August 21, 2025

Dear Quogue Residents,

Summer is winding down and hurricane season has begun. In coordination with the Town of Southampton and the neighboring villages, I declared a State of Emergency in light of the anticipated effects of Hurricane Erin passing offshore. Proclamation

Our beaches survived overnight, but the true test will be the high tide this evening around 7:00 pm and tomorrow morning’s high tide.  Please exercise extreme caution when driving, due to flooding conditions, especially on Dune Road, and do not even think about going into the ocean. Dune Road may be subject to closure if tidal conditions shift unfavorably. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to subscribe to the Town’s emergency alert system. Click HERE to subscribe to Notify Me®.

In last month’s letter, I tempted fate on the subject of car theft by stating that “we have happily not had any reported infractions so far this summer”.  Less than two weeks later, there was an attempted robbery in broad daylight at one of our shops on Jessup. While the suspect was quickly apprehended due to the combined efforts of alert residents and our stellar police department, this unfortunate incident is a wake-up call that our beautiful village is not immune to crime and malfeasance. Just yesterday evening, we received a report of two bicycles stolen out of someone’s front yard. In response, you may have noticed an increased police presence on Jessup as we now have an officer on foot patrol during business hours. Please remain vigilant and lock your cars and doors. Report any suspicious activity by calling the police department or 911. Our police force can respond in a matter of minutes.

While we finally received a healthy downpour yesterday, Suffolk County has been experiencing near drought conditions over the past few weeks. The Suffolk County Water Authority issued a Stage 1 Water Alert in late July urging everyone to eliminate all unnecessary water use and to refrain from lawn watering. While the Stage 1 alert remains in effect, SCWA just announced that they have lifted their request to refrain from lawn watering entirely, but to maintain the odd/even schedule.  Homes with odd-numbered street addresses water only on odd-numbered calendar days and vice versa, with no lawn watering between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. This rule should be respected at all times.

The Village is about to embark on our annual oil and stone maintenance.  The Village maintains a certain number of roads each year on a rotating basis.  The first phase should begin right after Labor Day, with a smooth layer of asphalt being spread to fill in holes and cracks, and to level the streets. The second phase will take place the following week (weather permitting), when blue stone gravel will be laid down with a liquid oil emulsion (hence the name “oil and stone”).  This needs to be done in the early fall when the weather is still warm enough for the gravel to bind properly.

As we approach the end of the summer season, a reminder that the final weekend at the Village Beach is September 13th-14th, and all lockers must be emptied out that Sunday. The beach concession will remain open this year through the end of September.

And now for some upcoming events:

This coming Saturday, August 23rd, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, our police department is organizing Coffee with a Cop in front of Schmidt’s Country Market. Please stop by and join your neighbors and police officers for coffee and conversation.

Please make time to visit the Quogue Historical Society’s Pond House Museum, which is currently exhibiting: HOUSE PROUD! Quogue’s Iconic Summer “Cottages” 1880-1910.  

On Thursday, August 28th, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, the Quogue Historical Society is hosting a Picnic on the Grass at the 1822 Schoolhouse located at the Quogue Library.

On Saturday, August 30th, at 6:00 pm, the Quogue Library is presenting a concert under the outdoor tent by “The Differents”, featuring all your favorites from the best eras in acoustic folk, soft rock, blues, and R&B.

The Gallery at the Quogue Library is currently exhibiting works by East Quogue artist Garrett Chingery on the theme of “Wings from Within”. The exhibit will be on display through September 18th. Their next exhibit – “Fall for Local Artists” — will open on September 19th and will feature art from local artists Steve Alpert, Ellen Ball, Margot Carr, Susan Cushing, Donna Levy, and Lulie Morrisey.

The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held on Saturday, September 13th at 5:00 pm on the topic of The Future of NATO and European Security.

As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for the foregoing events and to learn more about their rich offering of programs of all types: https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

On Saturday, September 6th, the Quogue Association is hosting the annual State of the Town talk at 10:00 am on the Village Green. Supervisor Maria Moore will give an update of current events in the Town of Southampton and answer questions.

Also, on Saturday, September 6th, a group of Quogue residents is organizing a Food Drive in support of Heart of the Hamptons. They will be hosting a table in front of the post office from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Please bring non-perishable food for people or animals, as well as financial contributions. You can drop off your donations on your way to or from the State of the Town.

On Saturday evening, September 6th, at 7:00 pm, Quogue Chamber Music is presenting a concert at the Quogue Community Hall by the Ivalas Quartet performing works of Haydn, Ravel and Derrick Skye. To purchase tickets, please visit www.QuogueChamberMusic.org.

The Quogue Volunteer Fire Department is organizing a 9/11 commemoration at 6:00 pm on September 11th at the Fire House.

On September 13th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, the Greater Westhampton Suffolk Alliance of Pollinators (SAP) is offering a self-guided Pollinator Garden Tour in the Quogue/Westhampton area. You will have an opportunity to visit beautiful local private pollinator gardens and learn more about this important initiative. Check in is at the Quogue Library starting at 9:00 am to receive the tour locations. The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is an active participant in the SAP, and our Village is recognized as being on the Pollinator Pathway.

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is concluding their summer program this week with performances by the Junior Troupe members of The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition on August 20th – 22rd. Details and tickets can be obtained at QJTT.org.

Robert Treuhold

Mayor, Village of Quogue

State of Emergency 8-20-25

 

Dear Quogue Residents,

Summer is upon us and the Village is buzzing with activity from an influx of seasonal residents, extended families, friends, and visitors.

Concern for all who are in the Village at the peak of the summer leads me to reiterate some critical safety reminders. Apologies for the repetitive nature of these comments, but it appears that many of the following admonitions have been falling on deaf ears.

Cyclists – please ride with the traffic, respect all traffic signs, and wear helmets at all times; wear bright clothing and please consider installing lights.  Do not ride side by side. Dismount and walk your bikes when visiting the merchants on Jessup Avenue. Please have some courtesy to others and do not block the sidewalks and driveways.  There are bicycle racks on the Village Green side of Jessup.

Runners – please run facing the oncoming traffic, wear bright clothing, AND please wear a shirt which is a requirement of our Village Code.  Do not run side by side.

Drivers – please respect the speed limit at all times and stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Do not make U-turns on Jessup Avenue; this includes not making 3-point turns using Village Lane (or backing out of Village Lane into Jessup), and not turning into a diagonal space in front of Schmidt’s when heading south.  If there is no spot available, consider parking in the Village lot by the Firehouse or in the spots in front of the office on Village Lane. Exercise extreme caution when backing out of a space into oncoming traffic on Jessup. Finally, our Fire Department has asked me once again to remind you to yield to a vehicle if it is showing a flashing blue light. This means that a first responder is on their way to the firehouse or to an active fire or accident. They are understandably in a hurry!

On the subject of first responders, I note that the Village has been experiencing a large number of false alarms, which increases the workload of our volunteers especially during the summer months. These false alarms are very often triggered when work is being performed on a residence. Please inform your contractors how to manage your alarm systems and consider having your systems serviced annually. Please also remember to renew your alarm permit registration if you have not already done so.  This is an annual requirement so that our Fire and Police Departments have up-to-date contact information in the event an alarm is triggered. Alarm permit renewals can now be done easily on-line through the following link: Click to Register Your Alarm

It is also time once again to express the Village’s concerns regarding the growing use of electric bicycles in the Village, especially by our younger residents.  There are an increasing number of e-bikes speeding around the Village, many being ridden by teenagers (or younger), and, more often than I would like, helmetless. There are tragedies reported in the press on an almost daily basis.  A reminder that e-bikes are regulated by NY State and are not authorized to be used by children under the age of 16.  Helmets are required for 16 and 17 year-olds, and frankly should be worn by all riders at all times (for all types of bicycles).  E-bikes are only allowed on streets with speed limits no greater than 30 mph, meaning that they should not be used on Montauk Highway or Route 104.  I do not believe these resident letters are being read by the teenagers in our Village. Parents, please educate your kids and do not provide underage teens with e-bikes!  I have asked our police officers to increase enforcement. When an “under-age” e-bike rider is stopped, the parents are contacted and asked to pick up the child and the bike.

Our Police Department asked me to remind residents about the importance of locking your vehicles and not leaving keys and fobs in your cars.  While we have happily not had any reported infractions so far this summer in Quogue, there have been a fair number of car thefts and/or intrusions reported in the Westhampton area.

And now for some upcoming events:

The Quogue Association’s Annual Beach Party takes place this Friday, July 18^th, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. There will be a live band, barbecue, beer, wine, ice cream, and a bonfire on the beach. Tickets and more information are available on the website: www.quogueassociation.org.

Please make time to visit the Quogue Historical Society’s Pond House Museum, which is currently exhibiting: HOUSE PROUD! Quogue’s Iconic Summer “Cottages” 1880-1910.  QHS Curator and Southampton Town Historian Julie Greene is hosting a series of “Quogue History Talks” at the Pond House Museum.  There is one scheduled for this Thursday, July 17^th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Another talk is scheduled for next Thursday, July 24^th, at the same time.

The Gallery at the Quogue Library is currently exhibiting 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 31^st. The Gallery’s next exhibit opens on August 1^st, with a presentation of recent paintings by East Quogue artist Garrett Chingery on the theme of “Wings from Within”. The exhibit will be on display through September 4^th, with an Artist Talk and Reception on Saturday, August 2^nd, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

This Saturday, July 19^th, at 3:00 pm, join Quogue resident Hillary Huber (Wilson), award-winning narrator of over 800 titles, who will be interviewed by author Annabel Monaghan and will discuss the art and process of audiobook creation.

The Library’s Summer Series of Authors in Conversation begins this Sunday, July 20^th at 5:00 pm with Quogue resident Gerry Byrne in conversation with debut author Charlie Stanton, discussing his book How the Jester Became King: Dave Portnoy & the Unauthorized Real Story of Barstool Sports.

This coming Monday, July 21^st, at 5:30 pm, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting an Author Talk on “How We Choose to Show Up”.  Join bestselling-award winning local author Marcy Axelrod in the Nature Center to discuss her groundbreaking book. Axelrod offers a practical framework for how to “Truly Show Up” with greater ease. Please note that this event was originally scheduled for July 30^th.  You can register for this event and learn more about other Refuge activities at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.

On Thursday, July 24^th, at 4:00 pm, Giuliana Castellani Koch, noted speaker on Italian culture and history (and Quogue summer resident), will give a presentation at the Library on “The World of the Etruscans: In their Time and In Our Time”. The Etruscans were Italy’s first great civilization, and they shaped Rome’s rise and have had a significant influence on Western culture.

On Friday, July 25^th, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, the Quogue Library and Quogue Chamber Music join together to present a concert under the tent of Brahms and Dvorak string quintets by members of the Manhattan Chamber Players. Wine and cheese will be served. To purchase tickets, please visit www.QuogueChamberMusic.org.

On Sunday, July 27^th, at 5:00 pm, the Library’s Summer Series continues with a conversation between Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Confessore and Whiting Award-winning author Genevieve Crane to discuss the power and the perils of Artificial Intelligence for journalists and writers.

On Sunday, August 3^rd, at 5:00 pm, Fanny Lakouby, digital art advisor, curator and collector, and Charlotte Kent, art critic, theorist and professor, will discuss “How it Works: AI and The Digital Art Market“.

On Sunday, August 10^th, at 5:00 pm, the Summer Series continues with a conversation between best-selling author Christina Alger and Ken Miller, author of the critically acclaimed debut novel “High Finance”.

The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held on Saturday, August 16^th at 5:00 pm on the topic of American Policy in the Middle East.

As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for the foregoing events and to learn more about their rich offering of programs of all types: quogue.librarycalendar.com

The Quogue Volunteer Fire Department is holding their Annual Open House on Sunday, August 3^rd, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Please come and bring your families in support of our wonderful volunteers, while having fun, eating treats, and learning about fire safety.

Please save the date for the 59^th Annual Art Show and Sale to benefit the QHS which will be held on the Village Green on Saturday, August 9^th, 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 8^th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on the Village Green. More information and tickets are available on the QHS website: quoguehistory.org

Please also mark your calendars for this year’s Duck Race, scheduled for Friday, August 8^th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Further details about the Duck Race and how to buy ducks can be found through this link:  quogueassociation.org

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is gearing up for their summer program celebrating their 47^th year. They will be producing SHREK – The Musical on July 29^th – 31^st and August 1^st for the Senior Troupe, and The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition on August 20^th – 22^rd for their Junior Troupe members. Please also note that the QJTT Annual Benefit is slated for Friday, July 25^th, with a performance and reception beginning at 7:00 pm. Details and tickets can be obtained at QJTT.org.

Have fun!

Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue