For those who fear Pit Bulls, consider the case of petite Jean Shafiroff. It wasn’t her first choice for a pet. But, after daughter Elizabeth brought two home, Jean learned to love the breed. So much, in fact, that she threw her second “Save the Pit Bull” party with Patrick McMullan, in honor of the upcoming Southampton Animal Shelter Unconditional Gala on Saturday, July 18th, that she, once again, will chair.
“There are 38 Pits in the Southampton Animal Shelter,” said Jean. “So this is part of their message. They are generally the first on line in city shelters to be euthanized. They are discriminated against much in the way German Shepherds were after World War II.”
Jean, too, initially shied away from the breed. But, when daughters are involved, it’s a different story. “When Elizabeth first adopted Daisy, who was on an euthanization list, she looked like she had been ‘bait,’ an abused dog,” remembers Jean. “She was frightened, meek, submissive. And, she has turned out to be the most caring dog.”
Then came Bella. She too was on doggy death row, so Elizabeth took her to be fostered while they found a permanent home. “They put up signs in Southampton looking for someone to adopt her,” remembered Jean. “My husband would go around and take down the signs because he wanted to keep Bella. I agreed and I fell in love with her. She’s a very loving and beautiful dog.”
Shafiroff credits the underground Pit Bull fights for perpetuating the scary stereotype. “It’s so mean and awful. Our NYC Police Department — for whom I have the highest regard — is trying to break them up. But they’re hidden, so it’s not easy. The good news is: more and more people are realizing Pits make great pets and adopting them. They’re very devoted and loving.”
And very social. “They love to be in a room with lots of people,” Jean said. “Remember how they greeted everyone at the party?” Of course, they’re Jean’s dogs!
For more information about Southampton Animal Shelter, visit www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.
Jean Shafiroff And Patrick McMullan Host “Save The Pit Bull” Party For Southampton Animal Shelter
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Luxury of Restraint: Inside the Quiet Confidence of STUDIOBKM’s Aesthetic
I first noticed 55 Wickatuck Drive in Sag Harbor because the gorgeously redesigned home had a real point of view—calm, edited, and quietly specific. That is, it felt like a home, not a project. The styling is intentional without feeling staged: elevated finishes, relaxed coastal ease, a level of cohesion that shows someone cared about the home’s full experience, not just the high-impact moments.
Even after the home sold, something about the property stayed with me. Luckily for me, the real estate agent who sold the property, Sarah Doud, picks up her phone when I call (to be fair, she would probably answer your call, too). She told me the renovation and interiors were designed by STUDIOBKM and Brian K. Mims, a studio approach centered on luxury that simplifies living rather than complicating it. The spaces feel restorative, considered, and durable enough to handle real life in the Hamptons: sandy feet, wet dogs, last-minute guests, all of it.
INTERVIEW: Jonathan Shoemaker on the Accabonac Theater Project, This Land Is Your Land, and Life in Springs
Film and Television Line Producer and Springs resident Jonathan Shoemaker brings his talents to the East End with his theater company, The Accabonac Theater Project. Its inaugural production, This Land Is Your Land, will run January 30 through January 31 at 7pm with a 5pm show on February 1 at Hoie Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton. The production features a trio of short plays titled “General Store,” “Baker Sale,” and “Mystery Art.”
From Rosé to a Lifestyle Collective: Jesse Bongiovi on Building Lily Pond Group
When Jesse Bongiovi launched Hampton Water Wine Co. with his dad, Jon Bon Jovi, in 2018, he helped redefine what modern rosé could look and feel like—sun-soaked, effortless, and rooted in moments shared with the people you love.
Now, with the growth of Lily Pond Group, he’s expanding that vision far beyond the bottle. Influenced by years spent in the Hamptons’ uniquely relaxed and refined culture, Jesse’s approach to brand-building is all about capturing a feeling: the blend of ease, taste, and connection that defines a perfect summer day out East.
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