At the suggestion of a reader, and as we “re-enter” society, Auntie Mac will alternate her monthly advice column with residents’ celebratory news – so send us yours!
Goodness, the Hampton summer is about to get away from me. So many functions, fetes and to-do’s—let me tell you, my dears, Auntie Mac hasn’t had this much of a whirlwind season since Mims Rothschild and the Newport Six held competing high teas at the St. Regis. But such a July we’ve had . . . with no less than ten of Hampton’s most venerable citizens celebrating spring and summer birthdays in the grandest of styles—and may I just say, these celebrants know how to put on an event to remember. Although all held individual celebrations, they planned an inclusive post-pandemic affair that drew both glitterati and paparazzi from near and far. Propriety prohibits me from divulging the location of the gala, but those in the know report that the (health and safety-conscious) dancing and carousing went on till the wee hours. The event was such front-page news that it took all of Auntie Mac’s substantial pull to secure one of the coveted invitations. But secure she did, and the list of notables and their lifetime accomplishments was no less breathtaking than the couture on display, the seven-piece orchestra, or the canapés flown in from Lausanne.
Where to begin on the guest list? Mistress of Ceremonies Josephine “Josie” Dauphin, who at 101 and a renowned chef, presided over the caterers’ presentation of the sumptuous menu. Clarence Thornton, 100, set the mood with minimal lighting—a nod to his stealthy delivery of munitions across enemy lines in the European Theater during WWII. Tom Gaines, 98 and another veteran of WWII—at Pearl Harbor no less, was sartorially splendid in surfing togs in honor of the many championships he won demonstrating his skill, I am told, executing things like “shooting the tube” and “climbing foam,” which sound positively harrowing. Another fashion statement was made by Mary Kennon, 90, resplendent in a crimson Dior floor-length trimmed with white marabou from the winter 2012 collection—a nod to her many years serving as “Mrs. Claus” for the town at Christmas. The always-dapper John Yanouzas, who turned 93 this year, nearly outdid the caterers with his signature Greek salad and his wife’s secret baklava recipe; all the guests fondly remembered Eleni, who passed away this year. Alison Davis, another member of the “98 Club” as they call it, entranced all present with a short reading from her forthcoming treatise, Celestial Navigation and You. Admittedly, she grew a tad exasperated when she noticed some of the guests’ eyes taking on a rather glazed appearance, and she was heard to whisper to her agent, “Honestly, you’d think that someone in this crowd would be familiar with the nautical almanac.”
“Oh, Alison, keep going,” chirped Peggy Fox. “I’m only 93 but gosh, I thought everybody knew how to use a sextant.” Which unexpectedly reminded 92-year-old former Tax Collector Phyllis Stone of when, during Peggy’s tenure as Town Clerk, a very busy day had rendered her a bit flustered and she answered the phone, “Peggy Clerk, Town Fox.” It was at this point, dear reader, that Phyllis, unable to contain herself, spit her champagne mimosa onto the saxophone player; Bob Gilroy, 90, rushed to wipe it up, heard the story, and nearly collapsed in a fit of laughter onto Phyllis’ lap.
Although Auntie Mac has been known to keep pace with even the most seasoned party-goers, the evening was no match for her, and as she reluctantly took her leave she could hear the group moving out to the in-ground pool where Tom Gaines’ wife Carolyn, 99, was urging all present to toss Tom in and “then we’ll see you if can still shred a wave, dear.”
I honestly don’t think I’ll recover till Labor Day.