Southampton Community News, March 24

If you see pink lawn flamingoes lingering around the village, do not be alarmed, it’s just a wacky fundraiser being organized by the First Presbyterian Church Youth Group. The fundraising effort will last from now through the end of the school year and was selected as a fundraising platform by the children in the youth group, formatted more as a practical joke than any traditional fundraiser we’ve ever seen. Members of the church can purchase a “flock” of flamingos for $30, which will appear on the front lawn of a house of their choosing. The unlucky recipient can pay a reasonable fee of $20 to see the birds removed, or if they’re feeling especially susceptible to flamingo attack, can purchase flamingo insurance for a fee of $10.The “flocking” fundraiser is the latest in a line of efforts from the youth group, whose goal for the year, as group organizer Kelly D’Angelo stated, is to focus on philanthropy and how to maximize helping others. As a result, all proceeds from “flocking” will go to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which has been selected by the group because of its work to help individuals who are at risk and to support family members affected by suicide. To date, the effort has raised more than $1,000.

Members of St. John’s Episcopal Church would like to bid a fond farewell to the Reverend Stephen D. McWhorter, who will be hosting his last service at the parish on Easter Sunday, March 27. Rev. McWhorter first came to the church on October 12, 2014 as interim rector, coming out of retirement to lead the parish at the request of the Diocesan Bishop of Long Island. Prior to his tenure at St. John’s, Rev. McWhorter was founding pastor of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia, which he presided over for 16 years, and acting interim rector at Christ Church on St. Simons Island, Georgia. The Reverend William Patrick Edwards, current rector of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will replace Rev. McWhorter starting Sunday, April 3.

The Great East End Cleanup will be held Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, throughout Southampton Town, and although those dates may seem far away, the town is preparing for the effort by providing garbage bags, pick sticks and town transfer station disposal passes. Those looking to pick up these supplies can do so at Southampton Town Hall, Citizens Response Center, or at the North Sea Transfer Station starting Monday, March 28. To participate, select an area of public property such as a park, beach, roadside or trail and complete the online registration form by Monday, April 25. The form can be found at southamptontownny.gov.

All are invited for an evening of fashion fun and food at Flying Point Foundation for Autism’s “Generation Runway,” a fashion show and dinner to raise money for autism, which will be held Sunday, April 3, starting at 4 p.m. at 230 Elm in Southampton. Tickets are $55 per person for adults, $35 for children. Individuals can save $5 per ticket by purchasing a table of 8. No tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 466-4213 or visit fpf4autism.org.

At the Library

A screening of the 2011 documentary “Pink Smoke Over the Vatican” will be held Monday, March 28, at 3 p.m. at Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton. The film introduces the controversial movement of women seeking ordination in the Roman Catholic Church. The screening will be introduced by Eda Lorello, who was ordained as a Roman Catholic Womanpriest in 2013. Admission is free.

Author Betsy Horn will discuss her memoir, “A Little Touch of Cancer and How It Made Me Well: One Woman’s Travels Through Ovarian Cancer,” on Wednesday, March 30, at 1 p.m. at the library. A survivor of ovarian cancer, Ms. Horn is now a Mind Body Medicine coach and health and wellness counselor for women over 50. Admission is free.

The Friends of the Rogers Memorial Library will sponsor a concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Jacopo Giacopuzzi on Sunday, April 3, at 3 p.m. Mr. Giacopuzzi will perform works by Lizst, Chopin and Kapustin. Admission is free.

Mark your calendars because tickets are selling fast for the library’s bus trip to Broadway to see “An American in Paris,” on Wednesday, April 20. The cost is $180 and includes a seat at a two o’clock matinée, round-trip Jitney ticket, and snacks.

Register at myrml.org or call (631) 283-0774 ext. 523.