Before we all dive head first into Black Friday shopping madness I would like to remind everyone that this week there is not one, but two holidays to celebrate. Call me traditional but there is absolutely no reason in my mind that any store needs to open on Thanksgiving.Doesn’t anyone remember what the holiday is supposed to be about anymore? Can’t we just stop shopping for a day?
Thanksgiving, as far as I can remember is about the love of family and friends, the sharing of a warm meal, being thankful for the little things you have and helping those who are less fortunate. Not for one minute should it be about the opportunity to camp outside a store, trample your neighbors in pursuit of a toy or to get that great deal on the new Playstation 4. All that can wait for Friday in my opinion. So please, enjoy the holiday and leave the craziness to everyone else. Or better yet, avoid the drama and shop small on Saturday, November 30 at a local business and keep our neighbors and friends in business and the money in our community.
To lend a hand, local author, Press columnist and Tuckahoe resident Phil Keith will be a guest shopkeeper at Books & Books in Westhampton. He will give his literary recommendations and insight to patrons and more from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Southampton will hold its Greek cookie and pastry sale on Friday, November 22, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Suffolk County National Bank on North Sea Road in Southampton, and on Saturday, November 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., outside of the Southampton, Wainscott, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton, Quogue, and Montauk post offices. The pastries may also be pre-ordered. Call (631) 283-6169. This is one sale I can definitely get behind and I will shop early and often!
To celebrate Thanksgiving, The Basilica of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on Hill Street welcomes back the Kings Chapel Full Gospel Choir for its “Showers of Blessings” concert on Saturday, November 23, at 6:30 p.m. Following the concert, light refreshments will be served. Admission is a free will offering at the door to benefit both churches.
The King’s Chapel Church of God in Christ was started in the late 1930s through the efforts of a local couple, Mary Kingsberry Jefferson and John Jefferson, with Rev. J.A. King. Originally, the church was housed in a tiny brown house on Hillcrest Avenue. As numbers grew, the congregation built a small white church and it became what is known today as King’s Chapel Church of God in Christ.
Khag Urim Sameakh! Hanukkah begins on Wednesday night at sundown and the Chabad Of Southampton Jewish Center will celebrate the festival of lights with two public events.
The Chabad will host its annual public menorah lighting on Friday, November 29, at 3:15 p.m. on the corner of Jobs Lane and Main Street. The event will feature the singing of traditional Hanukkah songs, a tribute to our American and Israeli armed forces, hot latkes, dreidels, menorah kits, donuts and more. Southampton Village Mayor Mark Epley, Village Trustees and Rabbi Rafe Konikov will speak at the lighting. The Chabad will also sponsor public menorah displays at the Bridgehampton Commons, 7-Eleven in Southampton and at Hampton Gas.
On Saturday, November 30, the Chabad will hold its Hanukkah celebration featuring a hot latke bar, live music, menorah lighting, donuts, Hannukkah sand art and a performance of “The Incredible Bubble Show” with Jeff Boyer at 6:30 p.m. at the Parrish Hall at Southampton Hospital. The celebration is also sponsored by the Siggi Wilzig Hamptons Jewish Children’s Center. Admission to both events is free.
On December 5, continue the Hanukkah festivities by learning how to make the traditional Ashkenazi Jewish pastry rugelach at the Southampton Historical Museum’s Rogers Mansion from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Deborah Lukasik will instruct participants on the process of making this delicious holiday cookie, and everyone gets to take home two dozen of the delectable delights. There is a fee for the class of $35 for non-members and $25 for members that includes all supplies. All you have to do is show up with your baking hat on and bring a container to take home your treats! Call to sign up at (631) 283-2494.
Congratulations to Desert Storm veteran Susan Soto, of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation. Ms. Soto was inducted as commander of Southampton’s VFW Dune Post 7009 this past Wednesday evening. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran and is the first woman and the first Native American to hold that position. Thank you for your past service to the country and thank you in advance for your service to the community and our local Southampton vets!
At The Library
Dr. Olga McAbee, a Board Certified neurologist at Southampton Hospital, will discuss migraine headaches and other neurological issues at the Rogers Memorial Library on Thursday, November 21, at 5:30 p.m.
Reservations are now being taken for a talk given by Donna Freitas, an author whose research and book, “The End of Sex: How Hookup Culture is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused About Intimacy,” has generated national attention. She will speak at the library on Monday, December 2, at 5:30 p.m., and will address the social issues surrounding the hookup culture which young people will face as they set out to navigate their independence.
To register for any program, contact (631) 283-0774, ext. 523, or visit www.myrml.org.
Alea Harkawik on Nov 19, 2013