Updated: December 15, 2008, 5:23 pm

Great Green Weekend Announced

By Edward Callaghan

Southampton - Hamptons Green Drinks organizers announced, at the regular monthly Green Drinks Networking Party at 75 Main in Southampton, their upcoming East End event highlighting everything green. The 'Great Green Weekend in The Hamptons' will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and June 7 at Stonybrook Southampton. Organizers also are planning a Green Party fundraiser on Friday, June 5.

Nancy A. Shenker, Catherine Bedard, Lesa Tinker, and Marla Schultz. Photos by
John Wegorzewski

Green Drinks Hamptons co-founder Cathy Bedard, the Hamptons first certified eco-broker specializing in green properties, made the announcement at the group's gathering last night. A long-time advocate of all things green, Cathy explained that she was personally committed to "reducing my carbon footprint for my children and my children's children sake."

In her brief remarks, she noted that there was a strong response from businesses and groups all around the country that were interested in sharing their products, services and ideas with the Hamptons community regarded by many as more forward thinking on green issues than most.

Bedard stated that their purpose was "to impress upon consumers that going green does not have to be painful, onerous or expensive." She hoped that the planned event would introduce Hamptonites to a variety of new ideas that they could incorporate easily into their lives.

Bedard went on to introduce her "Green Team," including Nancy A. Shenker, Vice President of Marketing & Green Buzz; Lesa Tinker, Vice President of Operations; and Marla Schultz, Client Relations & Green Buzz.

Chuck Schwartz, John Barrows, and Michael Watt discuss 'green' ideas.

As evidence of their commitment from the outset, Shenker pointed to the group's announcement "step and repeat" banner - the backdrop for photos common at major business and entertainment events - noting that this was the first non-vinyl all green banner that had been made from recycled soda bottles. Go Green Display created the pioneering promotional tool.

Their target audience is the East End's thousands of quality-savvy, planet-conscious consumers who want sustainable ways to live, work, and play. The event plans to include a very diverse array of businesses in fashion, health and wellness, beauty, furnishings, renewable energy, food and beverages, kids' products, fair trade products, green transportation, green gifts, energy-saving solutions, green services (wedding planning, travel, etc.), education, and philanthropy.

Highlights of the weekend will also include a Green beauty bar and a Therapy Lounge where attendees can "confess their green sins" and get advice from experts on how to change in practical ways. A shuttle bus will be available to take guests to a variety of residential and commercial green properties.

Applauding the announcement were a number of the East End's prominent eco-conscious political, business, and educational leaders including Michael Watt (Executive Vice President of the Long Island Builders Institute), founder of LI Green Chuck Schwartz, County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, Southampton councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst, Gordon Herr of the Southampton Democratic Committee, Edward Bruhl, attorney Stan Birnbaum, John Tortorella of Tortorella Pools, and Scott Lewis of ITM.

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