May 22, 2025
Dear Quogue Residents,
Memorial Day Weekend has arrived! While the weather is not promising for the weekend, the summer season is kicking off with lots of activities, and the Village has been busy getting ready.
One benefit of the deluge we are currently experiencing has been to provide a true test of the new drainage improvements the Village recently completed on Dune Road. I am pleased to report that the system of swales and “french drains” has significantly reduced flooding in the area from the bridge heading east to 146 Dune Road. That stretch of Dune Road has now been repaved, as has the stretch heading west from the bridge to the Surf Club.
Heading further east on Dune Road, you may have noticed that the Suffolk County Water Authority has been digging up the road to replace the old water main from approximately 160 Dune Road to the border of East Quogue. Over the coming weeks/months, SCWA will be completing all of the individual hookups to that stretch of homes. While this will lead to temporary disruption and some rough patches (sorry cyclists!), we can look forward to having that entire stretch of road repaved when the SCWA’s work is completed. The Village intends to extend additional flood mitigation and drainage work along this stretch before the road is repaved.
An exciting development for beach lovers is the introduction of a Village Beach Camera that provides 24/7 real-time views of the surf at the Village Beach. This can be accessed on the home page of the Village’s website HERE. It is also streamed on the Quogue Association’s website HERE. The Village would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Quogue Association for their generous contribution towards the installation of the Beach Cam. In addition, the Quogue Association also subsidized the roll out of WiFi at the Village Beach this summer.
Another bit of good news is the introduction of a new health food option at Schmidt’s Country Market. I do not have all the details but understand from Dan Schmidt that he is partnering with Local Provisions in Westhampton Beach to have a “pop-up” summer location in Quogue this summer. I understand that gelato and frozen yogurt will be on offer in addition to healthy smoothies and juices. https://localprovisionswhb.com/
Today’s safety message comes from the Quogue Police Department who have asked me to alert our residents that there is a national “Click it or Ticket” high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort running from May 20th to June 2nd, coinciding with the Memorial Day holiday. Approximately 50% of traffic fatalities are of “unrestrained” passengers. Since 2020, the obligation to wear a seat belt extends to all passengers, including those in the back seat. Seat belts save lives. Please consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website to learn more. https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/click-it-or-ticket
With the annual summer increase in traffic, please always exercise caution when walking, running, or cycling in the Village. Wear bright clothing and stay to the side of the road. For cyclists, please always wear helmets and use headlights and rear lights, especially when riding in the evening. Needless to say, please remind your children of the importance of these safety measures. Please also remember that e-bikes are especially dangerous! It is against New York State law for anyone under the age of 16 to ride an e-bike.
An unpleasant reminder that the second installment of the Town’s property taxes is payable without penalty by May 31st. The Village’s property tax bills will be mailed on or about June 1st (and posted on the Village website on that day). They are payable without penalty by July 1st.
And now for some upcoming events:
This evening is the opening night for the Hampton Theatre Company’s 2024-2025 season finale: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, by Edward Albee and directed by George Loizides. Performances run from this evening, May 22nd, through June 8th. Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.
On Saturday, May 24th, at 10:00 am, I will be giving the State of the Village address. The event will be held in front of the Quogue Fire Department; hopefully it will be dry by then.
This Saturday, May 24th, at 2:00 pm, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is organizing a celebration for the annual World Turtle Day. Participants will learn all about Long Island’s turtles, and what you can do to help our local species. On Thursday, June 5th, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the Refuge is organizing a program on Bats on the Beach, Bay, and Beyond to learn more about the distribution and habitat of bats in our area. Register for these events at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.
Saturday, May 24th, also marks the official opening of the Village Beach’s summer season. The hours are 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. The beach will only be open on weekends until June 28th when it opens seven days a week. The beach concession is now open and, as previously announced, will be run this summer by Zachary Schmidt. As of May 15th, beach permits are now required – last year’s permits remain valid through May 31st. With the summer season’s arrival, a reminder that dogs are no longer allowed on the Village Beach.
The Library Gallery’s current exhibit “The Flower Art Show” is on display through May 29th. The Gallery’s next exhibit opens on May 31st with works by Patricia Udell on the theme of “Virtual Breath”, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, May 31st, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held at the Library this Saturday, May 24th, at 5:00 pm on the topic of India: Between China, the West, and the Global South. Participants can join by zoom or attend in person.
As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for their rich offering of movies and programs of all types: quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month
The annual Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 am on Monday, May 26th, in front of the Fire Department. I encourage you to attend as we honor all of our service members for their past and ongoing sacrifices for our security and freedom.
On Saturday, June 14th, at 7:30 pm, Quogue Chamber Music’s first concert of the season will be held at the Quogue Community Hall with the Goldstein-Peled-Fiterstein Trio performing works by Bach, Beethoven, Pouldenc, Chopin, and Stutschewsky. Tickets can be purchased online: www.quoguechambermusic.org.
A few save the dates for events later this summer: Village elections will take place on Friday, June 20th. On Friday, June 13th, the Quogue School is hosting their annual chicken dinner from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to raise funds for the PTA. The annual Concert on the Village Green will be held on Friday, June 20th; the annual Village Beach Party will be on Friday, July 18th; and the annual Duck Race at the Village Dock will be on Friday, August 8th. All of these events are organized by the Quogue Association and more details will follow.
The East End Hospice is holding their annual gala on Saturday, June 28th, and the Wildlife Refuge is celebrating their 17th annual Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Gala on Saturday, July 12th.
Wishing everyone a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue