Out With Dr. Bill: Snapshots of a Summer Well-Spent

Some seasons don’t just unfold—they sparkle. What began as a dreamy Fourth of July weekend in the Hamptons with our chosen family stretched into a vibrant collection of moments that reminded me why summer has always been my favorite chapter of the year. From beach bonfires and parades to Broadway brilliance, unexpected connections, and moonlit walks through the Pines, these past couple of weeks were filled with the kind of joy, reflection, and deep connection that make life feel full. What follows is a love letter to the people and places that make this season unforgettable—and a gentle reminder of what really matters.

Sun, Sand & Someone Who Gets You

This Fourth of July, Eric and I had the joy of spending the holiday weekend in Southampton at the beautiful home of our dear friend Shahrzad—someone who isn’t just a close friend, but our truly chosen family. Her warmth, humor, and generosity made the entire weekend feel like a gift. When you get to spend time with someone who gets you so well that they can finish your sentences or make you laugh just by bringing up an old memory, you’re reminded of how special those bonds are.

Chic, Sancerre & Caesar

The weekend kicked off with a much-needed date night in the Village of Southampton. Since our wonderful hostess, Shahrzad, hadn’t yet arrived, Eric and I took the opportunity to ease into the evening on our own—just the two of us, and just what we needed. As soon as we dropped our bags, we strolled into town and grabbed a sidewalk table at 75 Main, a favorite local spot that perfectly captures the Hamptons vibe: chic, lively, and effortlessly stylish. We had front-row seats for peak people-watching—linen outfits, boat shoes, sun-kissed blondes, sweaters tossed over shoulders, and enough gold to light up Main Street. The staff, including the gracious owner, couldn’t have been warmer, and our bottle of Sancerre disappeared far too quickly (bus travel will do that to you). I started with a classic Caesar, followed by the Fusiloni alla Vodka—comfort food at its finest.

By the end, I was one very happy guy. The perfect start to the weekend.

Small-Town Pride, Big-Time Charm

The morning after our date night, Eric and I took a quiet walk along Wyandanch Beach—the kind that clears your head and reminds you why summer on the East End feels so special. After a caffeine stop at Starbucks, we wandered back to Main Street just as the Fourth of July parade was kicking off—pure Americana. Locals lined the sidewalks waving flags, kids darted between lawn chairs with popsicles in hand and faces sticky with sugar and delight.

There was a steady stream of siren-blaring police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks—many of them vintage—proudly rolling by to a chorus of clapping and cheers.

Then came the Southampton Ocean Rescue team, cruising down Main Street in a beach jeep with a yellow surfboard strapped to the roof—and perched atop it, a seasoned mermaid in a sparkling pink sequin tail. She waved like a true local legend, her headband with dangling red, white, and blue hearts bouncing with every movement. She was working the crowd but spent quite a bit of time adjusting her bikini top. I couldn’t help but hold my breath for a possible Nipplegate moment—a nod to Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show with Justin Timberlake. 

Luckily, there were no surprises—just laughter and applause from an adoring crowd.

At one point, as a Southampton hook-and-ladder truck passed—this one confidently driven by a woman—I realized I wasn’t just standing in the middle of a charming holiday parade. I was witnessing a community that honors tradition while making space for progress and inclusivity.

We didn’t stay long enough to see the high school marching band (assuming Southampton High has one), but the energy, pride, and heart of the morning made it a Fourth of July I won’t soon forget.

Saturday evening was pure magic—a memory I’ll hold onto for years to come. It was my first-ever sunset beach bonfire dinner, and it absolutely became the highlight of the weekend. Sixteen of us gathered on Wyandanch Beach, toes in the sand, salty breeze in our hair, and hearts full, for what felt like something out of a dream.

The meal, prepared by the always-exquisite Sant Ambroeus in Southampton, was nothing short of a royal feast. Think a medley of vibrant salads, their legendary Faroe Islands salmon in Trapanese pesto, and tender filet mignon battuta served with roasted Yukon Gold potatoes and a green intingolo sauce so good it could bring a tear to your eye. Every detail—from the chilled rosé to the flickering flames of the bonfire—felt effortless, but unforgettable.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of lavender and gold, the moment turned from beautiful to surreal. Surrounded by longtime friends and new ones, we shared stories, laughter, and gratitude. Seeing our dear friend Robert Coburn, fresh off his win for a seat on the Southampton Village Board, and his equally civic-minded husband Averitt Buttry—President of the Board of Trustees for the Southampton History Museum—only deepened the sense that we were part of something special. Our beloved host, Shahrzad, wove it all together with grace, warmth, and that signature sparkle only she can bring. 

Some nights are just dinner. This one was an experience—soulful, rare, and completely unforgettable.

Sag Harbor, Strong Women & Stories That Matter

We woke up early the next morning and headed to Sag Harbor to meet up with our dear friend Judith Kasen-Windsor—widow of the legendary Edie Windsor, whose landmark Supreme Court case helped strike down DOMA and paved the way for marriage equality. Judith is a force of nature—always in motion, working tirelessly to honor Edie’s legacy through efforts like the Edie Windsor Heart Project at Southampton Town Hall, the annual Edie’s Backyard BBQ, and her successful campaign to rename the corner of Fifth Avenue and Washington Square North as “Edie Windsor and Thea Spyer Way.” That corner, where Edie and Thea shared their life for over 40 years, now stands as a powerful tribute to love and equality.

Eric and I met Judith, along with her friend Emily and the incredibly talented artist Sandy Cohen, at WILDSIDE—a luxury resort-wear boutique in Sag Harbor that proudly carries Sandy’s stunning, hand-embellished hoodies. Each one is a wearable work of art—emotionally rich, thought-provoking, and completely unique. The whole experience was a beautiful reminder of the vibrant, creative, and loving community Edie helped build—and that Judith continues to nurture.

When Hospitality Becomes Connection

That afternoon, we joined our New York dentist, George Psaltis—whose office is in The Majestic on Central Park West—for a luncheon at the house where he was staying. It’s rare for us to attend an event where we hardly know anyone, but what started as a room full of strangers quickly turned into a warm gathering of kindred spirits. By the time we polished off the crudités, tomato-cucumber-feta salad, and perfectly grilled lamb chops, it felt like we were breaking bread with extended family. The house was gorgeous, the food delicious, and the conversations were even better. Surrounded by fascinating folks from all over the country—from upstate New York to Florida and Palm Springs—it was the perfect capstone to a beautiful Fourth of July weekend.

The Role. The Revival. The Revelation.

Back from the Hamptons and still brushing sand from my shoes, Eric surprised me with tickets to the revival of Sunset Boulevard. I hadn’t been sure I’d get the chance to catch the Tony Award–winning performance that had been lighting up Broadway—and let me tell you, it more than lived up to the buzz.

Nicole Scherzinger’s portrayal of Norma Desmond was nothing short of revelatory. I had seen Nicole earlier this year when she took the stage at Family Equality’s Night at the Pier benefit, dazzling the crowd in a strapless black gown and commanding the room with her presence. (I covered that unforgettable evening in a previous column— linked here .) Even then, before she held the Antoinette Perry Award in her hands, it was clear we were witnessing a star in full bloom.

Her performance in Sunset Boulevard felt both timeless and urgent, honoring the iconic role Glenn Close once redefined with a steely, heartbreaking vulnerability, yet making it entirely her own. Nicole’s Norma wasn’t just a faded star clinging to memories; she was fierce, fragile, and utterly hypnotic. I was spellbound from her first line to her final, haunting exit. This revival isn’t just a must-see—it’s a masterclass in reinvention, and Nicole is the beating heart at its center.

From Broadway to the Beach: A Weekend to Remember on Fire Island

After a dazzling night on Broadway taking in the powerhouse revival of Sunset Boulevard, I ended the week in an entirely different kind of theater—one with ocean breezes, barefoot entrances, and no velvet seats in sight.

After a whirlwind stretch in the city, Eric and I traded Manhattan for Fire Island, joining friends in the Pines for a weekend of celebration, connection, and just a touch of mischief. The highlight of the weekend was the now-annual Half-Birthday White Party that Rick and I co-host—a playful tradition to wear white, sip rosé, eat cake, and toast the midpoint between our birthdays with the people who make life better.

As the party began to wind down, we left Rick to graciously host the last couple of guests while Eric, Rob (visiting from Seattle), and I set off barefoot through the warm, powdery sand to Cherry Grove. That walk—quiet, ritualistic, and just long enough to feel the shift—is one of the island’s most sacred gifts. We were headed to the Community House to see the incomparable Ann Hampton Callaway

And what a show it was.

Ann took the stage like a storm rolling in—elegant, electric, and unforgettable. From smoky jazz to Broadway standards, she held the room in the palm of her hand. Her rendition of Black Coffee was sultry and aching, like a whispered secret at midnight. In the audience was her wife, Kari—dear friends of ours who, like us, keep a home in Tucson and find joy in the desert’s light and rhythm. Seeing them together added warmth to an already magical evening.

The show ended with a well-earned, thunderous standing ovation. Eric and Rob slipped out to help cook dinner, but I stayed behind to hug Ann and Kari, and later made the moonlit walk home solo—sand still warm, waves at my side, heart full.

And just like that—cue the Carrie Bradshaw voiceover—another chapter was added to my slightly dramatic, forever-evolving love affair with this island.

Lambda in the Pines: Where Celebration Meets Cause

Before Eric and I left the Island for the weekend, we had the joy of joining our dear friend James Dale and a group of like-minded friends at his stunning oceanfront home for a host reception and preview of what many consider the must-attend weekend in the Pines: Lambda Legal in the Pines. It’s an event we hold close to our hearts, and one we’re always proud to help support and bring to life alongside an incredible circle of friends.

Each year, the weekend unfolds with an intimate cocktail party on Friday evening—this year hosted by Andrew and Isaac Mitchell-Namdar—followed by the legendary Saturday pool party, set at the breathtaking home of James and his partner David Lam, and presented by our fabulous partners at mister.

But beyond the celebration, it’s the mission that matters most. The weekend supports Lambda Legal, the nation’s oldest and largest legal organization fighting to secure full civil rights for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV. It’s a cause rooted in justice and equality—and one that continues to inspire pride, purpose, and a little Fire Island magic year after year.

What Makes It All Matter

Looking back, it wasn’t just the places we visited or the events we attended—it was the people, the laughter, and the quiet reminders of how fortunate we are to live a life overflowing with love, purpose, and a little sparkle along the way.