave an emotional speech about her late mother’s battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Seen enjoying the night: Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Irwin Simon, Stacy Bash-Polley, Nadia Inwood, Robert Mayer, Ed Scher, Next Generation Chairs Nicolette Simon and Matthew Sandberg, Frank Holland, Blaise Labriola, Kim and Stew Leonard, Ramy Brook, Deanna Rockefeller, the Simon brothers (Lucas, Trevor and Garett), Jill Heller, Corey Paige Bloomberg, Nicole Sexton, Steve Madden, Dr. Monica Rivera-Mindt, and Ramy Brook.

Last stop of the night was the South Fork Natural History Museum for its 32nd annual summer gala. This year, the benefit was titled “The Journey Forward: Reconnecting Through Nature” and was held on the grounds of the museum. The event was to benefit the educational and environmental programs and initiatives that the museum has set up.

The honorees this year included Dr. Indy Burke, Michael Gerrard, chef Kerry Heffernan, and Kim and Greg Lippmann and family. Elegant Affairs was the caterer for the event and did an outstanding job, while DJ Danja got the crowd on the dance floor to round out a wonderful night.

Seen enjoying the festivities: Angela Wade, Willem van Daalen, Danielle Gingerich, Andrew Sabin, Diana Aceti (the museum’s director of development and special events), Anke and Juergen Friedrich, Lori and Dick Grasso, Carol Burke, Chrissie Grasso, Paul Bowden, Lisa Ferri, Frank Quevedo (the museum’s executive director), Kim Bambino, Helena and Rob Vahradian, Jean Shafiroff, Ian Shapolsky, Baroness Sheri de Borchgrave, Brock Pierce, Paola Bacchini and Arnold Rosenshein, Mirella Cameran-Reilly, Anne Keating, Dottie Herman, Sammi and Scott Seltzer, and Carole Crist.

By the way, while perusing the silent auction I came across a lovely throw and pillow set from a company called Shades of Green. I checked it out the next day and am delighted to find an online resource of items for the home that are green, good for the environment. They have a great selection of hostess gifts, and we all know how hard it is to find good hostess gifts. Well, this site has items that your hostess will love, and you’re helping to save the planet. Well worth the look.

Sunday, I spent the day recuperating but managed to have coffee with a dear friend and then commandeered her dog for a stroll in the village. I checked out the farmers market and picked up a few nibbles to enjoy during the week.

I was all set to call it a day when dear friends invited me over for a lovely lunch. We sat on the deck to enjoy an amazing meal that our host prepared, all while laughing the afternoon away. Thank you both for a truly delightful afternoon.

It’s another busy weekend, starting with the Southampton Rose Society cocktail party on Friday night. This is always a wonderful party and I understand it is being held at a beautiful home on Wickapogue this year.

Saturday evening, the Southampton Animal Shelter will host a junior committee event on the beach. Of course, the main event for me will be the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital annual summer party, “A Gala in your Garden.” Even though we aren’t under the tents on Wickapogue, this is still one of the loveliest parties of the social season.

Sunday is the Race of Hope around Lake Agawam to benefit Hope for Depression. Monday is the first night of a four-part series for Pianofest: For the next four Monday nights there will be concerts held at the Avram Theater at the Stony Brook Southampton college campus.

I am so delighted that this is back — hope to see you there!