Community News, December 14 - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

East Hampton Press / Community / Southampton Press / Column / Community / Sag Harbor Express / Column / 2221097

Community News, December 14

icon 17 Photos
The Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee presented its community award to Levain Bakery recently. From left, Sally Sunshine, Cole Henson, Maria Osborne, Carolyn Logan Gluck and Bruce Solomon.

The Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee presented its community award to Levain Bakery recently. From left, Sally Sunshine, Cole Henson, Maria Osborne, Carolyn Logan Gluck and Bruce Solomon.

Westhampton Garden Club members gathered with Chair Barbara Sartorius, third from right, at the Quogue Firehouse for the club's annual topiary decorating workshop.. The ornamental mini-shrubs will be distributed to East End Hospice patients throughout the area and at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Westhampton for the holiday season. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON GARDEN CLUB

Westhampton Garden Club members gathered with Chair Barbara Sartorius, third from right, at the Quogue Firehouse for the club's annual topiary decorating workshop.. The ornamental mini-shrubs will be distributed to East End Hospice patients throughout the area and at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Westhampton for the holiday season. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON GARDEN CLUB

Among those attending the annual holiday open house hosted by the Westhampton Historical Society at the Tuthill House on December 3 were, from left, Francie Phillips, Sundy Schermeyer and Lauren Barlow. COURTESY TOM HADLOCK

Among those attending the annual holiday open house hosted by the Westhampton Historical Society at the Tuthill House on December 3 were, from left, Francie Phillips, Sundy Schermeyer and Lauren Barlow. COURTESY TOM HADLOCK

Members of The Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Troopers, and the Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event sponsored by Walmart Stores on December 7. The event helps children and families from Southampton Town spread holiday cheer and officers shared dinner with the families before shopping at Walmart. Walmart in Riverhead provided a significant donation, along with Southampton Town Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and Southampton Town Superior Officer’s Association. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Members of The Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Troopers, and the Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event sponsored by Walmart Stores on December 7. The event helps children and families from Southampton Town spread holiday cheer and officers shared dinner with the families before shopping at Walmart. Walmart in Riverhead provided a significant donation, along with Southampton Town Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and Southampton Town Superior Officer’s Association. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Members of The Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Troopers, and the Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event sponsored by Walmart Stores on December 7. The event helps children and families from Southampton Town spread holiday cheer and officers shared dinner with the families before shopping at Walmart. Walmart in Riverhead provided a significant donation, along with Southampton Town Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and Southampton Town Superior Officer’s Association. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Members of The Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Troopers, and the Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event sponsored by Walmart Stores on December 7. The event helps children and families from Southampton Town spread holiday cheer and officers shared dinner with the families before shopping at Walmart. Walmart in Riverhead provided a significant donation, along with Southampton Town Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and Southampton Town Superior Officer’s Association. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Members of The Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Troopers, and the Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event sponsored by Walmart Stores on December 7. The event helps children and families from Southampton Town spread holiday cheer and officers shared dinner with the families before shopping at Walmart. Walmart in Riverhead provided a significant donation, along with Southampton Town Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and Southampton Town Superior Officer’s Association. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Members of The Southampton Town Police Department, New York State Troopers, and the Southampton Town Police Explorers participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event sponsored by Walmart Stores on December 7. The event helps children and families from Southampton Town spread holiday cheer and officers shared dinner with the families before shopping at Walmart. Walmart in Riverhead provided a significant donation, along with Southampton Town Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, and Southampton Town Superior Officer’s Association. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Representatives of three local service clubs gathered together at Immaculate Conception Church this past week to present the proceeds from their food pantry dinner, held recently at the church parish center. Presenting a check totaling $10,480.29 to new Immaculate Conception Church pastor Father Ken Grooms are, from left, Mike Berdinka and Phil DeBrita, of the Knights of Columbus - Joseph Slomski Council of Westhampton; Rori Jones, representing the Kiwanis Club of Greater Westhampton; Jack Laadt of the Knights ; Beth Fanagan Hard, representing the Rotary Club of Westhampton; and Father Ken. The jointly sponsored event has provided much needed funds annually over the past 26 years to assist their neighbors in need. COURTESY GEORGE MOTZ

Representatives of three local service clubs gathered together at Immaculate Conception Church this past week to present the proceeds from their food pantry dinner, held recently at the church parish center. Presenting a check totaling $10,480.29 to new Immaculate Conception Church pastor Father Ken Grooms are, from left, Mike Berdinka and Phil DeBrita, of the Knights of Columbus - Joseph Slomski Council of Westhampton; Rori Jones, representing the Kiwanis Club of Greater Westhampton; Jack Laadt of the Knights ; Beth Fanagan Hard, representing the Rotary Club of Westhampton; and Father Ken. The jointly sponsored event has provided much needed funds annually over the past 26 years to assist their neighbors in need. COURTESY GEORGE MOTZ

On Saturday morning at East Hampton's Main Beach, 96 runners lined up at the start of a 5K run to support programs and camp at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter. The top three winners of a Y Gift Basket and one-year YMCA membership, in order, were Justin Kulchinsky, Nick DeLuca and Matthew Zappoli. RICHARD LEWIN

On Saturday morning at East Hampton's Main Beach, 96 runners lined up at the start of a 5K run to support programs and camp at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter. The top three winners of a Y Gift Basket and one-year YMCA membership, in order, were Justin Kulchinsky, Nick DeLuca and Matthew Zappoli. RICHARD LEWIN

Carrie Rebora Barratt, Santa Dan Jacobs and Elf Oneikka Jacob at the 5K run on Saturday to support programs and camp at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter. The top three winners of a Y Gift Basket and one-year YMCA membership, in order, were Justin Kulchinsky, Nick DeLuca and Matthew Zappoli. RICHARD LEWIN

Carrie Rebora Barratt, Santa Dan Jacobs and Elf Oneikka Jacob at the 5K run on Saturday to support programs and camp at the YMCA East Hampton RECenter. The top three winners of a Y Gift Basket and one-year YMCA membership, in order, were Justin Kulchinsky, Nick DeLuca and Matthew Zappoli. RICHARD LEWIN

Matt Bielski and Rabbi Aizik Baumgarten light the Menorah on Thursday afternoon. Chabad of the Hamptons hosted the start of Hanukkah at Hook Mill in East Hampton. RICHARD LEWIN

Matt Bielski and Rabbi Aizik Baumgarten light the Menorah on Thursday afternoon. Chabad of the Hamptons hosted the start of Hanukkah at Hook Mill in East Hampton. RICHARD LEWIN

Rabbi Avraham Bronstein of The Hampton Synagogue lights the menorah on the village green in Westhampton Beach on December 2. DANA SHAW

Rabbi Avraham Bronstein of The Hampton Synagogue lights the menorah on the village green in Westhampton Beach on December 2. DANA SHAW

Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger and Rabbi Rafe Konikov of Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center at the lighting of the menorah at the Southampton Chamber of Commerce on Sunday. RON ESPOSITO

Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger and Rabbi Rafe Konikov of Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center at the lighting of the menorah at the Southampton Chamber of Commerce on Sunday. RON ESPOSITO

Rabbi Rafe Konikov of the Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center welcomes the crowd to the lighting of the menorah at the Southampton Chamber of Commerce on Sunday. RON ESPOSITO

Rabbi Rafe Konikov of the Chabad of Southampton Jewish Center welcomes the crowd to the lighting of the menorah at the Southampton Chamber of Commerce on Sunday. RON ESPOSITO

Rabbi Daniel Geffen of Temple Adas Israel lights the menorah on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor in Thursday, December 7. KYRIL BROMLEY

Rabbi Daniel Geffen of Temple Adas Israel lights the menorah on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor in Thursday, December 7. KYRIL BROMLEY

The tree was lighted at the First Presbyterian

The tree was lighted at the First Presbyterian "Old Whalers Church on Friday evening. ANNETTE HINKLE

The tree was lighted at the First Presbyterian

The tree was lighted at the First Presbyterian "Old Whalers Church on Friday evening. ANNETTE HINKLE

Westhampton Garden Club member r Roberta Young puts on the finishing touches on a topiary during the club's annual topiary decorating workshop. The ornamental mini-shrubs will be distributed to East End Hospice patients throughout the area and at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Westhampton for the holiday season. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON GARDEN CLUB

Westhampton Garden Club member r Roberta Young puts on the finishing touches on a topiary during the club's annual topiary decorating workshop. The ornamental mini-shrubs will be distributed to East End Hospice patients throughout the area and at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Westhampton for the holiday season. COURTESY WESTHAMPTON GARDEN CLUB

authorStaff Writer on Dec 11, 2023
Holiday Happenings East Hampton High School Winter Concert Experience a night of exceptional youth talent at the East Hampton High School concert band and chorus Winter Concert on Thursday, December... more

You May Also Like:

An Awful Noise

People who don’t know, ask: What is that awful noise? And then it stops. A different tree now gradually comes alive; the leaves nearly vibrate as the buzzing builds. The sound of an individual cicada is, of course, not an awful noise — it’s just loud, and the pitch is not designed to attract the human ear. The loud things we generally live with are human sounds: parties, lawnmowers, farm equipment. Yesterday, while harvesting tomatoes in the middle of a 50-acre field, I could hear, in the distance, the distinctive crunch of a house being demolished. But, other times, what ... 16 Sep 2025 by Marilee Foster

Saving the Waterfront

A little over 50 years ago, the Suffolk County Farmland Preservation Program was launched, based on a first-in-the nation concept of sale of “development rights.” Then-Suffolk County Executive John V.N. Klein was pivotal, in 1974, to the inception of that program. This month, the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously passed the Conservation of Working Waterfronts bill, with the current county executive, Ed Romaine, playing a critical role, too. It also involves future development. For centuries, farming and fishing have been at the economic foundation of Suffolk County. Great strides have been made in preserving farming in Suffolk — and keeping Suffolk ... by Karl Grossman

Captain Courageous

Because of a bevy of other headlines, somewhat overlooked earlier this month was the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The signing ceremony aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, was a formality, because the war essentially ended two weeks earlier, when Emperor Hirohito told his people that Japan was giving up. That allowed the Allies to begin liberating the POW camps containing thousands of inmates. A particularly brutal one was Omori, on the outskirts of Tokyo. The following is an excerpt from toward the end of “Running Deep,” which will be published next month. On ... by Tom Clavin

Community News, September 18

YOUTH CORNER Read and Play The John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main Street in Sag ... 15 Sep 2025 by Staff Writer

A Leadership Pipeline

There’ll be a question for voters on the election ballot in November on whether the terms should be extended, from the present two years to four, for the 18 members of the Suffolk County Legislature, of which most of the major government officials in Suffolk County in the last five decades have been members. One was Republican John V. N. Klein of Smithtown, the first presiding officer of the legislature. He brought continuity between it and the centuries-old Suffolk County Board of Supervisors when the legislature replaced the board in 1970 as the county’s governing body. It was determined in ... 9 Sep 2025 by Karl Grossman

Not Over Yet

A heron departing the wetlands flies up and across the morning sun. With each wingbeat it grows closer to silhouette: white, then silver, then black. Then the bird has risen directly into the sun’s path, and you must drop your watch of this or be blinded. You close your eyes to recover. September — they say summer is over. That position does not give summer much credit. How could she just end? Something so vibrant and desirably warm, the season of fruit, green grass and fresh vegetables, does not die in a day. September is the culmination of summer, the ... by Marilee Foster

Does the New York City Mayor’s Race Matter Here?

2025 is what political pundits call an “off-year” election: There is no election for president or governor. It is the most local of the four-year election cycle, with only local town and county races on the ballot. Yet, just 100 miles to our west is a high-profile election to choose the next mayor of New York. It has drawn national attention since an unknown state assemblyman turned the political world upside down by winning the Democratic primary. His name is Zohran Mamdani. Why was this a political earthquake? Well, first of all, he is an avowed Democratic Socialist who, just ... 8 Sep 2025 by FRED THIELE

Community News, September 11

YOUTH CORNER Circle of Fun The John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main Street in Sag ... by Staff Writer

In the Weeds

Late summer is reductive work. You harvest, take away the best, and plants, likewise, contract. The oldest growth — green leaves rimmed in death, tattered at their edge — cannot hide the fruit. A life cycle is complete … or, at least, nearing completion. Weeds, robust, and some 6 feet tall, tower over the remnants of the first melon planting. Their seeds are not mature, but the threat is burgeoning. One year at seed takes seven to weed. So the mower goes. We battle weeds all season, but in August, when the farmer is too busy reaping to spend time ... 2 Sep 2025 by Marilee Foster

Souvenirs

With less than a week to go before Labor Day, I panicked that I haven’t been to the ocean as often as I thought I would. I headed down to Ponquoque Beach to spend time with my son and granddaughters. At the end of August, in the parking lot, it’s not unusual to see broken beach chairs, single flip-flops or battered paperbacks with pages curling from the salt air — remnants of summer vacation. The beach buckets filled with sand, and maybe a hermit crab or a carefully curated shell collection, brought back memories. There’s a gentle melancholy in these ... by Denise Gray Meehan