Dan's Papers - July 3, 2009

The Ross School's 6th Annual Club Starlight gala in East Hampton was a huge hit and raised more than $500,000 to benefit the Steven J. Ross scholarship fund thanks to the endless efforts of Founder and Chair Courtney Sale Ross, faculty, staff, students and dedicated volunteers. Ross Alum Alexa Ray Joel entertained the crowd with a soulful performance. Hundreds of guests danced the night away as James Ingram performed a slew of classic hits. The Gala auctioneers, Dr. Gerald Curatola and Jay McInerney, successfully worked the crowd for thousands during the live auction. Comedian Seth Meyers dedicated a stand-up, which ended with a live auction for four "Saturday Night Live" tickets that went for a whopping $7,000! The evening's honoree was TV host, media and retail mogul, Martha Stewart. Stewart gracefully strolled into the pre-gala VIP meet and greet wearing white pants, a beaded black top and a simple yet well tailored black cropped jacket. Stewart was perfectly polished, exactly how I had imagined her to be. I had the rare opportunity to sit down one-on-one with her in a "junket" style interview. As I introduced myself and asked her to sit down on the plush couch, she joked, "If I sit down, I may not want to get up. I just left hundreds of guests at my house. I was hosting an event for Guild Hall." "All in a day's work?" I asked. Stewart smiled and said, "Oh yes. It's great!"

I have to admit, I was amazed by how calm, poised and perky she was sitting down next to me. Only Martha Stewart could successfully host hundreds of guests at her home and then minutes later slip away to support local education and entertain a few more hundred guests - making it all look effortless. And I thought my schedule was stressful! Stewart was a consummate professional ready to talk education, the Ross School and East Hampton on cue.

Now, even though Stewart has owned a home in East Hampton for the past 20 years, some residents may consider Stewart a part time resident over the years. But full time or part time, she has dedicated her time to support several local causes. I asked her, "There are so many causes that you could support locally, why The Ross School?"

"Education is the most important thing for our children, other than their health, of course," she said. "And, I've had a home here for almost 20 years. I've watched this school grow, and succeed and thrive." She actually owns the oldest home in East Hampton and told me, "I have a house that was built in the 1870s. And it was the first house on Lily Pond Lane when there was no road or just a little dirt road through the dunes. It's a pretty house with a pretty garden."

In appreciation for Stewart's support over the years, The Ross School honored her with a Ross Scholarship fund in her name. Hundreds of guests witnessed Stewart personally pass on the scholarship award to a current Ross student, Greg Grossman. The 14-year old student also happens to be a culinary prodigy who just signed a deal to host his own cooking show and shared, "She inspired so many home cooks and foodies around the world, it's an honor!" Grossman credits his love of cooking to his mom, Terre, "I've been in the kitchen with my family since I was very young. That's how it inspired me."

Stewart will be traveling this holiday weekend, but she enjoys celebrating Independence Day in the Hamptons. Her favorite July 4th dish? "I would definitely make a flag cake. A large cake, or flag tart. The white is icing, the red is raspberries, the blue are blueberries, and a little bit of powdered sugar to make the stars." Stewart fondly reminisced about her late mother, a schoolteacher, Martha Kostyra (known as Big Martha) who passed away at 93 in November 2007. "Mom used to come out here. She loved East Hampton. She would make all kinds of things for the 4th of July. Cupcakes, red, white and blue, and she would help hang the flags. I love hanging flags on my house and I miss her and I think a lot of people do."

Aside from education and the arts, Stewart admitted she has other local concerns, "I had been watching with great interest the swans on the little pond right as you enter East Hampton. They started off I think with seven cygnets and now I think there's only four, which makes me a little bit sad. But that's nature. Hopefully they're growing!"

This Holiday weekend blasts off this Friday, July 3, with one of my favorite events of the season, the Southampton Fresh Air Home's 22nd Annual American Picnic with Grucci fireworks over the Shinnecock Bay. Feast on a traditional picnic buffet, carts filled with popcorn, ice cream, hot dogs and other all-American treats. Plus, partake in arts and crafts, carnival booths with games and prizes on the grounds of the oceanfront estate. The Picnic Chairmen, Pamela and Alex Camacho, Tania and Brian Higgins, Lara and William McLanahan, Christl and Ken Meszkat, Alexia and Baird Ryan and Stephanie and David Wolkoff, host the festivities in Southampton from 7-10 p.m. Tickets range from $75 to $250. All proceeds benefit the Southampton Fresh Air Home, a residential summer camp for physically challenged children from the tri-state area that provides campers with an unforgettable summer experience. The campers play golf and team sports, swim and sail while their dedicated families enjoy a well-deserved rest. Most of the campers receive scholarships thanks to the funds raised from the annual picnic. For tickets, call 631-283-5847.

Saturday, July 4, celebrate your independence at the East Hampton Catherine Malandrino Boutique from 4-6 p.m. to get a 20% discount on fully priced clothing. Ten percent of the proceeds will benefit Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue, the only horse rescue in the Hamptons.

Until next week, life is short, you only live once, so party on!

TV Host, Entertainment & Feature Correspondent, Director, Writer and Executive Producer, Gina Glickman can be seen Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends hosting News 12 Long Island's "What's Hot in the Hamptons."