Our Hamptons

Esperanza and Irwin reminisce on the places and people they miss on eastern Long Island.  As the conversation progresses, memories are jarred, and a bit of Holiday Season nostalgia prevails, including a brief "can you top this segment".  We also reflect back on the past 18 episodes of Season One.

Esperanza and Irwin reflect back on a haunting 2011 Vanity Fair article on the White Family Farm.  Prior to becoming one of America's priciest zip codes, Sagaponack was primarily a farming community.   And the White's, one of Sagaponack's oldest families, have farmed their land since the 1600's.  The White's small cottages nestled in the Sagaponack dunes, were rented seasonally.  The simplicity of the setting was one of a kind.  But the story takes an unsettling and troubling turn.  A different king of Our Hamptons Podcast you won't want to miss.

Esperanza and Irwin embark on a virtual Happy Hour back in time to the bars and taverns we love, and the characters that inhabited them.   From the literati at the original Bobby Van's in Bridgehampton, with Capote, Matthiessen, Knowles and Plimpton to John Steinbeck at Barons Cove in Sag Harbor.  Deep in the woods of Springs, Jungle Pete's had Pollock at the bar with baymen and Bonackers, while Pete's wife Nina cooked venison delivered to the back door by neighborhood hunters.   The incredible daytime scene at Cyril's on the Napeague Strip with people 10 deep and a mile long created a rubbernecking logjam on the highway.  And Murfs, the dive bar we love in Sag Harbor, referred to by a former Sag mayor as "a place we've all been thrown out of at least once".  Yet another piece of the East End mosaic, the sense of place than has drawn so many for so long.

Esperanza and Irwin discuss Fair Field from the beginning to present day.  The plan to construct a 100,000 square foot compound on 63 oceanfront acres sent shock waves throughout the East End.  Fair Field had its own power plant, a 100 car garage and multiple outbuildings. Yet the compound violated no laws, in fact it taking up less than 10% of the property.   While its sheer size was staggering, was it really any different than what occurred in the 19th century Gilded Age, or the grandeur estates constructed on Nassau County's Gold Coast in the early 20th century?  Did it irrevocably change Sagaponack's character, or has Fair Field actually been a relatively quiet, off radar neighbor?  Join as we reflect back, and ponder if Fair Field will remain a private residence long term.

Esperanza and Irwin pick up in the late 1950's heyday of The Bridge.  Can-Am races, The Vanderbilt Cup, Nascar races all were happening in this era, with the world's greatest auto racers.  But unfortunately, economic challenges, Southampton Town rezoning, development pressures and changing demographics created problems for The Bridge. An unlikely alliance between The Bridge and environmental groups, particularly The Group for the South Fork (now East End) occurred.  The Bridge was championed by Newsday, and found a guardian angel in Robert Rubin.  But none of that was enough to save The Bridge.   We're excited to bring this compelling story to what is for us, a heartbreaking conclusion.

Esperanza and Irwin discuss Bridgehampton's prominence as a mecca for auto racing in the early to mid 20th century.  Hard as it is to fathom, auto racing took place on the streets of Bridgehampton from 1915-1921 and again from 1949 to 1953.  After the NYS legislature banned racing in the streets, a group purchased almost 600 acres to the north, off Millstone Road.  There, a challenging, European inspired racetrack aptly named The Bridge became one of the most important venues in the sport.  We are enamored by this incredible story, and excited to share it with you.

Esperanza and Irwin welcome Build.In.Kind/East Hampton founder Jaine Mehring.  To “build in kind” means to renovate or rebuild a structure basically as it is—in the same form and existing footprint.  To those of us who live, visit or even read about East Hampton knows this is rarely talking place.  In fact, for years now, we’ve been seeing the opposite – it’s been mainly “all demo, no reno.” And mostly, it’s been all about…BIGGER. Houses, even not very old ones, are demolished and replaced with new structures, most often double to quadruple the size.  Or new construction on previously undeveloped parcels clears and covers as much of the lot as possible, driving a rapid surge in density where there had been a sense of open space.  This episode coincides with the October 8 screening of One Big Home, a film by Thomas Bena presented by Build.In.Kind/East Hampton and Wainscott Heritage Project.   The film documents how citizens of Chilmark Town on Martha’s Vineyard came together and passed changes to their bylaws that limited house size in order to respect and protect the history, character, environment and quality of life of their community. The film screening will be followed by a Panel Discussion and Q&A with Thomas Bena and Special Guests.  Our Hamptons Podcast was pleased to provide additional support and sponsorship for this event.

Leisurama Part 2 brings Esperanza and Irwin to present day Montauk.  While many of the original Leisurama's have been renovated beyond recognition, or replaced by larger homes entirely, the bones are still evident.  Past and current real estate ads for Leisurama are contrasted to the original marketing plan, and the value of an intact Leisurama as a piece of history is discussed.    

Esperanza and Irwin explore the crazy history behind Leisurama of Montauk.  The story starts with a piece of history: the 1959 "Kitchen Debate" between Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev and Vice President Richard Nixon taking place in a...you guessed it...Leisurama Kitchen in the American National Exhibition in Moscow. The cast of characters now include the architect Andrew Geller, Marketing Director William Safire and Montauk legend Frank Tuma, as the story moves to 1964 NYC, where Leisurama's were sold in Macy's flagship Herald Square store.  Legend has it, you went in to buy a shirt, and came out with a house, furnished down to the toothbrushes.  Tune in for part one of this only in America story!