Dear Quogue Residents,
The Board of Trustees issued a Proclamation formally declaring today to be Earth Day in our Village. This is the 56th annual celebration of the Earth Day movement. As in prior years, I encourage you to visit their website to learn more. https://www.earthday.org/ Please also join the Earth Day Celebration at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge this coming Saturday (see below for more details). The Trustees have also issued a Proclamation declaring Friday, April 24th as Arbor Day in the Village of Quogue. HERE is a link to the Proclamations.
I received a notification from the Cornell Cooperative Extension that due to the potential presence of elevated levels of marine biotoxins in shellfish, the NY DEC is issuing a precautionary closure for the harvest of shellfish and “carnivorous gastropods” in the Towns of Southampton and Southold. This is another reminder of the importance for all of us to take steps to reduce nitrogen pollution. If you have not already done so, please consider upgrading your septic system and take advantage of available grants. More information can be found on the Village website HERE. By the way, carnivorous gastropods are predatory snails and slugs (I had to look it up).
With summer approaching, I again strongly encourage you all to become members of the Quogue Association. For over 100 years, the Quogue Association has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing the unique character of our Village and plays a key role in maintaining the charm and vitality of Quogue. For more information or to join, visit www.quogueassociation.org or contact them at quogueassociation@gmail.com.
Some repeat information in a condensed format:
BEACH STICKERS:
Applications – villageofquogueny.gov PLEASE USE THE ON-LINE SYSTEM HERE
Processing time – up to five days
Weekday sticker pick-up Fridays ONLY – starting May 1st – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Weekend sticker pick-up – Saturdays – May 16th, May 23rd and May 30th – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Stickers can also be mailed to you – contact the Village office
LEAF PICK UP PROTOCOL REMINDER:
Pick up from April 15th to May 15th
Place leaves on street shoulders – NOT around hydrants and utilities or in the street
No plastic bags – No brush or cuttings
LEAF BLOWER AND SUSTAINABILITY REMINDERS:
Restrictions on the use of gas-powered blowers back in effect on May 15th
Off-hour complaints? Contact Village Police: 631-653-4791
Complaints during business hours? You can also call the Building Department: 631-653-4498
Watering ONLY on odd/even days (your street #)
No watering 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Please cut down on the use of lawn chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers
Plant native species
As part of your Spring Cleaning exercise at this time of year, I would encourage you all to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Please also check your fire extinguishers to make sure they are still charged. If not already the case, please be sure to have fire extinguishers handy in your kitchens and by outdoor grills. As we look forward to barbecue season, please be sure to clean your grills and vents, as grease build-up is a major contributor to outdoor fires.
On the subject of cleaning up, the Town of Southampton recently announced that it is again time for the annual Great East End Clean-Up, a volunteer-based program to remove litter and debris from roadsides, parks, trails, and beaches. The Clean-Up collection is this coming weekend of April 25th – 26th. All you need to do to participate is to select an area of public property and complete the registration form on-line. More information is available at: https://www.southamptontownny.gov/722/Great-East-End-Clean-Up
And now for a few upcoming events:
As noted above, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting the annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 25th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. A celebration of nature and our lovely planet is being offered at the Refuge, sponsored by the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society and the Wildlife Refuge. There will be a multitude of activities for the family, and treats will be on offer by Hampton Coffee and the ‘Land and Sea Smokehouse’ food truck. Bring e-waste and prescription medications for recycling. No reservations are necessary. The rain date is Sunday, April 26th.
The Art Gallery at the Quogue Library presents a Solo Photography Exhibition featuring works by George Motz, Jr., on display from April 24th through June 3rd, with an opening reception this Saturday, April 25th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
The Quogue Library is organizing a program on Long-Term Care Planning on Wednesday, May 6th, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with a presentation on the financial, legal, and emotional impacts of long-term care. Registration is required.
The next Great Decisions Foreign Policy discussion program is scheduled for May 9th, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, on the subject of “U.S. – China Relations”. Registration is also required.
As always, please consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for their rich offering of movies and programs of all types: www.quoguelibrarycalendar.com.
The vote on the Quogue School and Quogue Library annual budgets, and to elect one member of the Board of Education, will take place on Tuesday, May 19th, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Quogue School. There will be a presentation of the proposed budgets on Tuesday, May 12th, at 7:15 pm, also at the Quogue School.
The Hampton Theatre Company’s 2025-2026 season concludes with the iconic Hitchcock murder mystery The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan. Performances begin on May 21st and run through June 7th. Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.
Memorial Day weekend is around the corner (even if the weather does not feel that way). I will be giving the traditional State of the Village address at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 23rd, in front of the Firehouse. Please also mark your calendars for the Memorial Day Commemoration on Monday, May 25th, also at 10:00 am in front of the Firehouse.
As noted last month, on Saturday, June 20th, at 8:30 am, the Village is organizing the inaugural Summer Solstice 5K Run/Walk, in support of the Quogue Fire Department. The race will start and end at the Firehouse. The sign-up website is now active: https://events.elitefeats.com/26quogue
The Quogue Association has announced the dates for the annual Concert on the Village Green on Saturday, June 27th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; the annual Beach Party on Saturday July 18th, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; and the annual Duck Race on Saturday, August 8th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Quogue Historical Society’s Annual Art Show is also scheduled to be held on Saturday August 8th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, on the Village Green.
Wishing everyone a Happy Earth Day!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue