The on again off again rains of last week played havoc with everyone's outdoor schedule of gardening and getting ready for summer but at least there were some fabulous, spirited fetes that no amount of rain could dampen.

County Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Time For Teens founder Laraine Gordon at 75 Main. Photo by Edward Callaghan

Time for Teens held its Spring Cocktail Party and Auction at 75 Main in Southampton and filled the trendy hotspot with folks in support of grief services for teens. Founder Laraine Gordon, a Southampton based clinical social worker with a private practice for the last 10 years, created the yearly four-day bereavement camp dedicated to providing teenagers from 12 to 18 with a sensitive, caring and creative environment for healing. Youngsters are accepted for a nominal $25 fee with the organization covering all costs with funds raised from events such as the auction.

With an issue that cuts across all lines, the crowd was a diverse cross section of Hamptonites from politicians to landscapers to medical professionals, but all were there to help Laraine fulfill this vital mission. As always, there were abundant treats from executive chef Randy Reiss and a very well stocked Ketel One bar with huge bottles of the clear spirit to fortify folks who came to try their luck at the Chinese Auction and bid on wonderful gifts at a Silent Auction. We even scored a basket laden with golf goodies from Titleist!

Bidding like crazy were designers Raymond Le Cuyer and Robert Clark, Minerva Perez and Joe Pallister (who recently starred in the Michael Disher production of "True West" at Southampton Cultural Center), Ann Marie McCord and daughter Liana who both volunteer for Time for Teens, John Dios, Hamptons " King of Diamonds" Charles Fischler with brilliant landscape designer Roxine Brown, Tatiana Love and Roman Klinger, Daphne Hoge, Tom Timling, Caroline Samain, Jeff Gibbons, Gabrielle Handley, Arlene Schroeder, Fred McLaughlin, and all around good guy County Legislator Jay Schneiderman.

If you were at the Hamptons Home and Garden Show at the Elks Club Fairgrounds in Southampton you no doubt stopped by our lounge furnished by Design Within Reach and decorated by East Hampton Florist where we hosted designers Cindy Lee Bergersen, Libby Langdon, Frederico Azevedo, and Barbara Feldman. To keep the crowds refreshed we served Isbre water and delicious cocktails by Zyr Vodka and Stirrings Martini Mixer all afternoon long.

Laurel Butler, Dr. Teri Meekins, Susan Kinscherf, and Lorry Wern at the Wildlife Rescue Center cocktail party at Indian Cove. Photo by Edward callaghan

Indian Cove with its beautiful vistas on the water was appropriately the setting for a fabulous fete celebrating the work of the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC), which raised funds for its extraordinary rescue programs. Founders Ginnie and Augie Frati were on hand to welcome the large crowd of animal welfare supporters and immediately introduced guests to Katherine Schelp who was gently holding a three-week-old baby possum. The tiny creature was one of 10 delivered by Caesarean section from a mother who had been injured and was near death. Eight ultimately survived and will be cared for by the WRC until they are ready to be released to the wild. Truly a wonderful example of the care and concern of this wonderful organization founded just 10 years ago to preserve and protect the region's native wildlife by providing rehabilitation services and public education on the factors that threaten its abundance and diversity.

The auction tables were filled with wildlife themed offerings from rugs to hand carvings to jewelry. Local artist Connie Orshin, a truly superb wood cutter and painter, contributed several pieces including a cute three-foot high raccoon that looked as lifelike as could be. As guests chatted while perusing the auction items, there was much exchange of wildlife rescue stories. James and Yvonne Fenniman shared their experience of finding an injured Canadian goose on their lawn in Remsenburg and bringing it to the good folks at WRC who promised to nurse the bird back to good health. Yvonne admitted that she called every day to check on the goose's progress and was surprised that the WRC not only did not mind but encouraged her to stay in touch.

When the time came to release the bird back to its natural habitat, they called Yvonne who, though in the middle of a reunion lunch with old friends, hopped in her car and sped over to watch the creature take flight. There were many similar stories, unfortunately not all ending happily, but many more so thanks to volunteers like Dr. Teri Meekins of Shinnecock Animal Hospital, Laurel Butler, Susan Kinscherf, Lorry Werner, and scores more.

Among those who came to pull out their wallets to help injured wildlife were Southampton councilman Dan Russo, Chuck De Vito, Suzanne Ruggles, Mike Kurnides, Kathy Ferraro, Carolyn Ryan, George Hatzel, and Robin Lawford.

James Gandolfini and Tony Sirico with John Melia, Founder of WWP at Cipriani's in New York City. Photo by Eileen Casey

Meanwhile, back in Manhattan…the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) held its third annual Gala and Courage Awards at Cipriani's in New York City. Amagansett business owner Peter Honerkamp of The Stephen Talkhouse received the Community Service Award for his participation in fundraising activities for the organization. The evening was hosted by sports commentator Bob Costas, currently with "Inside the NFL" on HBO, who commended the numerous representatives of WWP, soldiers and veterans from all branches of the military. The WWP Honorary Committee includes Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Buffett, Ed Burns, Johnny Damon, James Gandolfini, Matthew Modine, Gary Sinise, Tony Sirico, and Harris Yulin.

The Community Service Award is presented to a citizen who has devoted "their time, talent and passion to organizing fundraising events benefiting the WWP." Honkerkamp was taken completely by surprise as the recipient, of both this award [and the Lang Award] were not announced in advance of the presentation. Visibly moved by this honor, Honkerkamp made a short and impassioned speech about his involvement and continued dedication to WWP.

Among the numerous attendees were Julie Melia, Al Girodano, the Deputy Director and co-founder of WWP, who stated that "it's great to be in the City [New York] and the outpouring of support continually impresses and amazes me," Congresswoman Nita Lowey, whose daughter, Jackie, was instrumental in putting the evening's events together; Nick Kraus of The Stephen Talkhouse, Staff Sgt. Patrick Shannon, U.S. Army, from Indianapolis who accompanied his sister, Whitney, Billy and Betsy Lynch of NYC, Christopher Page, Co-Chairman of the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines' & Airmen's Club; Capt. Leaf Wade of the USMC, Korin Davis, WWP Donor Services Manager, Dr. Robert Kroepel of CT, and Beth Giordano.

Ann and Jeff Mann at the Third Annual Mann Foundation Man of the Year Awards at Gotham Hall. Photo by Edward Callaghan

Surely judging by the enormous turnout for the Third Annual Mann Foundation Man of the Year Awards, publisher Jeff Mann is one of the most admired, respected and loved guys in town. The savvy businessman, with his lovely wife Ann by his side, welcomed over 600 guests to the opulent splendor of Gotham Hall for a Broadway themed evening. Everything from the programs done up as Broadway Playbills to the entertainment – including Tony Award winning Christian Hoff of "Jersey Boys" fame, had a real theatrical flair. Some 40 awards were presented to the "Stars" of the apparel, real estate, and financial communities. Two special awards were also presented by Mann: Special New Yorker to Denise Lefrak Collichio of Sotheby's International Realty and a Community Service Award to Dean Palin of Palin Enterprises.

Among those dining sumptuously at the gala were Jamie Searl, Shelle Colvin, Sheila Hogan, Jennifer Murphy Tom Foley, Andy Jassin, Liz Prael, Ann Klein, Samantha Jameson, Marc Kaplan, Laura Miller, Kevin Callahan, Lauren Kanter, Andrea Rosen, Ron Kaplan, Robbie McDonald, John Taylor, Jerry Fishman, Ervin Isman, Jerrold Scholtz, Allan Ellinger, Jeff Appel, Stan Ponte, and Joshua Judge.