out and about	« within the hedges
Added: June 13, 2008, 7:39 am	Share    Print    Email

Authors Nina Kennedy and Jacqueline Scerbinski at a book signing for "Our Southampton, Family Stories & Food Traditions". Photo by John Wegorzewski

Stony Brook Southampton's Chancellors Hall was the setting for a special edition of the Hamptons Green Drinks Gathering. This month, the popular party for green minded businesses and their supporters from LI Green and GreenHamptons featured organic and local wines along with great music and art.

Among those on hand sipping extraordinarily refreshing bio-dynamic rose from France were eco-broker Cathy Bedard, LI Green's Chuck and Jill Schwartz, Southampton Councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst, Gordon Herr, fundraising chair of the Democratic Committee, Stonybrook Dean of Student Affairs Ana Maria Cobo de Paci, Josephine and Martin Schooner, Diana and Ric Stott, Eco-Vest Advisors Peter Lusk, Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister, Jeff Charles, Meghan Kezer, Linda Haugevik, Davis Gaffga, Zephyr Jost, Hunter Cohen, Citibank's John Madigan and Gabrielle Corsetti, Scott Carlin, Kyle Collins and Naomi Hogarty. Tom McManus was the lucky raffle winner pulled by young Jeremy Schwartz.

Proceeds from this event will help the Sierra Club and LI Green achieve their goals for improving our region's environment and building the Long Island Green Economy.

The good folks at the Southampton Historical Museum hosted a reception and book signing for first-time authors Nina Kennedy and Jacqueline Scerbinski who recently saw their collaboration "Our Southampton, Family Stories & Food Traditions" finally make it to print - and to stores all over the East End. During their opening remarks, the two explained how wanting to write a cookbook that would include recipes from local families instead developed into a warm look at how life has evolved over the decades in Southampton. As they were collecting recipes, their friends and neighbors were sharing sweet reminiscences of a by-gone age, so the authors switched gears to create this lovely slice of life in one of the world's most famous seaside communities.

Grace Daly, Maud Kramer, and Barbara Niels at the HBBA Chinese Auction. Photo by Sam Rivers

Following the lecture the guests moved into the elegant formal dining room of the historic Rogers Mansion for a smorgasbord lunch featuring recipes from the book and prepared by the contributors themselves. Pat Rishel wowed the folks with her spicy three-bean baked bean casserole. Mitch Krusyna, chef at the local institution Shippy's, laid on huge platters of his famed Sauerbraten with dumplings and red cabbage. Nina Kennedy brought three different frittatas, a little something for everyone, while Alice Schneider's Lazy Daisy Oatmeal Cake had everyone in a sugar high. We already knew that Jackie Scerbinski was a force to be reckoned with in her kitchen having dined with her and husband Vince but nothing prepared us for her Chocolate Chip Country Cake. Delish! For an energy boost on the way home we snatched some of "Aunt Betty" Byrne's chocolate zucchini bread and some of the justly fabled Zaluski Farm strawberries.

Museum executive director Tom Edmonds was, as always, on hand to welcome both locals and folks from afar including Mary Welker, Sarah Thomas, Pat Kellhopp, Judy Johnson, Amelia Greene, Paul Higgins, Carla Webb, Holly and Bill Zaluski, Barbara Fanning, Helen Rosko, Betty Kraszewski, Susan McElroy, Gail Zappone, Riki and Joe Reichman.

On a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, the second annual Hampton Bays Beautification Association (HBBA) Chinese auction and award ceremony was held at the Beach Bar in Hampton Bays. The music was lively, the prizes where wonderful, and, of course, all for the cause of the beautification of Hampton Bays.

The HBBA is known for its many politicians who participate in championing the development and beautification. And this event was to award the hardest working individuals in the organization. Sally Pope the democratic candidate for town board was enjoying the happenings as she put bids in for the auction. Also present at this event was Linda Kabot, Southampton Town Supervisor.

Dana Zimmerman, Joe Guerriero, Erica Smith, and Dennis Leri at the VOX Charity Art Auction. Photo by Sam Rivers.

A bit later in the day, VOX Magazine hosted a charity art auction for the Cody Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at Stony Brook University at the Deshuk Rivers Gallery. The event coincided with the inaugural event for the Deshuk Rivers Gallery, ending what was a three-year renovation of the formally dilapidated studio.

At this incredible event, Dana Zimmerman, Joe Guerriero, Erica Smith, and Dennis Leri posed for snapshots between meeting and greeting fellow guests. All throughout the evening people could be heard talking about the amazing space that was created at the gallery, a work of passion and exercise in patience and hard work by Daria Deshuk.

All the majors where out to play. David Kushnir, Manager of the Deshuk Rivers Gallery, and Peter Marcelle, owner of the Hamptons Road Gallery, were on the scene, as well as artists Eric Ernst, Kimberly Goff, and David Gamble who could be found standing outside the gallery casually commenting on the works for sale. Artists Daria Deshuk and Grant Hoffner discussed the finer points of the use of blue in a piece.

Rome and Lisa Arnold of Southampton put their bids in while Sarah Schussheim and Karyn Mannix supervised. Sarah commented that it was her first Hampton event, "This is incredible, I had no idea there was such a lively artist community out here. This space is out of control!" We'll certainly be back for the next big opening at this fabulous new gallery!

There were quite a few notable openings Saturday night. Here's the roundup:

Sylvester & Co. At Home hosted an opening reception for artist Perry Burns. The show included 20 new works of art premiered by Amagansett resident Burns, who has his art studio in East Hampton. When speaking with Burns he relayed that the works on display, "All reveal the influence of my travels through Islamic countries, including Morocco and Nepal." Burns further revealed that, "The use of patterns I viewed on buildings left an impression on me that I have tried to obtain through layers and layers of thick oil paint, which I then scraped and/or sanded to achieve this perspective." Indicating that the "History on the walls in these old countries led to the use of an untold number of colors, yet I tried to achieve a muted, historical feel to the work. I also used masking tape to outline impressions and then painted, scraped and sanded as well." This solo exhibition will be on view through July 1.

Billy Sullivan, James Names, and John Torrieano at the Hampton Artists Show. Photo by Sam Rivers

The Crazy Monkey Gallery hosted an exhibition featuring the works of Setha Low and Sally Breen. The show entitled "Natural Bodies" will be on view through June 23. Additional artists whose work is included in this exhibition include Andrea McCafferty, Jim Hayden, Bobbie Braun, Ellyn Tucker, Daniel Schoenheimer, Bob Rothstein, Daveen Herley, and Jennifer Meihofer. When speaking with Low she indicated that she was, "Exhibiting 17 pieces which all represent both abstract and organic bodies in the form of sculpture - whether it's a natural body of water or a human body." Artist Breen stated that she was, "Exhibiting eight pieces in total, which are all oil - some on board and some on canvas." Both artists indicated that, "We are members of the gallery and chose to work together as we believe our work complements each other."

Breen is also the one of two artists [Schoenheimer is the other] instrumental in the publication of the Local Art Rag - the first issue is out this month, and will be published for a total of six issues a year. Local Art Rag covers, "The South Fork and is a comprehensive directory to the arts, artists, musicians, helpers, instructors and suppliers in our area." Breen hopes this endeavor will start a "One-stop shopping for people who create art and a scavenger hunt type experience for those who enjoy searching out local artists and their studios." For more information go to www.localartrag.com.

Springs, home to artist Jackson Pollack and scores more, has always been known for its eclectic mix of eccentric artists and Bohemians, and that was where the Fireplace Project held its annual Hamptons Artist Show curated by Klaus Kertess. The space became quite packed early in the evening and the art was very well received. Edsel Williams was running around the space making sure all was well and attending to the needs of the art collectors. Artists Darius Yektai, and his entire family, and Billy Sullivan were on the scene to show their pieces. Also on the scene were Akio Akashi who brought his dog Lucy, Miles Thorsen, and John Thorsen.

Haim Mizrahi And Manuela DeMattei at LTV Studios. Photo by Eileen Casey

LTV Studios hosted an opening reception for a group exhibition that included work from Haim Mizrahi, who also acted as curator, Joe Strand, Michael Knigin, Jim Hayden, Jana Hayden, David Nadal, Joe Eschenberg, and Renee Dahl. The exhibition is open from Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will run through June 30.

Mizrahi entitled the exhibit the "Code of Public Access," and elaborated that "Emotionally speaking we are going back to our grassroots - with the alternative in mind - meaning to use alternative channels to create and display what our roots mean to us." Indicating that some of his own works reflect, "The Hebrew alphabet - eight letters - that can glow in the dark, I have created in art what my grassroots mean to me; we are continuing the tradition of group art shows, now in its 12th year, which we hope promote the awareness of public access."

Further commenting on the works of fellow exhibiting artist, Joe Strand, Mizrahi challenged, "If you look at one or two of his pieces, or at 50 of his pieces [in this particular genre], you must be aware of the 'extent of the level of excitement' that is maintained and apparent in the work - that it reflects his roots and love of automobiles."

Musically, the 'roots of rhythm' were addressed by the African drum performance of Mizrahi, and fellow drummers Legislator Jay Schneiderman, Ken Sacks, and well-known drummer Daniel Bailey of Djambeli. The drum performance also included a performance by a belly dancer to the delight of all in attendance.

Actress Lorraine Bracco with Somers Farkas, Debbie Bancroft, and Monica Form at the Decorators-Designers-Dealers Sale, Auction, and Cocktail Party. Photo by John Wegorzewski

The social splash of the evening was the Southampton Fresh Air Home's famous Decorators-Designers-Dealers Sale, Auction, and Cocktail Party. Led by co-chairman Pamela Rollins Camacho and Susan Nappa Cocke with tremendous assist from Auction co-chairmen Christine Smith Grey and Lavinia Branca Snyder, this season opener attracted some 600 people for the preview party this year and hundreds more the next day. It has become justly famous as a tremendously fun cocktail party with shopping opportunities for furniture and household bargains (the prices are truly unreal), unique auction items, and unusual wines.

And what bargains were scored in the various buildings that make up the newly renovated and expanded camp. Each space was filled with high quality castaways and first-rate designer goodies for the home. The quick and fleet of foot, most notable patron Aida Turturro of HBO's "The Sopranos", arrived an hour early racing from room to room purchasing cabinets, dishes, and more. She laughed that she's furnished her home piece by piece at this sale and promised a friend not to bring home another couch.

Other patrons nabbed such bargains as a three-piece outdoor rattan set for a mere $300 - Fortunoff has it for $2,500, a set of Royal Doulton china for $80, and a seven-piece mahogany desk, table, and armoire set for $500. Word to future attendees, become a patron and get there early since by 5:30 p.m. all the best stuff sported SOLD tags.

For those who prefer to snare deals in a more genteel fashion there was a fabulous silent auction of fine wines, jewelry, art, dinners at local restaurants, vacation packages and once-in-a-lifetime experiences - over 1,000 lots! With bids starting at $20 for statement-making necklaces and $75 for some of the hottest handbags from names like Tory Burch and Gucci steals were everywhere.

Cindy Lou Wakefield, Nicole B. Brewer, actress Aida Turturro, and Carola at the Dec- orators-Designers-Dealers Sale, Auction, and Cocktail Party. Photo by John Wegorzewski

Under one huge tent, the organizers had thoughtfully set up a mini-theatre with a large screen TV so that the horsey set could catch the Belmont Stakes live. Within minutes of post time several hundred packed the tent and adjoining areas to cheer on Big Brown. First sitting demurely, the crowd could barley be contained and soon such guests as Mildred Brinn, John and Kay McEnroe, Somers Farkas, and Cathy di Montezemolo were on their feet cheering wildly. Cheers switched to groans as if a light had been turned off when it became evident that the crowd favorite was not going to score the Triple Crown.

But there were still more opportunities for the losers to score with the live auction conducted by seasoned pro John Block who gaveled off such items as a stunning pair of earrings from Verdura, an internship with designer Nicole Miller, and extraordinary private dinners in great homes and yachts. A round of golf for four at the exclusive Sebonack Golf Club went for $4,500.

The fashionable crowd included Andrea and Jack Giordano, Christine Leeds, Debbie Bancroft, Rachel and Bill White, Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley and wife Marianne Epley, Camille Campbell, Emil Everett, Gina Glickman, Karolyn Frey, Alison Stager, Paul Fried, Jackie Rogers with Rasheem Riley, Iris, Franz and Maxine Muster, Caroline Lieberman, Marion Bouchard, Marilyn Neilson, Lynn Mortimer, Gale Drukier, Linda A. Munn, Brian Parente, Kevin Maple, Greg D'EliaM, Gary Lawrance with Zita Davisson, Brian and Catherine Carey, Pamela Snyder and scores more fabulous folks.

For more information, click here.

With reporting by Edward Callaghan, Eileen Casey, Sam Rivers, and Angela Williams.