Dan's Papers - December 7, 2007 -

Dear Dan,
On November 4th I completed the New York City marathon, but that accomplishment pales next to that of my family, friends and patients. Because of them, I was able to raise nearly $6,000 in less than two months for Fred's Team, an amazing charity associated with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Since Fred's Team began in the 1992, it has raised over $28 million, all of which goes directly towards researching cures for pediatric cancers. The money raised by Fred's Team runners in marathons throughout the world primarily benefits the Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research. Thank you to everyone who donated to this urgent cause and a special thanks to Martin and Barbara Zweig whose generous gift helped me to reach my fundraising goal in very short order. All of you helped to make this year's fundraising for Fred's Team such a tremendous success.

Dear Dan,
We are regular readers of your zany stories. We also wonder how one can continue producing them for years on a weekly basis.
One of the articles that we really enjoyed was last week's account of the Hampton Films festival, which described your personal experience in trying to identify suitable films for your guests and family. We identify with sentiment you expressed, leading us to by and large just ignore the event. As a matter of fact we were visiting friends in upstate New York at the same weekend and participated in an event, the Chatam Film Festival. It was relatively speaking a modest affair, but the movie we watched was superb and, more importantly, decent.
I wanted to clip your article and send it to my friends but the issue was mistakenly discarded before I had a chance to do so. Would it be possible to receive it via attachment to an email? I would really appreciate it.

Take it off our website, www.danshamptons.com. - DR

Dear Dan,
I have lived on Long Island all my fifty-five years and have always loved the East End, both North and South forks. I do not like to travel alone, however, I decided to give myself a two-day one-night vacation and go it alone to Gurney's in Montauk. My mom had given me a gift card from Gurney's last Christmas and I thought I had to use it within one year.
So, off I went to one of the best short vacations I have ever had.I arrived early and it happened to be the Sunday of Nick Monte's memorial service, so there were many guests at the inn. The girls at the front desk were efficient and wonderfully accommodating. I was able to check in early and was even given a suite.
I then proceeded to the wonderful spa and went swimming in the seawater pool then onto the hot tub and quiet room. Cocktail hour rolled around so I decided to visit the bar. It was packed at the bar and in the Admirals restaurant so I strolled over to the other dining room that was empty. Alice was so completely attentive to me that I felt like I was Mr. Nick Monte's relative. I ordered a drink and dinner of Asparagus and Lobster tails and I was in heaven. My gift cards were put to good use. I went back to my lovely, clean and comfortable suite and continued to enjoy my time. I was hoping for a snowstorm on Monday, so I could stay another night.
Anyone who is a bit leery on traveling alone - go to Gurneys in Montauk. If you love the ocean, a spa, warm seawater pools, good food and drinks, ocean views and great king size beds, you will never feel alone. I was treated with such respect I felt like a Queen for the Day. Then to my surprise upon checkout I was told that the gift cards are good for three years. I still have a balance and can't wait to return.

Gurney's is a star of the East End. - DR

Dear Dan,
While watching the Fox show Kitchen Disasters on November14, the restaurant was going to be reviewed by the food critic from Dan's Papers. When the critic made her appearance I thought it was a joke, but then realized it was not. How old is this so-called critic? From what I could tell maybe mid-twenty's? What possible experience could she have to be a so-called critic? Not only was she very young but also she came across as very brass. I would hate to think that a review from her would make or break a restaurant. Maybe she should stick to reviewing PG-13 movies until she has a little more life experience.

The producer told her what to say. - DR

Dear Dan,
Dear Lt. Kelly-Dorrian:
God made heroes on 9/11/01. All first responders had the same soot covered uniforms. Our City and State made them Police or Fireman or Ambulance driver. They were all there. Lt. and I want you to know that all of this inter agency bickering that never seems to end is disgusting. I lost a relative and many friends. If there was a possibility of being saved, do you really think they would have asked that I'd wait for a cop or a fireman?
The paper made a mistake, that was easier enough to correct, but to say that Vincent Danz was spinning in his grave was beyond belief. He lies in his grave with all the hero's and victims from that day.
This is just what Bin Laden and his bunch want, discord among all of America. Did you become a Lt. by passing a test or were you a leader that deserves that rank?