Community News, February 20

If you have a story, milestone, event information or news tip to share, please email community@expressnewsgroup.com. So on to the news in the community:

“This is a lifetime dream!” said Alex Geisler, a 2003 graduate of Southampton High School, at the Westminster Dog Show. She was there with her two dogs, Hammer, a smooth-haired Dachsund, and Mr. Bellamy, a Golden Jack Russell terrier. The dogs, both bred by Alex, were accepted into his year’s show based on the championship titles they currently hold.

Two of her high school teachers, Maria Clinton and Shelley Borkoski, visited her at the show.

In addition to competing in dog shows, Mr. Bellamy is a trick dog champion and does modeling and acting. Alex lives in Missouri, close to Purina headquarters so she can get gigs for the talented dogs.

Alex runs a few businesses to support showing her dogs competitively.

She gained some national attention when she started a “Bring Your Dog To College” program at Stephen’s College, which she attended after graduation from Southampton High. She missed her dog and successfully lobbied the college to designate one dorm pet friendly. She graduated from Stephens in 2007 with a degree in theater and film. The college has continued the pet program and expanded it into a foster rescue program.

MONTAUK

At the Montauk Library, a screening of the PBS documentary “Freedom Summer” is planned for Sunday, February 23, in honor of Black History Month. The screening starts at 2:30 and is free and open to the public.

Also at the library, through April 9, will be tax counseling from the AARP Foundation. Appointments are required.

Register at the front desk for library programs.

Amagansett

At the Amagansett Free Library, look for the final screening in the Sunday Movie Film series, at 2 p.m. “Forrest Gump” is the featured film on February 23.

Qigong with Kate Zahorsky is being offered at the library on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. through March and April. Qigong is a system of coordinated body posture and movement can result in profound health benefits by supporting the body’s natural tendency to return to balance. Through gentle and flowing movements, students will realize increased strength, flexibility, and balance in both muscles and joints.

Also look for a Hamptons Doc Fest screening of Esteban Vicente: Portrait of an Artist at the library on Thursday, February 27, at 5 p.m.

A reminder that the Nils Bruun Paper Sculpture Exhibit will be on display at the library through mid-March.

There are a number of children’s programs available at the library, including story time, play time, and art workshops.

For information, go to amagansettlibrary.org or call 631-267-3810.

East Hampton

East Hampton High School drama students will present their production of “Hello Dolly” on February 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and March 1 at 2 p.m. at the high school. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens.

A Smithsonian traveling exhibition, “Water/Ways” is coming to Clinton Academy in East Hampton. The exhibition explores the environmental and cultural impact of water. Set to open on February 29, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m., the exhibition will be there until April 11. Admission is free.

The Jewish Center of the Hamptons will hold a kids Purim Party at The Clubhouse on Sunday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Costumes are encouraged. RSVP by going to jcoh.org/purim.

The East Hampton Library is offering a high school equivalency degree preparation class. Formerly known as a GED, the TASC will cover all subject areas. The class meets on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May, at the East Hampton Library. Register by calling 631-324-0222 ext. 3.

Springs

Springs School has sent out a call to artists who will consider donating from one to four 5x7 pieces in any medium (photographs too), to be sold in the Mystery Art Sale, as part of the Springs Festival of the Arts.

All proceeds will support the school’s arts programs, including the Visiting Artist program, which brings professional artists into the school to teach workshops to students.

Student art will be displayed (not for sale) throughout the gallery, along with the donations from artists. Bidding for pieces starts at $20 but (silent) bidders do not know the identity of the artists until the end of the exhibition. A closing party will be held on Saturday, March 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. when bidders will find out if they’ve won a piece from a well-known artist, a celebrity, or a student masterpiece.

Art pieces are due at the school by March 20. For details, email mysteryartsale@springsschool.org.

Sag Harbor

The Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s 10th annual HarborFrost is set for Saturday, February 29. Spend the day in the harbor for shopping, food specials, music, activities and more. The grand finale will be a drone laser light show at 6 p.m. Due to the construction on Long Wharf, many activities will take place at the new Steinbeck Park. For more information and schedule of events, please visit sagharborchamber.com.

Celebrate Irish America at Cormaria Retreat House in Sag Harbor on Saturday, February 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During the event, 19th century Irish American history will be commemorated with a full day of programs featuring renowned historian Christine Kinealy and dramatist Turlough McConnell. The fee is $50, which includes lunch. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 631-725-4206.

On February 22, The Roses Grove Band, which covers Grateful Dead songs, returns to the Wamponamon Masonic Music Series at 8 p.m. The Masonic Music Series is a singer songwriter series featuring the best of the East End’s musical performers in an intimate setting. Performances are in the Masonic Temple. Admission is $20 and supports gifts to local charities such as scholarships to Pierson graduates, food pantries, and other locals in need. The music series is produced by the Freemason Brothers of Wamponamon Lodge. The Masonic Temple is located at 200 Main Street, Sag Harbor, above the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, with plenty of parking to the rear of the building.

Bridgehampton

Hayground School and the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center will present “Tap Dancin’ Is Music,” a 45-minute demonstration/performance by tap artist Omar Edwards on Monday, February 24, at 4 p.m. at the center, 551 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton. Admission is free and those attending are encouraged to bring tap shoes if they have them for the interactive portion of the event.

The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center is offering the next in its Thinking Forward Lecture Series on Saturday, February 29, at noon. “WELL, WELL, WELL,” will feature a screening of “Death By Delivery,” about the bias in health care and how societal inequities drive a maternal care crisis for black women in America. The event is presented at the center, in partnership with East End Birth Network, Inc.; Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic; Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Office of Minority Health; and the Witness Project.

Water Mill

The next contra dance hosted by the Long Island Traditional Music Association at the Water Mill Community House is set for Saturday, March 7, at 7:45 p.m. Dances will be taught by the caller Anne Lutun with live music by the Huntingtones. Beginners are welcome. Admission is $15 for adults, $7.50 students, free for children up to age 16 with a paying adult. For more information, go do litma.org or call 631-283-0554.

Take Note

East End Underground, a live music taping at LTV Media Center is set for Friday, February 28, at 7 p.m., celebrating Black History Month with a night of traditional blues and gospel music. The public is invited to participate, dance and enjoy the music of Mama Lee Rose & Friends and Heaven Sent. Admission is $20; call 631-537-2777 for a reservation.

LTV will also present the award-winning play, Vivian’s Music, 1969, on Saturday, February 29, at 4 p.m.

The two-person play that is based on the killing of a young girl named Vivian Strong who was 14 at the time of her death. It incited one of the worst race riots in history.

The play is written by Monica Bauer, directed by Glory Kadigan and stars Kailah King and Russell Jordan. Producer Kate Mueth says, “This play helps to give Vivian’s short life a longer presence. I saw it first in New York City and knew I had to bring it to the East End.”

The play will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Reverend Kimberly Quinn Johnson with local community leaders participating.

Admission is a $20. Tickets may be purchased at ltveh.org.

Readers of our “On The Street” interviews are invited to submit questions that need answers. You can email them to the address above.

Katy’s Courage sent word that it is hosting a weekend of events on Saturday and Sunday, February 29 and March 1. The weekend will begin with Love Bites, the annual tasting event to benefit Katy’s Courage, on February 29 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Bridgehampton Community House. Tickets are $75 per person, or two for $125; go to katyscourage.org for information.

The weekend will continue on Sunday, March 1, with the ninth annual skate-a-thon at Buckskill Winter Club, starting at 3 p.m. Throughout the day, there will be a bake sale for treats, and opportunities for skating and competitive events. Preregistration for the hockey game is required and participants may register at Buckskill Winter Club or by calling the rink directly at 631-324-2243.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society’s annual seal watching cruises out of the Stony Brook Marine Station (8 Little Neck Road, Southampton) will continue through April. Along with partners from Group for the East End, participants will cruise around Shinnecock Bay in an open-air vessel to learn about seals and look for them in their natural environment.

Participants will learn about the different species of seals that inhabit the waters around Long Island and learn how we can all help to conserve the marine environment. Reservations are required and are $30 per person. For dates and reservations, please visit amseas.org/seal-cruises.

Take A Hike

Saturday, March 7, hike the Long Pond Greenbelt. Meet at the intersection of Old Farm Road and Haines Path in Bridgehampton at 10 a.m. for a moderately paced 3-mile hike with views of Crooked Pond and Deer Drink. Walk leader is Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Sunday, March 8, a Night Before Full Worm Moon Hike starting at the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton at 7 p.m. The full “Worm Moon” was given its name by the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. At the time of this spring moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm castings reappear, inviting the return of robins. In some regions, this is also known as the “Sap Moon” because it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins. Walk leader is Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.