Community News for November 26, 2020

Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals, 5 p.m., held via video conference. 631-283-0247 | southamptonvillage.org

East Hampton Village Design Review Board, 9 a.m., held via video conference. 631-324-4150 | easthamptonvillage.org

Southampton Town Architectural Review Board, 10 a.m. regular meeting, held via video conference. 631-283-6000 | southamptontownny.gov

East Hampton Town Board, 11 a.m. work session, held via video conference. 631-324-4141 | easthamptonny.gov

East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m., held via video conference. 631-324-4141 | easthamptonny.gov

East Hampton School Board of Education, 6:30 p.m., held via video conference. 631-324-4100 | easthamptonschools.org

Southampton School Board of Education, 6:30 p.m., held via video conference. 631-591-4500 | southamptonschools.org

Westhampton Village Architectural Review Board, 7 p.m., held via video conference. 631-288-2429 | westhamptonbeach.org

Southampton Town Trustees, 3 p.m., regular meeting, held via video conference. 631-283-6000 | southamptontownny.gov

Southampton Town Conservation Board, 6 p.m., regular meeting, held via video conference. 631-283-6000 | southamptontownny.gov

East Hampton Village Board of Trustees, 11 a.m., held via video conference. 631-324-4150 | easthamptonvillage.org

East Hampton Town Board, 2 p.m. regular meeting, held via video conference. 631-324-4141 | easthamptonny.gov

Sag Harbor Village Planning Commission, 5 p.m., held via video conference. 631-725-0224 | sagharborny.gov

Southampton Village Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m., held via video conference. 631-283-0247 | southamptonvillage.org

Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m., regular meeting, held via video conference. 631-283-6000 | southamptontownny.gov

With COVID cases continuing to rise nationwide, East End Food Institute is supporting the local food system by launching a year-round Virtual Farmers Market for the benefit of farmers, food and beverage producers, makers of artisanal goods, and their loyal fans. Anyone on the East End can purchase locally-grown and made goods for pickup or home delivery starting on Saturday, November 28, known as “Small Business Saturday.”

Visit shop.eastendfood.org to sign up for an account on the Virtual Farmers Market and receive a reminder to place your orders by Thursdays at noon each week for Saturday pickup at East End Food Institute in Southampton and delivery across the East End. The market features local produce, pantry items, beverages, spice blends, pastries, health and wellness products — including locally made hand sanitizer — and gifts.

Most items listed in the Virtual Farmers Market are grown or made on Long Island, and all are from within New York State. The vendor application process is open to any Long Island based food, beverage, or craft producer at eastendfood.org or by emailing shop@eastendfood.org.

“East End Food Institute has taken the time to do good research on setting up a virtual market that allows more independence to vendors,” says Aki Goldberg of Aki’s Kitchen, a local business that sells soups, salads and sweets. “During this very trying time when we’re not able to have an indoor market, finding a new way for the vendors to sell deserves a compliment.”

The Virtual Farmers Market was initially launched in March 2020 as a rapid response to the pandemic and shut-down of the in-person Riverhead Indoor Farmers Market. At that time, EEFI swiftly onboarded over 20 vendors and transitioned the Riverhead Indoor Farmers Market to their virtual platform. The Virtual Farmers Market provided home delivery across the East End and a much needed lifeline to local food businesses during the off-season. This summer, the East End saw a surge in population and interest in local food, so most producers were able to meet or exceed their usual income at seasonal outdoor farmers markets.

“As the weather gets colder, some farmers markets and farm stands will shut down for the season,” notes Kate Fullam, executive director of East End Food Institute. “We know the local food economy will need another way to easily reach customers, and with more people staying home, the option for delivery to the doorstep is advantageous.”

East End Food Institute recently secured a new refrigerated van to make these home deliveries possible, and to better serve their members, including local farms along with food and beverages artisans who often struggle with distribution logistics as they are scaling up.

East End Food Institute has invested in a flexible software platform that allows each vendor to manage their own virtual storefront, and will continue to provide support for customer orders, pickup and delivery.

“The Virtual Farmers Market will give [us] an opportunity to engage an entirely new audience, and win over some fans, leading into the wintertime,” says Stephen Robinson, founder and CEO of Hamptons Sourdough, a bread-baking startup that is quickly becoming a premier brand in the Hamptons. “We are excited to share some of our special seasonal offerings as well.”

For more information, visit eastendfood.org, follow @eastendfood, or call 631-632-5129.

Since the start of the COVID-19 virus pandemic in March, All For the East End (AFTEE) has raised over $1 million and provided more than 60 grants to East End food pantries and other organizations addressing food instability.

At a recent AFTEE Community Advisory meeting on Monday night, which brings together representatives from many of the local pantries, grave concern was expressed about what the winter will bring and if the pantries will have the resources to address the needs of its most vulnerable populations.

“Across the board, pantry leaders are preparing for another increase in demand. As seasonal workers lose their jobs, unemployment runs out and more positive COVID cases force people to quarantine, it will become increasingly difficult for families not only to have enough food in the house, but to pay the rent and utilities,” said Claudia Pilato, AFTEE Board President. “And, because a Pantry is a trusted place to go for help, many of the more established organizations provide both food and emergency funds. All of the pantries are committed to finding ways to get help where it is needed.”

At CAST in Southold, its clients rely on the organization for assistance for both food and emergency support.

“More clients are out of work and that means that while they need food, they also need support to pay their rent and other expenses like utilities,” Community Action Southold Town (CAST) Director Cathy Demerto noted. “Many donors are willing to provide funds to purchase food, but not for emergency assistance. We have a small fund set aside, but that money is going fast.”

Hilton Crosby, executive director of Heart of the Hamptons in Southampton, said his organization provided food for 65,000 meals in 2019. This year, his pantry is already at 163,000, with 810 new families added to the client roster. And requests for help continue to grow.

According to Pamela Bicket, moderator of the Springs Pantry, visits to their pantry are up 300 percent over 2019, and while they have funds for food, the supply of necessary staples has been erratic.

Tijuana Fulford, founder of the Butterfly Effect Project in Riverhead is on the county call list when families are required to quarantine. “We are packing and delivering food to clients’ homes to encourage them to respect quarantine,” said Ms. Fulford. “If they don’t work, their children don’t eat, at least we can alleviate their food concerns.”

AFTEE has been able to look across the East End to speak out for the needs of all of East End organizations. “We are determined to help bridge the gap created by this pandemic,” said Ms. Pilato.

“It may be pandemic fatigue, but donations have dropped off significantly,” she added. “But we know that this community is up to the challenge.”

Corcoran Cares has been encouraging its brokers to make donations to AFTEE during the holiday season, and Brunello Cucinelli, a high end clothing store at 39 Newtown Lane in East Hampton, is hosting a shopping event from November 27 through December 3, with 10-percent of the proceeds to benefit AFTEE. Donations can also be made at aftee.org.

The inaugural 2020 ‘Hamptons Holiday Shop’ asks everyone to think before they click and consider shopping locally this holiday season. Every purchase made through the Hamptons Holiday Shop delivers a double dose of good: it will help these businesses stay afloat during this pandemic and support the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s mission to protect and care for the community. All the information about the shop local campaign is at bit.ly/HHSeventinfo.

Dozens of businesses from Westhampton to Montauk are participating. Shoppers looking for Black Friday deals should note that many retailers are offering special discounts to Hampton Holiday Shoppers to help boost revenues from the program.

All shoppers have to do is show an email from the Southampton Hospital Foundation (SHF) at checkout and a percentage of the proceeds from their purchase will go to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Proceeds from participating businesses in East Hampton will help raise funds toward the building of a new East Hampton Emergency Department. Sign up for the email at bit.ly/HamptonsHolidayShop

The initiative runs through December 31 with some businesses participating for the entire period and others during restricted times such as the weekends.

“Businesses in our communities were hit hard by the pandemic, so we want to do everything we can to support the communities we serve,” said Robert S. Chaloner, chief administrative officer of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “This initiative will also help the hospital raise funds and stay prepared and ready for any surges that we may see. It will also push us further along in our campaign to build a new and much needed East Hampton Emergency Department.

“With the holidays nearly upon us, I know how easy it is to shop online at the push of a button, but this year especially, please consider whether a local business may fulfill your need just as well, if not better. As always, we are relying on this amazing East End community to come together and help us support each other and I’ve no doubt that once again, they will come through for us.”

The Montauk Food Pantry is collecting toys for children of Eastern Farm Workers. Toys will be collected at the pantry every Tuesday through December 12. New, unwrapped toys should be left outside the glass doors on the lower level of the St. Therese Parish Center on South Essex Street. Items purchased for a donation to the pantry at Shine, Homeport, Captain Kid and Fish City stores will be given a 50-percent discount and delivered to the pantry by store owners.

The Kiwanis Club of East Hampton will begin selling Christmas trees at the Amagansett American Legion on Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29, and will continue the sale on weekends throughout the month of December. Anyone wanting to purchase a tree can visit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting The Kiwanis Club of East Hampton, which supports youth in our community.

The Artists Alliance of East Hampton will host a Holiday Virtual Show, featuring more than 100 pieces of artwork for sale by East End artists, available through January 1, 2021 at aaeh-virtual.org. Patrons can select a work they are interested in purchasing and deal directly with the artist.

For more information, email genesamuelson@optonline.net.

For the past 35 years, Thanksgiving weekend has been synonymous with the East Hampton Historical Society ringing in the Holiday Season in style. This year, instead of cocktails at Maidstone Club and the annual House & Garden Tour, the East Hampton Historical Society encourages the community to experience the sights and sounds of the season by taking a stroll down Memory Lane, to a bygone era of simpler times, steeped in local history.

On Saturday, November 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., the historical society will host “Aglow: A Holiday Experience at Mulford Farm” at 10 James Lane in East Hampton. For one night only, Mulford Farm will be transformed into a holiday wonderland from the days of yore. Enjoy a self-guided tour of historic Mulford Farm, caroling at the Hedges-Edwards barn, meet Santa Claus on his sleigh, take a selfie with your friends and family at the magical “Winter Wonderland” and bring home take-away children’s crafts.

To purchase timed tickets, visit the East Hampton Historical Society’s Events page at easthamptonhistory.org Pre-registration is required. No drop-ins permitted. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 for children under 16. Visitors limited to 38 tickets sold per half-hour at Mulford Farm. All visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear masks and must follow social distancing protocols. Tickets may be refunded due to any unexpected public closure. If there is inclement weather, tickets will be valid on Sunday, November 29, at the same pre-registered time slot.

The society will also open a Victorian Christmas at Moran Studio on Sunday, November 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will host the exhibit through December 19 on Fridays and Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 229 Main Street in East Hampton Village.

Upon entering the Moran Studio, a National Landmark, your gaze will be riveted upon the majestic holiday tree, illuminated in dainty lights and adorned with hundreds of precious, vintage glass ornaments. Be immersed in a 19th century Christmas celebration, featuring festive décor, period clothing, antique postcards, beautiful silver, and period toys. Let your imagination wander to Christmas past and you’ll be reminded that the simple things in life hold value.

Pre-registration is required. No drop-ins permitted. To purchase timed tickets, visit the East Hampton Historical Society’s Events page at easthamptonhistory.org. Tickets are $5 per person. Visitors will be limited to eight people per half hour at the Moran Studio.

“The East Hampton Historical Society invites you to celebrate the simple joys of the holiday season and stay connected as a community during these times. From our family to yours, please join us for a Hometown Holiday,” said Maria Vann, executive director of the East Hampton Historical Society.

The East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection has unveiled two new exhibits in the four display cases in the library’s front lobby.

“Guild Hall at 90” features materials such as photographs of notable past events and celebrities at Guild Hall events; images and promotional materials from performances and events, including the annual Clothesline Art Sale (c. 1950s–1960s), Guild Hall newsletters from the 1970s, original event invitations (including to the 1931 opening ceremony), programs, flyers and more. Highlighting its standing as East Hampton’s cultural cornerstone, this exhibit was created in honor of Guild Hall’s upcoming 90th anniversary.

“Follow the Money: Currency in the Colonial and Early American Era” includes materials from the Long Island Collection and a wide variety of replica coins and paper currency from the collection of Frank Sorrentino, a Long Island Collection volunteer who helped prepare the exhibit. Featured artifacts also include pages from the account book kept by David Gardiner of East Hampton, from 1770–1799, a 1785 booklet featuring a Table of Coins detailing the values in British Pounds Sterling for various international coins, pages from the account book of a Southampton weaver, kept from 1767–1787, that illustrates the bartering of goods — and more.

The new exhibits will be on display through January and are viewable while the library is open to the public, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit easthamptonlibrary.org.

Every 20 years, the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn meet each other in the night sky as they both cycle their way slowly through the zodiac. This year, however, the pair will meet in the closest conjunction in approximately 400 years, merging almost into a single point in the evening sky of the winter solstice. You won’t want to miss this sight, nor the other splendid opportunities for winter stargazing, from Orion’s brilliant nebula to the Geminid meteor shower. On Thursday, December 3, from 7 to 8 p.m., Hamptons Observatory will guide guests through the celestial calendar and help you choose the best nights to step outdoors in your warmest winter outfit.

Advanced reservations are required for all events. For more information, visit HamptonsObservatory.org or sofo.org.

The Children’s Museum of the East End, 376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, has long been known for its annual gingerbread house workshops and this year is inviting residents to support the nonprofit organization and its COVID-19 response efforts by bringing a gingerbread house kit home to decorate this season.

The take home, pre-built decorating kits start at $30, with additional levels of support available. For more information, call 631-537-8250 or visit cmee.org.

Sag Harbor Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary has announced it will host its eighth annual Girls Night Out, virtually this year. The shopping event will take place online, at sagharborgirlsnightout.weebly.com, beginning Friday, November 27, through Friday, December 18, featuring a number of local vendors and items from brands like Mary Kay, Usborne Books and many more.

For more information, visit facebook.com/SHFDLadiesAux.

The Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce has announced it will present the first-ever Sag Harbor Friday Night Lights Holiday Festival every Friday night from November 27 to December 18. Each Friday Night, Sag Harbor will light up with holiday fun for the whole family, with extended shop hours, dining specials, holiday music on Main Street by WLNG, and weekly event highlights including the Sag Harbor Tree Lighting and Main Street Light-up, socially distant Santa visits, and so much more.

“We wanted to bring the village alive with the spirit and joy of the holidays, but also keep a steady, safe and socially-distant flow for the health of our community,” said Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Field. “Main Street’s historic small town charm will be on full display as our shops and restaurants invite you to shop small, support local and discover the gifts of the season.”

The events will kick off on Friday, November 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. with the Main Street holiday window unveiling, with extended shop hours and gifts with purchases from Sag Harbor’s small businesses. On Friday, December 4, at 5:30 p.m., the Sag Harbor Tree Lighting on Main Street and Long Wharf will take place, with special thanks to Chamber members Jackson Dodds & Company, the Sag Harbor Garden Center and Sag Harbor LVIS for their support. Enjoy holiday music on Main Street by WLNG. Santa on a fire truck will be back in Sag Harbor on Friday, December 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Friday, December 17, from 5 to 8 p.m., get your final holiday shopping done and give back to local charities with a portion of proceeds from shopping and dining to benefit local nonprofits.

For more information, and for a list of participating businesses, visit sagharborchamber.com.

The Sag Harbor Historical Society is inviting residents to “Light up the Harbor with Spirit and Song” this holiday season, encouraging residents to decorate their homes for the First Annual Light Up the Harbor Recognition Awards.

Three homes and one street will be recognized through the awards with homes judged based on creativity, originality and enthusiasm. Individual awards will include a commemorative ornament, a yard sign, a year-long membership to the historical society and a copy of “Sag Harbor: The Story of an American Beauty.”

Decorations should be in place by December 10 and recognitions will be awarded at the Dickens Caroling event at the historical society’s Annie Cooper Boyd House, 174 Main Street in Sag Harbor, on Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. To register, email info@sagharborhistorical.org or call 631-725-5092.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts in Sag Harbor will host the world premiere of the 2018 Geffen Playhouse production of “A Christmas Carol on Saturday, November 28, at 9 p.m. via On The Stage streaming services. Tickets will be made available on baystreet.org and are $50 per household, which includes unlimited viewing for 24 hours. The work is one-man adaptation by Jefferson Mays, Susan Lyons, and Michael Arden, based on the famed Charles Dickens novel. The production was conceived by Michael Arden and Dane Laffrey.

This is “A Christmas Carol” unlike any other — past, present or future. The timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge comes to thrilling new life as Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays plays over 50 roles in a virtuosic, master class of a performance that one must see to believe. The theatrical achievement comes from the haunting vision of one of Broadway’s most imaginative directors, Tony Award-nominee Michael Arden, who returns to Bay Street Theater following his direction of the 2016 Mainstage production “My Fair Lady.”

Other participating theater venues hosting the premiere are La Jolla Playhouse, Actors’ Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, Iowa Stage Theatre Company, Sankofa Collective, South Coast Repertory, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Springfield Contemporary Theatre, Theatre Tallahassee, and Vermont Stage. Ticket sales go toward supporting all partner organizations.

Crawford Charities of New York, in conjunction with Salisbury Pacific Ventures, is pleased to announce a Thanksgiving donation to the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry. With the help of its donors, Crawford Charities is gifting almost a quarter ton of fresh turkeys, vegetables, and condiments to feed local families in need this holiday season. It has made an additional pledge of 2,000 pounds of food for the coming month.

“The Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry is one of the great local champions. They are a true volunteer-based outreach provider to those in need. We are proud to be associated with them this season and offer our help where we can,” said Brian Crawford, executive director for giving at the Charity Group.

The donation was made on Sunday, November 22, in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Even in normal times there are people in need, but especially now with the upheaval of the past eight months, the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic repercussions, people are suffering. While the stress of missing school semesters, weddings or family nights out might be great, there is no greater stress than not being able to find a job through no fault of your own, or not being able to feed one’s family. I challenge everyone still working to dig deep this year to help those in need through local groups and pantries like the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry,” Mr. Crawford added.

Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry is located at 44 Union Street in Sag Harbor, within the historic Old Whalers Church. The pantry provides food assistance to an average of between 180 to 200 people per week, including seniors, adults, and children. Its mission is to provide emergency food assistance to needy residents in the community. For more information or to donate, visit sagharborfoodpantry.org.

Southampton

The Southampton History Museum will host its Carriage House Holiday Shop on Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 17 Meetinghouse Lane in Southampton. The Carriage House Holiday Shop will be filled with treasures found in the museum’s Thrift Shop during the summer season, plus extra items the organization has been saving for the holiday season. In addition to vintage jewelry, handbags and clothing, the shop will feature ornaments, both new and vintage, stocking stuffers for children, books about Southampton and items by local artisans.

As a part of the Carriage House Holiday Shop, the museum will also host its second annual Designer Tree Auction, featuring table-top holiday trees designed by Martha Stewart and many other well-known designers. The silent auction supports the museum’s free educational programs and begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 27, and ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 28.

For more information, visit southamptonhistory.org.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons, 111 St. Andrews Road in Southampton, will host its 20th annual Greek Pastry Sale this holiday season and its Christmas Boutique, through Christmas Eve.

The pastry sale includes Greek specialties including traditional baklava, Kourambiethes (powdered sugar cookies), Koulourakia (tea cookies), Spanakopita (spinach-filled phyllo), Tiropita (cheese-filled phyllo) and Finikia (honey-dipped nut cookies) all baked by the Ladies of the Hamptons Philoptochos and P.T.O.

These home-made delicacies can be pre-ordered for your holiday celebrations by calling the Church office at 631-283-6169 or by visiting the Church website dormitionhamptons.org or hamptonsgreekmarket.com. The pastries are also available throughout the season at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons Christmas Boutique, where you can also find gifts and stocking stuffers for the whole family. The Boutique is open through Christmas Eve, Thursday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The purpose of the Greek Pastry Sale and boutique are to raise funds for the philanthropic ministries of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church of the Hamptons.

Brenda Simmons grew up in Southampton Village in the 1950s and 1960s in a largely African American neighborhood with strong community ties, and first became aware of a larger world in the tumultuous 1960s. Join the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton for a virtual event, “Growing Up in Southampton: A Black Woman’s Perspective,” on Monday, November 30, from 5 to 6 p.m., for a glimpse of what life was like then and some of her thoughts on how things have changed.

This is an online event. A Zoom link will be sent out to all the registrants the day of the event. For more information, call 631-283-0774 or visit rogersmemorial.librarycalendar.com.

Rogers Memorial Library, 91 Coopers Farm Road in Southampton, will host a screening of “Kiss the Ground,” narrated by Woody Harrelson, on Wednesday, December 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. The virtual screening showcases a documentary that follows a group of activists, scientists, farmers and politicians as they band together in a global movement of “regenerative agriculture.”

Registration is required. The details on how to join the virtual screening will be sent to the registrants on December 2. The film is also available to view through a subscription to Netflix.

For more information, call 631-283-0774 or visit rogersmemorial.librarycalendar.com.

Ever wonder what a career in law enforcement is like? Ever wonder who the men and women are that keep the residents of Southampton Town safe? Well your chance to experience what the men and women of law enforcement do on a daily basis has arrived.

Southampton Town Police Department is holding the 2021 Civilian Academy beginning January 27, 2021. The Academy will run for 14 weeks, one night per week, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Seats are limited and Southampton Town residents will be given priority, however consideration for non town residents will be made pending availability of seating.

To apply, contact Lieutenant Susan Ralph via email at Sralph@southamptontownny.gov. A short application will be emailed or mailed to you upon your request. Completed applications will be accepted up until December 21.

The Paul Koster Memorial Scholarship Fund Virtual 5K Run/Walk, which will support graduating high school seniors in Southampton Town, will be held Monday, November 23, through December 6. Supporters can register and walk or run anytime between these dates. The organization will also host a 50/50 and Chinese auction as well. The first 100 registrants to the virtual race will receive a free Paul Koster Memorial buff and all registrants will earn a free cup of soup at Clamman Seafood Market in Southampton Village.

To register, visit events.elitefeats.com/koster20.

Police departments in the Town of Southampton, including the Southampton Town and Village police departments, and police departments in Sag Harbor, Quogue and Westhampton Beach, are working hand-in-hand with local schools and students within the town to assist East Ends local food banks that are struggling with their increasing demands. The Westhampton Beach School District, Sag Harbor School District, Tuckahoe School, Remsenburg School, Raynor Country Day School, Bridgehampton School, Southampton School District, Hampton Bays School District, Phillips Avenue School, Quogue Village School, East Quogue School, and Eastport Elementary School all have donation boxes set up within the schools, where students can donate non-perishable food items through November 20. In addition, boxes will also be available to the public in the Southampton Town Police Department, Quogue Village Police Department, Westhampton Beach Police Department, Southampton Village Police Department and the Sag Harbor Village Police Department.

The Hampton Bays Public Library, 52 Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays, will host a holiday gift drive for children, teens and adults, through Friday, December 11. The library will collect new toys and clothing for children and teens of all ages and all items collected will be given to the Blaze Church in Flanders, which will work with local organizations to distribute the donations for the holiday season.

For more information, call 631-728-6241 or visit hamptonbayslibrary.org.

Put some Christmas spirit in your holiday by coming to the Westhampton Presbyterian Church’s Drive By Christmas Wreath Sale on Saturday December 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Decorated fresh wreaths will be for sale in the parking lot at 90 Meeting House Road in Westhampton Beach. The rain date will be Sunday, December 6, from noon to 3 p.m. Safety precautions will be taken. For more info call 631-288-2576

Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue, 2746 Sound Avenue in Riverhead, is celebrating the holiday season with a special “Holiday Farm Lights Tour” which will be held on specific dates and times in December. The tour will last 30 minutes and guests will enjoy whimsical light displays, visit Santa’s Workshop and interact with familiar characters including Santa’s Reindeer. The tour will be held outdoors and social distancing and masks will be required at all times.

The illuminated outdoor charity walking tour, which will be held Thursday through Sunday, beginning December 3 and ending December 19, is sponsored by DXA Studio and cost is $22 per car, or $18 per car for early birds. Pre-registration is required and can be done by visiting bit.ly/3jTnSSZ.

For more information on Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue, visit spiritspromiserescue.org.

The Andrew McMorris Memorial Walkathon will be held on Friday, November 27, after being canceled due to the initial outbreak of the COVID-19. The scenic trail walk will be through the picturesque Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, 1774 Sound Avenue in Calverton, and will include a tour of the McMorris Lodge being built at the Camp. Registrations and sponsorship information is available at: sccbsa.org/walk2020.

The McMorris Family, along with the Suffolk County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, are hosting this Walkathon to raise the funds needed to complete the McMorris Lodge, which is under construction at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp in memory of Andrew McMorris. Andrew was killed by a drunk driver, while hiking the Greenbelt Trail with his Boy Scout Troop 161 in September 2018. Several other Scouts were severely injured as a result of this tragic crash.

All walkers will enjoy a complimentary grab-and-go lunch at the conclusion of the Walkathon, which is being donated by Applebee’s. North Fork Trolley will be providing complimentary shuttle service for all participants to and from the parking area for the event.

Community Action Southold Town (CAST), the North Fork’s most far-reaching provider of safety net and self-sufficiency programs, will host the inaugural North Fork Festival of Trees on December 5 and December 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Treiber Farms, 38320 County Road 48 in Peconic. This hybrid virtual and live event will display uniquely themed trees decorated by local businesses, artists, and friends of CAST. The holiday trees and other items, including art from accomplished local artists, will be auctioned off to the highest bidder to benefit CAST. Those who come can meander through the magical tree garden while enjoying holiday music and refreshments for sale. There will be a Designer’s Choice and People’s Choice Award.

Tickets are $5 per person and seniors (65 and over) and children (10 and under) are free. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased in advance for each festival day (choosing a preferred time slot) at 4cast.givesmart.com. The event will follow social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of attendees. Masks are required. At the event, the organization will also be collecting new unwrapped toys for the annual CAST Holiday Toy Drive benefiting North Fork families in need.

The Festival of Trees will help CAST raise funds for food security and emergency assistance programs during this challenging time. Since March, CAST’s food expenses have increased from $1,200 per week to over $7,000 per week, and the organization continues to see a significant increase in demand for food and emergency needs that impact health and safety, including rent, electricity, gas/oil, and medical.

“Those who join us virtually or in-person will experience the vibrant community spirit that makes the North Fork special, while helping our neighbors in need who have been faced with unprecedented challenges this year,” stated CAST Executive Director Cathy Demeroto.

Many local business and community members are participating to support CAST. Claudio’s Restaurant, a presenting sponsor, is “honored to be part of CAST’s inaugural Festival of Trees event. In a year that’s been tougher than most, this coming together of the community to help others and celebrate the spirit of the season is another example of how wonderful Greenport — and the North Fork at-large — are,” said Tanya Doggwiler, director of marketing at Claudio’s Restaurant.

The three North Fork Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty offices are also designing trees for the event.

“Every year the NF team from Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International likes to reach into the community and find someone in need and help make their holiday season brighter. The CAST Christmas tree project gives us the opportunity to develop ideas collectively via zoom calls, individually create some ornaments and purchase gifts for those in need and bring them all together for charity. Everyone wins, by being filled with the holiday spirit,” Carol Szynaka, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s East End sales manager, said in a press release issued late last week.