Bridgehampton Community Notes, January 12

These are sad days around the Kotz household. On Sunday morning, we took Sam, our 19-year-old dog to Olde Towne Animal Hospital in Southampton, where Dr. Richard Altieri and other staff members were incredibly kind and gentle in helping us deal with the difficult task of putting him down.

Sam was one of those mutts that are euphemistically referred to as “shepherd mixes,” although I’m not sure he had any German shepherd blood in him. My mother-in-law adopted him from the Animal Rescue Fund in early 1996, a few months after her husband died, to keep her company out in Northwest Woods in East Hampton. He was a loyal companion, always barking out a warning when people pulled up the driveway, accompanying her on her trips to Vermont and even sleeping under her bed during her final illness. When she died in the summer of 2005, we brought him to our home, where he bonded immediately with my wife Elizabeth and eventually with the rest of us.

Sam was not what you would call a well trained dog. He didn’t shake, he didn’t fetch, he didn’t roll over and he certainly didn’t play dead—at least until he got so old he slept most of the time. But he was smart enough to let himself into and out of the house through doors that were seemingly closed tight, and every time we had a party he made it a point to walk around the house, greeting visitors one by one.

Over the last couple of years, he really began to slow down as arthritis set in and his hips began to give out. Still, just until a couple of months ago, he was able to climb the stairs to our bedroom to sleep at the foot of our bed. This summer, the occasional accidents in the house grew more frequent and he began to have more trouble walking. In October, we noticed an angry growth on his upper gum that the vet immediately diagnosed as a malignant tumor. So, the countdown began.

People told us he would tell us when he was ready to go. I wish it were as simple as that. It was a tough call to make, but it was the right one. We’ll certainly miss having him around.

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The Bridgehampton School is attempting to establish an annual tradition of celebrating the class that graduated 50 years prior to the present graduating class at an alumni weekend. The district is asking graduates from 1962 to contact Superintendent Dr. Lois Favre at LFavre@bridgehampton.k12.ny.us. If you know anyone from the class, take a minute to contact them or send their address to the school.

The Bridgehampton School will also host the Coaches for Cancer Basketball Game when Bridgehampton will play the Ross School at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17. Attendees are asked to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer.

French Conversation with Cecile Graffin-Smith will return to the Hampton Library on Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. this week. The fee is $75 for a session of eight lessons.

Introduction to Microsoft Word will be presented at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 19. Please call 537-0015 to register.

Cristina Banados, a representative from The Retreat, will discuss domestic violence and its impact on all family members in a presentation today, Thursday, January 12, at 6 p.m. Ms. Banados will also explain the services offered by The Retreat. The presentation will be in Spanish.

The library will celebrate the Chinese New Year—the Year of the Dragon— on Saturday, January 21, from 2 to 4:45 p.m. Kids can create a dragon craft and make red envelopes to carry coins for good luck. Adults can learn about Chinese history, its classic stories, rich traditions, and its art forms from special guest, George Wei. Everyone can enjoy dumplings and fortune cookies, too. Families can stay and watch “Kung Fu Panda II” until closing time.

Children 5 and older have been invited to make Paper Snowflakes on Sunday, January 22, at 2:30 p.m. In a digital world, sometimes the most fun can be had by creating something as old-fashioned as a paper snowflake. An incredible variety of designs are possible and there is no reason why kids have to use white paper, either.

On Saturday, January 21, the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons will present a free roundtable discussion on maple trees at 11 a.m. The program will take place in the horticultural library at the Community House. Call 537-2223 for more information.

Wishes for a speedy recovery go out to everyone’s favorite weatherman and a Bridgehampton legend, Richard Hendrickson, who underwent surgery before Christmas and is recovering at a nursing home in Southampton. We’ll look forward to his weather summary next month.