Dear Quogue Residents,
Winter has officially arrived following yesterday’s solstice. “May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night, that each day forward is blessed with more light!”
The holidays are here and our Village looks beautiful. We had a fabulous holiday celebration on the Village Green earlier this month with a huge turnout for the tree and Menorah lighting with a concert provided by the Quogue School Chamber Choir.
A reminder that our local merchants are open and ready to fulfill your last-minute shopping needs. The Quogue Shop, the Quogue Flower Shop, Jen Going Interiors, Quogue Liquors, the Quogue Salon, the SFA East Spa, and Studio 7 Pilates will all be open most days, as will Schmidt’s Country Market.
I am pleased to announce that the Trustees designated Ted Necarsulmer as the Village’s 2025 Person of the Year. Ted has served as a Village Trustee since 2009. He has also served in our Fire Department for over two decades, where he continues to serve as President of the QFD Benevolent Association. He recently stepped down from the Board of the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, having served for over ten years and acting as the Refuge’s Treasurer. Please join me and the Trustees in expressing our deep appreciation to Ted for his tireless and ongoing efforts to improve the Village throughout the years.
It is time for another reminder to register and/or renew your alarm permit. The registration and renewal form can be completed on-line and is accessible HERE. You may also download a printable form from the Village website HERE.
While it seems premature already to be thinking ahead to next summer, as many of you are aware, the US Open golf tournament is returning to Shinnecock Hills next June 18-21. In light of the high demand for short-term rentals, the Village Trustees agreed to waive the usual 15-day minimum rental requirement during the pendency of the tournament. A reminder that homeowners must obtain a Rental License from the Village. Details are available on the Village website or you can call Village Office should you have any questions.
Last week, the Suffolk County Legislature tightened the regulations applicable to e-bikes and scooters. All operators must now wear a helmet, regardless of age. This requirement is more strict than the current NY State law, which only mandates helmets for 16 and 17 year-olds. The new regulation also bans the use of e-bikes and scooter on highways, sidewalks, or streets with a speed limit over 30 miles per hour. The Quogue police force will be enforcing the new law as a matter of public safety. Here is a link to a News 12 report on the new regulation:
https://longisland.news12.com/suffolk-officials-crack-down-on-e-bikes-and-e-scooters-with-new-law
The Town of Southampton property tax bills were mailed last week. If you have not yet received your bill, you can download a copy from the Town’s website: https://etax.southamptontownny.gov/(S(gbmkqlzqo4nhpepzqcljakla))/WebPortal/WEB_PT_MAIN.aspx?command=EPAYMENT&style=&group=eTaxAR
This past weekend, the Westhampton Ambulance Volunteer Water Rescue Squad organized a Polar Plunge at Rogers Beach in Westhampton Beach to raise funds in support of their mission to “Waterproof Inlet to Inlet”. Please consider contributing by visiting their website at https://www.westhamptonwaterrescue.org/.
And now for a few announcements of some of the events and activities happening in Quogue in the coming days and weeks:
The Art Gallery at the Library is currently presenting a Quogue Photography Exhibition on display through January 8th. The Gallery’s next show is Part Two of the Quogue Historical Society’s House Proud: Quogue’s Iconic Summer “Cottages”: 1880-1910, with a Reception and Talk with Julie Greene, Southampton Town Curator and QHS Curator, on Sunday, February 1st, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
On Wednesday, January 7th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the Quogue Library is organizing a cooking class and Mediterranean Dinner with Chef Naela.
On Saturday, January 17th, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, the Quogue Library is organizing a Defensive Driving program taught by MaryAnne Yutes, a certified instructor from the Empire Safety Council and accredited by the DMV. You should be able to obtain a discount on your auto insurance premium if you complete the course.
As always, the Library has daily programs for all ages. Please consult their website to check out the packed calendar of exercise, tech and other classes; art and crafts activities; book clubs; games; movies and more. https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month
Hold the date of Monday, February 2nd from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm for the Annual Groundhog Day Celebration at the Quogue Library.
On behalf of the Trustees and the Village Staff, I extend our best wishes for the holidays and for a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue