Eastport, Remsenburg And Speonk Community Notes, May 14

Sadly, this week’s column starts with me offering my sincere condolences to the family of a local merchant, Thomas Peterson of the Eastport Music Scene, who died on April 28 after a battle with cancer. He contributed his time, knowledge and talents to our community for many years.From the outpouring of support shown on social media, I feel it is accurate to say he truly enhanced and touched the lives of many in our community. There was a musical memorial for Tom this past Saturday, May 9, over at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall in Riverhead where friends and family celebrated his life. RIP, Tom.

Switching gears, all are encouraged to attend an informational meeting about the proposed Fordman Mill restoration this coming Sunday, May 17, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School on Mill Road in Remsenburg. Prior to the meeting, starting at noon, a tour of the property that sits at the corner of Montauk Highway and Mill Road is planned. All are welcome to take part.

The Fordham Mill, Southampton Town’s first historic landmark and also known as the “Tuttle-Fordham Mill,” has been on the market for a number of years and has fallen into serious disrepair. The purpose of the meeting is to build interest, generate ideas and discuss creative use and ownership options for the successful adaptive reuse of the property.

The meeting will discuss the importance of the Fordham Mill, limitations of the property, the building’s current condition and the estimated cost of basic restoration. There will also be brief presentations by the following individuals: Stephanie Davis of the Southampton Town Landmarks and Historic Districts Board; the owners of The Fordham Mill; David Wilcox, the director of planning for the Southampton Town Department of Land Management; Mary Wilson, director of the Southampton Town Community Preservation Fund; and a representative from The Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.

I am excited about what’s to come with this summer’s new exhibits put together by Art Remsenburg. Local artists and craftspeople are still needed for the “Makers and Shakers: Remsenburg/Speonk Arts & Crafts Fair” that opens Friday, June 5, at The Remsenburg Academy, located at 130 South Country Road. Now is the time to share your craft talents with our hamlet! For information, please call Lisa Mendelson at (631) 325-0750.

It’s time to break out your running shoes and register for the eighth annual Peg Larkins Memorial 5K and kids “Fun Run” on Sunday, June 7, starting at the Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School. The Fun Run is a half-mile event.

Those interested in participating can register online at www.runsignup.com or do so starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the race. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. sharp!

Cost is $30 for adults, $20 for those 17 and younger, and there’s also a $40 “Dynamic Duo” option that is open to one adult and one child.

The course, which begins and ends at the school, is mostly flat and scenic. Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners in all age categories. There will also be a raffle with donations from local businesses.

Money raised will benefit a scholarship fund for our local youth, as well as funding for health awareness programs. To volunteer at the event, please call Pete Brierton (631) 707-5391.

Congratulations to those Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School students who participated in the spring concerts. It is always a joy of mine to see the kids when they get set to perform. They sing their hearts out! Their music director, Michelle Quigg, deserves a shout-out as well for always pulling together a stellar performance.

Don’t forget to get out and vote this Tuesday, May 19. All school budgets and Board of Education races are held that day. The booths will be open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School in Remsenburg and from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the Eastport Elementary School in Eastport. Please vote!

On The Calendar

Friday, May 22: Remsenburg-Speonk Elementary School’s annual Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m., starting at the school on Mill Road. Participants will head west on South Country Road to the memorial on the corner of South Country Road and South Phillips Avenue. A ceremony immediately follows the parade.

Saturday, June 6: The Seatuck Cove Rotary Club is sponsoring a food drive outside the King Kullen in Eastport, located at 25 Eastport-Manor Road, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Food and monetary donations are appreciated. To donate online, please visit www.gofundme.com/snxfys. Call Martin Hawley at (631) 909-8241 or visit www.seatuckcoverotary.org for more details.