Montauk Community Notes, June 4

On Saturday I looked into the nest on top of our front porch light and was sad to find it empty. This spring we’ve avoided using our front door so we wouldn’t disturb a pair of nesting robins. Three weeks after hatching, the two fledglings have left the nest. There’s lots of adult robins around but no way to tell if it’s the same pair. In past springs, I’ve caught a glimpse of cute, fluffy newly-fledged robins the size of golf balls.Word has reached Montauk Moorings that Margaret Fleming, daughter of Thom and Jill Fleming of Montauk, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, the weekend of May 23. Marist is an independent comprehensive liberal arts college with an enrollment of 4,800 full-time undergraduates and is included in the Princeton Review’s 2015 guide to top colleges and universities in the U.S. Congratulations, Maggie! Some years past, I remember you as a promising student attending Montauk Community Church Sunday school classes.

The ninth annual Montauk Harbor Old Timer’s Dinner honoring U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jason Walter, Officer in Charge, who is retiring, and Station Montauk for keeping our harbor and fishermen safe, takes place at Inlet Seafood Restaurant on East Lake Drive, Wednesday, June 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person, which includes a buffet dinner and one beer or glass of wine. Tickets can be purchased via PayPal or with a credit card at www.montaukchamber.com, under “events,” at the chamber office or by calling (631) 668-2428. The evening will include presentations and raffles.

Montauk Farmer’s Market on the Green opens Thursday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and continues Thursdays every week through October 1 and Fall Festival weekend. The farmer’s market is brought to you by Montauk Chamber of Commerce, right across the street.

It’s preregistration time for the 30th annual RJA Memorial Mighty Montauk Triathlon founded in 1982 by the late Robert J. Aaron. Long considered the East End season opener, the triathlon will be held on Saturday, June 13, from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. The competition consists of a one-mile swim, 22 miles of biking and a 6.2-mile run on a scenic course along historical routes through Montauk’s hills. This event is sponsored by Montauk Sports Inc. For information or to register, call (631) 668-2511.

Donations for Saturday morning rummage sales at Montauk Community Church are so generous this spring that the Women’s Guild has temporarily locked the donation shed at the back of the church until June 13, to allow inventory to go down to manageable levels. Sales have been brisk this season.

Vacation Bible School at Montauk Community Church is scheduled for Monday, July 6, through Thursday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. This year’s program, entitled, “Cokesbury’s G-Force VBS,” is organized by Kate Ryan. Ms. Ryan seeks volunteers to help with a science project for which plans will be provided, as well as helpers to serve snacks. The cost of VBS, for children pre-K through fourth grade, is $40 per child. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Please contact montaukcommunitychurch@gmail.com for more information.

Montauk’s annual Blessing of the Fleet takes place on Sunday, June 14, starting at 5 p.m. The fleet sets sail from Montauk Town Dock into waters off Montauk Point. Representatives of local houses of worship ride aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ridley. Organized by the Montauk Boatman’s Association and a tradition since 1955, boats line up in Lake Montauk to receive from local clergymen a blessing for a good season. Boats continue out into Block Island Sound where they’re met by the Ridley. Memorial wreaths are cast into the sea to commemorate lives of members of the fishing community who have died during the previous year.

At The Library

Library Director Denise DiPaolo invites families to Movie Night at Montauk Library, for a free, family-friendly movie, “Paddington,” tonight, Wednesday, June 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

June 1 was the last date the Friends of the Montauk Library accepted book donations for the Book Fair, the weekend of July 4 and 5, to be held at the library this year instead of on the Green. Jewelry and yard sale items are still welcome, and should be brought to the front desk during library hours. Volunteers are needed! Sign up at the front desk.

The Karkowska Sisters Duo, an award-winning, internationally acclaimed violin and piano duo, will perform at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, June 6, at the library’s lower level Suzanne Koch Gosman Room. In addition to performing their dynamic repertoire, Anna, a violinist, and Katarzyna, a pianist, will share stories. Having grown up in Poland, they have much to tell about first impressions of the United States.

Wednesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m., Jane Weissman presents a slide-talk entitled Mexico from Independence through Revolution: The Murals of Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and José Clemente Orozco.

The Montauk Writers Group discusses Works in Progress on Wednesday, June 17, at 7 p.m. Group members will read from new poems, stories, fiction and non-fiction. Participants include Russell Drumm, Ed Johann, Celine Keating, Dave Krusa, Stephanie Krusa, Lisa Michne, Audrey Morgan, Gert Murphy and Patria Baradi Pacis. The Writers Group meets regularly during the year. Those interested in joining them are especially welcome.

These library events are free and open to the public. Please call (631) 668-3377, or visit www.montauklibrary.org for more information.