By: Lieba Nesis

The Hamptons continues its fiery conclusion as dozens of events occur on a weekly basis. There were unfortunately some unsavory happenings the last weekend of August as it was revealed Drew Barrymore’s Southampton stalker, Chad Michael Busto, was arraigned at the Southampton police station on Friday morning August 25th. Southampton police finally had some action as a tame summer had them breaking up late night parties more often then detaining dangerous Hamptonites.  Other disruptions included sewage being dumped on the street and road of the $1,000 a night Montauk Yacht Club to get rid of excess waste caused by exploding crowds.

Perusing Main Street East Hampton last weekend I noticed a nasty smell of horse manure which a luxury storekeeper told me was caused by overflowing sewage. The Hamptons better clean up its act or when people complain of a “shitty weekend” they might not be referring to the scene.  Subsequent to Gurney’s selling the Montauk Yacht Club to Safe Harbor Marinas for an astronomical $149 million last year the urgency to maximize profits with their Showfish restaurant in the short summer season has led to shutdowns and chaos which may ultimately end up with an intervention by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The bustling Hamptons weekend of August 24-27 2023 was thankfully chock-filled with more anodyne occurrences. Thursday a low key luncheon was spearheaded by philanthropist Jean Shafiroff at her Southampton Bath and Tennis Club on 212 Gin Lane.  The conversation turned to Birkin bags where it was revealed many leading ladies reveled in purchasing fakes to deceive unsuspecting acquaintances.  Afterwards a small group headed to Hampton Road to view some authentic Trina Turk attire at the vibrant Southampton Pop-Up at Morphew World. Thursday evening the excitement peaked with one of the best parties of the Summer-The Footprint of Life Gala.

The organization dedicated to preserving and protecting wildlife, the rainforests and indigenous people through education and conservation programs held its inaugural event at the palatial Bridgehampton home of Amy and Gary Green.  For $535 a ticket guests were greeted by stuffed giraffes and a lively crowd that included dozens of out of towners that flew in for the green jungle themed extravaganza.  “My Unorthodox Life’s” Julia Haart was back from Rwanda and Ukraine and looked more sensational than ever after launching a Shapewear Line dedicated to making women look and feel great-akin to Julia.

The electric evening had entertainment by DJ Jan Blomqvist with well heeled guests dancing and eating with abandon until past midnight.  Moreover, there was a lengthy auction where an invite for two to Andrea Bocelli’s white party in Forte Dei Marmi went for $50,000 while a less desired meet and greet with Lionel Messi at an Inter Miami Soccer game barely garnered $20,000-Americans don’t care about soccer!

Saturday was the one of the busiest days of the Hamptons year as an ebullient Eric Adams who recently returned from Israel made a Hamptons splash at a Capri Hotel fundraiser during the day followed by the Blue Dream Gala at the Muses Church on Saturday along with two breakfasts in Bridge and West Hampton on Sunday-when does this man work? John Catsimatidis along with 600 others helped raise over half a million dollars to cure Pancreatic cancer and Diabetes at the Blue Dream benefit. Socialite Patricia Silverstein garnered $175,000 for her pivotal Diabetes Research Foundation while looking effortlessly glamorous doing so.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation also held its super covert $5,000 per person gala  at the Southampton Parrish Museum Saturday evening.  Mogul couples  included Dr. Norman and Mia Rowe, John Paulson and Alina De Almeida, Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg and Louise and Steve Mnuchin.  Celebrity plastic surgeon Norman Rowe joined his statuesquely stunning leopard-clad wife Mia as they discussed the current trends in plastic surgery with Norman noting he has seen a surge in men attaining botox and fillers since the mainstream and burgeoning use of Zoom and FaceTime. Rowe is an innovator as he caters to men’s aesthetics through a private clinic entitled Clubhouse which allows anti-aging treatments and rejuvenation therapies for men in discrete quarters.  He and his wife Mia boogied to Adam Lambert’s live performance of “Whataya Want From Me”-as the answer in this case was the $4 million raised by the Prostate Foundation.

Another competing Saturday event involved socialite Jean Shafiroff who co-chaired the Ellen Hermanson Foundation Gala whose organization has raised over $6 million for breast cancer research.  For $1,000 a ticket guests fraternized at the sold-out dinner at Bridgehampton Surf and Tennis Club.  Dina Lohan arrived late after recently visiting her daughter Lindsay who welcomed a baby boy in Dubai.  Earlier in the evening Dina attended a Barbie bash hosted by Ice-T and CoCo at The Bentley Southampton.  The late night beach S’moresfest of the Ellen Hermanson Gala was a smashing success as enthusiastic guests traded their heels for marshmallows and dancing.

The sizzling Hamptons summer may be simmering down but dinner reservations are no less hard to attain as clubs and hotels are filled to the max.  The Hampton Classic which began Sunday August 27th will climax Sunday September 3rd with a VIP spectacle that has tables reaching $30,000.  Douglas Elliman CEO Howard Lorber has reserved four tables with prime viewing spots as this dashing entrepreneur continues supporting the Hamptons economy through his contributions to the Southampton Hospital, the Southampton Chabad and dozens of other pivotal organizations along with his stunning partner Suzy Bordeaux.

Lorber is President and CEO of Vector Group and Chairman of Douglas Elliman and Nathan’s Famous fast food chain.  He is also a renowned staple of the Hamptons and joined fellow billionaire John Catsimatidis at the Blue Dream Gala Saturday night to help eradicate pancreatic cancer.  Labor Day holds a host of surprises and last minute soirées including an Hermès Selle Faubourg Saddle launch at the Hampton Classic on Friday and a blow out shindig at Surf Lodge featuring Shaggy and Wyclef Jean on Sunday.  Clubs, hotels and entertainment venues are gearing up for record crowds from Friday-Sunday with East Hampton Village announcing a closure on Monday September 4th 2023 to accommodate the excess crowds.