In Your Neighborhoods, August 13

It’s been roughly six months since the world, and particularly New York, began to shut down as a result of COVID-19, and as we cautiously emerge from isolation, online programming has remained a constant source of connection. Next week, The Retreat — the East End’s only nonprofit dedicated to provide support and resources for victims of domestic violence, but also educational resources for school districts and libraries across the East End, will continue its “Getting Along Story Time,” with a collaborative virtual program with the John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor on Wednesday, August 19, from 10 to 10:30 a.m., via Zoom.

This new special program includes an interactive read-aloud for children and their caregivers with The Retreat’s Prevention Education Specialist Denise Silva Dennis as well as art activities and sing-alongs with other special guests.

“In this time of social distancing, it is a special calling to still be able to reach a child’s heart by reading a story and letting them know they are not alone,” said Ms. Dennis.

This summer, the focus of has been on celebrating diversity and the next program will explore friendship and be conducted in a combination of English and Spanish. The Retreat Education Program’s goal with this program is not only to help children develop healthy relationships, but also to help build awareness in the community about The Retreat and the support that we can provide, according to Helen Atkinson-Barnes, the prevention education program director for The Retreat, who added that while the nonprofit’s main offices may be closed due to COVID-19, its staff has been working hard to offer remote counseling opportunities, legal advocacy, hotline and prevention education programming to the community and people in need.

“The Retreat Education Program is so pleased to connect The Retreat with the community with this uplifting new program for children and their families,” said Ms. Atkinson-Barnes.

“This online activity is a great example of a community collaboration and cultural partnership,” said Lisa Bowen, the Southampton Elementary School Library media specialist. “Dedicated individuals in different locations from different institutions working together using technology, literacy and art technique to teach and reach young learners. Helping students understand their emotions, while creating art during a time of great stress and uncertainty. I was happy to witness this group in action.”

The Pomeroy Fund for NYS History has announced 21 history-related organizations have been selected to participate in a matching grant program geared towards raising funds to support the safe reopening of New York under state guidelines. The Amagansett Life-Saving and Coast Guard Station was one of those institutions.

Up to $50,000 total in matching grants is expected to be awarded. This is the third round of funding disbursed through the fund since it was established in April 2020 through a partnership between the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and the Museum Association of New York.

“History organizations selected for this grant round submitted proposals outlining plans for reopening, identifying funding resources, creative ways to grow donors and collaborative partnerships to find new avenues of support,” according to a release issued by the fund last week. The grant was open to history organizations with operating budgets of $150,000 or less.

“Our hope is that these matching grants will give history organizations an added financial boost as they take the necessary steps to reopen safely and plan for the future,” said Deryn Pomeroy, the director of strategic initiatives at the Pomeroy Foundation. “They are assets to our communities and stepping up to support them during these challenging times will make a tangible difference.”

“Community support is essential to the financial wellbeing of a museum. This matching fund opportunity will help museums face the challenges of reopening after NY on Pause,” said Erika Sanger, the executive director of the Museum Association of New York. “MANY is pleased to continue our work with Pomeroy Foundation to support our smallest museums, raise community awareness of their needs, and help build relationships that can yield benefits into the future.”

Participating organizations will have until October 1 to raise funds that will be matched two-to-one by the Pomeroy Fund for NYS History.

All For the East End, or AFTEE, announced early this week that it has donated refrigeration and freezer units to the Sag Harbor Food Pantry, the Bridgehampton Pantry and the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center through its “Feed the Need” initiative to support local food pantries as more and more families seek relief through those nonprofits as a result of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

One major problem facing many pantries is finding enough capacity to store food bank deliveries of fresh meat, poultry and produce, according to a release sent by the organization earlier this week. AFTEE reached out to the Town of Southampton for help and they offered a storage room off the kitchen in the Bridgehampton Senior Center. AFTEE also enlisted the help of the Bridgehampton Lions Club, which offered to foot the bill for the five units and made a donation of $10,945. Now, three nearby pantries, Sag Harbor Pantry, Bridgehampton Pantry and the Bridgehampton Child Care Center will use the units to help “Feed the Need.”

“The Town of Southampton is pleased to support this effort and provide space at the Bridgehampton Senior Center for the refrigerators and freezers for the pantries during this time of need,” said Southampton Town Housing and Community Services Director Diana Weir. “We thank the Lions Club and AFTEE for their generosity.”

“This project is a great example of how AFTEE benefits the community,” said AFTEE President Claudia Pilato. “Because AFTEE is in touch with pantries across the East End, we are able to identify similar challenges. Providing refrigeration with the help of the Bridgehampton Lions Club, at a shared site was a real collaboration that is both efficient and cost effective.”

John Battle, president of the Bridgehampton Lions Club said, “We are happy to help AFTEE with their “Feed the Need” campaign. We know the pantries are working overtime to help many in our community get through this terrible time.”

“The purchase and donation of the refrigerator and freezer will double our food capacity,” said Tom White, the executive director of the Bridgehampton Food Pantry. “It’s a godsend to receive such a wonderful setup especially at such a strange time in our world.”

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude that during these trying times, our community has come together for the center’s food pantry, and so many others,” said Bonnie Cannon, executive director of the Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreational Center. “We are all in this together. Having adequate refrigeration and freezer space will allow us to store and offer more meats, chicken and freezer items to our families in need. We went from serving 70 people a month before the pandemic to serving 700 individuals a week during the pandemic, with no end in sight.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit aftee.org or write info@aftee.org.

In an effort to support the charitable work of local organizations that serve the areas of Suffolk Federal Credit Union branch locations, the credit union has identified nonprofit organizations to provide financial support. In Southampton, Branch Manager Vincent Hardalo presents a $1,000 contribution to Heart of the Hamptons last week.

“Heart of the Hamptons, similar to Suffolk Federal, is here for our local community,” Mr. Hardalo said in a release. “During this pandemic, Heart of the Hamptons has already been a tremendous help to more than 2,000 families, providing over 80,000 meals worth of food. It is an honor to be able to assist them during these uncertain times and be a part of the same community.”

“This donation will help continue our mission of helping people in our local community who are in need,” said Hilton Crosby, executive director of Heart of the Hamptons. “We are grateful for Suffolk Federal’s generous contribution.”

For more information on the nonprofit, visit heartofthehamptons.org.

The Flanders Farm Fresh Food Market is now open every Saturday until October 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the David W. Crohan Community Center, 655 Flanders Road in Flanders. The market accepts cash, Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks, EBT, and Fresh Connect checks. For more information, call (631) 287-5745 or (631) 702-2425.

Chart your own course for Ellen’s Run, as the nonprofit, grassroots organization that raises funding and awareness surrounding breast cancer and breast cancer research, celebrates its silver anniversary with 25 years.

This year, the 5K run and walk will go on virtually in neighborhoods, as a result of the virus pandemic, with registrants able to complete the race any time between Sunday, August 16, and Monday, August 31. Top performers and fundraisers will be announced after the closing deadline. To register, visit ellenhermanson.org.

The Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation will host its 12th annual Montauk Swim Challenge, Saturday, August 15, through Saturday, August 22, an online virtual event via the Elite Feats athletic event platform, offering distance categories for swimmers of all ages and abilities, to be completed in a pool, ocean, bay or lake.

“We’re thrilled to continue the tradition of the Montauk Swim Challenge this summer as a virtual event,” Julia McCormack, development director of the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation. “This annual fundraiser for the Playhouse Foundation is a wonderful way for us to continue to move forward in our mission to raise funds to construct an Aquatic Center at the Montauk Playhouse. We invite the entire community to participate — this is an especially fun summer activity for kids and families.”

To register in advance, visit elitefeats.com, click “Events” and enter “Montauk.” The registration fee is $40. For more information, call 631-668-1124 or visit montaukplayhouse.org.

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons will host another Pet Food Drive on Saturday, August 15, from noon to 3 p.m., accepting wet and dry food for cats and dogs. No bedding or towels — the nonprofit is accepting food only, including treats.

The drive will be held at the ARF Adoption Center, 124 Daniels Hole Road in Wainscott. Social distancing will be observed, and people dropping off donations will be asked to wear masks.

ARF will also celebrate its staff at its annual Bow Wow Meow Ball @home, a virtual benefit held from 6:30 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 15. ARF staff will be honored with its Champion of the Animals award for selflessness and dedication to animals throughout the COVID-19 process. The tribute will include a Parade of Pets, followed by entertainment by Isabella Rossellini, Robert Wilson and Christopher Mason.

For more information, visit arfhamptons.org.

The East Hampton Library, 152 Main Street in East Hampton, has reopened to the public, with temporary hours Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library will be closed on Sundays.

Strict social distancing and COVID-19 safety measures will be in place, according to a press release issued by the library. Everyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a mask in the library building and all returns should be placed in the book drop-off. The library will man its curbside pickup program, as well as its virtual series of programs.

For more information, call 631-324-0222, ext. 7 or visit easthamptonlibrary.org.

The Hampton Bays Public Library, 52 Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays, is now open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 7 p.m., as well as on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. The library will undergo sanitization from 1 to 2 p.m. and will be closed Sundays for the time being.

Only a limited number of patrons will be permitted to enter the building for 20 minutes at a time or for computer use. Curbside pickup is now in-library pickup, although reservations are still required. For more information, call 631-728-6241 or visit hamptonbayslibrary.org.

The East Hampton Historic Farm Museum, at the corner of Cedar and North Main Street in East Hampton, is open and on Saturday, August 15, at 8 p.m., and will be screening the film, “Babe” for families on its lawn, courtesy of support from the David Lion Gardiner Foundation. Donations will be accepted to support the museum, which is open on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

So far, the Artists still have the lead, but the Writers could still clinch the 73rd annual contest between the two softball rivals.

Following the cancellation of the annual Artists v. Writers 2020 Softball Challenge, a summertime mainstay event in Herrick Park in East Hampton Village, supporting various nonprofits for several decades, a charity contest was created to raise donations for The Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, The Retreat, East End Hospice and Phoenix House, with the two competitors still battling it through this Saturday, August 15, at noon to see who still has bragging rights.

Currently, the Artists fundraiser team leads with $5,150 raised to the Writers $3,585.

To donate, visit charity.gofundme.com and search “Challenge East Hampton Artists v. Writers.

In preparation for the reopening of Southampton School District, the district has scheduled three parent/guardian and one staff meeting to discuss the re-entry plan. The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom video conference. Access codes will be made available on the district’s website and Facebook page prior to the scheduled meetings.

The re-entry parent/guardian meetings will be held on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 19, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, August 20, at 3 p.m. The teacher/staff meeting will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 11 a.m.

During its meeting on August 4, the Southampton Board of Education named Michael Connell the new Southampton Intermediate School assistant principal.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Connell to the Southampton School District family,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nicholas Dyno. “We believe that he will prove to be dedicated to the students of this district.”

For the past seven years, Mr. Connell, a Mattituck resident, has served as principal of Holy Angels Regional School in Patchogue, where he developed and fostered a whole-child approach to education. He also served as the athletic director and a physical education teacher at the school.

Mr. Connell holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland, a master’s in administration and supervision from Fordham University, and is working on his doctorate in administration and supervision at St. John’s University.

Of his appointment, Mr. Connell said, “I am excited to join [Principal Justin] Cobis and the team at Southampton Intermediate School. As a lifelong learner, I look forward to helping all of our students realize their dreams. I am grateful to the Board of Education and Dr. Dyno for the opportunity to join this strong and diverse community.”

The district has also announced that its Board of Education has hired Helen Lopez as its new register.

“We are excited to welcome Mrs. Lopez to our Southampton family,” said Dr. Dyno. “We believe she will serve our families well in her new position.”

Before joining the district, Ms. Lopez, a resident of Mattituck, was employed for five years by Community Action Southold Town, for which she managed the office and provided bilingual support and translation. Prior to that, she worked for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, providing client support and bilingual management.

In her new position with Southampton, Lopez will provide registration and secretarial services, assist in preparing written materials in English and Spanish, schedule and coordinate teacher and teaching assistant observations, and coordinate conferences, faculty meetings and workshops for administrators, teachers and teaching assistants.

“I am very thankful and blessed to have been given this great opportunity,” Ms. Lopez said. “School is very important for children, and I want to make sure that the gap between home and school is bridged. I want to make a difference in people’s lives and, most importantly, ensure that families feel safe and comfortable in sending their children to school.”

The Southampton School District is currently accepting in-person registration, by appointment only, every Tuesday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments will abide by social distancing guidelines, including mask wearing. Those looking to register their children can call the district at 631-591-4517 or email register@southamptonschools.org to request a registration appointment.

Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional Catholic School, 160 North Main Street in Southampton, is preparing for a full reopening of its in-person learning program, with an opening date of Wednesday, September 10. The school has reached full enrollment, according to a press release issued late last week. There is currently a wait list for all children in grades kindergarten through eight and limited placement available for the 4-year-old pre-school program at St. Rosalie’s campus in Hampton Bays.

The Greek Orthodox Church’s highest ranking official in the United States, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, will join Father Alexander Karloutsos to pay a historic visit the East End this weekend and bless the region on Sunday, August 16, at 9:30 a.m. at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, 111 St. Andrew’s Road in Southampton

Adelphi University in Garden City has announced that Alexis Fotopoulos, from Hampton Bays, has earned a Bachelor of Science, with honors, in physical education. Kailah Konkel, of Eastport, has also earned a Bachelor of Arts, with high honors and departmental honors, in environmental studies.

Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has announced that Sutton Lynch and Robin Grathwohl, both of East Hampton, and Alex Troy of Montauk, have been named to the spring 2020 dean’s list for maintaining a grade point average of 3.75 or higher.

Le Moyne College in Syracuse has announced that Patrick Gilbert, a junior English and Communications major from Hampton Bays, has been named to the dean’s list for maintaining a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, announced last week it has named Brooke Britt of Sag Harbor, Rudolph DeSanti of East Hampton and Ryan Duryea of Sag Harbor to its spring 2020 dean’s list for earning a GPA of 3.4 or higher.