Community News, January 20

EAST HAMPTON TOWN

East Hampton Town has added dates for COVID-19 vaccines at Town Hall on Pantigo Road. Clinics are available on Monday, January 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Five dates are available for February: 1, 7, 10, 16 and 22.

As the highly transmissible COVID-19 omicron variant continues to surge across the region, town officials said in a press release that it urges residents to get vaccinated and to get a booster shot if they have already received their initial vaccine doses.

The clinics are open to the public and there is no cost for the vaccine. Moderna, Pfizer and J&J are available. A New York State consent form is required, as well as a patient registration form, identification and, if applicable, insurance and vaccinations cards.

To book an appointment, go to COVID19VaccinesTOEH.as.me.

The Amagansett Village Improvement Society is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, starting with a “Love Letters” to Amagansett essay-writing contest for Valentine’s Day. All are invited to participate.

“Tell us, in 100 words or less, why you love Amagansett,” says the Society’s Co-President Joan Tulp. Essays should include the writer’s name, age, email address, and phone number. The deadline for submissions is February 7 and should be emailed to info@amagansettavis.com. Winners will be announced on February 14 on the AVIS website, keepamagansettbeautiful.com. All contestants will be given a prize and a grand prize will be given in each of three categories: children (ages 11 and under), young adults (ages 12-18), and adults. Entries will be judged by a panel of AVIS board members on the basis of content, creativity, originality, and fresh point of view. All submissions will be read, and the decisions of the judges will be final.

Co-President Victor Gelb notes that “we hope that the entire community will join in this and all of our 100th anniversary events” as AVIS embarks upon their second century of keeping Amagansett beautiful.

For further information, email info@amagansettavis.com.

SOUTHAMPTON TOWN

The Southampton Town Police Department is spearheading a winter coat drive. Coats, plus hats, gloves, and scarves will help those in need stay warm. Between now and February 25, items may be dropped off at police headquarters, 110 Old Riverhead Road, Hampton Bays; Quogue Village Police Department, 115 Jessup Avenue, Quogue; or Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, 240 Meeting House Lane, Southampton.

SAG HARBOR

The newly formed Bay Street Theater Student Academy serves children and teens of eastern Long Island, with the goal of empowering a new generation of artists to discover theater as a powerful means of emotional expression, as well as a litany of other theoretical and technical concepts.

The Academy will launch in January 2022 with its inaugural production, “The Addams Family,” directed by Kayla Matters, and premiering in April.

Auditions will take place on Monday, January 24. Each performer is asked to prepare 32 bars from the following song choices: “Pulled,” “Just Around the Corner,” “Happy Sad,” “Crazier Than You,” “What If,” or “The Moon and Me.” An accompanist will be provided.

Callbacks for specific roles will follow on Tuesday, January 25. Every performer who auditions will be cast in the show. Rehearsals will be Mondays through Wednesdays, beginning January 24 through April 4, from 3 to 6 p.m. each day. Performances will be held April 8 at 8 p.m. and April 9 at 3 and 8 p.m.

Tuition for The Bay Street Theater Academy production of “The Addams Family” is $450, payable at baystreet.org.

Children, accompanied by an adult, are invited to “Let’s Make a Snowman” story time on Sunday, January 23, at 11 a.m.

Every Tuesday in January and February, the library will offer a virtual “Breathe Together” program from 10 to 10:20 a.m. It will feature 20 minutes of deep breathing that fosters calm and can improve health and your overall outlook. Email the library, programs@johnjermain.org to receive the Zoom link.

A weekly fiber arts meet-up is planned for Wednesdays, from 1 to 2 p.m. Knitters, felters, weavers, embroiderers, cross-stitchers, spinners, sewers, quilters or anyone working with fabric, fiber or thread is invited.

Teens are invited to “Hot Chocolate Lookalikes” on Thursday, January 20, at 5:30 p.m. when a baking coach will help participants make two chocolate chip cookies and one cupcake and put a new twist on a cup of hot chocolate. The workshop is for kids and teens in grades six through 12. Registration is required.

For a full list of library programs or for more information, go to johnjermain.org.

The Water Mill Community Club has sent out its annual membership and dues forms. For those unfamiliar with the club, it was formed in 1952 when 6.5 acres was donated for the creation of a recreational field for the residents of Water Mill. The club is based on volunteerism and community spirit and offers an array of family events throughout the year, as well as use of its fields, tennis courts and clubhouses for events. The club also maintains the 1895 Community House, standing tall on Montauk Highway on the eastern edge of the downtown area.

There are various levels of membership. For details, go to watermillcommunityclub.org.

BRIDGEHAMPTON

Taking the time to learn how to administer Narcan could just save the life of someone you know. That is why the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center is offering a Narcan training session on Tuesday, January 25, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The program, “Opiates, Overdose, and Narcan: What you Need to Know to Save a Life,” will be facilitated by Jo Venturelli, director of Business & Professional Development at Seafield Center, and Kim Jones, Substance Misuse & Community Outreach Advocate at the center, in partnership with Seafield Center, and the Suffolk County Health Dept- Office of Minorities and the Witness Project.

Participants will need to register in advance to receive the kit, which will be mailed after the training.

The session will cover the opiate problem in the United States and its origin, development, and shift; types of opiates, and compare potencies and responses to Narcan; how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose; what steps to take when encountering an opioid overdose; how to administer Narcan; and how to report use of Narcan and ways to obtain Narcan.

Register and receive the Zoom link by emailing Kim Jones at kim@bhccrc.org or call 631-537-0616.

The Horticulatural Alliance of the Hamptons will present a lecture titled “Magical Witches of Winter: A Closer Look at the Genus Hamamelis” on Wednesday, January 26, at 11 a.m. Broken Arrow Nursery’s Horticulture and Container Production Manager Adam Wheeler will discuss the magical and ornamental side of witch hazel with a slide lecture that touches on the storied history, ornamental appeal and noted selections of these underutilized shrubs.

Admission is $10, but is free for HAH members.

Visit HAHgarden.org or call 631-537-2223 for more details and to RSVP.

The Bridgehampton School PTO is selling tickets for its 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. All proceeds will benefit programs at the school. The drawing will be at the last varsity basketball home game, February 8. Tickets will be sold at home games and in the main office during the school day, and by members of the PTO. The holder of the winning ticket need not be present to win.

Learn about biodynamic gardening at a workshop on Thursday, January 20, at 7 p.m. Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming and gardening, food and nutrition. It is rooted in reverence for the land and water, for food, animals and one another.

For a link to the Zoom meeting, email info@hamptonlibrary.org.

SOUTHAMPTON

It’s National Blood Donor Month and you could save a life with just a few minutes of your time. Donate blood at the Southampton Fire Department on Tuesday, January 25, from noon to 6 p.m. at the firehouse on Hampton Road.

Appointments may be made by calling 800-688-0900 or by visiting nybc.org

“Tiana Coastguard Men of Color 1942 - 1944” will be presented at the Southampton History Museum on Thursday, January 20, at 11 a.m. Historian Sandi Brewster-Walker will discuss the crew of color who lived and worked at East Quogue’s Tiana Lookout Barracks Station during World War II. Originally built in 1871 as Tiana Life-Saving Station, the building was used as a Coast Guard barracks from 1942 through 1944. Brewster-Walker’s talk questions the true purpose of the segregated Tiana Lookout Barracks Station and encompasses the contributions of local men of color on merchant, whaling and cutter ships throughout Long Island’s maritime history.

Also from the Southampton History Museum is “20th Century Influencers: Larry Rivers, In a Class by Himself,” on Thursday, January 27, at 11 a.m.

Go to southamptonhistory.org for COVID guidelines required for attendance, as well as to register for the programs.

Life Coach Eva Centeno will lead a Vision Board Workshop on Saturday, January 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A vision board is a fun visualization tool, a collage of words and pictures intended to serve as inspiration or motivation. By representing your dreams and goals with pictures and images, Centeno hopes to teach students how to increase clarity and focus. Basic materials will be provided, however, you are welcome to bring your own additional materials to add to your collage (i.e. stickers, glitter, ribbon, stencil lettering, craft paper). There is a $10 fee and advance registration and payment is required.

American Sign Language with Rosemary Algios will be offered via Zoom on Mondays, January 24, 31; and February 7, at 6 p.m. American Sign Language is the third most used language in the United States. In this beginner course, you will learn fingerspelling, numbers, vocabulary, facial expressions, basic conversational phrases and about Deaf culture. Instructor Rosemary Algios holds a degree in American Sign Language and has many years of experience. Fee: $15. Advance online registration and payment required.

For information about library programs or to register, go to myrml.org.

The next meeting of the Hampton Bays Civic Association is set for Monday, January 24, at 7 p.m. via videoconference. All are welcome to attend. The group will discuss whether an integrated parking system is in Hampton Bay’s future.

On hand for the discussion will be Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Southampton Parks Director Kristen Doulos, and Southampton Town Police Chief Steven E. Skrynecki, who will expand on the idea of an integrated townwide parking management system including ocean beaches and Main Street.

The proposed management structure would involve a virtual parking permit management system; a mobile license plate reader enforcement system; a handheld mobile computing device and ticket writer; citation management and fine collection systems; fixed license plate reader activated barrier gates and optional pay-in-lane device.

If you are a Hampton Bays resident with a car you should attend.

Go to hbcivic.org or email info@hbcivic.org to receive a link to the online meeting. You may also submit questions for consideration by the moderator.

The Hampton Bays Historical Society will hold its annual fundraising dinner at the Villa Paul Restaurant in Hampton Bays. A three-course dinner will be served from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 23. The cost of $45 per person includes tax and gratuity. Takeout dinners are also available. All proceeds will benefit the Society’s archival project.

For more information, email secretaryhbhistorical@gmail.com.

Registration for kindergarten in the Hampton Bays School District is being conducted by appointment only, beginning February 7 at the district office.

Call Pilar Corredor at 631-723-2100, ext. 5107, to schedule an appointment.

Two opportunities to improve driving are being offered at the library. The Empire Safety Council’s one-day defensive driving course will take place on Saturday, January 22, and again on Saturday, February 26. Participants must stay for the full length of the program on the day for which they sign up. The cost is $30.

A virtual Valentine’s Day fabric garland program, streamed via YouTube, will feature “Take & Make Kits,” on Wednesday, January 26, from 7 to 8 p.m. Participants will create a Valentine’s Day fabric garland using themed-fabric. To arrange for pick-up of your “Take & Make” Kit and the YouTube link, email dvalle@hamptonbayslibrary.org. Kits are limited to Hampton Bays Public Library cardholders only.

Knitting with Arlene is held on Mondays, January 24 and 31, plus February 14 and 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This is a change in time from previous sessions. Register for library programs by visiting the website at hamptonbayslibrary.org.

EAST QUOGUE

The nonprofit East Quogue Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting on Monday, January 24, at 7 p.m. at the East Quogue United Methodist Church’s parish hall. Call 631-653-6571 for more information. All lot holders are welcome.

Jim Rose will lead “Meditation for Inner Peace in the New Year” during an online program on Wednesday, January 26, at 2 p.m. A simple technique to spiritual meditation will be explained and practiced during the session.

Science Thursdays with Brookhaven Lab will being on Thursday, January 20, at 4 p.m. In the online program, participants will talk to scientists at the lab.

To register for library programs, email info@quoguelibrary.org or call 631-653-4224.

WESTHAMPTON BEACH

The Hampton Synagogue has announced the appointment of Marissa J. Becker as director of The Hampton Synagogue Children’s Center, encompassing Jack’s House and the Levin Family Children’s Campus, now under construction.

In welcoming Becker to The Hampton Synagogue, founding Rabbi Marc Schneier said, “The Hampton Synagogue Children’s Center is a once-in-a-generation project that will transform our congregation, Jewish life in the Hamptons, and the broader community. I am thrilled that such an extraordinary educator with a specialty in early childhood and summer camp will be at the helm as we embark upon the next generation of excellence for The Hampton Synagogue.”

Hampton Synagogue President Carol Levin remarked, “It has long been my dream for our synagogue to offer a world-class experience for the children of our community at the same level of the cultural and educational programming for which we are internationally renowned. In Ms. Becker we have a talented and dynamic leader, a significant step toward the realization of that dream.”

Marissa J. Becker, a graduate of SUNY Albany, earned her master’s degree in elementary and special education with honors from Touro College. She comes to The Hampton Synagogue from the National Foundation for Jewish Camp, where she managed all inclusion and disability programming, planning and facilitating large-scale training for camp professionals.

Previously, she was the director of kindergarten through 12th grade education at Brooklyn’s Congregation Beth Elohim, where she led a team of over 25 teachers and oversaw a 37 percent increase in enrollment in three years. Becker, her husband, Michael, and children, Levi and Noa, plan to reside in the greater Westhampton Beach area.

The full-block Hampton Synagogue Children’s Center will provide an array of facilities, including a beautiful athletic field, volleyball court, regulation basketball court, swimming pool, playground, gardens, STEM learning center, music studio, art studio, library and audio-visual center, multisensory learning and activity studio and children’s chapel.

In the next of the Westhampton Free Library’s “Link and Learn” series, the Diane Schwindt, resident historic cook at the Ketcham Inn, will host a discussion on Friday, January 21, at 12 p.m. During the event, Schwindt will take you on a culinary expedition with authentic historic cooking equipment and food samples. Also as a part of its “Link and Learn” series, the library will host a discussion with real estate associate Aimee Fitzpatrick Martin, of Saunders & Associates, on Friday, January 28, at noon. During the event, Martin will share the top 10 things you can do to sell your home for the most profit.

Tweens and teens are invited to play mini golf in the library on Friday, January 21, at 5 p.m. They are also invited to learn how to make 3D snowflake art on Friday, January 28, at 5 p.m.

Will it float? Children in kindergarten through grade three are invited to participate in a density and buoyancy lesson on Wednesday, January 26, at 4 p.m. Participants will experiment with different solids and liquids to gain a concrete understanding of density.

Families are invited to participate in a winter reading challenge thanks to the Hampton Bays Public Library. Upon registration, families will receive a log sheet to color in as they read and then share a photo of the completed sheet to earn a prize. The challenge runs through February 28.

To register or get more information on library programs, call 631-288-3335 or visit westhamptonlibrary.net.

A blood drive that was planned for earlier in the month has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Flanders Men’s Club, 1018 Flanders Road. The blood supply is critically low so all donations are appreciated. Hero sandwiches from Meetinghouse Deli will be served and all donors will be entered into a raffle to win a gift certificate to the Cooperage Inn.

Walk-ins are welcome but appointments may be made by calling 800-933-2566 or at nybc.org.

The Great Outdoors

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos recently announced the release of the latest New York State Trail Supporter Patches. The 2022 patches consist of five designs that resemble the international symbols for some of New York State’s most popular outdoor recreation activities — cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and biking. Each patch will be available individually for a limited time; however, the entire series can be purchased at any time.

“New York State residents and visitors can show their love for New York’s premier recreational trails by purchasing this year’s trail supporter patches, starting with the seasonally appropriate cross-country skiing patch,” Commissioner Seggos said. “All funds received will support projects to increase public access to outdoor recreation opportunities.”

The public can purchase a Trail Supporter Patch for $5 (or the full series for $25) at any sporting license sales outlet, or online at the DECALS website. The proceeds from patch sales go into the Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation, Trail Maintenance, and Development account to help maintain and enhance DEC’s non-motorized recreation trails throughout the state.

Hike to the Truman Capote stone on Saturday, January 22. Meet at the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center, 1061 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, at 10 a.m. for the 90-minute walk. Organized by the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt, the moderately paced 3-mile hike traverses oak/hickory forest with views of Crooked Pond, Long Pond and Deer Drink.

Walk leader is Dai Dayton, 631-745-0689.

Hike to the Flanders fire tower on Sunday, January 23. Meet on Spinney Road on the south side of Route 24, just east of Birch Creek, at 10 a.m. This moderately paced 5.5-mile hike could take up to two hours.

Walk leader is Liz Karpin, 631-728-6492 or 516-320-0761 (cell).

The New York State Ornithological Association is conducting its annual winter waterfowl count and could use your help. Organized locally by the South Fork Nature History Museum, the count records the number of overwintering waterfowl throughout the state to assess the level to which the waterfowl population has diminished over the years due to habitat loss, food scarcity and the introduction of nonnative species. Open to experienced and intermediate birders.

To register, email info@sofo.org or call 631-537-9735.

The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau will be offering several programs and activities at the Flanders Youth Center, 655 Flanders Road. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Each program meets weekly.

On Monday, F.A.S.T. (Fun Activities with Snacks and Time to do Homework), for children in kindergarten to grade 4, is from 4 to 6 p.m. On Tuesday, chess club is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. It is free and open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. On Wednesday, the Center hosts Discovery Club: Space Exploration, a STEAM session to learn about the planets in our Solar System, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. On Thursday, karate is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Classes are taught by international coach and instructor Falah Kanani and are open to those age 5 to 12. For information regarding payment, call 631-875-8968. On Friday, its “TGIF It’s Fri-YAY!,” two sessions of games and activities, arts and crafts, sports, movie nights, video game tournaments and more. Kindergarten to grade four meet from 3 to 5 p.m. and grades five to eight meet from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The program is free.

The Southampton Youth Bureau is currently accepting new member registrations for its “Teen Views on the News (TV-ON)” program. Participants will learn how to conduct interviews and create stories for local TV. Program is held on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hampton Bays Community Center, 25 Ponquogue Avenue. TV-ON is open to those in grade seven to 12 and community service credits are available. Pre-registration is required.

For more information, call 631-702-2425 or visit southamptontownny.gov/youthbureau.

As always, Project Most, based at the Community Learning Center at Neighborhood House, has a full lineup of programs for children. Coming up, look for “Soft Pretzel Pizza Dippers & STEM: Chemical Reaction Super Combo” on Saturday, January 22, at 11:30 p.m.; “Suess & Sous: Snack and Stories with a Chef” on Tuesday, January 25, at 3:45 p.m.; and a Chinese New Year family cooking class on Thursday, January 27, at 6 p.m.;

For a full list of the many programs offered by Project Most, as well as details about program times and fees, go to projectmost.org.