Dan's Papers - March 21, 2008 - South O' the Highway (and the North too)

Amagansett resident Paul McCartney has been ordered by a judge to pay Heather Mills almost $50 million as part of their divorce settlement. Pocket change for the ex-Beatle, who has commented to the press that it's "terrific" his divorce is almost settled.

John Lennon's former mistress May Pang signed copies of her book, which features a collection of personal photographs taken when the two were an item, at the Cutting Room in NYC. Lennon's first wife, Cynthia, and their son, Julian, attended the event, where Pang sold out of books.

Congratulations to local mother-son team Betty and Michael Paraskevas for winning two 2008 Parents' Choice silver medals for Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, an animated series based on the children's books created by the creative duo.

It is estimated that Ashley Alexander Dupré may rake in over $5 million as a result of her trysts with former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who vacations at the Panoramic View Resort in Montauk. Hustler and Penthouse have already offered the 22-year-old prostitute $1 million to pose nude.

Real estate mogul and Hamptons polo fan, Donald Trump, wants to turn his Palm Beach, Florida estate, which has been on the market for three years, into a resort. The 62,100-square-foot, 17-bedroom, 15-bathroom home with 475 feet of oceanfront property is located in a residential area. Palm Beach officials aren't enthusiastic.

Fashion designer Ralph Lauren, who continues to purchase more and more buildings in East Hampton Village, has lost his fight to prevent the United States Polo Association from using logos that resemble his company's trademark logo. The two organizations have been fighting about this for over two decades. Can't win 'em all, Ralph.

Paris Hilton has announced that she will participate in a new reality show on MTV. The premise - the hotel heiress needs to find a new BFF. Hilton will be living under the same roof with 20 potential best friends, who will compete to earn her loyalty and friendship.

Simon, Paula and Randy would have been proud as the second annual Hampton Idol competition, organized by Southampton Town Youth Services, displayed some of the Hamptons finest high school talent. Stephanie DiCapula of East Quogue took first place with her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," and Lauren Volz was runner-up with her performance of Rascall Flatt's "Bless the Broken Road."

The charges against North Haven's Richard Gere for kissing Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an event in India last year have been suspended indefinitely. The Buddhist actor can now travel to the country, but must keep his lips to himself.

Speaking of Buddhists, Hamptons regular Anna Wilding's film Buddha Wild Monk in a Hut, which explores the culture and monastic lives of missionary monks, is one of 65 films accepted into the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, sponsored by HBO, Fox, Discovery, Paramount Vantage and other big networks.

Blue Star Jets CEO Todd Rome has announced that he will marry his fiancée, Vanessa Brahms, this summer at his Bridgehampton mansion.

The East Hampton High School boys basketball team ended its epic season at the state finals played at the Glens Falls Civic Center last week. In an emotional display, the East Hampton boys gave everything they had to try to beat Jamesville-Dewitt, who had two key players taller then 6'5", but the Rams defeated the East Hampton Bonackers 78-54.

The Bonackers finished the season with a 23-3 record, and earned League V, Suffolk County and Long Island titles. Congratulations to all of the seniors on the basketball team. It has been great watching you guys play.