Dear Quogue Residents,
With the summer solstice behind us, summer has officially arrived! The weather is tracking last year almost to the day as we experienced a heat wave in late June following a rather miserable spring. Fire up the grills as July 4th is around the corner!
On the subject of grills, at the request of our Fire Department, I would like to remind you to perform basic grill maintenance and safety checks. All residents should have a dry-chem extinguisher in their kitchen as well as one handy near the outdoor grill. Every year our Fire Department responds to numerous outdoor fires caused by grills. As demonstrated by the massive brush fires this past March, we cannot exercise too much caution when grilling or otherwise “playing” with fire outdoors.
I was at Schmidt’s yesterday (where you can find me almost every day) and am happy to report that the Local Provisions “pop-up” summer location in Quogue is set to open this coming weekend. Please check out their offering of healthy and sweet treats: https://www.localprovisionswhb.com/
It has been a while since I last reported on the long-awaited (overdue?) FIMP beach nourishment project. This is because I have had nothing new to report. That being said, the long-delayed appraisal process is finally moving forward. I have asked for a target date to complete this step by summer’s end. This would enable the Town to send the easement “Offer Packages” to the 99 oceanfront homeowners in the project area, of which approximately half are located in Quogue. Once the easements have been recorded with the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office, the Army Corps of Engineers then puts the project out to bid; their current schedule is aiming to take this step next spring/summer, which would lead to “sand on the beach” beginning in the fall/winter of 2026-2027. I will continue to provide updates when/if I have news to report.
The Village held its elections last Friday. Randy Cardo and Ted Necarsulmer were reelected for a two-year term as Trustees. In addition, I am pleased to report that the referendum approving an increase to the long-term incentive reward program for our volunteer firefighters was adopted. On a negative front, the voter turnout was truly disappointing with only 47 residents making their way to the polls to exercise their civic duty – this out of approximately 1,350 registered voters in the Village. We can do better!
The Village Beach opens seven days a week beginning this Saturday, June 28th. The beach concession run by Zach Schmidt will now be open seven days a week from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Zach asked me to highlight that he will now be offering breakfast every day with fresh coffee from Hampton Coffee. He has also set up an ice cream stand. Here is a link to the current menu: Schmidt’s Beach Café Menu
I add a public safety reminder brought to you from Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES). Last year in Suffolk County, there were 27 patients treated by Suffolk County Emergency Medical Services or brought to emergency rooms who experienced near drowning, and there were 24 deaths attributed to drowning. Many of the patients/deaths were young children. Please teach your children how to swim and never leave a child unattended near a pool or near the water. Here is a link to a FRES memo setting forth a series of common sense and practical water safety recommendations. Let’s all have a safe and enjoyable summer as we enjoy our waterfront community!
A reminder that the Village’s property tax bills which were mailed on June 1st are payable without penalty by July 1st.
And now for some upcoming events:
The Gallery at the Quogue Library is opening a new exhibit tomorrow with works by Iodine Duke, an East Hampton based artist who produces immersive and vibrant watercolors of observations both real and imagined. The exhibit will be on display through July 31st, with an Artist Reception this Sunday, June 29th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The Library’s Third Annual Family Summer Kick-Off is Saturday, July 5th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event is a must for all in the Village with live music, crafts, presentations too many to list, and a visit back in time with Schoolmistress Miss Lizabeth Griffing to a 19th Century School Day in Quogue’s Historic 1822 One-Room Schoolhouse.
On Saturday, July 19th, at 3:00 pm, join Quogue resident Hillary Huber (Wilson), award-winning narrator of over 800 titles, who will discuss the art and process of audiobook creation. The Library’s Summer Series of Authors in Conversation begins Sunday, July 20th at 5:00 pm with Quogue resident Andrew Botsford in conversation with Charlie Stanton, author of How the Jester Became King. The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held on Saturday, July 12th, at 5:00 pm on the topic of AI and American National Security. As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to learn more about and sign up for their rich offering of programs of all types: quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month
The Quogue Historical Society’s Pond House Museum is opening this Saturday, June 28th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Museum will be opening a new Exhibit on Thursday, July 10th: HOUSE PROUD! Quogue’s Iconic Summer “Cottages” 1880-1910. Please join the exhibit’s opening reception that evening from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm with a talk by Julie Greene, QHS Curator and Southampton Town Historian. QHS is again hosting a series of “Quogue History Talks” at the Pond House Museum with Julie Greene. The talks are scheduled on Thursday, July 17th and 24th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Please save the date for the 59th Annual Art Show and Sale to benefit the QHS which will be held on the Village Green on Saturday, August 9th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. QHS is also hosting an Art Celebration with cocktails and an Art Talk that Friday evening, August 8th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on the Village Green. More information and tickets are available on the QHS website: Quogue Historical Society
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is celebrating their 17th annual Summer Benefit on Saturday, July 12th, with their Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Gala. It is a great party and important fund raiser to support the Refuge. Tickets for the Gala and details of the Refuge’s many programs can be found at: https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/
Following on the hugely successful Concert on the Village Green this past Friday, the Quogue Association is gearing up for their Annual Beach Party scheduled for Friday, July 18th, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Please also mark your calendars for this year’s Duck Race, scheduled for Friday, August 8th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Details on these events and how to join the Quogue Association can be found through this link: https://quogueassociation.org/
The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is gearing up for their summer program celebrating their 47th year. They will be producing SHREK – The Musical on July 29th – 31st and August 1st for the Senior Troupe, and The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition on August 20th – 22rd for their Junior Troupe members. Please also note that the QJTT Annual Benefit is slated for Friday, July 25th, with a performance and reception beginning at 7:00 pm. Details and tickets can be obtained at QJTT.org.
Please save the date for this summer’s “must attend” Open House at the Quogue Firehouse scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July!
Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue