South O' the Highway (and the North too)

Madonna will chair the August 9 benefit for Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue at the Bridgehampton home of photographer Steven Klein. Stella McCartney and Kelly Klein will co-host the event. Information & reservations: Linda B. Shapiro, 631-329-5480.

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Christie Brinkley and estranged husband Peter Cook will meet in court next month as their two-year-old divorce case goes to trial. Up for discussion will be the distribution of assets, including three boats and several East End properties. One topic the former couple will keep mum about is Brinkley's $30-million Tower Hill estate in Bridgehampton, which will remain hers.

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Southampton's Vera Wang was honored with a Hall of Fame award from the Fragrance Foundation, which was presented by New York Ranger Sean Avery. Coincidentally (and surprisingly), Avery is currently an intern at Vogue, where Wang was once a fashion editor.

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Author and radio host Steven Gaines launched the fifth season of his "Sunday Brunch Live from the American Hotel" in Sag Harbor this weekend with "Sesame Street" creator Joan Ganz Cooney and Prudential Douglas Elliman CEO Dottie Herman. Tune into WLIU to hear his entertaining weekly broadcast.

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Hamptonite Jane Friedman resigned last week as President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers Worldwide. Friedman joined HarperCollins in 1997, and in her 10+ years of service, helped double the publisher's profits and propel the careers of countless award-winning and bestselling authors.

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Amagansett resident Alec Baldwin and the producers of "30 Rock" are still in talks regarding Baldwin's future with the show. Apparently, producers haven't yet agreed to keep him on the NBC hit past the middle of next season.

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Elie Tahari and wife Rory celebrated the launch of the limited edition summer collection created with artist Kenny Scharf at their flagship East Hampton store. Champagne and mojitos flowed as guests enjoyed the stunning results of the meeting of brilliant, creative minds.

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Renowned interior designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper hosted Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic's (PPHP) East End benefit, "Everything That Is Beautiful," at their East Hampton estate. The event raised $410,000 to help support PPHP medical services, education and advocacy programs on the East End.

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East Hampton's Steven Spielberg just got the green light from Showtime for "The United States of Tara," about a woman with multiple-personality disorder. Spielberg will serve as producer, and Diablo Cody (of Juno fame) as writer.

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It looks like wedding bells will be ringing somewhat soon for Southampton residents Beth Ostrosky and Howard Stern. Ostrosky has been trying on wedding gowns for the big day, with the help of Marchesa designer, Georgina Chapman.

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Many Ford models will be staying at the East Hampton Colonial Inn this summer. The Inn is owned by Nancy Grigor, a Ford model and head of Hamptons Locations, which finds sites for movies, ad agencies, TV shows and social events.

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Ross School's Fifth Annual Starlight Ball, held on Saturday, May 17, raised a record $750,000 for The Steven J. Ross Scholarship Fund. The fund, which was established in 1991 at the school's inception by Courtney Sale Ross and Steven J. Ross, ensures that all children have the opportunity to benefit from a Ross School education regardless of economic circumstances.

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Southampton's Isaac Mizrahi has taken his talents one step further and is now experimenting with hair pomade. His favorite brand was apparently discontinued, so Mizrahi recently spent days holed up and balancing castor oil and fragrance proportions to make his own designer blend.

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One of the most exciting events of the summer promises to be ArtHamptons, which will take place July 10-13 on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Historical Society. There will be over $100 million worth of art represented by over 50 galleries, along with six fundraising events. Proceeds will go to local charities. On July 11, our very own Dan Rattiner will read from and sign copies of his memoir, In the Hamptons. For more information, visit arthamptons.com

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Rumor has it that Quogue's Ruth Bowen, who's been Aretha Franklin's agent for nearly five decades, wants to retire, but the strong-willed Queen of Soul won't let her.

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Belle Meade, the Greek Revival mansion in Quogue once owned by Ford Models founders Eileen and Jerry Ford, is still up for grabs - and at a bargain price. The 11-bedroom home originally went on the market with The Corcoran Group last year for $10.5 million, and is now listed with Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate for $8.999 million.

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