Beachcomber, July 13

After the Fourth of July, I hit the reset button and took it easy. I had been here less than two weeks, and it was nonstop running around from parties and events. It felt good to recharge the batteries!

Last Wednesday night, I did go out with friends to Shippy’s for dinner. What a wonderful experience! I was so happy to see that the chicken schnitzel is still on the menu, as well as some other longtime favorites. The place was packed. They are doing a great job, considering that they rushed to open the restaurant for Fourth of July weekend.

Congratulations again, John — I’m excited and grateful for what you’re doing for our community.

Friday evening, I ran over to the Southampton Arts Center for the viewing of the movie “Shoot,” the story of Harry Benson. The current exhibit of Harry’s work is fantastic, and if you haven’t been there, you must go check it out, as the exhibit closes this weekend. You will not be disappointed.

Afterward, it was over to the lovely home of Jean and Martin Shafiroff for the Kickoff Party for Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s 65th annual summer gala. Martin and the family dog, Rosiita, whom they adopted from Antigua, greeted us at the door.

Guests gathered on the back terrace overlooking the lake, enjoying the wonderful music of Alex Donner and his three-piece band. We enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while listening to speeches from Ken Wright and Jean Shafiroff. It was fun running into several friends whom I hadn’t seen since last summer.

Enjoying the night: Cindy and Ladd Willis, Heidi and Dr. Seth Korbin, Kathy Reilly and Kevin Scherer, Evelyn and Chris Ikonomopoulos, Melanie and John Wambold, Barbara and Alan Glatt, Fern Mallis, Jeffrey Banks, Interim Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Fred Weinbaum and wife Susannah, Allison Morrow and Jon Cohen, Maria Danca, Nancy Stone, Laura and Jim Freeman, Barbara and Henry Gooss, Ramona Singer, Peter Hallock, Sarah Wetenhall, and Lydia and Rudy Touzet.

Speaking of the hospital, we all need to make sure we support our local hospital. You never know when you might need it.

This past weekend, a friend of mine was out shopping and had an episode, and had to be rushed to the emergency room. Everything turned out fine, but I am very grateful that Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is here to serve our community. Thank you, Dr. Michael Farney and the entire emergency room staff, for taking such good care of my friend.

Last stop of the night was a big celebration in a beautifully decorated tent in Water Mill. I wish I could tell you more about the event, but I have been sworn to secrecy. I can say that the food for the guests was prepared by Laurence Scott Events and was fabulous, while a DJ had everyone on their feet ready to party.

First stop on Saturday evening was over to Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton for the grand opening of Holiday House Hamptons. Holiday House Hamptons is a summer designer showhouse featuring some of the industry’s top interior designers and cutting-edge lifestyle concepts. The money raised from the showhouse benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and, locally, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation.

Iris Dankner does an incredible job with these designer showhouses. I just love the fact that she gives the designers a bio of a fictitious family that is living in the home. It gives the designers a place to start and helps to make the rooms more cohesive, which adds to the experience.

Some favorites of mine were Campion Platt’s living room, Kim Radovich’s balcony off the master bedroom, and Barbara Ostrom’s whimsical downstairs office. Christian Siriano did an incredible job on the upstairs lounge area. Wonderful artwork combined with unusual pieces of furniture with varying textured fabrics gave way to a space that invited you in and made you not want to leave.

Seen enjoying the evening: Andrea and Ashley Stark, Melanie Roy, Julie Ratner, Patti Grabel, Steven Stollman and Rich Wilkie, Alison Stager, Amy Rosenblum, Jay Dankner, Tatiana Platt, Frederico Azevedo, Elisa Port, Thomas Cavallo, Beth McNeill, and Jeff Muhs.

I couldn’t stay long, as I had to go over to Lumber Lane for the 19th annual Hamptons Happening to benefit the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation.

Food stations surrounded the tent from various restaurants on Long Island and New York City. Guests enjoyed sampling various dishes while sipping cocktails.

In the VIP section, El Turco served several dishes from their East Hampton restaurant. I had the pleasure of chatting with Cagri Kanver, the owner of the establishment.

Dr. Waxman gave a brief but poignant speech regarding the advances being made in cancer research. His passion for this cause is evident, and he and his lovely wife, Marion, work tirelessly to further cancer research. They have launched Mission Possible grants, with a goal of living longer and healthier with less cancer. Congratulations to both of you for your amazing work.

The honorees for the evening were chef Ralph Scamardella of Tao Hospitality; Denise Albert, CEO of My Cancer Family; Lori and Scott Levine, co-founders of Scott’s Protein Balls; and Anna Zuckerman, founder and chief designer of Anna Zuckerman Jewelry.

Each of these people has been affected by cancer and has found a way to give back and help others. William Sullivan, executive director of the foundation, also spoke and presented the honorees with token gifts.

Seen enjoying the night: Maria and Ken Fishel (who generously donated their property for the night), Pamela Morgan, Dave Auclair, Bill Boggs, Elizabeth Ellinger, George Valliades, Lee Fryd, Mar Morosse, Marc Chiffert, Ruth Miller, Jack Acoca, Trisha and Seth Stern and their sons Spencer and Alexander, Melissa Imparato, Chris Wragge (emcee for the night) and wife Sarah, Elizabeth Steimberg and David Weiner, and Erik Klingenberg.

This weekend is jam-packed, starting on Thursday evening with the opening of the Greek Festival. This wonderful five-day event at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Shinnecock Hills is filled with great food and traditional Greek music and dancing. It’s fun for the entire family and not to be missed.

Also that evening is the opening of the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, which is being held at the Southampton Fairgrounds at the Elks Lodge on County Road 39. This year, there are a record 140 exhibitor galleries.

The Parrish Art Museum will host “Midsummer Magic” this weekend, with major events on Friday and Saturday evenings. Friday night is the Midsummer Dance; doors open at 8 p.m., as guests will enjoy nibbles and music by DJ br0nz3_g0dd3ss, with a special performance by Narcissister. Saturday evening is the Midsummer Dinner, which includes cocktails in the museum, followed by a wonderful dinner on the terrace.

Saturday, St. John’s Episcopal Church on South Main Street will host its annual Summer Bazaar. Also that morning is another talk in the “Brunch with Bob” series at the Peter Marino Art Foundation. The featured artist this weekend is Michal Rovner. These talks are always fantastic and very interesting, as the audience learns what inspires the artist.

That evening is also the annual Hetrick-Martin Institute Schools Out cocktail party and dinner. The event is taking place at a private home in Water Mill and promises to be a fun evening.

Hope to see you there!