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On a lovely Tuesday last week the sun shone and the sky was blue. It occurred to this writer that we could do ourselves a favor by taking a package, a gift to a friend newly diagnosed with cancer, to the post office and at the same time enjoy a healthy walk there, a mere 3-mile round trip excursion. We started out without giving the slightest thought to wearing gloves. By the time we got to the lobby of the warm post office building we’d just about lost feeling in our fingers. As we rubbed our hands trying to restore some circulation, we mentioned our foolish decision to Jeannie Stevens who was on duty at the counter. She said apologetically that she wished she had a pair of gloves to offer, but she had none. We turned from the counter to leave when Jeannie called, “Just a minute.” She put a pair of blue medical gloves on the counter saying, “I hope this may help a little.” It did. And that epitomizes what is the best of Montauk—that wonderful, responsive sense of community.

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Here’s an update on the incredible Montauk volunteer Shirley Katz, who experienced her second citation for volunteerism on March 2. Shirley stood in front of the Suffolk County Legislature in Riverhead, where Montauk Legislator Jay Schneiderman, her sponsor, read a proclamation naming her Suffolk County’s Woman of Distinction. Friends and colleagues from The Retreat, one of the organizations where Shirley volunteers her time, were present for the brief ceremony. How did she feel about all the attention she’s received recently? “It was all lovely, but now let me rest on my laurels,” she said, adding that she went to work immediately after she left Riverhead.

Lyndon Bostrom has asked us to inform the public that St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church is hosting a production of “Godspell” on March 19 at 7 p.m. A professional theater touring group, Plaza Theatrical Productions, will perform. They promise “a jubilant high energy musical with themes of love and joy!” Tickets are $10 each or $25 per family and are available at the parish office in the school or after masses at the door. “Godspell” will be performed in the Upper Room of the school.

Montauk Youth is busy with float meetings for the next couple of Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in preparation for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and will be meeting in the multipurpose room of the Montauk School. Participants need to get into crafting materials at this point. We also note that administrator Maureen Rutkowski has come up with a very clever concept that is on the group’s website, www.montaukyouth.org. Called an Equipment Exchange page, it is set up with Craig’s List, with categories for items that you may be looking for and items that you are willing to give away. Maureen calls it an experiment for now, but it sure is an interesting one. Also note that the Family Skate Night is this Friday at the indoor arena in Amagansett.

Gary Swanson, the actor who runs the Montauk summer acting program “Montauk Group,” is offering an in-depth training program in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. From March 18 to 29, he will teach a group of actors and directors in two five-day workshops which he promises “can impact on your auditions, roles and directing.” Space is limited and Gary urges those interested to quickly respond to: montaukgroup@gmail.com.

Speaking of acting, Montauk’s reknowned playwright, Edward Albee, who has a “huge, art-filled loft” at his Manhattan Tribeca residence, hosted a cocktail party last Friday. Billed as a LongHouse Reserve Winter Gathering and a benefit for that noteworthy East Hampton institution, the topic was a conversation with Robert Storr about how art accumulates. Mr. Albee’s notable art collection was on display for the attendees who paid from $500 to $1,000 for the unique experience. Mr. Albee has long been a supporter of Longhouse Reserve, a living museum. (Full disclosure: the writer and husband are docents there.)

While in full disclosure mode, our midwife daughter Julia Chachere, and her colleague Vandy Wiencek, were lecturers at Southampton Hospital’s Parrish Memorial Hall last night and at this writing several Montauk women were planning to attend. Called “Midwifery: An Introduction to the Practice,” the two women, both certified nurse midwives at Hamptons Gynecology and Obstetrics, were to discuss the history of midwifery, the midwifery model of care, myths and misconceptions and outcomes and statistics. As there is much interest in this option, the hospital offered the educational program as part of its Health Insights lecture series on wellness for the communities of eastern Long Island.

Welcome home to Bob and Daphne Stern, back from a California vacation visiting friends and family. Bob is the president of Concerned Citizens of Montauk.