Outside it was a sunny, windy day; however, the atmosphere inside Gurney’s Inn Resort and Spa was warm and welcoming. We had arrived to watch an afternoon filming of the American Dreams Show, which is recorded regularly at a specially designed area at Gurney’s Inn. The program is a talk show about “people, their heritage, goals, struggles and dreams”. Ingrid Lemme, Gurney’s Marketing and Public Relations Director, hosts the broadcast and to date has done over 500 tapings! The public is always welcome to come and be part of her audience in this intimate “living room setting”. With a background of the majestic and awesome Atlantic Ocean visible through a picture window on the set, the beauty and allure of Montauk is continually present during each broadcast. This was our first time joining other guests for the experience. Ingrid is an amazing woman when you think of all that she does in just one day! On that Saturday, she did seven episodes, back to back, with each program segment being thirty minutes in length. That evening she hosted a Valentine’s event held at Gurney’s and at midnight left to drive with her husband to the Carolina’s for a well-deserved week’s vacation.

The day we attended, her taping began at 10 in the morning and continued until 4 pm. We arrived in time to catch the last four segments being filmed. Working without a script and easily chatting with her guests, Ingrid manages to learn about their lives, how they started in the venture they were there to talk about and their future plans. Being well prepared and knowing the background of each guest gives her ideas for the questions she asks during the discussions. Ingrid has a knack for making her guests feel at ease, some of which were being filmed for television for the first time.

What impressed us the most was the fascinating variety of guests appearing on the American Dreams Show broadcasts. The range varies from world known celebrities, artists, authors, entrepreneurs, entertainers, Montauk residents, politicians, government officials and guests in a multiple of categories. That day the featured guests were from Montauk or other parts of the Hamptons. Audience members have a chance to watch the guests being readied for the show, which includes last minute tips about the lighting, microphones and angle shots. After the taping there is a short break before the next segment and audience members can meet and chat with the guest that was just interviewed. Working behind the cameras that day were Greg and Ernie Schimizzi, a team of personal and friendly brothers that kept the filming process running, smoothly, efficiently and on time for each guest’s arrival. The setting is comfortable, friendly and personal, and a nice way to preview a program before it is broadcast on WVH-TV Hamptons Television, Channel 78. It is also available to view via Live-Web-Stream on www.WVVH.com The program is also available on Time Warner Cable’s video on demand system.

The first filming for the afternoon began with the talented Morris Brothers, Robert and Steven, singers, musicians and songwriters. Ingrid delved into their past and asked the handsome twin brothers how they started in the musical field, talked about their reoccurring guest appearances on the Letterman Show and the release of their latest album, “One Less Dream”. Graduates of Fordham University and Berklee College of Music, the native New Yorkers began their musical lives by studying classical piano at the age of seven. Through their teen years, they began to teach themselves bass and guitar, fueled by rock and roll and jazz. One of the hits on their album, Ingrid noted, is called Montauk Fever. Being surrounded by the beauty of this ocean resort town simply had to be put to song. In addition to pop music, the brothers have had success as composer/lyricists with the new musical, “Once Around the Sun”, which played off Broadway before heading to Tokyo. Their song “You’re Killing Me” has been featured on the CW Network’s show “Life is Wild” as part of the background music to the program. The brothers have also played in the orchestras of numbers Broadway shows including Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Wedding Singer, Hot Feet and Good Vibrations. Besides being on tour, the Morris Brothers perform locally and in New York City. For more information about their upcoming appearances or their albums, visit MORRISBROTHERS.BIZ

Are action packed spy novels, filled with suspense and intrigue the type of book you like to curl up with and read? This is exactly what author Christopher Irvine is counting on when the public learns more about his recent novel, Dawn of the Crescent Sun. Ingrid’s next guest, a Montauk resident and author, was on the program to discuss his second novel. How did Irvine come up with the idea and plot for this book? He lived in Pakistan as a young child, after his mother’s work relocated her there. Christopher ended up living in that country for five years when his mother married his stepfather. When they moved back to the states they settled on the East End and after school he enlisted in the Marines. With his global background and military experiences, this mystery novel was easy to conceive, starting it after the 9/11 tragedy, projecting what will happen in the middle east region as violence continues to escalate between countries. Mr. Irvine’s novel is a love story combined with the intrigue of world events. To learn more about Christopher Irvine and his novel go to http://www.dawnofthecrescent.com/

A dainty, charming, Benita Glorioso is the owner of B. Glorioso, a boutique with two locations, one in Bridgehampton and her newest shop right in Gurney’s Inn. Born in the Philippines, and immigrated to the United States many years ago, the conversation with Ingrid and Benita was comfortable, relaxed and like two friends meeting for afternoon tea. The audience learned about Benita’s early years growing up in the Philippines, her education in the medical field, and strong calling to her first love, fashion. For the broadcasts, Ingrid was wearing a gorgeous outfit from Benita’s shop. It was simply elegant and looked striking under the gaze of studio lighting. Besides a complete Victorian inspired clothing line, Glorioso features handbags, fashion accessories and handmade freshwater pearl jewelry, some of which were on display on the set during the taping. For more information about these stunning fashions visit, www.BGLORIOSOS.com or you can call for store hours at 631 668 2345 Extension 4102.

The day was winding down and yet Ms. Lemme was still full of boundless energy and ready for the last guest for this taping. Before the cameras started to roll again, the set was re-decorated with the most beautiful artifacts from Bulgaria. These hand painted ceramic pieces and were part of the import collection of the next guest, Donna Hadjipopov. With a varied background of jobs and entrepreneurial undertakings, this current business, shared with her husband, George, was a direct result of their visit to Bulgaria years ago. George was born in Bulgaria and they were visiting relatives there.

When Donna saw the breathtaking work created by the women in Bulgaria, she knew she wanted to help them sell their products here in the States. She was touched by the “extraordinary hospitality, kindness and joy of the people in spite of the obvious financial crisis they were in. She fell in love with the handwork of the artisans, in particular the traditional hand-painted pottery and handspun weavings.” Basically a wholesale business, selling artistic pieces such as beautiful pottery and intricate afghans, shawls and scarves, etc. the items have been sort after by renown decorators and buyers of distinctive homes. The company has a warehouse located here on the East End and it has a retail section open to the public. Their business was recently presented with the prestigious Forbes® Enterprise Award in the Home Décor Division to “Bulgur UA” at the Lincoln Center. To learn more about the artifacts from Bulgaria and about this company and its beautiful creations you can visit Belgarusa.com

If you would like to attend a taping of Ingrid Lemme’s program, contact Gurney’s Inn directly for a filming schedule. It is a delightful way to spend a few hours learning about the lives of talented, creative and captivating guests and at the same time, taking an inside peek into the filming process.