Who’s Here in the Hamptons

Helen Harrison, director of the Pollock-Krasner House and an author of historical mysteries, shares captivating stories from the home where Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner created legendary art. She discusses the preservation of Pollock's iconic studio floor and the emotional toll of his tragic car accident. Harrison also reflects on the vibrant history of East Hampton and the unique identity of its original settlers. Additionally, she intertwines her writing journey, revealing how surrealism shapes her mysteries while preserving the legacies of abstract expressionist artists.

How did the Cooper’s Beach Pavilion get built, back in the day? (Hint: on the QT!) Dan Rattiner gets this, and other Southampton village stories out of former beloved Southampton Mayor (and former Town Trustee) Bill Hattrick – it’s an interesting throwback to the 80’s and 90’s, and how some things got done out east (and not without surprise or a bit of outrage)!

This week’s podcast is with Brooke Lea Foster, an award winning journalist who has written factual pieces for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe and others, who has turned to writing novels.   Her first novel, published by Simon and Schuster, was called “Summer Darlings” and was about two wealthy families with summer homes in Martha’s Vineyard who get into a tangle with a shaggy haired bachelor who lives in a small cottage between them.  It was well received and she has now gotten approval to write a second novel set in the Hamptons.  The podcast is two writers, talking.

This week’s podcast is with Jesse Warren, the young Mayor of Southampton Village.   We discussed his upbringing in Roslyn, his education, his decade long work as a prominent merchant in that village and his decision to run based on his desire to improve that community.  Our discussions ranged about the pollution in Lake Agawam, the reconstruction of the home where Pyrrhus Concer, a former slave lived in that town, the project involving a new Southampton African-American museum and the new Dan’s Papers drive by Sculpt-Tour program.

Mercedes Ruehl is a multiple academy award winning actor (first one The Fisher King)  who lives year around in East Hampton. We talked about her years growing up and her early interest in the theatre and film that led to her stunning career. I asked her whose plays and films she most admired and her answer might surprise you. Hint: He was a longtime resident of Montauk.

Dan Gasby of Sag Harbor is best known for his partnership with model and lifestyle figure B Smith, who was his wife.  B Smith restaurant was on Long Wharf for decades, and other locations were in New York City and Washington.    The courageous and dedicated way he helped her through the long decline through Alzenheimers for years and years until she died last year was a tribute to him.  He talks about how following such a path brought new meaning to his life.

The monumental sculptures made in bronze, stainless steel and stone by Dutch artist Hans Van de Bovenkamp sit on the lawns of more than a dozen private residences and public places throughout the Hamptons.  His works are also on display in ten museums around the world, embassies, public gardens and institutes including NYU, Tiffany & Co., Bryant Park and in Italy, Lebanon, Venezuela and Canada.  He lives in Sagaponack and we talked about his career and his new role in our new Dan’s Papers Drive-By SculpTour now getting underway here in the Hamptons.

This week’s guest is Amagansett’s Richard Cohen, who’s firm Rockwater LLC has for the last thirty years built waterfalls, ponds, stone bridges and other nature enhancing creations on the properties of some of our wealthiest residents.   Which ones are the most memorable?   Richard answers that question.

Corporate Communications Executive, Joanna Massey, talks about integrating multiple generations in one work place and the value and necessity of each generation.

Liana Werner-Gray is a certified nutritionist, Health and Nutrition Coach in New York City, and a four-time best-selling author of multiple health and wellness books. She believes food is medicine and finds solutions to problems through nutrition.