Hampton Habitués

Good News Gossip About Our Notable Friends And Neighbors

It’s almost the end of another year. It’s been a bit rocky for many in the world. We continue to be thankful for what we have here on the East End. 

Row, Row, row
Dune Deck and Discovery Land backer George Clooney has what’s sure to be another hit on the horizon with his next movie, The Boys in the Boat. Set to be released on Christmas Day, the film is about a group of down-but-not-out rowers from Washington State who competed and won against the country’s most elite schools, and eventually for gold medals at the Summer Olympics in Berlin in 1936. 

Set during the Great Depression, it’s a story built on necessity, grit and teamwork. Based on the novel by Daniel James Brown and produced and directed by Mr. Clooney, the film stars Joel Edgerton and Callum Turner. Grab your hankies for this thrilling underdog tale. 

New Stories
Former Southampton resident Rachel Ray has ventured out of the kitchen and landed herself a great big home reno show. Titled Rachel Ray’s Rebuild, the new Hulu series focuses on families in need of constructive advice and construction work after losing their homes from uncontrollable circumstances.

After having lived through a fire at her own home at Lake Luzerne in upstate New York in 2020, Ms. Ray says the experience opened her eyes to all that it takes to rebuild a residence. The 10-episode series will feature her and construction professional Anthony Carrion from HGTV’s Kitchen Cousins as they tackle reconstructing from the ground up, from natural disasters, and freak accidents. 

Take Two
The Hamptons Doc Fest is back for its 16^th year and rolling films from November 30 to December 6 at Bay Street Theater and the Sag Harbor Cinema in Sag Harbor. 

Highlights from this year’s festival include a Pennebaker Career Achievement Award for director Matthew Heineman, screenings of American Symphony and Obsessed with Light, and a special tribute to filmmaker Nancy Buirski. Additionally, the festival will honor the work of Artemis Rising Foundation and Regina Scully.

Page Turner
Bridgehampton resident and former Macmillan CEO John Sargent has turned the tables and written a memoir himself. In Turning Pages: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher, the literary veteran shares stories from his 40 years in the book business. 

In his autobiography, the surfing enthusiast and current chairman of the Ocean Conservancy includes snippets from his life and lots of juicy insider tales of working with some of the biggest names in the publishing world. Avid readers will be sure to glean some interesting details about Sargent’s interactions with everyone from James Baldwin to Monica Lewinsky. 

Kudos 
Big congrats are in order for Sag Harbor’s Sam Walton Hamilton and Julian Alvarez, whose efforts tied them for Best Short Film at this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival last month. Their doc, Forgotten Founders: David Hempstead, Senior, tells of Mr. Hempstead’s journey from slavery to freedom. 

Cheers are also in order for two Hampton Bays filmmakers. Adam Baranello recently won a Gold Achievement Award at the International Film Festival of Manhattan for his latest independent film, The Weird Ones. And bravas to documentarian Christiane Arbesu, who just premiered her latest, I Am Judit, about the extraordinary life of Holocaust Survivor and the East End’s own Judy Sleed. 

And lastly, high fives at the net to Julia Stabile and Matilda Buchen. The Westhampton Beach teens recently took home the New York State Doubles Trophy at the NYSPHSAA Girls Championships. We just love that!

Love & Light
Wishing a warm and peaceful sendoff to East Hampton’s Lois Erdmann Wright. The former artist, author, and palmist, passed in October. A colorful presence here on the East End, she will forever be remembered for her contributions as LTV’s longest-running host, to the world of Grey Gardens Americana and her many celebrity palm and tarot readings.