Deck the halls with boughs of holly. The tree is trimmed, the wreaths are hung and the heirloom decorations with all of their special memories are scattered about. Many thanks go to Annabelle and Juliette Seeliger for making this year’s tree-trimming a tree-trimming to remember!A great big shout-out goes to the twin’s mom, Cathy of Roses and Rice fame, for inviting me to join her at last Sunday’s fantastic and fabulous holiday happening. Holiday Harmonies, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hampton Bays, was the perfect way to begin the holiday season. And to one of its stars, East Quogue’s Julie Cowley: You are awesome!
Drum roll, please. From gift certificates to beautifully decorated gift baskets, from wonderful bottles of wine to fantastic culinary creations, and from flowers and jewelry to special little gifts, East Quogue’s Main Street has it all. Our shopkeepers are warm, helpful and friendly. Need I say more?
And, speaking of Christmas gifts, I’ll be Pottery Barn’s “pop up” local artist and author of the day this Sunday, December 18. I’ll be signing my book, “Maria’s Duck Tales: Wildlife Stories From My Garden” from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Southampton Village store, so, please, stop by and say “hi.’ One of my original stained glass designs might be just the special gift that you have been searching for.
Just a reminder that Christmas trees, wreaths and roping are still available for all of your holiday decorating needs at the East Quogue Firehouse on Montauk Highway. Please support our hometown heroes during this important fundraiser.
For this nature lover, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is one of the jewels of the East End. The refuge’s annual appeal and membership drive has begun. Joining the refuge entitles you to free and discounted programs, free and unlimited use of cross country skis and snowshoes, and a copy of the quarterly newsletter. Membership forms can be picked up at the refuge’s Nature Center, located at 3 Old Country Road in Quogue, or downloaded from its website, QuogueWildlifeRefuge.org. For more information, call 631-653-4771.
Just in case you missed last week’s column, The Southampton Press will be sporting a brand-new look in the new year and changes will be made to the community section. While the community columns will become a thing of the past, your accomplishments, photos and tips are still very important to my editors so please continue to send them in. The only real change will be that instead of emailing me, beginning on January 1, 2017, you will send your news to Kim Covell at kim@pressnewsgroup.com.
And, finally, it can be hard to believe that there are families in need in our beautiful hamlet. But there are and that is why the East Quogue Adopt-a-Family program is so very important.
Checks, cash, gift certificates and gift cards may be dropped off at Roses and Rice on Main Street. Checks and requests for assistance can also be mailed to East Quogue Adopt-a-Family, P.O. Box 71, East Quogue, NY 11942.
Also, if you know of a family or senior citizen in our hamlet who could use a little Christmas cheer this holiday season, please contact Lois Holley at 631-653-4444. All information will be kept confidential.
On The Calendar
Tuesday, January 10: Southampton Town Board holds the third public hearing on “The Hills at Southampton” at 6 p.m., at Southampton Town Hall located at 116 Hampton Road in Southampton.
Wednesday, January 11: The East Quogue Citizens Advisory Committee meets at 7 p.m. in the library of the East Quogue Elementary School on Central Avenue.
Tuesday, January 17: East Quogue Board of Education meets at 7:15 p.m. in the cafetorium of the school on Central Avenue.
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